What can you do to convey a strong sustainability message in a greenwashed market where just saying the word green dosn't quite cut it anymore? Build a green billboard? Thats exactly what PNC Bank did at their Headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA.

Using around 15,000 plants, PNC constructed a 2,400 square foot live billboard that not only delivers a powerful message about PNCs' stance on sustainability, but also functions as a insulator which they estimate will keep the interior behind the wall 25% cooler during the summer.
View the article in its entirety at:
http://climate.weather.com/articles/ap_greenconstruction_101209.html

Reaction: “Should Your Company Transition From Traditional Private Offices to an Open Space Plan?”

Click Here to Download White Paper

This paper talks about the complexities of changing an existing and healthy workspace of private offices into one with an open space plan. While the solutions may seem too subjective to relate to your organization, understand that Haworth and the faculty at the University of Michigan developed these conclusions after strenuous research directed at improving our understanding of workplace culture, interaction, generations, communication, and other forms. To see what else has been discovered by Haworth and supporting team members, click here. Despite ever organization being different, researchers and scholars have noticed traits and qualities of organizations that might make changing into an open space plan easier. Continue to read to find out if your organization should be thinking about change.

Remember, however, that such a change is relative to the people involved — perception is reality. For example, “the opportunity for ease of supervision afforded by open office can be seen as an advantage by managers but as a disadvantage by the workers.” This psychological perspective is a combination of the individual, the corporate culture, and the intercommunication norms between departments of that organization.

Why have trend of many manufactures and designers has shifted to low height panels, smaller workstations, and shared collaborative areas? What is the real reason why businesses are changing their work environments?

Due to the economy, many companies are forced fit more people in a smaller than normal space. Normal, meaning what the organization is accustom to. In order to minimize the dissonance of downsizing to a similar space (meaning move from large traditional to small traditional), many companies must change the organizational perspective.

This top down change must be complete throughout the entire organization. For best outcome, the benefits of open space plan must be reinforced several times. This will also ease the anxiety related to such a move. Below is a list of benefits:

1. A shared organizational learning environment
2. Social facilitation of performance
3. Enhance acquisition of the corporate culture
4. An increase opportunity for social interaction
5. Ease of supervision and monitoring
For better understanding of these points, consider reading the attached article.

Open space planning is also best in low-density situations. Condensed open space plans may cause excess visual noise causing distractions. Fight noise levels by using sound masking (white noise acoustical systems: for more info search “logisound masking”). Reassure the change by maintaining member rewards and performance incentives.

While there is much more to say, I hope you have a better understanding of some of the pros and cons of moving into an open space plan. While this transition may be risky for some, appropriately analyzing your organization before the change will make the change easier. Remember that with any change, it is inevitable that resistance will occur.

Click here to find all information, plus more, found on Haworth.com

Imagine an I-beam you could carry on your shoulder--you'd be thankful you could haul it without needing a crane, but you probably wouldn't want to build structures out of it, thinking it surely wouldn't be strong enough.

Well--wrong! A new material called LSB, or LiteSteelBeam, is as strong as any hot-rolled steel I-beam, but it's 40% lighter. The result of six years of research and testing, LSB "can be cut, drilled, screwed, bolted, welded, and nailed using standard tools."

Already in use in Australia, LSB is now being manufactured in the U.S.

via fine homebuilding

Check out: Transmaterial. Its a searchable database of the latest in "materials that redefine our physical environment", designed to better facilitate access to critical developments in the field.
Two of my favs: Ingeo and Paper Softwall.

Over the years I have found that the best way to create and maintain a long lasting relationship with a client or furniture installer is to bake brownies or chocolate chip cookies!! Once I have delivered a cookie tray to a clients office or to a job site to project manage an installation, the first words out of everyone's mouth is "YEAH here comes the cookie lady!!!" It has made such a boost in my career because everyone wants some. I just recently visited a clients office and an installer that had been on a job 6 years ago with me asked "What no brownies...."

So to say the least for a little out of pocket expenses and some evening labor one can leave a really lasting impression on others! Try it sometime and you will see...people will remember you and want you back!!!

As many companies struggle with cutting costs in the workplace, we all need to live more responsibly. One way is to change from delivered bottled water to an inline water cooler since you are already paying for public water. These inline coolers have filters in them for purer drinking water. When you buy a bottle of water on the road at the local Wawa keep it and reuse it by filling up with the water cooler. This keeps large amounts of plastic out of landfills and recycling centers. It also helps to use less fossil fuels to create this plastic.

Another step that companies can take to save money is to recycle as much paper as possible in to scratch pads to sit by the phone. How many of us have copied or printed something that wasn’t right and then threw the paper in the recycling bucket. Gather this paper and cut it in to smaller pieces and use the unused side for notes or to-do lists at your desk. This way the paper has been used to its maximum before recycling it.

And lastly is batteries. Hundreds of thousands of batteries show up in landfills each year. How many companies have switched to wireless systems for keyboards and mouses? The batteries don’t last long. Buy several chargers and rechargeable batteries. You would be amazed how long you will have these batteries for use. My husband and I have been using the same batteries for our digital camera for about four years now! Talk about cost savings!

Look around you and make a game of it. You will be amazed how much money you can save and how much you can do for the environment by being responsible.

What is an adaptable workspace?

Take a look at this video as it introduces Haworth products in ways you could only imagine. Watch as different configurations fly in and out of a ordinary workspace, combining to make extraordinary results.



Acting as a foundation to your space plan, raised flooring offers users benefits of freedom, customization, and cost savings.

Watch how the TeCrete Raised floor moves into place, allowing all communication and power lines to travel below you, instead of above. The HVAC can also be channeled under the floor, saving money in duct work and eliminating electricity cost associated with wasted air. In other words, each user controls the flow of the air based on their comfort. The warm or cool air is focused on comforting you instead of the entire building.

Build a flexable workspace by tapping into data and electric anywhere with ease and virtually no cost. Lift individual tiles to gain access to their hubs.

Finally, Haworth's modular walls (Enclose and lifeSPACE) can be installed in as little as a day. Learn why modular walls are cheaper than conventional drywall here.

So, transform your workspace. Take the responsibility today for setting up your business for tomorrow. Look into the future of furniture design and space planning with Haworth logical and intuitive products. Integrate Haworth Planes, Haworth Compose, Haworth Enclose, and TeCrete raised flooring to create a unique and productive environment. To learn more about the products seen here, call one of our specialist at 267-553-1000.