Archive for the ‘New Cubicles’ Category

Fun Facts: Feng Shui For Call Center Cubicles?

Monday, April 12th, 2010

49Feng Shui RocksDid you know that a Google search for cubicle Feng Shui delivers over 69,000 results? There’s even a “for Dummies” article on the topic. That’s a testament to all the office employees who are looking for alternative ways to make their workspace more inspiring. So, if you want tips for ways to improve the flow of Chi in call center cubicles, a quick trip online will provide plenty of ideas.

Some of the suggestions are obvious common sense such as keeping clutter to a minimum to encourage focus. Ergonomics also blends well with this ancient science – for example, good lighting is an essential part of both workplace design and Feng Shui. Other tips tie in to human psychology (don’t sit with your back to the opening of your cube or you will feel nervous).

Then, it becomes a little more esoteric with tools like the Bagua map that divide your cubicle or your worksurface into 9 squares – each representing a different aspect of your life. Want to experience greater work/life balance? Put a framed photo of your family in the top right corner of your desk. That’s the area that represents relationships.

All in all, Feng Shui offers a fascinating way to tap into your creative side. It can help remake call center cubicles into environments that promote productivity rather than stress and boredom.

Teknion Systems Furniture Wins Recognition

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

48Marketplace1In January, the Marketplace worktable was recognized by iF for design excellence. This modular bench is a core element of collaborative Teknion systems furniture environments. Now, it takes its place among the prizewinning products featured at the Hannover Exhibition Center. Each item was selected for inclusion based on exacting criteria for function, ergonomics, safety, branding, accessibility, eco-friendliness, workmanship, and other critical aspects of modern design.

From March through August, the Marketplace system will be on display for hundreds of thousands of viewers. Not planning a trip to Germany this year? Catch sight of these unique workspace components in this video and hear designer Carl Magnussen talk about the many sources of inspiration he relied on during the creation of Marketplace. Or, browse the library of photos and renderings to discover ways this solution could be integrated in your workplace.

What Makes Marketplace Unique?

48MPlaceDetail02This Teknion systems furniture design allows you to effectively create the longest desk in the business world. You can install an uninterrupted worktable (without periodic vertical supports) that is up to 20 feet in length. This remarkably space efficient design emphasizes teamwork and collaboration in the workplace. However, each employee’s space can also be personalized if desired.

The actual architecture of the Marketplace worktable relies on end gables connected by a lightweight yet sturdy central truss. Data and power cabling are run through this infrastructure to each workstation. The truss can also be used to support multiple monitor mounts to preserve as much open desk space as possible.

48MPlaceDetail10Lamps may be installed along the truss – both in the overhead canopy for a pleasant, ambient glow and in the form of task lighting for serious work. Screens and privacy angle inserts divide the space to give each team member their own “territory”. The Marketplace Teknion systems furniture collection includes bridges with integrated file storage that can be inserted at your desired intervals. This effectively turns the continuous worktable into a series of separate desks without taking up additional space.

From Darlene in San Diego – Cubicles and Daily Survival

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

47 HelpDo you have to cope with spending 40+ hours a week in cube farm? You’ll enjoy these helpful “survival” tips compiled by Darlene – a blogger from San Diego. Cubicles don’t have to create the cramped, uncomfortable work environment depicted in Dilbert cartoons if you and your coworkers make an effort to get along. A lot of it just boils down to being polite.

Darlene reminds readers that no one wants to hear every detail of your home life. Keep private conversations private by restricting them to break time when you can pop outside and use your cell phone. Besides noise, she also recommends being careful what your coworkers see (risqué artwork is a no-no) and what they smell (keep your lunch choices bland). For more insightful and funny advice, read the whole post.

Haworth Cubicles Produced Without Creating Landfill Waste

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

45 landfill signChristmas came early for Planet Earth last year when one office furniture corporation made its most recent waste-to-landfill announcement on December 18th. Haworth cubicles are now “greener” than ever. The company’s U.S. locations went from producing 4.6 million pounds of landfill-bound waste to zero pounds in 2009. Global facilities in Shanghai, China and Pune, India have also achieved this goal. Haworth’s remaining production plants are slated to complete their transition away from relying on landfills by 2011.

How Do They Do It?

