In lieu of the typical desk paraphernalia, the worksurface hosts a miniature landscape in 3-D. Tiny trees dot the rolling hills and a petite waterfall graces the desktop where a flat screen monitor would normally be. Artist Clara Williams highlights the clash of the natural and artificial in a way that is both beautiful and compelling. This contrast reminds us of how disconnected we are from the environment when we spend all day under fluorescent lights and surrounded by manmade objects.

The full diorama exhibit collection is featured in the book Small World. Right now, a single copy of this paperback (used) is available on Amazon for the low price of…$923.53. Now, there’s a seller who is divorced from reality!

Cube Configuration

As the author of this article about office furniture in San Diego points out, business real estate in California is expensive. The less space employers have to pay a monthly lease for, the better. However, there is a fine line between being efficient and packing workers in like sardines. When employees feel crowded and undervalued, their stress levels rise and morale plummets. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce the overall square footage required without sacrificing individual comfort.

Properly configured cubicles can take up much less room than U shaped workspaces with a desk, bridge, and return. For example, an L shape has a more open feel while reducing the space taken up by furnishings. Scott Chapman at the American Chronicle points out that today’s compact, flat screen monitors can eliminate the need for employees to have 3 work surfaces. In addition, less storage space is required as companies move away from paper documentation.