Texas Wilson

The Texas Wilson Guide to Social Distancing

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 19:20:00 GMT

According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , “social distancing means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home”. They stated the best way to avoid exposure to the virus is by staying at least 6 feet from other individuals. As offices reopen, employees should keep the 6 feet of distance rule in mind to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you are asking yourself, what does social distancing actually look like? How can I judge if I am at an appropriate distance from other people? We have created a guide that can help you estimate the recommended distance from your team members in the office.

Four Buoys Placed Next to Each Other

A Buoy’s width is 18 inches – 4 Buoys will keep you at exactly 6 feet away.

Buoy’s whimsical take on sitting represents the best of startup culture. Its rock, wobble and tilt encourage fun, authenticity and agility in fast-paced environments. Choose colors that represent your personality or brand, and you’ll be rocking in no time. The base is available in 6 base colors and the top is available in multiple fabric options.

Three SILQ Chairs in Line

The SILQ chair measures 25 ½ inches wide. Three of these chairs will place you at a little over 6 feet.

The SILQ chair is a breakthrough in seating design. Its innovative materiality is both mechanism and artistry and delivers a personal experience by responding to the unique movements of your body.

Three Node Chairs with a Tripod Base

The Node chair with a tripod base is approximately 24 inches wide. Three node chairs measures up to the recommended distance.

The Node chair is mobile and supports all the ways students learn. It’s designed for quick, easy transitions in the classroom, and to support learning modes across the campus. Available with a cushion seat.

Two Rumble Seats Beside Each Other

A rumble seat measures 36 inches wide. Imagine 2 rumble seats when trying to follow the 6 feet rule.

Bring soft seating to the workplace with the Bivi Freestanding Rumble Seat. Designed to blur the lines between work and home, this modern lounge alternative provides comfortable, durable seating in three sizes, with finish options to complement any space.

One Belle Lounge – Two Seat

Think of a Belle lounge two-seat when trying to stay a safe distance from others because it is exactly 6 feet wide.

The Belle lounge is an expressive modular sectional featuring an overstuffed form and tufted channels inspired by 1970’s European design.Texas WilsonTexas Wilson

SILQ: The Chair of the Future

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 15:09:00 GMT

When Steelcase revealed SILQ to the world, they revealed a chair that is unlike any other chair on the market. Where other chairs require the user to constantly adjust a complicated array of levers and dials in order to be comfortable, SILQ intuitively responds to the needs of the user. Where other chairs are often bulky and heavy, SILQ is made of lightweight materials fashioned into a sleek, elegant design. In other words, Steelcase hasn’t simply revealed a new office chair; they have revealed a next step toward the future of engineering and design.

Older office chairs were largely designed for a workplace in which every employee was sitting at the same station for the entire day. As a result, it wasn’t necessarily a problem that workers needed to make use of systems of complicated levers and dials in order to make many adjustments to their chairs, because they would probably only have to do this one time.

In today’s workplace, however, workers are constantly migrating between different workspaces and sitting in several different pieces of equipment throughout the day. With this change in the way we work, employees are forced to spend more time personalizing the settings of their chairs so that they can work comfortably. According to James Ludwig, vice president of Global Design & Engineering for Steelcase, these constant adjustments contribute to a culture of personalization that is becoming more and more stressful on the public.

“Personalization I think has gone so far as to actually become a cognitive burden,” Ludwig said. “Not only are there too many types of toothpaste, but there’s too many features on pretty much everything we use today.”

The design and engineering of SILQ seeks to alleviate this burden of active personalization in the workplace by creating a chair that does the work of personalization for you. SILQ features only one lever, which allows you to adjust for height. The materiality of the chair intuitively adjusts everything else to maximize your comfort. These intuitive adjustments are made possible through the use of carbon fiber. The flexibility and strength of this material allows it to form a cradle that will shift with your work style. As a result of this material, Steelcase has created a chair made up of 30 parts, whereas a typical task chair has more than 250. Carbon fiber, however, is a very high-end material, and Steelcase wants the future of the office chair to be available to everyone. This is why they made advancements in materials science and utilized a patent-pending process to create a new type of performance polymer that will function similarly to carbon fiber while being attainable to more clients.

Regardless of which of these two materials it is made of, SILQ represents a fundamental change in the way we will think about seating in the future. In the past, office chairs have functioned as machines that we have to calibrate to our specifications. SILQ, however, is more organism than machine, as it responds to our adjustments with minimal input.

Ways You Can Encourage Your Employees to Innovate

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 14:00:00 GMT

Innovation is more vital than ever to running a successful company. Not only does innovation provide the basis for generating unique business strategies, it offers a way for companies to gain an edge in entering new markets and creating groundbreaking products. No matter where you go in the business world, there’s no escaping the new buzz word—innovation.

If you haven’t already started to think about how you can encourage innovation in your employees, it’s time to start. Providing space and motivation for employees to innovate can help your business succeed and lead to a happy, productive team. Below are some easy ways you can start to encourage your employees to innovate on a daily basis.

Give Your Employees a Reason to Care

Employees with an emotional investment in your company and their jobs are the ones who are going to put in the most effort and produce the best work. If your employees don’t care or are only at the office for the paycheck, their willingness to participate and innovate is going to be much lower.

