“Feel Better. Work Better.”- Herman Miller

          Are companies finally finding solutions to a more comfortable office space? Companies such as Herman Miller and Steelcase have been researching and producing new technologies and spaces for several years. Herman Miller and Steelcase are in hope of creating office spaces that will advance worker’s health and well being in the office.

          It was the year 1968 when creator Robert Propst revolutionized the American office. He came up with the design of the cubicle, or systems furnishings. Propst’s idea was set out to increase productivity in the office. Although his vision was initially somewhat successful, systems furnishings has had its downfalls.

Early prototype of Action office by Propst 
and architect George Nelson

       Before the cubicle was invented, most of the businesses were industrial and Ma and Pa type; therefore, there was not a demand for a structured design such as the cubicle. Around the year 1968, there was a boom of white collar workers that swarmed the workforce. Systems furnishings was then in demand because offices needed a more organized and efficient way for work spaces. The cubicle was more efficient with not only work flow, but also economically. It was not practical to house every worker in a single office space. Moreover, with the creation of systems furnishings it offered a cheaper alternative for redesigning the floor plan.Systems furnishings became a success in the office. Herman Miller introduced the first office system called the Action Office System. The company created many different systems furniture including Herman Miller AO1, Herman Miller AO2, and Herman Miller Ethospace. Each design became more effective with the change in elements such as work surfaces, panels, storage, and most of all the comfortability of the employee. “Herman Miller became very involved in ergonomics, which is the science of design that coordinates the design of devices, systems, and physical working conditions with the capacities and requirements of the worker. (Dictionary.com)” The company has researched and created several different office chairs, performance tables, technology support, and personal lighting in the quest to better the health and well-being of an employee while at work.

Ergonomics Diagram

          Although systems furnishings has taken a huge stride since 1968, office systems are beginning to move into era where cubicles are not in a high demand anymore. Technology is so advanced now with the invention of hand held laptops and software that allows employees to work out of their homes. So what is the need for an entire cubicle and structured area? In 1993, Jay Chiat, chairman of ad agency Chiat/Day, was in hope of dethroning the cubicle. He relocated his employees into a newly renovated office space. This was not a typical office space; it was very laid back like a Starbucks. However, the attempt to transform a boring, fixed work space cubicle into a more relaxed and creative space, failed. Employees simply stopped arriving at work, and instead worked outside of heir homes.

Modern office space by Herman Miller

          Systems furnishings has come a long way since it began. Creators and companies have tried to overthrow the design of the cubicle, but it seems as though it is the most practical for an office space. New technologies surrounding ergonomics continues to advance as well as the advancement of systems furnishings. So what is next?

Resources:

http://www.systemsnews.com/resources/herman
miller.html
http://www.steelcase.com/en/Company/Who/About-Steelcase/Pages/Milestones.aspx

http://www.hermanmiller.com/DotCom/jsp/designResources/

prodInfoOverview.jsp?prodCatId=2&subCatId=3&navId=5

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ergonomics