office bloggins

Monthly insights and modern office furniture leaders, Urban Office Interiors 

Welcome to our blog.  A blog that shows insights in to the modern and contemporary world of office interiors and furnishings.  A blog that is updated sporadically when one has time to shout in this busy busy office.  A blog that promises nothing and yet everything! I hope you enjoy our little trip in to all things nice….Enjoy work

November 2011 

Piled high with paperwork, post-it notes and pot plants, the majority of office workers can’t see the wood for the trees sat at their desks these days. So how can you find some precious extra space for that leaning stack of unlabelled CD’s and the obligatory mug that should have been washed out weeks ago?

As always, the answer is clever design – the type we at Urban Office HQ love…

Monitor arms are a modest yet effective way of revealing that valuable abyss of space that has been hiding underneath the old fashioned monitor base (along with a few long lost paperclips no doubt!). The good news doesn’t end there – elevating your monitor from your work surface not only results in a far more productive and efficient work space, (and somewhere to put that Newton’s Cradle Aunt Doris bought you last Christmas), but also creates a near perfect ergonomic environment for you to work in. Installing a monitor arm means you will have complete flexibility to move the monitor from side to side and up and down, along with various angles in-between. Simply pushing or pulling it in the desired direction tailors your very own workspace to produce optimal comfort.  

Monitor arms vary greatly in style, quality; materials used etc, so here at Urban Office HQ, our agents laid their hands on three different arm models and put them through our usual vigorous tests to see which monitor arm rises above the rest.

EVO II – Innovative Office Products

The first to be scrutinised by the Urban Office once over is the EVO II from the designers at Innovative Office Products – winner of the FIRA’s Ergonomic Excellence Award and shortlisted for 2011 Product of the Year category at the FX Design Awards 2011. Following on from the success of their first EVO monitor arm support, EVO II has a dynamic look which is clean, streamline and elegant. The chrome finish casing cleverly mirrors its surroundings and gently fades away into the background.

Build:

The spring mechanised arm is engineered from steel, aluminium and plastic. Overall it has a robust and durable feel to it. Although the plastic casing on the middle section of the arm doesn’t quite live up to the promise of the rest of the product and feels like it could be a chink in the armour! But no, this didn’t really affect the overall aesthetics or manoeuvrability.  The introduction of a spring loaded action throughout the product as an alternative to gas and the introduction of smooth flowing joints has allowed the manufactures to create a counter balanced product, ensuring fluidity and longevity. Supports monitors up to 9kg approx.

The bump test: (Please note that these tests are not carried out under strict scientific conditions – just one man’s reasonably large derrière and a desk)

An accidental bump on the desk is not uncommon in the workplace when moving around and we are pleased to report that this monitor arm showed no signs of movement when this was put to the test.

Usability:

Fluid movements are the real plus point with this monitor arm and outclass the opposition in this category. The screen glides effortlessly and with fluidity. The purposeful touch is all that’s required. The screen tilt has great versatility, allowing not only regular up and down movement but a full 90° turn for portrait viewing. The cable management system does the job well enough, but we feel that fully covering the cables would have enhanced the overall sleek design.

Sustainability:

A spring instead of gas cylinder makes recycling painless. 37% of the materials used to create the EVO II are from recycled resources and 99% of the arm is recyclable and easily dissembled into separate parts after its life.

M2 – Humanscale

The next in our line-up is the M2 manufactured by Humanscale. The design team at Humanscale pride themselves on their design philosophy of functional form, human factors, timeless design and environmental sustainability. The award winning team of 17 international designers have produced another product which has quality written all over it.

Build:

Much like its competitor the Evo II, Humanscale’s M2 has a spring loaded action rather than the bulky gas system. The M2 monitor arm, manufactured from aluminium, steel and plastic almost borders on the industrial with its solid form and mechanical styling. Supports monitors up to 9kg approx.

The bump test:

A little bump of the rump to the side of the desk produced a little movement but nothing substantial.

Usability: 

This Dynamic arm can be a little tricky to manoeuvre to exactly where you would like and does not have the 90° screen rotation feature like other monitor arms. This could be viewed as an Achilles heel and maybe due to its sturdy build quality. However the M2’s ace card that it holds over the rest is the ability to push the monitor to the back of your desk by the arm folding up neatly to a parallel position, giving you maximum space when the screen is not needed.   A real plus is the integrated cable management which creates a neat finish, covering and clipping in all visible cables leaving no unwanted hanging or loose wires. The availability of several optional work surface clamps/fixings also makes this arm very user friendly. The M2 is by far the most aesthetically pleasing monitor support and if this was the Cruft’s of monitor arms, there would be no doubt that this would win best in show; all round good looks with heavy-duty build takes the prize.

Sustainability:

Engineered from 52% recycled content and 99% recyclable after use, the slim design of the M2 has called for fewer parts and a lot less manufacturing processes are needed to create this durable monitor arm.

