DIRTT Agrees to Reimburse 22NW for Expenses Related to Contested Director Election / Freeform Has Acquired Brutzman's Office Solutions in the Tri-Cities / SVB employees blame remote work for bank failure / Mir Steps Down as President and CEO of 9to5 Seating / Banking Crisis Expected To Drag Commercial Real Estate Values Down Even Further / Office market continues to fail on environmental standards .... say landlords / Younger Generations Work Differently. What Does This Mean for the Future Workplace? / Are private C-suite offices returning to the workplace?


The Working Space
Monday, March 20, 2023

Industry News

Freeform Has Acquired Brutzman's Office Solutions in the Tri-Cities

Boise-based company, Freeform (formerly Business Interiors of Idaho), has acquired Brutzman’s Office Solutions, an office supply and furniture dealer in Richland, WA. This acquisition expands Freeform's Inland Northwest presence to three locations: Boise, Spokane, and the Tri-Cities. Brutzman’s is a family-owned business that has been serving the Tri-Cities area for over 75 years with a reputation for exceptional customer service.

Jeff Heath, CEO of Freeform, says, “We are excited to add Brutzman’s to the Freeform team. The Brutzman's team shares our values and commitment to the community. The merger will create new lifelong relationships and allow Tri-Cities customers to benefit from the organization’s expanded capabilities, shared resources, efficiencies, and purchasing power.”

The Brutzman’s employees will continue to work in the company’s Tri-Cities office. The brand will be adjusted to align with Freeform’s in a way that respects Brutzman’s tenure in the market and the relationships the team has established over their long history.

Mir Steps Down as President and CEO of 9to5 Seating

CEO and President Dara Mir will step down from his position at 9to5 Seating, effective April 1, 2023, to focus on his family and new challenges. Frederik Fogstad, Flokk Senior Vice President, International, will take over as the new CEO. Mir will remain on the supervisory board.

"I am honored to have been chosen to lead 9to5 Seating," said Fogstad. "I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and am confident that we can continue to build on the company's success."

Flokk acquired 9to5 Seating from the Mir family in 2019, with Dara Mir staying on as CEO and President supporting the transition of ownership and continued success of the company. Mir expressed his gratitude for the team's contributions to 9to5 Seating's growth and shared his pride in their achievements.

DIRTT Agrees to Reimburse 22NW for Expenses Related to Contested Director Election
DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. has agreed to reimburse 22NW Fund, L.P. for expenses incurred during the contested director election at the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on April 26, 2022. The total expenses to be reimbursed are US$1,559,898, and the company has agreed to issue common shares as settlement of the debt, subject to shareholder approval. The shares, priced at US$0.40, will be put before the company's shareholders for consideration and approval at the 2023 annual and special meeting. The issuance of the shares is subject to standard regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Win: City to spend $1 million a year on office furniture, residents object
Redwood City taxpayers will spend $1 million annually for new Herman Miller furniture at City Hall despite concerns from residents about the cost. Councilwoman Diane Howard asked to vote on the item separately to get an explanation from City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz. Stevenson Diaz explained that the city replaces its furniture every 20-25 years and buys from one brand because it allows the city to purchase it at a discount. The city will hold on to furniture until it can no longer be used. The council previously instructed her office to decrease the amount of worker’s compensation claims the city receives, and ensuring employees have ergonomic setups is an important way to mitigate those claims. Councilwoman Kaia Eakin believes that having an ergonomic setup will give goodwill to employees and will not incur workers comp claims. The council approved the contract extension from $500,000 to up to $1 million with a unanimous vote.
According to a Financial Times article, Silicon Valley Bank's commitment to remote work was cited as one reason for its failure. While it's unclear if remote work directly caused the bank's collapse, the incident may enter the broader debate about returning to the office. The banking industry has led the return to office charge for a while, and SVB was an outlier in its commitment to something different. Companies looking for a reason to bring workers back to the office may find it in this piece.
M&G Real Estate Head of Investment Strategy, Jose Pellicer, has stated that the UK commercial real estate market has reached "peak office", with investment in commercial real estate now focused on quality over quantity. Pellicer believes that major city centres, including London, will need to repurpose some of their existing commercial space into living accommodation in order to retain people in urban centres and foster talent. M&G's strategy has realigned in the wake of the changes created by hybrid working, with a focus on investing in better quality but fewer offices that have been designed to allow people to meet and collaborate and are on the path to net zero.
WeWork, the coworking giant, is reportedly on the verge of a financial restructuring with the help of its largest investor, SoftBank. SoftBank is in talks to convert about $1 billion of debt it has provided WeWork into equity, which would benefit both parties. WeWork is also working on obtaining funds and capital commitments of more than $1 billion. Despite its struggles, WeWork remains on track for its first-ever period of profitability by the first quarter of 2024, according to analysts. The company's stock is currently trading below $1, but SoftBank is expected to take action to rectify the situation.
The current banking crisis is expected to put further downward pressure on commercial real estate valuations, which were already down 15% from their peak in March 2022. The tightening of credit and higher interest rates are expected to contribute to this trend, with office properties likely to be hit particularly hard.
This article discusses the potential impact of an upcoming recession on the commercial real estate industry in the US. While some properties are struggling, the author believes that the industry as a whole will weather the storm and may even become more innovative as a result. The article also explores potential strategies for office building owners to thrive during a recession, such as focusing on distressed assets or value-add investments. Niche markets like co-working spaces may also be more resilient during a recession. Despite negative net absorption and record levels of sublease space, the market is expected to stabilize this year as tenants approach lease expirations and make space decisions.
Houston law firms are helping to sustain the city's office market, particularly downtown, as other firms move farther out to be closer to workers amid the rise of hybrid work. While many tenants are downsizing their spaces, law firms are signing up for bigger, more expansive spaces and spending big money on remodeling. Houston now counts the most square footage per attorney of any other city in the country, with law firms occupying an average of 1,055 SF per attorney, compared to a national average of 985 SF.
A new survey commissioned by infinitSpace and The Instant Group reveals that UK office landlords believe the office market is lagging behind other areas of the property sector in implementing environmental policies. The survey of 250 landlords found that 47% believe they need help in shaping environmental policies, while 84% reported a vacancy rate of 30% and above as average among their office building portfolio. The research also revealed a correlation between occupancy and level of sustainable practice.

