HON entitles this document “How to Purchase Office Furniture: Real Answers, Real Simple” – and it is a quick read. The last page is a useful checklist that can be used to order directly from HON. However, it is generic enough to act as a planning sheet for buying from any manufacturer. As the HON booklet points out, most buyers research online but many still seek out a local office furniture dealer for help with office space design and layout. That’s an approach that makes sense if you can get a free consultation (like the one we provide at up to a $1000 value).

Overview of HON’s Tips

Understanding Your Purpose

Section 1 gives you a list of questions to ask about the “why” of your purchasing decision. It includes suggestions on the type of atmosphere you can create with different types of furniture and finishes.

Learn Your Terminology

Section 2 has a list of commonly used worksurface terms. Find out the difference between a return and a bridge along with what purpose each one serves in the work environment.

Seating Considerations

Section 3 advises purchasers not to buy conference room chairs as a substitute for task seating. Chairs made for temporary use just aren’t comfortable enough to sit in all day.

File It Away

Section 4 points out that filing cabinets need to be level for the drawers to operate properly. This means you need to either purchase storage units with built in levelers or plan to place shims (cardboard or otherwise) at the corners.

Notes on Panel Systems

Section 5 covers considerations for cubicle purchasing from HON Office Furniture. San Diego employers can learn a little about raceways and wiring here; but HON recommends a consultation with a local dealer for more specific information.

Today, the trend may be changing again. A few companies are making a point of purchasing larger cubicles to give employees a little more elbow room. Many more are focusing on enhancing comfort without actually increasing cubicle size. It appears that 6×6 cubicles can be perceived as reasonably spacious if an effort is made to use smart design.

Canada’s National Research Council has done quite a bit of experimentation on this topic. Here are some of their findings for ways to increase employee satisfaction in a cubicle-based work environment:

• Arrange workstations so that as many workers as possible are near an exterior window or have one in their line of sight.
• Use lower panel heights and pale color schemes to increase the penetration and reflection of natural light into the workspace.
• Install lamps in each cubicle so employees can control light levels with their own dimmer switch.
• Specify acoustic cubicle panels that are higher than the heads of seated employees.
• Arrange workstation entrances so they are not facing high-traffic areas.
• Check cubicle layout to ensure that ventilation is even and there are no uncomfortable drafts.

The NRC does recommend increasing cubicle size as one possible strategy to achieve better acoustic privacy. However, they also point out that the use of noise masking technology can serve a similar purpose. All in all, most of their recommendations can be implemented in an office setting where 6×6 cubicles are used. And, you can discuss all of these issues with our consultants during a free office design planning session.

Quad Station

In this example from the Compose line by Haworth, all employees are facing in one direction. Ventilation can be provided from a single angle (say, above and behind) to serve the entire group. Four workstations are combined to create a very stable structure.

Double U

These two U-shaped York workstations from Knoll share a central seating area to save space. Since the workers are facing away from each other, there is a greater sense of privacy. Storage can be shared or separate depending on the needs of the employees.

Spine

One of the most popular cubicle configurations for efficient electrical and data wiring is the spine setup. Workers can sit facing each other along a single work table for greatest space savings. Panels and workstations can be added along the spine to create separate cubicles in a less collaboration-oriented environment.

Honeycomb

The Resolve system from Herman Miller is an example of one of the newer cubicle layout designs. It uses 120 degree joints to create honeycomb shaped workstations. These give employees a sense of having more room while actually conserving space. They can be set up along a zig-zag spine or arranged in clusters.

Accurate Inventory – Label each part prior to or during disassembly. This is especially important if not all of your cubicle models are identical. Use masking tape and only stick it to areas where it won’t leave an unsightly adhesive residue after removal. Make a full list of how many cubes you have – including sizes and accessories (work surfaces, shelving, etc).

Protection – When possible, layer panels between cardboard or moving blankets. This will keep metal and laminate surfaces from being scratched. Keep fabric panels away from sunlight or they may fade. Secure the stored panels firmly in place so they don’t fall over and injure an employee.

