National Office Furniture Introduces Kozmic™ and Maneuver™ Collaborative Collections

National Office Furniture Introduces Kozmic™ and Maneuver™ Collaborative Collections JASPER, Ind., February 20, 2017 – National Office Furniture, a unit of Kimball International, Inc., introduces inspiring and innovative solutions that bring fresh design and functionality to their portfolio. Their new Kozmic and Maneuver collections focus on interaction and bringing people together.

The Kozmic collaborative collection was designed with the flexibility to outfit a variety of spaces. Kozmic’s combination of spines, seating, and tables provides the ability to configure a solution that is comfortable for all users, whether they are in a space for a short period of time or an extended stay. From the nomadic worker to the focused student, Kozmic’s sitting, leaning, standing, and perching capabilities are uniquely comfortable. Along with Kozmic’s innovative spine construction, its integrated power grommets complete the offering. By making the grommets easy to access and simple to use, Kozmic provides a stylish, comfortable spot to socialize, work, and power up.

Designed for gathering and interacting, the Maneuver collaborative collection joins National’s portfolio. This comprehensive package includes tables that are collaboration-focused and features shapes designed for interacting. Use these tables to create unique configurations that easily accommodate group learning and individual comfort. The Maneuver collection also includes a facilitator desk that is a simple solution to fit the needs of any presenter, facilitator, or speaker. With storage options and the flexibility to accommodate specific needs with a lectern and power grommets, the facilitator desk is easily customizable.

 

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

 

SPACE anew WOWS at the Great Lakes Women's Business Conference

Great Lakes Women's Business Conference Panel Discussion participants.
Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference Panel Discussion participants.

Congratulations to Kathie Fuce-Hobohm for being selected to participate in a woman’s leadership panel discussion on generating innovation alongside Marcy Bell, President of Bell’s Landscape Services, Julie A. McFarland, President McNaughton & Gunn, Inc., Lynn Perenic, CEO, Argent Tape & Label, Inc.  Kathie presented our cutting edge office furniture upcycling process, SPACE anew.  SPACE is known for innovative design and clean, precise installations.  SPACE anew accentuates what we do so well and Kathie has been enthusiastically advocating this groundbreaking and exciting division of our company.  We are delighted that she was able to bring this updated, environmentally friendly and cost effective idea to the table for discussion!  The 16th Annual Great Lakes Women’s Business Conference is the largest women’s business conference in the Midwest and was held September 27th and 28th at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI.

“As the Largest Women’s Business Conference in the Midwest states in 2016, Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, (Great Lakes WBC) takes pride in addressing the needs of both aspiring and established business owners. The conference will deliver strategies for succeeding in emerging markets and an exceptional opportunity for WBENC certified women business enterprises procurement matches.The conference is attended by women business enterprises (WBE’s), Great Lakes WBC corporate members, additional Fortune 500 executives, U.S Government entities and partner organizations. Great Lakes WBC Women’s Business Showcase, of 150 (WBE’s) offers exceptional procurement introductions and Meet the Buyers offers certified women business enterprises supplier matches with 70 plus Fortune 500 corporations.” – greatlakeswbc.org
Thank you to Joe Miller and Jeff Young for their outstanding effort putting together our SPACE anew mock-up at the conference.  It turned out just perfect and we were so happy to show the end result of the SPACE anew process.  Donna Adams and Michelle Hinskey presented our booth during the showcase to an overwhelming response!  Participating in the Woman’s Business Conference this year gave us a chance to highlight what we do best and we just can not wait for next year!
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