What is Activation?

In the construction and design world, everyone knows the main phases of a typical project: Pre-Design, Design, Procurement, Construction, Post-Construction.

So, what is Activation and where does it fit?  

Activation – or to activate, a verb — means to set in motion; make active or more active.  

In construction management, Activation is the phase of a project that prepares a building/space for occupancy.

Activities could include:

  • Mechanical and electrical commissioning
  • Furniture installation
  • IT network configuration
  • Phone installation
  • Actual move of occupants into the space

On face value one could say, “Oh, that’s just another name for Post-Construction.”  

However, Activation, specifically for technical projects like bio-medical research laboratories and hospitals, is a phase that spans the whole project schedule.

The goal of any project is to create a space where the occupants can perform their activities effectively — from a scientist reviewing newly formed stem cells to a doctor operating on a sick patient.  

These high-tech buildings need to function.

At the end of the day, what is the point of turning over a new facility to talented researchers and medical personnel if the building can’t serve them?

A common problem that I’ve experienced over the years is that by the time the construction project is completed — sometimes taking multiple years — the technology & equipment used by the occupants is outdated and obsolete.

Furthermore, scientific personnel and/or research projects have changed.  

Utility requirements, whether electrical, mechanical heat loads, or lab/medical gasses have been modified and the whole space needs to be renovated before the occupant can move in.

Yes, brand new facilities must be renovated to meet the needs of the users before they can move-in.

How is this an effective use of resources, time and money?

Therefore, I believe that Activation needs to be in the forefront of everyone’s mind throughout the whole project lifecycle.  Continual check-ins with the users, surveys of equipment, discussions with IT and equipment manufacturers need to occur.

Coordination between the design/construction and activation teams need to occur early in the design process, rather than after construction is complete.

By focusing on Activation early, the project has better success of staying on schedule too.  The more time you have to adjust to new information the more time you have to incorporate it into your project plan.  The last thing a project needs at turnover is finding out that a user piece of equipment requires a specific kind of power outlet, requiring change orders and additional work.

And this model can be used for other building industry groups like retail tenant fit-out, hotels and high-rise residential.  Maintaining high levels of quality on day one for users and guests is paramount for brand justification.

Again, our goal as service providers in the construction industry is to deliver a space that can be used by the occupants on the day that they arrive in the space.

Working together with that goal and foresight in mind by starting Activation early is a great way to make that goal a reality.

What areas of Project Turnover do you struggle with?  Please leave a comment and we will respond!

SPACE Inc. named 101 Best and Brightest Companies to work for in the nation

SPACE, Inc. has been named by The National Association for Business Resources as one of The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the nation.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. This competition scores potential winners based on regional data of company performance and a set standard across the nation.  This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.  The Best and Brightest Program honored 437 national winning organizations from across the country out of 2000 nominations. In addition to honoring all national winners, this year a new subcategory was introduced, The Top 101 National Winning Companies.

SPACE Inc. was recognized as one of the highest 101 scoring companies that demonstrated exceptional innovative human resource practices and set high standards for all businesses. The elite categories include: Compensation, Benefits and Employee Development; Recruitment, Selection and Orientation; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity and Inclusion; Work-Life Balance; Community Initiatives; Strategic Company Performance and the Best of the Best Businesses.

SPACE is a commercial interior design firm and office furniture dealership that transforms workplaces into beautiful and productive work environments across Michigan and across the nation, the company stated. Founded in Midland in 1995, SPACE has always put employees’ needs at the forefront of their policies, according to the company. It said with a strong focus on innovation, continuous improvement and community engagement, SPACE positively impacts the lives of the SPACE family and the overall community.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as a 101 Best and Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation” said Kathie Fuce-Hobohm, president and CEO. “We have always been highly committed to our clients, our team and the Midland community. It is the way we do business and the right thing to do. Winning national recognition for these core values is an unexpected honor.”

SPACE anew WOWS with Before and After!

SPACE Inc is a woman-owned small business (WOSB) that specializes in designing, selling and installing office interiors.  The team at SPACE uses their collective talent, passion and capability to create exceptional interior spaces where people are inspired do great things.