Features

The Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting are signs that the workforce is evolving and workplace expectations are shifting. Younger workers, such as Millennials and Gen Z, make up more than 59% of the U.S. knowledge workforce. As new generations enter the workplace, it's important to recognize their unique workstyles and preferences. Workplace design should incorporate spaces for social interaction, coaching, and learning, balance active social and learning spaces with access to private work settings, provide choice in where employees can work, and consider locating in amenity-rich neighborhoods. Employers should also prioritize health and well-being to attract and retain top talent.
Marriott International's new headquarters in downtown Bethesda, designed by Gensler, is an example of a new concept of the office that can prosper in the work-from-home Covid era. The office features amenities like a public plaza, coffee shop, dining hall, gym, and childcare center, and is designed to feel more like a hotel than an office. The new version of the office is a kaleidoscope of hotel, spa, restaurant, library, and home, and aims to provide a feeling of comfort and luxury that competes with that of staying at home. Despite the enduring popularity of remote and hybrid work, many corporations have embraced plans for new office headquarters, campuses, and buildings, remaining convinced that employees need to return to the office to sustain high levels of productivity and feel connected to their company culture.
The traditional corner office for C-suite executives may be making a comeback as some companies are intentionally moving away from open-floor plans. The move is partly due to the blurred work-life boundaries that some have experienced during remote working. Private offices for C-suite executives are being designed as a private space both visually and acoustically. Companies are trying to create a separation of work and play while creating quiet spaces that some people may require after so long working remotely.
This article from Scientific American discusses the problems with open-plan offices and how designers are rethinking their execution. Open-plan offices have been found to fail at increasing collaboration and instead drive workers into more isolation. The COVID-19 pandemic has also shown that most people can work equally well from home. Designers are now doing more to accommodate a diversity of working styles and needs, including those of people who are hard of hearing or autistic. The article emphasizes the importance of paying attention to natural human variation and including workers in the design process.

Workspace News

According to a report by the Urban Land Institute and The Instant Group, only 14% of office occupiers believe their workspace aligns with their business objectives. The report suggests that while the office is here to stay, the sector is bracing itself for a profound shift, with occupiers still trying to figure out the impact of new activity-based workplace (ABW) strategies and hybrid working patterns. The demand for shorter, more flexible leases and pay-per-use services calls for business model reinventions, and landlords need to improve energy efficiency to retain tenants and preserve rental income.
This article discusses the challenges that companies face when figuring out how much office space they need and how to configure it to meet the needs of their employees. Workplace strategists are advocating for a more personalized approach that takes into account each company's unique culture and employee needs. The article also explores the challenges of accommodating hybrid work models and the importance of creating a sense of community in the workplace.
There are plenty of challenges facing the widespread adoption of circular economy practices in the workplace, including lack of clarity, significant investment requirements, and cost pressures. The recently published Mission Zero report, which includes recommendations from over 1,800 organizations and individuals, calls for clarity, consistency, and continuity from the government. The article also highlights the need for a common standard for carbon modeling and ecolabeling, as well as the potential for tax incentives to support circularity. Overall, the circular economy offers great opportunities for a greener future, but more clarity, incentives, and measures are needed to make it commercially viable.