Ascend – CMS Ergonomics

Last but certainly not least is the Ascend by CMS Ergonomics. The only one of our three arms that is a gas assisted device. However this does not compromise on this products looks or function.

Build:

Contemporary in looks and sturdy in build quality. The Ascend is a well-designed monitor support, with a range of features which have the end user in mind. The monitor has a gas assisted height adjustment and is made from mainly cast aluminium, steel and plastic. The cable management far surpasses the rest with neat cable channelling and keeps the wires tangle free and concealed, therefore not compromising the aesthetics of the design. Supports monitors up to 8kg approx.

The bump test:

A swift pendulum swing of my bottom creates no noticeable movement, especially when the various arm locks are all in action.

Usability:

A great feature of this product is the ability for the user to lock off positions of the screen and the ease of adjusting the arms tension with the simple twist of an Allen key (because you always have one next to your monitor!). Adjustable tilt is also a bonus with the ability to rotate the screen through 90°. Different optional extras are the real key for this arm with interchangeable desktop fittings, laptop and iPad mounts and also available as a double monitor arm for dual screen working.

Sustainability:

Unfortunately we were not given any stats by CMS to compare the Ascend monitor arm with the above monitors EVO II and M2, but the inclusion of a gas assist will make it a little more difficult to recycle. However over 90% of the Aluminium Alloy content is recycled and majority of the other parts should pose no problem when being disposed of in and ecological manor.

Final thoughts:

EVO II just beats the M2 as it is more fluid and easier to use.

The M2 is by far the most rigid and leans towards a most sexy desktop accessory.

The Ascend, as nice as it looks, loses due to the use of a gas lift and isn’t as fluid as its competitors.

All in all, they are all great for reclaiming desktop space and adding more ergonomics to your life.

P.s. No humans were hurt during the bump tests.

November 2011 – Office furniture, pre holiday ordering.

Only 5 weeks left until Christmas – order your office furniture now!

The time has come to finalise your modern office furniture requirements in time for any pre-Christmas holiday deliveries. Contact us now to take advantage of some pre 2012 prices and deliveries.

Office furniture

September 2011 – Task chairs 

Is it a bird? Is it a plane?…No it’s a Hero task chair!

We all need a hero in life, whether it be Superman, Spiderman or Batman.  But what if the new hero on the block came to your rescue in a less valiant fashion?  Instead they helped you in small but significant ways that made your everyday working life more of a pleasurable experience?  Ladies and Gentleman please allow me the pleasure of introducing to you… the ‘Hero’ Chair from our friends at Interstuhl!

Ok granted it doesn’t stride around in a cape, wear pants outside its trousers and won’t be saving you from a runaway train anytime soon, but take my word for it when I tell you that this task chair will change your daily working life for the better.

True to its heritage, Interstuhl fit the renowned German precision engineering mould. The brand’s ethos for the chair is simple “You can sit however you want. Just sit on the right chair.” And that’s exactly the case here – with functions that allow you to shape the chair around your body at the effortless press and turn of a few switches, this task chair will in seconds become the ultimate in personal comfort.

Designed by Gerhard Reichert and Eckard Hansen, the Hero chair not only looks great but has 7 adjustable functions available to make it a perfect fit for every individual.  Like all hardened heroes, this chair’s soft and supportive side is hidden behind a sleek and slender exterior.

The Hero task chair is available in 8 different configurations, from high swivel chairs with headrests, to cantilever stackable visitor chairs offering greater diversity for your every need. The option of a mesh or fabric finish backrest is also an added bonus.

So let’s take a look at this crusader of the office world’s abundance of superpowers… It features automatic backrest tension, 4D armrests, height and depth adjustable headrest, inclining seat settings from front to back and variable lumber support options, all designed to rage war against the aches and pains of poor posture. This task seat is equipped to take on any bad day in the office with reassuring ease. Add to this its impressive green credentials (Hero is made from 40% recycled material, and on retirement, 98% can be recycled – statistics Captain Planet would envy) it can add a touch of the eco-warrior to its list.

In short, this chair would look great anywhere, whether your office is like the busy headquarters of the Daily Planet or your very own hi-tech Batcave.

The full range of Hero office chairs are available from Urban Office interiors.

September 2011 – Acoustic Office Screens

Office acoustics and furniture design have been fused together more and more over the past couple of years with designers and manufacturers really pushing this topic. Whilst watching the rugby this morning, I thought I would try WordPress out on the trusty iPad and gather some interesting acoustic products to share with you. I hope this works!

Acoustic seating

Acoustic chairs create areas where you can relax and work without being distracted. When grouped together (example; one facing another), you can create a snug which can be used for meetings, team sessions or even a breakout zone.