In 2010, SPACE designer, Jessie Donahue, developed a new way to reinvent office interiors.  We call it SPACE anew.  SPACE anew is a highly innovative and cost effective process that reinvents your current office interiors by reutilizing and upcycling your existing furniture assets.  SPACE anew is a win for you, your employees, the environment, and your bottom line.

Benefits of the SPACE anew Process

Balance  |  SPACE anew creates the right balance of individual workstations and collaborative areas.

Sustainability   |   SPACE anew reutilizes up to 90% of all existing furniture assets with 0% in the landfill.

Financial   |   SPACE anew is 48—70% less than the cost of new furniture.

Project Results  |   The completed project will look new and professionally designed.

Ease of Doing Business   |   Simplified procurement, turnkey process, and complete follow through makes your job easy.

National Introduces New Casegoods, Product Enhancements, and Surface Materials – National Office Furniture

National Introduces New Casegoods, Product Enhancements, and Surface Materials – National Office Furniture

National announces the expansion of its product offering to include a new casegoods collection and the enhancement of existing lounge seating, tables, and cushions programs. To further widen its materials portfolio, National is also introducing new laminate, upholstery, and leather options.

The sleek aesthetic of Tessera promotes a vision of sophistication. With a vast array of storage and desk options, along with occasional tables, and reception stations, Tessera’s modular design allows the user to tailor the product to fit their personal needs. The unique wall panel allows storage, shelves, and surfaces to be strategically placed, while the layered storage adds even more possibilities. This comprehensive offering has all the pieces necessary to create a cohesive space that is as beautiful as it is functional.
Learn more about Tessera.

The Monterrey collection of lounge furniture offers a classic design with contemporary flair. Monterrey has been enhanced to include button tufted options that add elegance and style. Available on the back and seat, the button tufting adds an additional element of interest. Monterrey is known for its exquisite craftsmanship and upholstery, and the addition of button tufting further enhances its appeal. Learn more about Monterrey.

Focused on interaction and collaboration, the Maneuver collection offers a variety of tables and a facilitator desk. This comprehensive offering has been expanded to include new base options, specifically to fit the needs in learning spaces and training environments. Maneuver’s collaboration-focused tables feature shapes that are designed for interacting and easily accommodate group learning and individual comfort. Learn more about Maneuver.

Whether you need a relaxing spot for one or an inviting space to gather and interact, cushions can be used in universal environments. The cushions collection has been enhanced to include new sizes and shapes, as well as button tufting options. Create impromptu seating spaces by adding cushions atop storage units or tables. Learn more about Cushions.

National continues to develop and introduce materials that are on-trend and offer customers unique and satisfying options. National’s new Portobello laminate features a brown infused with grey tone and a stunning grain pattern. This laminate is a match to National’s existing Portobello veneer finish.
Learn more about Portobello.

National is broadening their upholstery offering by adding Maharam Mode. With 43 available colors, this textural weave is a wool look, high performance polyester.
Learn more about Mode.

The Davenport leather collection is expanding to include 7 new colors that range from neutrals to brights, offering customers rich hues with a supple feel.
Learn more about Davenport.

A proud provider of National Office Furniture

Why It’s Time to Redesign the Way We Think About Office Space – LANA BORTOLOT

If your office still has a fax machine or projector, stop reading right now, because you won’t like what you’re about to hear: Your office, like your equipment, is probably obsolete.

“I think the whole definition of what an office is needs to be rethought,” says Frank Mruk, associate dean for the School of Architecture and Design at the New York Institute of Technology in Manhattan. “The office may be ready for extinction–it’s just a place to meet. We don’t need computers anymore; we can work anyplace, at any time. Why do we have to meet in a building?”

Indeed. For graphic designer Jill Bluming, the idea of an office is more remote than the global clients she works with via Skype, Google Docs and Dropbox. Her eight-person creative boutique, The Creative Type, is completely virtual, with on-demand copywriters, designers and illustrators working from wherever they have a connection. “We are driven not by structure but by flexibility,” she says.

