Employees are increasingly making career decisions with work-life balance in mind. Alongside this end user trend, square footage per employee is continuing to shrink, and designers and client companies are working hard to build up amenity-rich workplaces to make up for shrinking square footage.
Research studies and end user surveys support the idea that great amenities inspire employees to take ownership of their space, which translates to great productivity, engagement and job satisfaction. Sometimes these amenities come in the form of rooftop decks with snazzy views, delicious onsite dining options, or fun social elements like a bar or ping pong table. But there’s also room for smaller steps to amenity-rich spaces. For example, how about storage?
Knoll’s Rockwell Unscripted collection, designed by the Rockwell Group and introduced this June at NeoCon, was conceived around the idea of spontaneity – tapping into “the things happening between the things you plan.”
One of the most identifiable parts of Rockwell Unscripted is its storage element. The role of storage in the workplace today is changing – because people’s needs in the workplace are changing.
It’s no longer simply about storing paper files and coats; storage can and should be a significant part of the aesthetic and architectural design of an office. It has the ability to help move people through a space in new ways. Across private offices and open environments, designers have a great opportunity to make their spaces more meaningful with creative storage design.
Designers can use storage elements to inject spontaneity and individual personality into the workplace.
Furniture manufacturers are coming out with better (and more) storage solutions, from sleek and high-end to funky and playful, to high-tech precision. Most manufacturers have extensive, all-inclusive collections that allow designers to customize and configure designs in countless ways.
In addition to crafting storage designs that enable employees to express their individuality and make the space their own, designers have a responsibility to tailor each end user’s workstation to position and specific responsibilities in a more pointed way. That means meaningful conversations with end users about what type of storage they’ll actually use.
Designers must also consider the limitations of personalizing storage solutions to end users. For example, designers typically use lockers in two ways: included as a storage solution that the manufacturer builds into the workstation, or clustered together and standing away from workstations.
Locating lockers away from workstations allows for design planning that includes unassigned desking, which is often necessary. But, there’s a good reason for building locker solutions into each workstation: it makes the workplace more personal.
Personal ownership of the workplace is what leads to more trust, more loyalty, and more happiness in the workplace. Storage may not be the most important element of a space, but it can contribute to companies’ efforts to satisfy and inspire their employees.
>Rockwell Unscripted by Knoll. “Hospitality, theater and play at work. From Knoll and David Rockwell, renowned for creating places where people want to be, comes an unrivaled work experience designed to let spontaneity unfold and people complete the story…Unscripted is a collection of improvisational elements [30+ products in six categories] that cultivate community and creativity for the pace and flow of how you work today.
“Unscripted uses storage as an activator in the space, putting inspiration within reach by equipping workspaces with easy-access, object-based storage. With a full range of open and enclosed, freestanding and mobile storage elements for both individuals and groups, and an eclectic mix of materials, Unscripted storage serves as a creative toolbox that helps you get to work.”
>Beside Storage and Beside Storage Pantry by Haworth. “Beside Storage features a light-scale, residential aesthetic that responds to the blending of the work office and home office.
“Beside Storage Pantry gives everyone control of their work and workspace, which increases their job satisfaction. It helps people keep everything well organized and where they need it, in sight and in reach or concealed and secure. “Beside Storage Pantry optimizes vertical space to help reduce footprints. It also doubles as an architectural element that can delineate workspaces and create boundaries.
“Accessories available include slat rail inside pantry, adjustable shelf, accessory and file drawers, coat storage, magnetic side saddle, and optional USB power modules.”
>Rhythm Casegoods by Geiger. “The needs of offices are as varied as the people who occupy them. That’s why Vienna-based firm EOOS designed Geiger Rhythm to make the office feel personal. From the sliding wall components to the array of wooden trays and ceramics, Geiger Rhythm allows the people who use a space to configure it to meet their needs. Comprised of just a few components, the system of wood casegoods and accessories covers a broad visual and functional range, so it works well in executive offices, shared offices, and administrative areas alike.”
>Audrey Storage by izzy+. “Audrey Storage is modular casework in a freestanding mode. The base provides structure and flexibility or easy reconfiguration whenever life and work present a need for change.
“Chuck Saylor saw Audrey as the byproduct of izzy’s research around furniture for collaboration – at home, school or the office. He envisioned Audrey as a platform for people to share their ideas, store project files and create highly personally space. Audrey was seen as a perfect fit for executive or open plan offices, as well as residential décor. Its highly customizable character was attractive to designers, who could create a one-of-a-kind product with each material and color selection, as well as mix materials horizontally and vertically within an assembly.”
>Anchor™ by Knoll. “Offered in a variety of configurations including all-open, fully enclosed, or a blended solution of open and door/drawer configurations…The collection is an ideal individual storage solution for focused, shared and team settings, or for storage needs in group settings outside of primary workspaces.”
>Flagship and Contain by HON. HON’s history lies in storage, and while the middle market company rebranded in 2008 to focus on seating, it still maintains several great storage options in it product portfolio.
“Flagship is The HON Company’s premier metal storage collection. Its clean, straightforward design complements panel-based workstations and metal desks, and an adjustable glides kits allows a mobile pedestal to be converted to a freestanding pedestal. A removable lock core can be changed as security needs require.”
>Universal Storage by Steelcase. “Universal, our most versatile and extensive storage offering, expands what storage can do, while working seamlessly with a broad range of freestanding and panel systems.”
>Territory by Inscape. “A dynamic, European-designed modular storage system, Territory defines spaces and provides storage and privacy. Collaborative or focus work? It’s all about balance. Create areas that support a variety of work modes, from low and open, to high and closed.”
>Priority by Kimball Office. With a coordinated suite of desks, benches, tables, and storage units, Priority strikes a balance between individual and group activities in the workplace.
>Ledger by Teknion. “Designed to meet diverse storage needs throughout the office, Ledger® products stand alone or integrate well with workstation systems and furniture. Ledger offers active storage products and those suited to high-density archival banks.”
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