1. Introduction to Systems Furniture
ID-439
Contract Design I

2. The Quickbourner Team
Germany, Two brothers developed the concept of open office layout and brought the idea to the US in 1967.
They believed that many offices hindered work productivity. Their designs promoted good communication and flow.
Referred to a office landscaping.
Their plans were based upon a systems analysis of work flow and communication.
The layout was very free and non-rectilinear.

3. The Quickbourner Team
People in frequent contact with each other were placed close together.
Many acoustical problems were attempted to be corrected by the use of carpet, plants and acoustical ceiling tiles
This new approach of “landscape” planning had a tremendous impact on the way offices were to be designed. They were flexible, efficient, open and informal.
Americans, however, were slow to accept the idea because they didn’t want to give up their hardwall office, which were status symbols to the executives.

4. Open Office Landscaping
No panels, only desks, files and bookcases.M

5. Robert Propst Hired by Herman Miller, Inc. in 1960
A researcher and inventor
Developed Action Office I for Herman Miller and introduced it in 1964.
A panel based system using a vertical approach
Despite what the modern office has become, his goal was to get away from boxes and corridors.
The use of the panels violated the Quickborner concept but was widely accepted as open office landscaping.

6. Systems Manufacturers
“Grade A”
Systems Manufacturers
Haworth, Inc. : Unigroup, Places, Premise, Moxie, and Compose
Steelcase : Series 9000, Avenir, Answer, Kick
Herman Miller: Action Office, Ethospace, Resolve
Allsteel: Align, Terrace, Concensys
Teknion: T/O/S, Leverage, Transit, Lyft
Knoll: Dividends, Equity, Morrison, Reff
Kimball: Cetra, Traxx, Footprint
                                                         

7. Types of “Systems” Non-Panel Based (Desking Systems)
Panel Based (Universal connectors or handed connectors)
Post and Panel
Off-Modular
Reconditioned – Refurbished – As-is

8. Non-Panel Based Systems:
Haworth Race (a post and beam system)

9. Non-Panel Based Systems:
Haworth Patterns
Haworth Patterns

10. Haworth Patterns
Haworth Patterns

11. Freestanding Desking System:
Haworth “If”

12. Freestanding Desking System:
Knoll Upstart

13. Panel Based System
Monolithic
Stacked or Segmented
Off-modular

14. What is Panel Creep?

15. Planning with Systems Furniture

16. Panel Terminology Monolithic Raceway Topcap Siderail Honeycomb core
Monocoque Construction
Adjustable levelors/glides
Carpet grippers

17. Panel System
Top Channel Raceway

18. Top Cap, Side Rail and Corner Post
Side rails showing “slots” to hang components into.
Corner post

19. Variable height connectors
Variable Ht. Connectors
Covers exposed panel end when using two different panel heights

20. Heights and Widths will vary

21. Electrical Systems Haworth has an 8 Wire System
3 Hot, 3 Neutrals, 1 ground and 1 Isolated Ground
Max 16 amps per circuit
All manufacturers have a different system

22. Electrical Systems
Lay-in Power Base Raceway Beltline Power Ported Panel Flex Connector Programmable Receptacle

23. Steelcase Answer

24. Components
Steelcase Answer

25. Components
Steelcase Answer

26. Components
Steelcase Answer

27. Slider Doors – Barn Doors
Steelcase Kick
Steelcase Answer
Steelcase Answer

28. Compose (Premise)
Haworth Compose

29. Haworth Compose
Compose with Slider doors

30. Haworth Unigroup Too

31. Steelcase 9000

32. Herman Miller Action Office

33. Off Modular Systems Haworth Moxie with up-mount overheads, toppers
and “legs” support ends.

34. Haworth Moxie
Moxie
Stackable
Legs
Scrims

35. Collaborative/ Teaming Station

36. Collaborative/ Teaming Typicals