Bluming utilizes a web-based reservation service when she needs a conference room for client meetings, paying by the hour. “The only reason I’d get an office is to use a conference room,” she says. “But [without it] we have such low overhead, we can be much more competitive in our business.”

People not ready to throw the office over find alternatives in workspaces that are shared with not only their own colleagues but, depending on the setup, other like-minded entrepreneurs or industry peers. Such is the case for New York architect Martin Kapell, who once worked in a 120-person firm. When he formed his own studio, he turned to WeWork, a scalable shared workspace. His initial consideration was affordability, but now he sees other benefits.

“I’m 63 and working in a space where the average age seems to be under 30, and it’s good for me,” he says. “We meet new people–it feels like we’re all working in the same office. In a way, I don’t feel that different from anyone else here.”

And that’s just what WeWork strives for, according to chief experience officer Noah Brodsky, who says the company took a lesson from social media. “Like Facebook users who share their life with other people–that has spilled over into the workspace,” he points out. The company has 16 buildings in six cities, with plans to expand this year.

WeWork taps into a cooperative approach among people and even industries. Says Elizabeth Danze, associate dean for undergraduate studies at The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Architecture, “I think there’s more collaboration than ever and more recognition of interdisciplinary work … the ability to work in teams around a table or screen is important and won’t go away.”

To that end, she says, architects spend more time creating spaces where people can interact–and that’s not always indoors. Outdoor green space at the office, whether a rooftop respite or an employee community garden, is an amenity that gives employees breathing room and creates a holistic, feel-good experience. “It’s trying to address the whole person in the office–addressing their whole lives,” Danze says.

A variation of that concept is at work in Chicago, where architect Foster Dale is readapting a former car dealership for a small company. The office will include an exercise room, a shower and bike storage. The plan also calls for a floor-to-ceiling movable glass wall that allows employees to work al fresco as weather permits. “Here, the indoor room shares the outdoor experience, and the transition from outside to inside isn’t so formal anymore,” Dale says.

Other offices are designed with flexibility in mind, enabling employees to move about, from personal workspace to testing room to collaborative meeting area. But breaking down barriers doesn’t suit all. “The Physical Environment of the Office: Contemporary and Emerging Issues,” a study co-authored by Matthew C. Davis of the University of Leeds in the U.K., suggests that the open office can impede productivity, with employees’ attention and creativity declining and their stress levels rising.

“Some people can move from portal to portal and be productive, but that’s a skill–and some people have it and others don’t,” says Seattle architect Jonathan Rader, noting that his job as a designer involves “cultural problem-solving” as much as solving for space. “I try to pull out from a company some of their cultural things–work habits, what they like and don’t like–because that will determine how well they will work in the new space.”

While some firms want to keep traditional layouts for privacy and prestige, others–particularly tech and media companies–choose open floor plans (with some phone booths for privacy). Rader looks for ways to create environments for clients with hybrid needs, such as a law firm representing startups, which opted for an open space that resembles the offices of its clients. “There are lots of ways to solve the problem and not to be too dogmatic,” he says.

That flexibility is also behind the philosophy of Portland, Ore.-based HeartWork, which makes a colorful line of modern office furniture. “We saw changes in how people use space. Clients want to use furniture in different ways, with different spaces that support the different ways people are working,” says founder and designer Karen John. “No one wants to go to an anonymous gray office anymore. They want design to reflect their culture.”

To read the complete article, please click HERE

 

National Receives GEI Seal of Endorsement for Essay, Fold, and Whimsy

National Receives GEI Seal of Endorsement for Essay, Fold, and Whimsy

 

Three National products have earned the Global Educator Institute (GEI) Seal of Endorsement, placing them as among the best teaching products available today. The Essay seating collection, Fold flip/nest table, and Whimsy impromptu seating all received this endorsement based on success in these main categories: Educational Impact, Effectiveness, Design, Durability, Functionality, and Value. The products were tested in classrooms in five school systems. At the end of the six-week evaluation process, teachers provided detailed feedback via GEI’s comprehensive rubric. The GEI endorsement reflects real-world success and places National’s products among the best-designed, most effective products for learning and the learning environment.

To view the official press release, please click HERE

 

To read the complete article from National, please click HERE