In general, off-module cubicle structures permit greater flexibility. A panel system might have connectors that permit several configurations to accommodate interior building features like columns or windows. Or, you might have the option of integrating a storage unit at any 6” interval along a panel instead of just in one set spot. The customizable nature of off-module cubicles can also make them a better option for a diverse workforce. For example, being able to select the preferred height for a worksurface can be a boon for very tall or very short employees.

The author runs through a pretty impressive list of benefits to giving each developer his/her own office space while also leaving some areas open for collaborative tasks. Of course, he acknowledges that this approach is more costly than setting up cubicles. However, he argues that the increase in productivity and reduction in errors makes up for the initial investment.

There are actually quite a few cubicle manufacturers who also offer architectural walls. The Altos collection from Teknion is one example. These walls are reconfigurable (although not as flexible as a cubicle system) and reduce noise very efficiently. This type of solution might be a good option for companies that want to spend a little extra making their “thought workers” happy and reduce distractions.

The Clone Difference

These manufacturers advertise their products as being just like the real thing at a significant discount off OEM pricing. They also claim that their cube parts are fully compatible or interchangeable with those of name brand manufacturers such as Herman Miller. This would theoretically allow a company with a current fleet of HM workstations to add on cloned cubes without paying full price for an actual Herman Miller product. That’s a tempting prospect for employers who are faced with a tight budget for office space planning and provisioning.

Of course, any patented office cubicle’s design features would not be duplicated in the clone (if the cloner doesn’t want to be sued).  In addition, cubicle cloning companies admit that shoddily constructed overseas replicas of mid-grade furnishings have given their industry a reputation for poor quality materials and workmanship. Many U.S. clone dealers are now providing extensive guarantees and warranties to build trust with their client base.

What’s In a Name?

There is no question that some of what you pay for when purchasing new cubicles from companies like Haworth, Steelcase, and HM is the name tag. Of course, these companies have earned their reputation for extremely high quality and durability. It is certainly possible that some of these features can be duplicated by less well known manufacturers and reasonably sold at a lower price. This is something purchasers must evaluate on a case by case basis.

Cloned vs. Refurbished

Cloned cubicles are advertised starting at 25-35% less than new, name brand office cubicles. Design features and materials are promised to be similar to the OEM products. This is in contrast to a cost savings of up to 50% for an actual name brand cubicle that has been restored to like-new condition. Ask yourself this question: Which would you rather spend your money on – a brand new KIA or a certified, pre-owned BMW?

Like novelists, these designers get asked the “Where do you come up with your ideas?” question a lot. Martin Bergmann from the EEOS team (collaborators on the Coalesse line under the Steelcase brand) offers one answer. This Austrian design specialist says his team’s process entails “illuminating a previously undiscovered dimension” of a client’s brand. This information is used in concert with the customer’s functional requirements for the office furniture to develop the perfect solution.

For example, some companies are using semi-transparent glass panels when reducing the size of personal workspaces. Others are limiting the total number of partitions and creating more collaborative areas. These tactics create an open feel compared to being stuck in an ever shrinking cell surrounded by 6’ high fabric clad walls.

However, there is probably a point at which people will begin to rebel. Then again, it hasn’t happened yet in Japan (take a look at this NYT article on capsule hotels). So, Americans may go along with this shift for much longer than anyone suspects. Just don’t try to reduce the size of our SUVs quite yet!

The performance of a building’s air handling system or other constantly running equipment can also be a major factor in overall acoustic comfort. A moving part that isn’t well lubricated can cause annoying squeaking or rattling that drives workers slowly mad. Of course, for situations where strategically generated white noise can increase the level of privacy, many companies install sound masking technology. With 70% of office employees claiming that they could be more productive in a less noisy work environment, remodeling for greater acoustic tranquility might be a “sound” investment indeed.