office bloggins

The ramblings of a man with thinning hair, but with an interest in to creating happier lives throughout the office environment. 

Hi, I’m Pete, owner of Urban Office Interiors, creator of those fantastic offices you see dotted around the UK.  This is my blogtastic journey in to the venture of all things nice (in the workspace that is).  I will be updating my entries monthly (evidently not), on what is new, what is cool and what works.  Why?  Because you probably spend a third of you life in an office, so it should be like a second home, and hopefully you appreciate the better things in life such as life.  Forget cold, dark dingy offices.  Forget working under pressure sat in sub standard seating, think nice things.  It will make your life much better on a Friday night at the after works knees up, when the weeks projects are complete and you don’t feel like crap. I’m here to point out those lovely little workplace items that will get you excited.  Well, if not you, then me.  I love what I do and yes, I am sad.  But if you love your job as I do mine, then we are all on to a happier existence..

June  2009

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..

 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.

 

 

Options / Information:

Backrest One-piece backrest frame, membrane covering, also available with a flat cushion.
Lumbar support Optional height-adjustable lumbar support – for optimal lower back support.
Headrest Individually adjustable to the user’s body size.
Armrests Basic armrests with plastic or leather finish, 3D adjustable armrests with plastic, Soft touch, gel or leather finish.

“Similar” mechanism Particularly large opening angle of over 32°. Individually adjustable backrest pressure. 4° seat tilt adjustment.
Sliding seat Sliding seat adjustable by up to 60 mm without changing the position of the seat.
Seat height adjustment Sedo-Lift or gas lift mechanism.
Visual features 10 shades of leather, more than 200 fabrics, 3 five-star base designs, castors with 65 mm diameter.

So thats it – we sit in Sedus Stolls Open Mind task chairs and are still loving them today.

PDF Brochure 

March   2009

 

 

 

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…

 

 

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 Style

Yoko

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 If you’re looking for innovative design with practicality but that is also as beautiful as it is useful then surely you can look no further than ‘Zero’ or  ’Uno‘ by Karim Rashid.  The futuristic design from the New York based designer has already attracted worldwide attention and praise as well as many prestigious awards for it’s revolutionary take on modern office furniture. Apart from designing cutting edge furniture and working with many illustrious clients some of his work is on permanent display in the Philadelphia museum of art. Karim also displays his artistic flair in a different way by DJ’ing under the moniker of DJ Kreemy at numerous events worldwide so in a lot of ways, much like his own designs and products I think it would be fair to say that the man is Versatile?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year

 Hello, I’m John. A new member to the Urban Office Interiors team. Like Pete I have a keen interest in ’nice’ working environments, like Peter I probably won’t be updating my blog monthly but unlike Peter, I have hair that gains height instead of length, Think Egon Spengler of Ghostbusters fame! Oh well, here is my first ramble… 
 
Bye bye 2008, hello 2009 and hello dear reader to you! Well that’s another holiday season finished and back in the ‘treat’ cupboard and it’s with in-trepidation we enter the period I like to call January! So how was the Christmas period (it’s rhetorical, I know you can’t answer hopefully peaceful, restful, enjoyable and hopefully lacking in Christmas jumpers!

Well back to the business end of things and I’d like to explain my first turbulent quarter under the Urban Office banner. When I first joined the business I was completely new to this kind of work so after 3 months of hard work learning products and getting to grips with CAD,  I’m glad to report that 3 months down the line I’m still useless! Not really, in fact I’m actually pleased with how quick I’ve managed to adapt and how quickly I’ve learnt the product ranges. So me and what I do here…

I’m largely involved in the background running of Urban Office so these include; office and product research / sourcing, space planning, (making tea!)  measuring up components for furniture and making sure they fit in your offices (making tea!) and finally answering the phone badly!

Eventually when I’m totally up to speed, another new member will step into the fray and then he/she will can add their two pence to the blog…
Will this help me get out of making tea? Until next month/year. Got to go now, I can hear the kettle boiling!!!

John

 

October 08

Sense – intelligent design made simple

No tools required – Simply plug and play office Furniture from Herman Miller – Sense.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sense provides a unique office furniture solution. It offers a simple solution for today’s complex office environments. Highly intelligent components make the design simple to understand and simple to use. It is the ideal solution for companies requiring a single solution using predefined configurations but with a fresh aesthetic. Sense is a modern, fun range that is enjoyable to work with.

Connect

The power of the idea. All good design starts with an idea. Harnessing the power of the idea turns design into reality. Sense makes things simple, allowing you to create a solution that fits with the way you want to work.

 

All in the detail. Great design is all in the detail. An intelligent mono-beam and simple components connect to make it easy to configure the layouts you want.

