Carnegie Announces the Passing of John Stein, Founder of Kirei / The busy furniture hustlers of Silicon Valley / 81,700 Office Chairs Recalled After 10 People Hurt in Falls / Twitter Is Dumping Most of Its New York Office / U.S. Return To Office Lags Europe, Asia 3 Years Into Covid / More Office Occupiers Are Looking to Their Buildings for Edge Computing / Keep The Empathy And The Talent With Human-Centric Design / One in four people will work from abroad this year, and many won't tell their employer / Firms get that people want flexible working, but are still slow to act
The Working Space
Monday, March 6, 2023
Industry News
Carnegie Announces the Passing of John Stein, Founder of Kirei
John Stein, founder of Kirei, a sustainable design materials and acoustic solutions business, has passed away. Under his leadership, Kirei became an innovator and industry leader, producing award-winning acoustic products developed from post-consumer recycled PET bottles. John was passionate about business and the environment, and his legacy will be his vision for delivering high-performance acoustic products sustainably.
Gordon Boggis, CEO of Carnegie says: “Everybody at Kirei and the broader Carnegie family is devastated by this loss. John was a visionary in our industry. His energy and passion established Kirei as a leader in its field, proving that high-performance acoustic products could be delivered sustainably. It is that passion to always do good for our planet while delivering a great experience for our clients that we’ll preserve as John’s lasting legacy.”
Interface Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Results
Interface, a worldwide commercial flooring company, announced its Q4 and full-year 2022 results. Despite a challenging macroeconomic environment, the company grew net sales by 13% on a currency neutral basis and increased adjusted operating income by 8% YoY. The CEO unveiled a new company strategy focused on leveraging strengths as one global organization to drive profitable growth across the business.
Net sales for the fourth quarter totaled $335.6 million, down 1.2% year-over-year. Currency neutral net sales were up 3.6% year-over-year.
Net sales totaled $1.3 billion, up 8.1% year-over-year. Currency neutral net sales were up 13.0% versus prior year.
NYC Group Unveils New Tool to Measure Office Occupancy
The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) has unveiled a new tool to track office occupancy in the city, using data collected by Placer.ai to track foot traffic in and out of buildings. The tool covers 250 office towers with a total of 180 million square feet, and found that occupancy rates in trophy office buildings significantly outperformed other office properties last year, with a growing divide between Class A and Class B buildings. REBNY plans to study the data further to get more specifics on things like office attendance on Mondays and Fridays.
Features
Reseat and other companies are helping tech companies who are downsizing their office spaces due to the pandemic and the economic slowdown. Brandi Susewitz, who started Reseat in 2020, is one of the specialists who are making the best of the situation.
They are liquidators, Craigslist flippers and startups using buzzwords like “circular economy.” They are buying the extra office furniture from tech companies that are now shrinking their physical footprints. The surplus of furniture is mostly found in San Francisco, where tech workers are returning to the office slowly.
The Bay Area’s Craigslist currently has many chairs for sale, photographed in warehouses, lined up in corners of conference rooms and wrapped in plastic outside a storage unit. Many of these chairs are the Aeron chairs, which are a closely watched barometer of tech excesses. Their sleek design makes them a work of art, according to the Museum of Modern Art. Meanwhile, companies are leaving their expensive downtown headquarters or shrinking their office space. The commercial vacancy rates jumped to 28% last year, up from 4% in 2019, according to the real estate firm CBRE. Others have cut spending, starting with their dusty, rarely used offices full of designer furniture.
As cloud computing becomes more popular, a new trend is emerging among corporate occupiers: edge computing. This strategy involves moving a portion of server storage out of central cloud data centers and closer to the data source, providing more computing power and speed to occupiers who are processing vast sums of data. This trend could bring at least a partial amount of equipment back into the office, with micro data centers as small as a parking space. While cloud computing can still be used, edge computing is critical for companies that deal with large volumes of data and need real-time, lightning-fast speed. This trend is expected to continue growing, and office owners who take note of it can gain an advantage by providing the IT infrastructure to support it.
Workspace News
Flex space has gained attention in recent years, especially with WeWork's troubles, the pandemic and hybrid work models. But while the industry focuses on funding for flex space sales, flex marketplaces, and concerns over the impact of tech layoffs, little attention has been given to the basics. CoworkingCafe, a site created by Yardi Systems, has pulled together data on coworking subscription prices by usage model. The data shows that there is a wide variation across different parts of the country. The explanation for the difference in prices is rooted in how Regus, the world’s largest coworking operator, offers open workspace subscriptions around the price point of $93 at most of its U.S. locations. The highest costs of dedicated desks range from $413 to $475 and the least costly range from $204 to $231, with prices in between depending on the location.