Office screens

I decided to keep away from the boring normal acoustic office screens and post some nice contemporary screens. Office screens are primarily used as divides instead of office partitions. Desktop office screens are sometimes used as an extension of the desk with accessories or pinned up paper notes or simply to stop desk clutter falling off the back (you know who you are!). Over the last five years or so, more manufacturers have been using acoustic foams and other techniques to absorb travelling noise. Designs of screens have been improved and more variation and sound reducing products have been launched.

Acoustic pods

Demountable office pods and screens with integral ceilings are a growing trend in the UK. The designs allow you to change, move and expand the office pods should you need. The pods also allow you to “get around” many building regulations and also around your landlord as they require next to no fixing to any surfaces. If you haven’t seen a pod working yet, then let Urban Office know and we will point you in the right direction.

Other acoustics

There are so many new and interesting acoustic furniture products available to the UK and Europe that we are spoilt for choice. We can show them all here, but there is something available for everyone. Contact Urban Office Interiors for more products and information.

A modular sofa system with contrasting colour panels and slightly unusual proportions.  Designed by Gabbertas which won the onoffice Prima award in 2008.

The Flo chair allows you to create and then recreate continuous flows of seating.  Using the internal models, Flo allows you to create private meeting pods.  The external models allow you to create waiting areas, especially if you have obtrusive columns that need hiding.  The straight modules can be benched for continuous rows.  Complete Flo with the Ebb benching table made from veneer.  Add upholstered seat pads in a variety of finishes and colours.

Pete

In the vocal style of James May… “Great news…!”

Well, my monthly update promise went well, nearly 8 months on and here I am back with more interesting items and updates all in the name of ‘blogging!’ Where to begin? I suppose Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and to cover all bases – Happy Easter!

So what have we been doing in the busy world of office furniture, I (don’t) hear you all ask. Well, I’ve been very busy adding lots of new and exciting ranges to the Urban Office Interiors site including some (que buzz words and flexing index fingers!) ‘funky’ screens and ‘trendy’ new desk systems. For example there is the myPOD http://www.urban-office.com/my_pod.html range of office furniture which seems to cover most areas of modern office requirements – from desks to storage and all with the same matching visual flair.

myPOD desktop storagemyPOD twin desk with lightingmyPOD desks with table top storage

myPOD twin desk

myPOD bench desk

I have also added lots of new and interesting chairs that can be found in thehttp://www.urban-office.com/occasionalseating.html section. These include a few ranges from a Spanish company called Sancal, and in the http://www.urban-office.com/meshchairs.html section, we have the Una chair.

UNA mesk task chair

There have also been updates to the screens page, most notably with thehttp://www.urban-office.com/contemporarysofficescreens.html presenting some interesting designs for acoustic and non-acoustic screens all with unique design and shape; most notably the Wannabetree.

Wannabetree acoustic office screens

Please feel free to peruse my chatologue – and I mean that chatogorically!

John

Task chairs – What do we sit in?

If I had a penny for everytime I had been asked “What do Urban Office Interiors sit in” then I would……… you get the rest.

Well, we do get asked and we do tell.  It was only yesterday that a client told me the girls on reception loved the chairs and thanked us for our suggestion.  The original question was indeed, “what do you sit in”..  After the client tested the chair which we sent to them, they were 100% that it was the correct chair for them.  The client even wanted to keep the demo chair until the new chairs arrived..  So, you may ask – what do we sit on..

Open Mind mesh task chair

Yes, the Open Mind mesh back task chair from Sedus Stoll.  After just over a year of owning this chair, I can report that they are still going strong (as all chairs do from our selection) and are in great condition.  Sedus Stoll (from Germany – so you know its well built) are one of Europes top manufacturers.  Componently, the chairs are great and move with ease and sturdyness.

Open Mind from Sedus Stoll:

Perfect form. Perfect ergonomics. open mind does not compromise. The high-quality backrest frame, formed as a single unit, lends this chair its distinctive design. Relaxed working and total freedom of movement are guaranteed by the “Similar” mechanism with its extra-large opening angle. The patented Sedo-Lift mechanism provides soft cushioning for all sizes of user, even in the lowest sitting position.

March   2009

Hello, John again. Back for my monthly (yeah right!) appraisal of all things furniture. This week… Road Trip!

Q. What do you get if you cross 2 beer loving men, a handful of London furniture showrooms and St. Patrick’s Day?

A. Home at 10:30 in the evening…

That is the short hand of the story of what happened but the longer version is now going to be related to you. We set off on the morning of Tuesday 17th with upbeat vigour at the thought of getting out of the office for a day but also the thought of St Paddies at the back of our minds, it would also be a good opportunity for me to get a proper look at the furniture in the flesh and have a valid reason to quaff copious amounts of Guinness without fear of public scorn!

