Really really excited

I have for several years been wanting to produce a frame constructed out of stainless steel rod. With the new Workspace Benching support structure I had the elements have allowed me to explore shapes not only in harmony with the triangular construction of the main support beams but having the physical strength to carry work surfaces and screens.

The visual lightness of the rod section having a high polished finish together with the triangular construction shape has given me a quality of design finish that can be equally used in benching configurations, single desks conference and meeting tables. The upper frame assembly of the design being exceptionally versatile that can be amended to suit many different applications with exceptional spans achievable.

The design is not for the mass market, I believe its appeal is to a small group of designers who appreciate a design that is different to the norm but having a practical base. Added to the basic design when used for benching or meeting tables, where cable reticulation is required, the wire element is reflected in the CPU holders, cable trays and vertical cable reticulation.

My next task is to utilise the concept incorporating glass to produce an executive desk or table. It is such great fun at times to play with designs such as this and I am most fortunate in not only having my own factory enabling me to experiment but not being part of the corporate world I do not have Accountants to dictate the way. It would be beautiful to have an unlimited budget for research and development but the local market does not allow for such luxuries.

Words communicate the way I feel about this new design BUT graphic images complete the picture, a love it or hate it design BUT not for the mass market.

Don’t ask yourself

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~Attributed to Howard Thurman

In May of last year Mathew, my youngest son, who had been with WORKSPACE since 2000 when we started manufacturing said that he wanted to leave to concentrate on his passion for drumming. Two years ago he had rejoined the Cape Town Highlanders and has worked himself up to not only second side drummer and also teaching drumming at Bishops. To follow your passion is great to enthuse youth by that passion is even better.

To agree, let Mathew leave to pursue that love I had no problem with as he was just emulating that which I do on a daily basis that is following my passion in design.

 To finance his passion he decided to start his own company “DESIGN EXECUTIVE BARS” focusing on the hiring out Bars for functions and similar commercial social events. Through the services of Workspace Solutions the bars were to his directive designed and manufactured to his directive. With the marketing concept we decided to aim more at the executive end of the market where there seemed to be an opening for a quality well designed product whilst still keeping functionality to the fore. 

The product as seen in the photographs uses a combination of glass and stainless steel cladding on a steel knock down structure that gives an ease of transport and combination of assembly formats. I believe the illustrations show we have successfully fulfilled the brief.

To anyone wishing to follow their passion the words attributed to Howard Thurman are a positive motivating factor BUT accept that at times following your passion can be a lonely place being out there on your own not being able to share that which drives you forward, nevertheless for me the pro’s far exceed the con’s.

AS THE MARKET DICTATES

 With the passion for screens in South Africa the necessity for power and data packs plus monitor arms to be independent,I designed and made support brackets that are fitted under the screens and utilising the same fixing detail as the screens. 

With monitor arms whether they are single or double the same bracket detail is used.

The photographs show the desk structure with the tops fitted on one side but both removed and in  the retractable position on the other indicating the ease of cable reticulation.

AS IDEAS DEVELOP

As any designers thoughts develop in the conceptualising of a new project, ideas not previously considered at times begin to evolve. Two features that were not part of the original concept in the new WORKSPACE benching range have become apparent.

The first thought was that although the leg detail is initially important in capturing the interest of a prospective client, the tops should float rather than be grounded by the support structure.The leg detail only becoming important when used for individual desks, meeting tables or boardroom structures.

The second feature that came to light was that the structure itself should be the carrier for all IT technology. The frame stripped of storage elements and work surfaces should not only be able to facilitate the wiring but physically carry and support all necessary equipment, this being

Vertical cable management

Horizontal cable management

Power and data connection points

Monitor arms

CPU carriers

LED Lighting

If I am able to successfully achieve the encapsulating of all these elements within the support structure then, besides having the nucleus of a new range of products to keep the factory busy, I may also assist in making the IT guys work not only easier but more efficient. An additional element would be easier access to the secondary plug and data points with the use of tops that slide, complement the design concept.

 With this extension to the WORKSPACE offering we will be working in association with allied companies who are experts in their given field.

CABLE MANAGEMENT – Stainless steel mesh is the medium I have used in previous development. It is a quality product that with innovation can be sculptured into aesthetically pleasing and functional components. With the vertical management the open mesh exposes the cables, we know they are there so why not accept the situation rather than try and hide them. The horizontal mesh cable tray further allows for the free flow of ventilation, my personal opinion is that flat steel trays assist in the transmission of heat rather than the dissipation of the heat. The use of stainless steel mesh in the design of CPU holders keeps everything within the same family stamp.

POWER AND DATA CONNECTION – In conjunction with Design 4 the power packs are situated on primary and secondary levels, daily usage access packs are situated on an angled bracket situated above the work surface, as can be seen in the attached photograph, which gives it a more ergonomically position, secondary usage packs lay inside the recessed cable tray. A full wiring service can be provided by Design 4 should it be required.

MONITOR ARMS – Previously these have been fitted to the work surface but being involved in call centres where a single screen operation is the norm I decided to investigate the possibility of a dual shared arm serviced facing operators. In association with CMS Industries we are importing a UK product that has been modified to our specification.