Create an environment. Discover a world that connects and inspires. Sense gives you the freedom to work the way you want. Create an environment for you and your team to thrive. 

Build

No Tools. It has never been easier to put a table together. With no tools, the unique plug+play system allows you to build in seconds.

Simplicity. With plug+play it’s quick and easy to build. All components simply lock, click or snap into place. With no tools to build, Sense reduces downtime and increases productivity. Simple design means your workspace reflects your business values and adapts with you.

Inspire. Open yourself to the simple things in life. Build an environment that inspires. Use Sense to create a modern, fresh landscape that feels good to be part of.

Play

Play. Sense is meant to be played with. Dress your workspace to reflect your identity. Personalise and change – it’s designed to be easy.

Create the look. Vibrant colours and cool finishes let you create the look you want. Bring individuality to team environments. Make it as simple or detailed as you like. 

Change is easy. Choose the look you want for a modern, relaxed workplace. Motivate people. Play.

Grow

 

For different applications. Start with a single table and work up. Sense is designed for different applications. Update and adapt as your business changes. Take Sense with you as you grow.

 

Considered range. Sense is designed for the long term. As you grow, so does Sense. A considered range allows you to add new tables, change layouts, take down and rebuild. Intelligent design is built to last.

Create great places to work. Sense is built for today and can be changed for tomorrow.Herman Miller’s heritage and sustainable design principles add up to a product that’s built for the future.

Sense is design for life

Take sense with you. As your furniture needs change, use sense for different configurations. Roll-out sense across different departments, floors or offices using a simple to understand range.

Features and benefits

No tools to build. Sense simplifies the installation process and speeds up assembly.

A mono-beam frame made from roll-formed steel is shared across the under structure and toolbar, optimising the design and consolidating the range. All screening, wire management and accessories connect directly to the frame from a standardised vocabulary, simplifying the ordering process.

Legs are offered as fixed height or height adjustable, work surfaces are quick release; both are available in standard and contemporary finishes.

 Screen fabric is unique to Herman Miller and provides a cool, modern aesthetic with tactile and acoustic benefits

Application information

Single table

Sense can be used as a single table for individual working requirements. Power, wire management and privacy panels/screens provide a complete, independent office solution.

 

Back-to-back

 

 Clusters

Linear configurations are made easy with Sense. Standard length frames connect using patented connection devices to form the structure you require. Add to this returns or satellite tables to provide for further workspace, meeting or breakout options.

120 degree

Customer service, Call centre or other team based environments will benefit from the collaborative space achievable using sense in a 120-degree formation. Form small, working clusters or larger, group environments to offer the right collaboration requirements.

Meeting
An extended vocabulary means Sense can be applied to all areas of the office, including meeting and breakout areas. The fun, modern finishes and simple frame structure of Sense allows facility-wide application and offers a perfect solution for community spaces.

See the website for more details on the Sense tables

 Pete

May 08  

Design Prima is coming up soon, so I will keep any eye open on any new trends and products.  Sign up for a free ticket if you just happen to be in the capital in the first week of June.  You never know, we might just bump in to each other – that would be my fault though, I will have my eyes on what’s hot in the industry.  If you see someone with “office monkey” on their badge, then that will be me. (Update – only one person spotted it!!)

Pete

May 08

Relations office furniture

Well, what can I say..  The Relations range from Sedus Stoll really has caught my attention lately.  Actually, not just mine, but that of several visitors to my site www.urban-office.com The range seems to be causing somewhat of a stir!  Not only with great modern looks that we always try and post, or the great quality you would come to expect from our selected ranges, but Relations has a more completeness about it.  How, you ask?  Well, let me explain a little more..

Furniture ranges tend to have one or two great ergonomic add-ons such as CPU holders or wire management etc  Don’t get me wrong, there are some really great ranges out there with more accessories and solutions, yet they seem to lack what I am about to hark on about. 

The Relations range has what I like to think, everything that one needs for the current climate in the modern office environment.  With high quality German engineering, clean lines and some great modern finishes, the Relations range is a pleasure to see and sit at.  But there’s more, much more…  Sedus Stoll have added some normal attributes often found in the workspace which are usually purchased separately from other manufacturer’s and bolted on.  What I mean here, is the norm – CPU holders, cable management, media boxes, sliding tops for cable access, height adjustable desktops, screens, toolbar rails, modesty panels and storage to match. But it doesn’t stop there!  They have also added printer shelves, CD storage, castors, mobile drawing boards, drink and catering caddies, quirky clip on “Grasshopper” picture and post it notes holders, flexible high and low mobile storage so you can wheel your work around the office and use the top as reference or a laptop perch for quick presentations. More, OK; folding mobile conference / training tables, rounded edges on the desktops, height adjustable meeting tables, team tables and some beautiful sliding door storage.  What more could you want?  Oh yeah, an extremely versatile range to challenge any task thrown at you in the workspace.