Design

This article discusses the challenge of short-term vacancy, especially at the ground level, for property owners and city leaders who want to avoid dead zones at the street level. The design industry can help restore and revitalize these valuable assets by connecting with the community, placemaking, and future-proofing. The article provides examples and suggestions for each of these approaches, including expanding the potential occupants at the ground level beyond traditional retail space, creating a variety of public spaces, and incorporating a broader definition of "amenity" into the design of the ground floor.

Alright, so this article talks about how adding wellbeing stuff to an office can help employees feel better and be more productive. Mental health is becoming a bigger deal all over the world, so it's smart for companies to focus on making their employees feel good. The article goes over a bunch of things that make a workplace healthy, like biophilia (which is just a fancy word for being around nature), feeling comfy with the temperature, having good acoustics, and having places to go when you need to chill out. Some of the cool things that are popular for wellbeing design are quiet rooms, designs that make you feel like you're outside, places where the temperature is just right, rooms that sound good, office spaces for getting work done, lighting that helps you stay on track, and stuff that smells and sounds like nature. Plus, there are games and places to hang out when you're not working too hard.

Trends

Here's an explanation of a program called Design Research Scholars, in which four high school students from Uncommon Schools worked with Gensler to develop design proposals for education spaces. The students were asked to consider safety and belonging in their proposals, and they used a variety of methods to convey their ideas, including sketching, collaging, and 3D modeling. The program taught Gensler the importance of listening to students, giving them ownership and independence, and paying attention to every detail.

Metaverse

The pandemic caused a rapid shift in the role of workplace strategists, from physical to digital design. With remote work becoming more common, the challenge is to keep employees connected without a centralized location. Designing for the metaverse and post-pandemic physical spaces requires understanding human behavior and mental health. Considerations for the metaverse include creating rules for interaction and essentially building a culture from scratch. Customization in the digital world allows for optimal work environments that promote creativity, collaboration, and productivity. While there are many kinks to work out, the metaverse office may be the future of the workplace.

Latest Products

Scale 1:1, a contemporary furniture company, and part of DeskMakers, has launched Sidekick, a collection of mobile work pedestals that provide secure mobile storage and height adjustable workspace. The ergonomic, patent-pending design merges sit-to-stand desks and mobile pedestals into a fluid, adjustable height workstation, lectern, and mobile storage unit in one. Sidekick is available in four variations and is designed for the modern individual, creating a more equitable and inclusive experience for all team members, in-office or remote. It also works well in education and Information Technology settings.
Chicago-based acoustic solutions company Turf has launched Plaid, a new ceiling scape that prioritizes the aesthetics and acoustics of commercial spaces. Plaid is a criss-cross sound container that fits seamlessly into its environment, with custom options for grid spacing and tile caps. Available in three different size tiers and 32 shades of PET felt, Plaid has a noise-reducing coefficient ranging from 0.60 to 0.90, making it a practical yet intricate system suitable for any commercial space.
Luxxbox has launched Cono, an acoustic light fixture that offers noise absorption capabilities with a contemporary PET cone structure. The pendant is available in two sizes and 51 exterior colorways, and is crafted from premium New Zealand wool and recycled PET material. Cono marries sound control and illumination into one multi-purpose product, offered in multiple output options, including a glass-diffused ambient light source.
Carnegie Fabrics has launched the Endeavor Collection, a new series of sustainable upholstery fabrics that are highly stain-resistant and made from 100% post-consumer waste. The collection includes seven foundational fabrics with hospitality-inspired aesthetics, each designed to meet the functional needs of a space while offering exceptional design. All fabrics are 100% PVC-free and free of PFAS, and can withstand 100,000 double rubs. The collection is aimed at the hospitality, healthcare, corporate, and multifamily markets.
Scandinavian design cooperative NOTE Design Studio has collaborated with Austrian manufacturer Wittmann to create ADAGIO and OUVERT, a collection of flexible seating and other objects designed to reflect the shifting boundaries between home and work. ADAGIO features benches and poufs with relaxed, fluid appearances, upholstered with precise quilting and featuring pocket springs and a composed cold foam structure. OUVERT is a playful and light wall mirror encased in a leather frame that adds sculptural depth. Wittmann is known for producing high-quality handmade upholstered designer furnishings.

