Monday morning I visited the furniture manufacturer who is making bespoke desks for the Land and Environment Building project.
This was a very interesting experience. The architects were represented by two people, the main contractor's project manager was present as well as Peter and myself.
This clearly demonstrated the importance given to getting the desk design correct before installation and was an eye opener for me.
There were a couple of things that came from the visit.
This picture shows David from Hayball Architects and I discussing the aperture in the slope connecting the two levels. This was to be used for power but as there is power available in the upper and lower level of the desk I suggested that power in this position would not be used. After further discussion with Peter and others the possibility of localised lighting on the desk controlled via dimmer switches in this aperture was accepted as something to investigate.
A longer view
This was a very interesting experience. The architects were represented by two people, the main contractor's project manager was present as well as Peter and myself.
This clearly demonstrated the importance given to getting the desk design correct before installation and was an eye opener for me.
There were a couple of things that came from the visit.
This shows a better view of the aperture on the slope.
This shows the difference in heights from the lower to higher area. Oops I need to get the measurements.
Long view from other end.
This shows another desk. The three people are demonstrating the locations of computers. This will be used is a student support area by students. I suggested that the computers need to be under the table and that if dual monitor arms are used this desk could easily support six at a time. It is not yet clear what IT is to be used.
This needs speedy clarification.
This will be the location of the twin height desk
There is real benefit to this approach to furniture design. You get something that works in the space in the way envisaged and any problems can be resolved at manufacture rather than after when it is often too late.
I know some already use templates of the design to ensure it works but even better get samples from the supplier.
How do others deal with furniture procurement whether bespoke or out of catalogue?
Hi Nigel, that looks an interesting visit, clearly the processes and procedures Peter follows are critical and a success factor to his projects.
ReplyDeleteI also noticed the many Carlsberg beer crates around the place, they obviously prefer Danish beer to their own :-)
Az
What's the thinking behind the slope and slot in the middle Nigel?
ReplyDeleteJames
ReplyDeleteThe slope links the two levels of the desk. I explained aboutthe aperture in the second paragraph of the post. It was for power if people 'parked' their mobile devices on the slope but I thought that this would'nt be used becasue of the power provided elsewhere on the desk. It now may be used to place localised lighting control.
Peter has been very proactive in ensuring that the design team visits the furniture manufactures during the project life cycle.(Thank goodness he doesn't drive us!!)
ReplyDeleteYou'd be amazed how architectural drawings are sometimes misconstrued by everyone, even on the very basic of projects.
This process obviously give us a better representation of the furniture that is going to be installed and also allows us to make changes or tweaks that could be impossible and costly to make once on site.
Just don't tell Peter that he has created a process that works as we'll never hear the end of it!!
Should we be considering 3d visualisations and maybe fly through's as part of the design process?
ReplyDelete