AMSTERDAM

Whilst my BLOGGING was never intended to be a travelogue but I would like to share a recent visit.

Prior to attending INTERZUM in Cologne I managed to grab a weekend away in Amsterdam. Though travelling through Schiphol on many occasions I have never found the time to explore the City. Like any city a weekend is totally insufficient to do justice to exploring the beauty and taking in the character I was more than pleasantly taken by the experience in the limited time I had.

    For this excursion I stayed at the Conservatorium Hotel a beautifully restored building full of the original character and features. The interior design and the new atrium is a tribute to attention given when thoughtful detailing is used in the integration of the old with the new.  For the designers eye it is a pleasure to experience a well crafted environment and for the traveller the quality of service and assistance given by the hotel staff well worth a recommendation. You can check out the hotel on www.conservatoriumhotel.com

  One of their suggestions was to see the city by a canal tour and organised a trip aboard the “Paradis” a beautiful small classic saloon boat built in 1920 and superbly maintained. The tour having a personal guide in the form of the extremely well versed captain leading you through the canals away from the crowds explaining in detail architectural and historical points of interest was indeed a highlight of the trip and one I would have no problem recommending.

 The vessel being the smallest available was able to navigate the narrowest of the waterways not possible with larger tour boats. The classic boat owner’s web site is www.privateboattours.nl which shows the vessels available for hire and their offerings including an evening dinner cruise which I believe gives a totally different aspect in seeing the interiors of both house boats and houses as dusk turns to darkness.

A trip to any city would not be complete without a visit to either an art gallery or museum; with the time constraint I chose the former and as the Vincent van Gogh exhibition had only just opened that was the option I chose. Problem with all new openings even arriving on a Sunday morning before it opened you join the crowds which does not assist any study. What would the works of art say to me was possibly my main objective. As a designer schooled in the basics of design, perspective drawing was one of the foundation stones. It is said Vincent battled with perspective all his life, but to me his constant striving for new techniques in presentation and material usage and the use of colour is that which spoke to me. In one section you are able to see under magnification the colour usage. The colour variations and tones in a single brushstroke were truly amazing the craftsmanship illustrating both what his mind and eye was seeing.

  While the financial value of the art does not speak to me his constant passion for his work and constantly searching forward spoke volumes. The only negative element was in finding a little something to remind me of the visit; in turning it over the “made in china” tag encouraged me to return it to the shelf.

The streets of Amsterdam are a joy to stroll though both in the architectural features and the vibe, irrespective of the European weather pattern. You do not have to spend a euro to enjoy the detailing and building crafts of the past, visit open markets or the experience the sound of an old pipe organ in an ancient church which moved me as generally I hear rather than listen to music.

The European weather has to be contended with but the large umbrella the hotel supplied was well used and my scarf appreciated, I believe it was late spring. Would I visit Amsterdam again yes – stay at the Conservatorium again yes but the Attic Rooms look interesting. An evening classic boat trip a good reason to visit Amsterdam once again.  

FLUID insitu

I really could not resist posting this, think it is so beautiful.

A design called FLUID

Office furniture design is indeed fluid; changing with not only client, market and production influences but as designers continue to refine their creation.

The glass desk was part of that continual evolvement. The position of the leg structure or rather the direction of the detail elements following the first prototype caused me to reconsider this detail. In the distant past it would have been a matter of making a second prototype, the first had proven that the lateral stability was totally rigid.

Today with the use of computer generated renderings it is possible to create the visual image making further prototypes unnecessary. Following the reading of an article in SABS March news by Continuum’s “+” Brian Gillespie on Should Designers fear Design – Thinking MBA’s an article I enjoyed reading and concur totally with part of that article that said “it takes design education followed by experience, focus and maturity.” to add to maturity maybe “vision” for without vision can we really move forward. It is my opinion that the main purpose of any academic institution is to teach the student how to think in a particular direction, and record that thought using any suitable instrument.

My decision with the Desk design after seeing the second rendering – stay with the original idea.

Any interaction between academic institutions can only be good, each have their own focus and area of expertise, my concern would rather be not only the chasm between academia and industry but the use of the internet as a source of design inspiration where plagiarism is an easy option not only for the student but for the academic institution in their desire for positive academic statics. 

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.