Accomplishing the elimination of landfill waste generally requires a three pronged approach. Using lean manufacturing principles during production is one element of this strategy. It addresses ways to avoid wasting resources in the first place.

Reclaiming and recycling pre-consumer content that would normally be dumped is a closely related process. From 1993-2009, Haworth’s cubicle and office furniture plants recycled 206,000 tons of waste globally.

Haworth is also using waste-to-energy technology to recapture value from what might once have been considered trash. That’s how the company is currently handling the approximately 1 million pounds of waste they still produce in the U.S.

Other Haworth Sustainability Objectives

45 Recycle signDuring a recent renovation of the corporate headquarters for Haworth, cubicles weren’t outfitted with typical dedicated phone lines. Instead, the company opted for wireless, internet based technology that lets employees move phones wherever they are needed. This eliminated the need to purchase 407,000 feet of copper cabling.

The building also boasts one of the largest living roofs in the U.S. Over 45,000 square feet of pre-planted modular green roofing units grace the top of One Haworth Center. Here, 11 species of succulent sedum thrive year round and absorb rainfall that would otherwise contribute to storm water runoff. The building is well insulated by this natural rooftop habitat, reducing energy costs to keep the interior environment at a comfortable temperature.

The company is also continuing to address emissions production. In the last 10 years, a move toward water based glues and finishes has dropped related air emissions by 70%. This makes Haworth cubicles not only more environmentally friendly to build but safer for use in the workplace. Check out the corporation’s full sustainability report here.

Brighten Up Your Cubicle’s Vista With Original Artwork

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

44 PaintbrushesModern cubicle manufacturers offer a lot of visual interest in their product designs. They incorporate colorful fabrics, glass panels, lovely wood veneers, and more. However, if your company has old fashion grey fabric panels, the view from inside your workstation may be pretty dreary. Changing your cubicle’s vista from dull to interesting may be up to you.

The good news is that you are not entirely alone. Artist David Wenell has made it his mission in life to beautify cubicles with original art pieces. This lucky devil is a stay at home dad, but there’s a good chance that he was subjected to a boring cubicle at one time. His oil and watercolor paintings often focus on otherworldly landscapes bursting with color. At less than $25 per painting, this guy isn’t looking to strike it rich. He’s just doing his own small part to brighten up your workday.

Check out his collection to see if something strikes your fancy. Think you can do better? Pick up some paints at the craft store and make your own cubicle art!

Find Your Ethos With Herman Miller Systems Furniture

Friday, March 19th, 2010

42 ethospace_4Ethospace is a Herman Miller systems furniture option for businesses that care. You can express a lot about your organization’s core values with the furnishings you choose for the work environment. Partnering with HM says quite a few things about your company’s “ethos”.

Eco-Responsibility

This is where the Ethospace collection really shines. If you are interested in creating partnerships with vendors who practice sustainability, Herman Miller is one of the top contenders. This manufacturer is currently making excellent progress toward its 2020 goal of eliminating hazardous waste creation, landfill use, and VOC emissions from its production process. Here’s what you currently get when you source products from HM:

  • Furniture made from 52% recycled content (31% post-consumer)
  • End of life recyclability of up to 78% of components
  • Solid wood and veneers sourced from sustainable forestry suppliers
  • Particle board substrates made from 90-100% reclaimed sawdust
  • Textiles available in 100% recycled synthetic fiber options
  • Returnable and/or reusable packaging used in shipping whenever possible

Worker Health & Safety

Herman Miller systems furniture is manufactured in the U.S. This employer claims that it takes workplace OSHA standards seriously and this is reflected in their products. Ethospace is certified by GREENGUARD® as a low VOC emitting product. This means it won’t negatively impact the indoor air quality in your office. Autophoretic coating is used on the steel wall frames. Wood composite work surfaces are powder coated with a polyester based finish to prevent off gassing.

Modern Flexibility

42 ethospace_10Although this collection was first introduced in 1985, you can still build on an original Ethospace installation using the latest components. The frame and tile system lets you update the look and feel of your office space with minimal disruption.

Incorporate 120 and 135 degree angles to create modern honeycomb and collaborative workspaces alongside traditional cubicles. Ultra-high cabling capacity and off module design for add-on components guarantee that your Herman Miller systems furniture can keep up with any changes you want to make.

