by Jbs112408f — November 28, 2008—Industry giants Hewlett Packard (HP) and Herman Miller, Inc. combined talents to slash the cost of housing individual employees of the computer giant and earned a major corporate real estate prize. The space utilization model, first rolled out in Melbourne, Australia, earned Herman Miller and HP CoreNet Global’s H. Bruce Russell Innovator’s Award.
The model, which features sensors on desk chairs to detect human presence, was honored at the CoreNet Global Summit in Orlando. Each year the CoreNet Global awards recognize excellence in sustainable leadership, economic development leadership, and corporate real estate workplace innovation.
HP wanted an accurate picture to determine how effectively space at their Melbourne facility was being utilized and if savings could be achieved by using less. Working with Herman
Miller, the computer maker attached tiny sensors, called motes, to the backs of each desk chair in the office, resulting in an accurate read of how frequently an office was being occupied.
The study concluded that dedicated space was being utilized by HP workers only 38% of the time, and meeting rooms were used even less. Working with Herman Miller, HP reconfigured the facility and used offices and common rooms differently and now utilization averages around 50%, although at times it averages 90%. The company has reportedly been able to reduce its cost per employee by 55%.
The H. Bruce Russell Innovator’s Awards program, now in its ninth consecutive year, showcases solutions, best practices, and innovations in corporate real estate and workplace management. The 2008 Global Innovator’s Awards finalists also included:
- Discovery Communications / Cushman & Wakefield
- Ford Land
- Gensler / HP
- Motorola / Jones Lang LaSalle
- San Antonio Economic Development Foundation / City of Windcrest, TX
- Shell Oil Company
- University of Arizona
- VFA, Inc.
- Workstage, LLC
UGL Equis, Gensler, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce sponsored the Innovator’s Awards. For more information visit the CoreNet Global Innovator’s Award site.
