Contract - March 2010 - (Page 22)

resources The North American landscape of contract interiors of the past 50 years continues to unfold the concept of the Schnelle brothersâ€™ â€œBurolandschaft,â€ or open office plan. Layouts, initially driven by physical communication patterns, have given way in the last two decades to other formative influences. Digital communication, social awareness, ergonomics, and sustainability have become the engines of change. Future predictionsâ€”invariably inaccurateâ€”had the home office expanding significantly, but with its inherent dysfunction, it lacked the human interaction and spontaneity to take a strong hold. Technology, such as wireless data and just-emerging wireless power transmission, will become the major catalysts of change. Environmental issues and therefore reusable systems now permeate our thinking and execution of design. The job of contract furnishings is to adapt and facilitate these workplace changes in the goal of higher productivity and work contentment. Other smaller, yet important, scale change items include the Post-it and PDA, the latter allowing continuity of work communication to become seamless between workstations, into remote spaces, and in transit; its implications are yet to evolve fully. The laptop and PDA also have allowed hoteling to take place. I have endeavored to identify 10 items that have brought about and allowed for change. They are design winners irrespective of any awards they may have received, as they have had a permanent impact on the profile of interior architecture. Swedish-born Carl Magnusson has dedicated his career to the profession of design, having worked with the office of Ray & Charles Eames in Venice, Calif., and with Knoll for 29 years as director of design in Europe and North America. With his New York-based firm CGM Design, he currently serves the automotive and furniture industries with design strategy and product design. 0 the top 10 commercial interiors products of the past 50 years By Carl Magnusson 1 40/4 Chair GF (now Howe), designed by David Roland, 1964 Unique geometry and the use of a plated steel rod with stamped steel shells facilitates the stackability of 40 chairs within 4 ft. of height. It is unsurpassed to this day in engineering sophistication and production. 2 MechoShade MechoShade, 1969 In the 1960s MechoShade became the successor of Levolor vertical blinds as the architectâ€™s de rigueur solution to fenestration light control. It is a material and system that are in keeping with the architectural intent of the building. 22 contract march 2010 www.contractdesign.com http://www.contractdesign.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - March 2010

Contract 3/10
Contents
Editor’s Note
Introduction
Resources
Perspectives
Essays from the Past:
The Contract Design Dilemma (May 1962)
Space Planning Symposium (July 1963)
Changes in Workplaces Reflect Changes in Task Structure (June 1970)
Women Need Feminine Desks (June 1970)
Name “Interior Designer” Is a Misnomer Because of Broader Duties (August 1970)
Research Reveals Proper Height, Width, Depth of Furniture, from Office Chairs to Library Tables (September 1970)
Astounding Technology Portends Drastic Office Changes in the ’80s (January 1980)
Is the Office Really Necessary? (January 1989)
If You Cut Your Fee, Do You Bleed? (June 1990)
Design: Retrospective
Essays on the Future:
More Happiness, Less Stuff: By Ray C. Anderson
The Social Aspect of Social Responsibility: By John Cary
Leading in the Global Market: By Ross Donaldson
Technology Trends: By Cathryn Barrett
Inadmissible Evidence: By Michael Berens
Practice
Designers Rate: Eight Designers Pick Their Favorite Three Commercial Interiors Products of the Last 50 Years
Ad Index

Contract - March 2010