Fun Facts: Your New Cubicles Never Looked This Good

Monday, March 15th, 2010

40 Cubicle houseBuying all new cubicles isn’t the only improvement you can make to your office environment. This cunning group of coworkers has figured out how to upgrade an existing workspace to make it feel much cozier. Employee Stewart Douglas didn’t expect to come back from vacation and find himself the recipient of a “Total Cubicle Makeover”.

Watch the video to see what happens when office workers have extra time (and cash) at their disposal. Hopefully, since these guys were engineers they knew what they were doing with the electrical wiring. Most employers would consider this type of prank a serious fire hazard!

Empower Maxon Cubicles Offer Strength and Versatility

Friday, February 26th, 2010

36empower12_smallBusiness owners who are serious about purchasing some of the sturdiest office furniture on the market will be interested in investigating Maxon cubicles. Steel and aluminum are combined to create a panel system that can double as ceiling height walls in the Empower collection. These panels are 3” thick and can be stacked over 10’ high with header tiles. Are you promoting an office worker to a supervisory position? Increase the height of the employee’s cube walls and add a sliding door to create an instant private office.

Frames and Panels

36empower_4_thumbCamlocktm couplers connect these metal frames together. Rather than having two or three points of contact, this patented system runs along the full length of the vertical edge of each frame. This allows you to build a solid, sturdy wall. Initial installation and later changes are fast and simple. All metal surfaces are painted, coated, or naturally corrosion resistant for durability and longevity.

Tiles can be added or replaced at any time to reconfigure or just change the appearance of these Maxon cubicles. Metal tiles are ideal for high traffic areas where more delicate surfaces may be damaged. Laminates and tackable fabrics offer attractive options to match any décor. Glass provides open design alternatives for team workspaces; whiteboards add utility to cube interiors and collaborative areas.

Electrical and Data

You can power your Empower cubicles with cabling run from the floor, walls, or ceiling. Each panel has 2” of interior space to accommodate data and power lines. Run cables through raceways along the floor line or through panel-top channels. Access can be provided at the height of the worksurface or along the baseline – whichever is most convenient.

Customization

36empower_3_thumbWith over 600 sizes and shapes to select from including curved and wraparound styles, Maxon work surfaces can be incorporated to suit any layout. Overhead storage is available with an optional “anti-slamming” option that uses a gas assist cylinder to ease the bin door back into place. Employee storage options range from towers to bookcases and shelving.

To add your company’s personal touch to your Empower Maxon cubicles, send in a digital file with your corporate logo. The manufacturer can apply images with up to 4 colors on laminate or glass segments. For an even more sophisticated look, have your logo etched into the glass tiles. This is an especially nice selection if you are using this versatile panel system to create a reception desk.

AIS Cubicles Vista Finish

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

34 Vista FabricAre you planning the finish details for a set of AIS cubicles? Vista is one of the choices you might consider if you want neutral tones paired with an interesting texture. This surfacing option is part of the Birdseye collection by Guilford. It features pale, open weave fabric with darker threads woven through for contrast. Random oval shaped patches of light bluish gray add a rough, natural fiber look to this 100% polyester textile.

Like many of the fabrics from this manufacturer, Vista can be gently cleaned to remove soil and stains. You can test this out when you request a sample swatch directly from the Guilford mill in Maine. You should always check physical samples prior to placing a cubicle order with AIS. This gives you a chance to not only verify the color but get a feel for the weight and quality of the textile. Since most office furniture warranties don’t cover normal wear and tear on panel fabrics, you want to invest in a high quality product that will last.

Haworth Cubicle Light Wins iF Award

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

31 LIM LightThere is no question that Light in Motion (LIM) is an innovative, practical addition to the modern office space. Last year, this Haworth cubicle LED task light took home the silver at NeoCon. Now, the lighting system has been honored with the iF product design award for 2010. It has also been a finalist in other prestigious contests such as 2009 FX International Interior Design tradeshow in the UK.

The LIM comes in 9 different models featuring both panel and worksurface mounted options for use with Haworth cubicles. Pivoting and free standing versions are available to allow these task lights to be used anywhere in the office. The LED bulbs are advertised as having a potential life span of up to 50,000 hours. They use 85% less energy than incandescent lights. This lamp has an ultra-sleek aluminum profile that will put the spotlight on functionality while blending into any work environment.

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