Ladies and gentlemen:  Relations..

I thought it looked good on a football pitch too – just think of it in your office.  I suppose you could add some fake grass to recreate the effect!!

 

Height adjustable desk with caddie, CPU holder and funny green Grasshopper thingy (Chair is Open Mind)

 

 

Storage, mobile storage, printer shelf and the Grasshopper.

Well, there is more to show like the team table and the folding mobile conference tables, so you best hop over to our website to see more.  The Relations range is available to see in the Sedus London showroom – so let me know if you wish to pay them a visit young Grasshopper!

Pete

February / March / April 08 

To 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 creped slightly back – but hey, that’s not my problem – they had been setup to kick these bad habits!! 

January 08 

Eco start

First off – Happy New Year.  Mine was a quiet one, but most enjoyable.  I didn’t make any New Years resolutions as I knew I would just break them within the first week of January.  But a strange thing has happened! I seem to be going to the Gym, eating better and drinking less – without really any planning.  Maybe this is the way forward, no resolutions = subconscious reaction without the knowing you are breaking any of your new rules…  Let’s see how long this lasts then  

Any way – back to the matter in hand..  Task seating and the environment.. they will work.

The business world and environment generally do not go hand in hand.  I thought I would post a little information this month (as everyone is on a New Year high) with some information about task seating with strong environmental credentials.  Its a good start in the direction of helping the environment without loosing any benefits or features that you would expect from your office chair or the users comfort.

 Lets see the eco•start™ chair from Connection seating.

 

 

eco-start™ is not only about meeting the needs of the environment it has been designed to also meet and exceed the needs of the user. 

eco•start™ is 98% recyclable by weight, making it one of the most recyclable task chairs available.

eco•start™ is designed to last longer, it is easy to reconfigure and upgrade using the unique interchangeable upholstery units.

 

The chair itself doesn’t lose any of the normal operations you would expect from a task chair, in fact, it comes with a synchro mechanism, forward tilt and (yes, and) seat slide as standard.  Connection Seating have really come out trumps with this chair with a solid modern design (changeable by fabric options), ergonomic operations as standard, comfort and all at a really good price point. 

Careful consideration has gone in to its materials, manufacture, life cycle costs and even the unique way it is packaged and transported to ensure it has a minimum impact on the environment.

 

Conclusion:  If you want to start changing your office with the environment in mind, keeping a modern feel, great ergonomic features  and without going over your budget threshold, then eco•start™ is the ideal solution.  These are available to see, sit in and touch up in the London showroom.  Contact Urban Office Interiors for more information.

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

 

November 2007 

Bench desks – Talk to me! 

So, bench desks – what are they and what is all the hype about?

Many offices and studios opt for bench desking these days not only for what they offer, but because they are nice to look at. What’s nice to look at, is nice to be around, which is a bonus in today’s office environment. A large portion of our lives are spent in the workplace, so why not enjoy work with furniture designed to make work easier and feel right.

 

BEnch range

Bench desks are clusters of desks that use shared components as support. They are usually setup back to back, from two desks up to, well, however long your office is. Sounds boring doesn’t it? Well, many are – but not ours. But add a touch of flair, cleverly designed aspects and you end up with an office masterpiece. What if you could have all the wires for your I.T. hidden, yet easily accessible. What if you could have your monitor raised off of the desktop allowing you to use the additional desk space for paperwork, or a design layout. What if you didn’t have to have your opposite co-workers paperwork or pens rolling on to your desk area. No more what ifs, what bench desk!

 

Juice bench system

Different:

Bench desk ranges offer different solutions for different work environments. The main design idea around the bench desk system is the flexibility and ergonomic setup of the desks. Architects and designers like to use large flat spaces for plans, designs and 3D models. This can be achieved by using uncongested desktop space, mobile return desks, end of desk extension tops and hovering flat screen monitors. Sliding desktops or flip panel cable management will enable the user to quickly remove their phone charger and laptop / computer wires from the surface to create an increased surface area for their project. Call centres, touch down areas and hot desking companies like the flexibility to create private work zones for their staff or hot desk user to work proficiently and un-hounded by other sounds. Screens and return screens help reduce travelling noise and can be setup in various configurations. Third level storage (cupboards or shelves above the screens) can be used for additional close to hand filing or reference library and reduce sound even more. These are just a few of the ideas that bench desks offer. The possibilities are now becoming endless.

 

Vital bench desk

Bench desking is a great way forward in today’s work environments. Designs, finishes and colours vary, so the sky is the limit.

 

January   2009