Return To Steelcase

[22/11/2012]

i2i chair

8 days after the launch party we returned to Steelcase for a tour of the office. It began in the meeting room where Craig gave us a brief overview of what Steelcase do before being showing us some promotional videos. The first video was for the i2i chair that we had all been so impressed with on our first visit. The video showed the entire design process from concept sketches to the final product. It was a fascinating insight into the work that a designer does and what struck me was how many iterations the product went through before the final design was settled upon. The basic form of the chair seemed to be decided early on (in the video at least) but features like the base for example were designed (and redesigned) on numerous occasions.

node chair

The second video was for the Node chair. It is designed for use in an educational environment and features a personal worksurface and space underneath to hold a bag. It was fascinating to see how they started with a key insight (the need for greater flexibility when it comes to classroom furniture to allow for more interactive forms of learning) and turned it into a product. The video shows students and staff at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy in Chicago talking about the node and how it helps them to better engage with their classwork.

After the videos we were given the grand tour. We began at the hot desks where the sales team were working. Given that the desks have no permanent occupant, the think chair was chosen to complement them. This sort of situation is similar to my own hub scenario so it was good to hear their insights into such a work environment.

Next on the tour was the collaboration area (as modelled by Phil, Ken and myself on the Steelcase Solutions website). The ports built in to the table really make it easy to share work on the big screen opposite and the high backs provide a higher level of soundproofing/privacy that you might think.

We were then shown the more traditional office area. These desks are designated to specific employees who occupy them for long periods every day. What i found interesting was the smaller table at the side which is designed for people to sit on (the top can also be padded to make this functionality more obvious). This avoids the awkward situation that occurs when someone comes to talk to you briefly and you find yourself having to look up to talk to them.

Last, but by no means least, on the tour was the atrium that Steelcase share with all of the building's occupants. They have furnished this area with 4 armchairs and a sit/stand desk and invited all staff employed in the building to use it as a collaborative workspace (although only one person has taken them up on this invitation so far).

The atrium was by far my favourite area of the office. I find it baffling that no-one would want to work there (they would probably have preferred that it remain somewhere to dump their bikes). With an unparallelled level of natural light and a cathedral-high ceiling, it seems like the perfect place for creative thinking. The architecture itself is stunning: the marble walls and art deco features remnants of a time when Glasgow as the second city of the world's largest empire.















Despite all that, the highlight of the day didn't come until right at the end. As we were preparing to leave Nick Lyons joined us to discuss Steelcase and their product range. One of the problems he identified was that many users are unaware of how to properly adjust their chair and said that the company had started putting QR codes on products to direct users to the instruction manual. At this point, Craig told him about the app in my concept which he hailed as a "great idea". Sadly my subtle attempts to get him to attach a monetary value to its greatness were in vain. But I'll try again in a few weeks time.