Design
Exploring how the spaces used by artists, such as former industrial buildings, can inspire the design of future workspaces. These spaces offer natural light, high ceilings, and adaptable layouts that can be transformed to meet various needs. Developers are adapting this model to create sustainable working environments for a variety of industries, including fashion, tech, and creative businesses. The article also discusses how arts and culture can bring vitality to mixed-use developments and how offices with on-site childcare can make the workplace fairer for parents and more productive for businesses.
Trends
This is a discussion of the recent trend of gray and neutral colors in home interior design, branding logos, and fashion shows. However, the trend has not extended to office interior design, where color choices are more sophisticated and based on brand concepts and color psychology. While gray is common for law firms, many tech clients have much more color in their offices, and some companies insist on using their brand colors in interior design. The article provides examples of T-Mobile and DoorDash's headquarters, which incorporate their trademarked magenta and red colors, respectively, into their office designs. Overall, office occupiers are looking at the whole color palette and going beyond neutral tones.
Metaverse
This article discusses the potential of the metaverse and digital twin environments to transform the future of the workplace. By integrating the metaverse into a company's infrastructure, employees can stay connected to both the office environment and their peers, enjoying a sense of workplace engagement with any working model. The metaverse can offer curated interactions and experiences that leave lasting impressions and can serve as the motherboard for business functions and bridge the physical and digital offices. The article also emphasizes the importance of establishing a community within the metaverse to foster a connection to the job and create more inclusive workspaces.
Latest Products
Hightower Studio, the furniture product line of Hightower, has launched an expanded collection of Kona tables. The collection now features 28 different models with multiple heights and tabletops to suit a variety of settings, including ADA-compliant tables. The refreshed Kona collection has enhanced edge detail and seamless powder coat base, combined with top options which allow you to match any need or desired look, including wood, soft touch laminate, and multiple paint colorways.
The Opus collection by +Halle, a Hightower brand partner, is a new generation of seating that brings a contemporary aesthetic to any environment. Designed by Form Us With Love, Opus is a minimalist, yet comfortable seating option with a modern edge that invites the user to sit and "dwell" within a space. The collection is fully upholstered and custom frame colors are available to cater to different design requirements.
Hightower Studio has introduced a new seating collection called Flote, designed to enhance public spaces and workplaces. The collection includes lounge chairs, sofas, and ottomans, each customizable through fabric selection, metal finish options, and stitching choices. Flote is made in Hightower's High Point manufacturing facility and is Indoor Advantage Gold Certified, contributing to both LEED and WELL. The collection aims to balance form and function, providing comfort for all-day work or casual conversations.
Scandinavian Spaces has introduced the Arka lounge chair, designed by Yngve Ekström. Crafted in solid oak or birch wood, the chair features elegant lines and a sculptural frame, with a wide ellipse-shaped seat and low spindle back profile for both comfort and style. Suitable for standalone use or in groups, Arka is a modernly refined addition to any interior.
The Kuvi work lounge collection by Encore offers versatility and productivity with its thoughtful accessories and generous proportions. Designed by Achella Design, the collection includes various model options with casters, articulating tablets, storage, and integrated side tables. The metal frame and veneer/laminate materials are customizable, making it ideal for flexible spaces, universities, coworking environments, and casual meeting applications.
Introducing Ooty, a stool designed by SmithMatthias in collaboration with Allermuir. Ooty is made from one component repeated three times, with a simple top holding the pieces together. The cut-out in the seat allows for easy pick up and movement, and the stool is stackable up to six high. Ooty is available in clear lacquered plywood or color washed in a choice of six colors, with optional matching seat pads upholstered in Melange Nap by Kvadrat.
Landscape Forms has expanded its Harpo and Bancal lines in partnership with Urbidermis. The Harpo line now includes a double chaise lounge, while the Bancal modular bench system has a new picnic table. The expansions were made in response to customer demand and reflect Urbidermis' Mediterranean design philosophy of simplicity, durability, and communal function.
Fellowes has released a new range of monitor arms called Rising™, which combines sophisticated construction with easy installation and superior functionality. The monitor arms are available in a variety of design and finish options and can be easily reconfigured or added to as workplace needs change. The design includes first-of-its-kind innovations, such as the SnapKinect™ installation system and the RotationStop™ technology. Rising™ is Level 2 certified, BIFMA compliant and backed by an industry-leading Fellowes Lifetime Warranty.
KFI Studios just added a rocking chair and side table to their Eveleen outdoor collection. They're made to last in any weather, so you can sit back and relax in style. The collection already had a bunch of outdoor seating and tables, but now you've got even more choices with three different color combos for the new pieces.