LED LIGHTS – This product I am very excited about, with the ability to fit a light onto the Monitor arm head it caters for my idea that all electrical and data components are part of the structure. This proposal also begins to address the question of power saving  with a product that is beautiful.

The photographs show the initial developments with the sliding top both open and in the closed department.

INSPIRATION

 Recently I received a glossy magazine that a German car manufacture sends out, with the factory closed for the summer break allowing the mind to wander, there was an article where a quotation was used which caused me to think on the concept illustrated.

 Many companies have used and still use the statement incorporating “form and function” but none get to the very essence of the quotation that was originated by Louis Sullivan who in 1896 wrote the statement as recorded below.

It is the pervading law of all things organic and inorganic

Of all things physical and metaphysical

Of all things human and all things super-human

Of all true manifestations of the head,

Of the heart, of the soul,

That the life is recognizable in its expression,

That form ever follows function.

This is the law.

Frank Lloyd Wright was his assistant at that time, later placed his own stamp on this quotation when he wrote

 “Form and Function should be one joined in a spiritual union”

I believe that in any form of creation whether in architecture or as in my case  components for office furniture without an additional element that comes from within, whether it is an internal drive or passion that drives for a different element we continue to produce just the ordinary and whilst this sells and keeps the factory in production, that which is out of the ordinary touched by that “spiritual union” is what we strive for which turns the market to a new direction that through form and function creates difference to the workspace of user. The definition of spirituality is that what relates the human spirit or soul as opposed to the material or physical things.

What is SPIRITUALITY in a creative idiom as I see it?

The basic meaning of spirituality is that it is a term which encompasses everything that we can’t see directly with our eyes, directly perceive with our other senses and know by mere reason.

Visionary perception of trends and use of new materials

An inner path enabling new discoveries

A limitless essence, being of the spirit, indicates there are no boundaries being initially a conception that lacks material form or body or substance, how we tap into the essence is possibly a gift that we receive at birth, how we accept and develop that gift is to walk with the passion within.

History and the passion of those who walked before can stand as positive role models, if we are quiet and listen.

But if anyone can tell me the source of visionary inspiration please let me know, in the meantime the walk along the alternative path is a very enjoyable one.

WORKSPACE BENCHING (2) 50sq REINVENTED 

 The 50sq detail is the next benching range that has been reinvented to cater for the 2013 market. This new addition to our BENCHING range is a leaner, meaner and seriously more cost effective product that uses our new top structure. We have created a system where the tops float rather than are tied to the leg assembly.

The strength of the top structure allows us to create spans which enable us to reduce the quantity of legs whilst maintaining lateral stability. Tops are clamped onto the lateral beams and secured on cross beams which in turn are used for both screen and cable tray fixing. The cross beams can as part of the system is substituted with a sliding top cross beam which allows at a marginal extra cost tops to slide allowing access to the cable tray.

Cable tray fixing and the height and length dimension of the cable trays have been amended to again hone the price.

 I firmly believe we have designed and will early in 2013 manufacture a South Africa product that not only has great stability and flexibility in its usage but at a price break that will be more than stiff competition to the eastern imported products. Our new range will be marketed by ALL OFFICE, OFFICE LOGIC and CO DESIGNS.

 The incorporation of power docking assemblies that are part of the structure will shortly be added to the accessories that are available together with a monitor arm which incorporates LED lighting. I firmly believe that the desking structure rather than the top should be the housing for electronic and data equipment. Individual task lighting should further replace general overall lighting to reduce the ever escalating cost of electricity, this feature will also be shortly available.

WORKSPACE LOGO

 With the continued evolvement of the marketing strategy of Workspace Solutions the use of logo’s has come into play, and the origin of the company graphics I hope to explain as part of my concept  in the creation of the company philosophy.

The WS letters of WORKSPACE SOLUTIONS being both in outline and shadow are free flowing in form, contrast with the perfection of the yin yang symbol which traditionally sits within a circle, a form being perfect without beginning or end. These two graphic emblems are combined to represent the direction in which I started and continued to direct the company.

 The WS part of the logo like the yin yang symbol is in two parts one a positive defined shape and the other a shadow reflection. This shadow represents the conceptual design side of the business, the origins of any design starts life in the grey areas of the mind and must not be allowed to follow constricted thoughts but allowed to flow freely outside the perimeters of any preconceived paradigm. From this beginning the concept can then be allowed to fit the restrictions of manufacture and market acceptance.  

 The two forces of yin yang are believed to be both complimentary and contrasting. Each makes up what the other lacks and the wholesome of the world would be incomplete if there were a deficiency in either. The origin of Workspace was in the design world but it became obvious that on its own was incomplete, a deficiency that required a manufacturing arm not tied to market whims each to compliment the other. Yet a manufacturing arm on its own is not complete it requires the client to complete the picture.  

With the growth in the company after twelve and a half years it has become evident that it is time to expand on the marketing of the company, the original passion to ground the company in product design has not diminished and on this grounding we hope to expand our company to  greater outside world.