by Brianna Crandall — June 13, 2014—Teknion Corporation launched several products at the just-completed NeoCon exposition and conference for commercial interiors in Chicago, one of which won a Silver Award in the Case Goods category of the Best of NeoCon Competition—the new Journal case goods. Both Journal and Livello Counterbalance Workstation Table are covered below, and additional products will be detailed in future FMLink articles.
Journal case goods
Journal is a modern case goods product inspired by architectural elements and the urban landscape, says Teknion. With Journal, private offices can transform quickly and easily to accommodate more collaborative small-team environments.
“The recent trend towards the open plan office concept is starting to meet with resistance. Although workstyles demand space for collaboration, people still need a place for the heads-down, focused work typically afforded by the private office,” said Chris Wright, design principal, figure3. “The Journal case goods line enables the private office to function for focused, individual work, yet easily transform to accommodate more collaborative team environments. With Journal, the space designed for a single user can now be used by five.”
Designed by Chris Wright and Steve Tsai of figure3, Journal also addresses today’s ergonomic requirements with its ability to integrate a height-adjustable table option into a case goods line as part of the standard offering. Journal also supports the integration of technology in the emerging private office.
Other unique features include a pivoting bench and sliding storage. Sliding storage doors conceal effects in the private office, or reveal mounted screens for collaboration, aiding the transformation to a collaborative space. Sliding storage also indicates visually whether the space is in use as a private office, or available for group use. Journal applications include private office, executive suite and meeting rooms. Height-adjustable tables, pivoting bench, wire-management options and a wealth of finishes contribute to product and application flexibility.
“Much of the time, a private office is unoccupied,” said Kaerynne Nakamura, director, Architectural Products and Case goods, Teknion. “Conversely, with the trend towards increased collaboration, particularly in small teams, meeting spaces with wire management capabilities and technology support are in demand. With Journal, the private office can be used more often, by more people and to greater effect. Facilities managers can maximize the use of their real estate investment. Journal changes the conversation from quantity of space to quality of space.”
Journal is designed and developed in accordance with DfE standards and protocols, and to comply with the ANSI/BIFMA e3 Furniture Sustainability Standard. It is GREENGUARD certified and manufactured in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified sites, adds Teknion.
Livello Counterbalance Workstation Table
The sophisticated Livello Counterbalance Workstation Table offers “immediate and virtually effortless” height adjustment, according to Teknion, enabling the emerging strategy to maintain health and comfort at work of alternating between sitting and standing, shifting one’s posture at frequent intervals. The Livello Counterbalance table is designed to adjust from sit-to-stand in a matter of seconds, quickly fitting the person and the task.
Livello Counterbalance offers a height adjustment range of 20 inches (51 cm) up/down and a load-balancing range up to 150 pounds (including worksurface). Like Teknion’s other Quick Shift and Complements counterbalance sit-to-stand height-adjustable tables, the new table does not require electrical power. Instead, it employs a spring to counteract the weight on the worksurface. This proprietary mechanism—reportedly like no other load-balancing table on the market—affords a consistent user experience independent of the weight on the table. As long as the table is balanced, the same amount of force is required to lift or lower the table.
“When introduced by Teknion over 20 years ago, the counterbalance height-adjustable table quickly became an industry leader,” said Smith. “Gone is the common lower support brace, which increases knee clearance to exceed current industry standards. The new Livello Counterbalance table continues this tradition, while maintaining the clean, linear aesthetics that allows the Livello line to easily integrate with all Teknion systems furniture.”
The wire management system eliminates the visual clutter of unmanaged wires, promoting safety. An optional e-Chain for flexible vertical wire management is offered for all height-adjustable tables. Designed to fit any person, task or space, Livello tables can be applied within the workstation and the private office, as well as in small meeting rooms, touch-down areas and open spaces.
The Livello height-adjustable table line meets the ANSI/BIFMA X5.5-2014 standard for Desk/Table Products and is certified to the CAN/CGSB 44.227-2008 Freestanding Office Desk Products and Components standard. Livello is GREENGUARD Certified for indoor air quality, complies with BIFMA e3 and is manufactured in ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified facilities. FSC-certified worksurfaces are an option.
Additional products
In addition to Journal and Livello, Teknion showcased its Sabrina task chair, Variable multipurpose seating, and new products from Teknion Studio, including the Pai compact lounge, Periodic sofa, Noka chair, Juntura wood guest chair and bar stool, Kogen wire table and Lite Wall, as well as Duality and Form + Structure textile collections from Suzanne Tick and the Teknion Textiles division.
Teknion creates furniture that connects people, technology and spaces, holding to what the company calls a simple yet powerful principle: “Design does matter.” Teknion offices and facilities are located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Russia and Malaysia, and clients are served through a network of authorized dealers worldwide. Through 30 years of dedication to innovative and sustainable design, the company offers a diverse portfolio of award-winning office systems, office furniture, ergonomic accessories and architectural products.
See also the Teknion ad on FMLink.