There is a new all-in-one adjustable kneeling desk that has been designed to improve the traditional desk. The desk is adjustable in terms of seat height, desk height, and desk angle, and can be rotated into either portrait or landscape. However, the design of the adjustment mechanisms may not be aesthetically pleasing to everyone. The desk can be folded down to just 7" in height, making it easy to store beneath furniture. The desk costs $400 and could be useful in a life drawing class.
The Allieva, a foldable wooden workstation designed by Whynot Design for Foppapedretti, is a sleek and aesthetically pleasing solution for those in need of a compact and functional workspace. The workstation is designed to fit in any space, measuring only 7-inches deep when folded, and comes with two detachable, multipurpose trays for holding accessories or acting as a tablet holder during video calls. The Allieva also features a large compartment at the base of the table for easy access to everything you need and four wheels for easy mobility.
Blå Station has expanded its BOB Family with three new designs: BOB Solo, BOB Biz, and BOB Corner. BOB Solo is a mobile cubicle with padded screens, a small oak table, and several shelves and hooks. BOB Biz is a collaborative space with padded screens that can accommodate two or more people. BOB Corner allows for 90-degree angle connections and can be used to insert plants or tables into the BOB sofa system. All three designs are versatile and worker-friendly, making them ideal for office spaces.
Furniture company BoConcept has released a new collection, 'Live 'Ekstraordinær', designed to facilitate activity-based working (ABW) in the office. The range challenges traditional static office design by supporting a dynamic and flexible approach to work, allowing employees to work in environments that suit their personalities and specific roles. BoConcept has adapted to changing times by embracing ABW, which enhances worker well-being and company productivity. The company has implemented ABW layouts in their headquarters in Denmark and Tokyo, providing spaces that range from a quiet library to a brainstorming area to encourage cross-functional collaboration among employees.
Other News
Dear Stephen, I own an Italian manufacturing company in Milan. We make "bellissimo" wood furniture which includes desks, case goods, and conference tables. We also manufacture luxury upholstery and home furnishings that can also be used in an executive environment. Naturally, we think we are one of...
Gable, a company that provides a one-stop-shop for managing employees' remote working options, has raised $12 million in Series A funding. The company's portal allows employees to search for and book a spot at a locally available workspace in 26 different countries, while employers can manage payments. Gable claims that its service provides support to multiple different teams within a company, from HR and people operations to real estate and workplace teams, saving both time and money. The company plans to use the funding to expand its workforce and extend its product offering.
Trends in Commercial Projects from Around the Globe
Tangram and Studio Other have completed the interior furnishings for Belkin's new 65,000 sq ft office in El Segundo, California. Tangram provided ancillary furniture and Studio Other provided custom furniture, including 75 workstations, 10 communal tables, and 8 conference tables. The goal was to create cohesive spaces that allowed for department crossover and a tighter community culture. The pieces were sourced from over 30 manufacturers and brought personality and comfort to every amenity space. The design-driven space reflects the character of the company and is as cool and cutting edge as Belkin.
Ware Malcomb recently completed a new high-rise creative office building located in the Arts District of Los Angeles. The nine-story project includes 109,100 square feet of office space, 3,400 square feet of ground-floor retail, four levels of parking for 275 vehicles, outdoor spaces including private terraces, and a 3,000 square foot rooftop deck/lounge with stunning views of the city and mountains. The design and aesthetic of the building is heavily influenced by the Arts District’s industrial heritage, as evidenced by the exposed concrete and steel detailing.
Chinese auto conglomerate Geely's Lynk & Co has broken the mold with its new workspace in Gothenburg, designed by New Order Arkitektur. The office recalls the dotcom boom with a polychromatic playground of exposed brutalist concrete, bold splashes of color, and quirky design elements. Lynk & Co's commitment to difference is bold for a car maker, and CEO Alain Visser says, "If we don’t live and work in a non-conformist fashion, then we’re not truthful to the brand."
Upcoming Industry Events
Find the best Contract Furniture Industry jobs and hire the best talent.
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.
When you feel connected to your work, you feel more engaged. At Haworth, you can pursue a career that offers you ample opportunity to build your portfolio and expand your skillset in an exciting and inclusive environment. Join a company that values innovation, inspiration, and you!
CWC is based out of Atlanta, GA and we are celebrating our 94 th year as a premier office furniture dealership! We offer either a local in-office workspace or 100% remote work for non-Georgia residents. CWC Provides: Competitive Pay Excellent Health Benefits We are an Employee Stock Ownership Plan...