Other News

Vitra has revived several designs by French architect and designer Jean Prouvé, including the Tabouret No 307 and Tabouret Métallique stools, the wall-mounted Rayonnage Mural bookcase, and the Abat-Jour Conique lampshade. These pieces are now available in several additional original Prouvé colours and are showcased at Vitra's new showroom in east London. Vitra's chief design officer, Christian Grosen, says that Prouvé's simple, robust, comfortable furniture was often designed for collective spaces and remains relevant, bringing a warm, domestic feel to offices, especially those with an industrial style.
An abandoned hotel in Semkovo, Bulgaria, originally built for elite members of the country's former ruling party, could become the next digital nomad destination. Entrepreneur Matthias Zeitler plans to create a "co-op" to manage the establishment, with 200 people buying apartments ranging from €25,000 ($27,000) to €60,000 ($64,000). The unit owners will have a share in the co-op, which owns all of the co-living areas. The project is called Coliving Semkovo and is expected to offer on-site benefits such as a restaurant, grocery store, wellness programs, and ski and bike rentals.

Trends in Commercial Projects from Around the Globe

The New York Stock Exchange has undergone modernization and renovation to create more efficient workplaces and larger meeting areas for teams. The rooms have been restored to their original state, complemented by modern elements such as art by David Hockney and Andy Warhol, and furnished with Wilkhahn's Graph conference chair. The chair's shape blends in with the neoclassical rooms and provides both comfort and a dynamic appearance. The exterior of the building remains unchanged, with the antique portico of the New York Stock Exchange continuing to welcome visitors and guests.
Nikken Sekkei designed the Sweets Bank headquarters in Hamamatsu City, Japan, which features giant wooden tables and chairs that are thirteen times larger than normal. The furniture, modelled on furniture from Shunkado's cafe, is intended to be "social media-friendly" and an expression of the company's slogan, "we want people to spend family time at the table with sweets". The building combines offices for Shunkado with a restaurant and cafe, as well as a branch of local bank Hamamatsu Iwata Shinkin, and is enveloped in tables and chairs that create sheltered terraces.
United Airlines hired Gensler to design their Amenity Hub at Willis Tower in Chicago, a space for employees to connect with each other and the company's values. The space features a variety of experiences, including a moss wall, vintage luggage, and airplane parts integrated into the design. The project achieved LEED Silver certification and includes health and wellness initiatives such as an outdoor terrace and a connecting stair. The space also includes a delivery spot for food from the ground floor restaurants and a private roof terrace for United employees. The project achieves United's goal of offering a workplace experience that centers around sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and customer service.

Upcoming Industry Events

NeoCon 2023
June  12-14, 2023 | Chicago, IL
 
NeoCon has served as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry since 1969. A launch pad for innovation—NeoCon offers ideas and introductions that shape the built environment today and into the future.  

Milan Design Week 2023
April 18-23, 2023 | Milan, Italy

Milan design week is the biggest annual design event in the world and takes place from 17 to 23 April 2023. The week includes the furniture fair Salone del Mobile, which takes place at the Fiera Milano exhibition centre and is the largest event to take place during the week. The selection of fringe events collectively named Fuorisalone also takes place across the city.

hd expo+conference
May 2-4, 2023 | Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

HD Expo + Conference is the largest hospitality event of its kind in the country, showcasing the latest products, services, and innovative developments from the industry’s leading manufacturers.  

Clerkenwell Design Week 2023
May 23-25, 2023 | London

Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it truly one of the most important design hubs in the world. To celebrate this rich and diverse community, Clerkenwell Design Week has created a showcase of leading UK and international brands and companies presented in a series of showroom events, exhibitions and special installations that take place across the area.

Orgatec 2024
October 22-26, 2024 | Cologne, Germany

Orgatec is the International trade fair for office and property equipment. Held in Cologne, Germany.
Find the best Contract Furniture Industry jobs and hire the best talent.
Dear Stephen, I lost my job almost a year ago, and I'm trying to find a new one. I just turned 49, and I'm in sales, I basically took a package from my company because it was time, the package was good, and I couldn't resist.
ORI, Inc. is an insights led commercial furnishings dealer that provides knowledge, products, and services to help our customers achieve their desired business results. We are the exclusive Platinum Steelcase dealer. This position is an opportunity for a highly organized and driven sales professional to manage and grow a major healthcare account.
Indoff is expanding and in need of experienced outside sales professionals in your area. Indoff Offers: 50% commission on the gross profit - This is a straight commission position, and right now Indoff offers *70% year one if you can substantiate sales of $500K in the year prior.
The Senator Group seeks a field service tech to perform both technical services as well as project management support of our dealers. Our Senator Group, technical products team is responsible for the sale and delivery of architectural and technical related products that create private and collaborative spaces for today’s workspaces. 
WIELAND is a leading provider of patient room and seating products to healthcare facilities across the country. We are seeking a sales professional to represent our healthcare products Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska. Our continued growth provides significant income potential for the right individual. This is an employee position with full benefits. 
created in Publicate