We mounted the train at Tiverton Parkway and found our reserved seats then settled into the 2 hour 25 min journey taking in The Independent newspaper, the whirring of laptops  and that most traditional of institutions – the hideous British Rail tea.  After drinking my lukewarm tasteless water and defeating the urge to use my MP3 player I took the opportunity to stare at the inside of my eyelids till pretty much journey’s end!

We arrived in Paddington at around 11:25 so right off from the start; time was going to be a factor, that and the ongoing battle that we seem to continually have with Google Maps and it’s random destination generator!

We got on the tubes each of us with one thought in mind. FOOD quickly followed by the thought GUINNESS…  We began our search to find a suitable location in which to eat.

We found a lovely pub on the corner of Turnmill St and tucked into a fantastic lunch of sausage and bubble and squeak plus 2 pints of the black stuff in glorious sunshine. Marvellous!

After lunch came the more serious business of the showroom visiting, so off to Clarkenwell we trudged wondering where Google maps would put us. The showrooms we visited were Boss, where we were both allowed toilet facilities, the brand new Allermuir studio as it had only opened earlier that week and Vitra were I posed on some fairly artistic and stylish chairs while Peter did his David Bailey stuff and snapped away. I was pleasantly surprised walking around the showrooms by just how much variation there is in the world of office furniture and why Pete remains as enthusiastic and passionate as he’s always been.  After much more walking and a few showrooms later we made our way, via the tube stations to find our way back home.

As I mentioned earlier, time had always been a factor and now, at 16:34 it had become our enemy causing us to miss our train and only allowing us to catch a later train due to our ticket type. This unfortunate turn of events resulted in us having to spend another hour and a half in a pub? A cruel twist of fate that was almost too much to bear!

Eventually we boarded our designated train and sat down to a further 2 + hour journey listening to the phone calls of the great British public, the slamming of carriage doors and thankfully my MP3 player before arriving back safe and content in Devon after a very full but rewarding showroom pilgrimage. Bring on the next one!

February   2009

Hello again John here and continuing on from my last tuppence’ worth I’m now back with my four pence’ worth for another brief (short) and insightful (pointless) appraisal of Jan 2009!

This is now my second blog in as many months so I’ve done better than Pete thus far! Will this trend continue?

So what happened in the crazy world of Urban Office Interiors? Well winter as we all know is a time for iced over windscreens, colds, viruses and all sorts of other nasties. Although we could dose ourselves up on hot lemon drinks and boiled sweets (non committal advertising!) our computers were not so lucky and they contracted the dreaded lurgi!

Fortunately that same week we had just received another computer so were able to sort out the problem pretty quickly by backing up, re-installing and generally getting all required information and documentation back without too much trouble. Although it was almost 48 hours of inconvenience it could have been a lot worse! On the flip side, Jan was a very productive month for us and we were very busy so that is a very encouraging sign although it may somewhat hamper my plans of making March a blog hatrick!

Until then… possibly?

John

My Style

Design by Lepper Schmidt Sommerlade

My Style cantilever side chair and armchair. Satin chrome-plated steel frame. Laminated solid wood back, available in beech wood or Oakwood. Upholstery available in fabric/microfiber comfort/leather.

My StyleYokoMy Style fabric

Design: Emilio Nanni

The Yoko range, a contemporary and distinct seating range designed by Emilio Nanni.  Yoko is available in a two seat bench, low stool and two high stools.  The Yoko is made from oak or beech with a chrome contemporary frame.

Yoko

February / March / April 08

Too much happened to go in to, but we have been very, very, busy doing what we do best (not blogging!), creating some fantastic offices.  Its been so busy, that I think more of my hair has fallen out. But, I think it has been worth it – all our clients seem to be very pleased anyway.  Well, apart from one or two who promised to keep their desks tidy. I surprised them with a quick visit only to find that their old ways had crept slightly back – but hey, that’s not my problem – they had been setup to kick these bad habits!!

December 07

Fifty-Fifty

We just had to post this little beauty. Style, form and, well, just so much more style from this cleverly crafted range. 50:50… read on.

Text from Allermuir / Designer: Jonathan Harvey

The `split personality’ 50:50 range comprises of a side chair and a high and low stool, available in two contrasting materials, anodised aluminium or oak veneer.

The cleverly formed aluminium version features brushed anodised aluminium seat shells with tubular steel frames. As a distinct contrast the design is elegantly translated into a formed ply shape using rich and sophisticated oak veneer.

The striking aesthetic of both materials work equally well together or individually, with the aluminium version featuring a central fold, which is mirrored on the oak option by the directional control or the veneers, a visual detail, which harmonises the two diverse materials.

50:50 is compact and offers extreme comfort, with both the chairs and low stools stackable.

Versatile and functional, the design is suitable for a wide range of environments including contemporary bars, cafes, bistros and corporate dining, with the aluminium option perfect for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Contact Urban Office Interiors for more details of the 50:50