The first thing you can do to encourage innovation among your team is to give them a reason to care. This motivation can come in many forms including incentives, raises, promotions, and even just great feedback for a job well done.

Communicating your company’s mission and values to your employees lets them know how important and vital they are to the team. When employees feel like they matter, they are more likely to be invested in the company and innovate on new projects.

Include Social Spaces in Your Office

Another way you can encourage your employees to innovate is by giving them physical space to do so. Creating social or lounge type spaces in your office is a great way for employees to relax, mingle, and get the creative juices flowing.

Studies show that taking small breaks throughout the workday can boost workers’ productivity and motivation. When employees have a space to take a break from their hectic workday, they are able to recharge and come back to their desk full of new ideas and ready to innovate.

Collaboration Is Key

When it comes to innovating and generating new ideas, the more heads in the room the better. Collaboration allows for employees to put all of their best ideas together and generate truly innovative solutions. In order for employees to collaborate successfully, they need the technology, space and resources to do so.

Designing creative and inspirational spaces in your office that are equipped with collaboration technology like smart boards and Bluetooth connections is a great way to encourage innovation. Keep in mind that while many employees innovate best in a group setting, the need for solitude when it comes to creativity is still present. Make sure you incorporate areas where employees can individually focus as well as collaborate in groups

We can help you turn your office into a space that encourages innovation and creativity. Contact us to find out how.

Creative Spaces with Every Kind of Employee in Mind

Mon, 17 Feb 2020 15:23:00 GMT

It’s no secret that no two employees are alike. Every team has employees who work differently and have different needs when it comes to being creative. In order to support your team members and encourage creativity, it’s important that you provide the right kinds of spaces that will enable your team to innovate. Below are a few different types of work ecosystems that combine place and technology to help people generate new ideas and move them forward.

Ideation Hub

Spaces for Collaboration

When we think of creativity and innovation, we often think of collaboration. Creative spaces where employees can come together and generate revolutionary ideas are vital for innovation. Collaborative spaces include a place for teams to brainstorm and have productive conversations. Having the necessary tools and resources is also an essential part of collaboration and creativity. Incorporating technology like smartboards, wireless capabilities and Bluetooth into your work environment is a great way to encourage employees to brainstorm and innovate.

Duo Studio

Focus Spaces

While having a place to come together is vital to creativity, so is having a place where employees can focus and be alone. Focus spaces are creative spaces that are made to block outside noise and distractions so workers can have a space to themselves.

Whether an employee is brainstorming individually or meeting a deadline on a project, focus spaces provide them with the comfort and technology they need to get work done. Some employees may need time to rejuvenate from the bustling environment of an open office design or collaboration session. If that’s the case, providing them with a space where they can recharge will increase their happiness and creativity.

Maker Commons

Social Lounges

Think of socializing in the workplace like an informal collaboration session. Instead of forcing collaboration all of the time, sometimes it’s better to provide spaces where collaboration happens naturally among employees. Social lounges give employees a place where they can take a much needed break from their work, relax, and share ideas in a casual setting. Sometimes the best ideas happen while friends are chatting about their day over a cup of coffee, and social lounges allow workers to do that right in their own office space. One of the best parts of social lounges is their ability to be used as a versatile space. They can be used as work cafe areas, break rooms, an area to eat, and a place to hold conversations.

Designing an office with every kind of employee in mind isn’t as difficult as it seems. Steelcase can help you turn your office into a creative space that encourages creativity and innovation in all of your employees.

Operations Team at a Dallas Cowboys Game

Fri, 17 Jan 2020 17:05:00 GMT

As 2019 was coming to a close, our holiday season was filled with joy, laughter, and … football! During our extended break time, Texas Wilson organized an exciting weekend trip for the operations crew. The operations team had an amazing time at the Dallas Cowboys vs. the Washington Redskins game.

“Although it was a bit cold, we had a lot of fun tailgating. During the game, we stood by the end zone open area and it was crazy how LOUD the fans cheered when the Cowboys scored a touchdown.” – John Walvoord, VP of Finance and Operations

“All the guys and I had a great time at the game, for many it was their first time attending a Cowboys game. Can’t wait for the next season! Go Cowboys!” – Joe Mendoza, Event Leader

The New and Improved Brennan Library

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 16:20:00 GMT

Libraries have changed drastically over the years. They are no longer just places where one goes to find books. Our work at William J. Brennan High School’s Library transformed the student experience of many high schoolers. Harry Ostlund, Librarian at Brennan High School, emphasizes that “the furniture was the root of an attitude change, [it] has changed from a social environment to a college experience ready space”.

In 2017, Texas Wilson started an exciting project at Brennan Library. At that time, the library’s student lounge area had beanbags scattered around which were constantly misplaced by students. The space also had very heavy tables that could not be easily maneuvered for special events.

Brennan library is now a modern space where students can be productive and comfortable. The renovation has increased the usage of the space and its resources. The library now hosts numerous events such as, faculty trainings, student concerts, professional development classes, and more.

One of the most notable events hosted in the library is Literacy Night. It is an annual event that is all student-run by high school clubs that brings the community together for a night to celebrate literacy. The event is open to the public but mainly targets elementary and middle schools. There were over 600 attendees last year, and over 5,000 books were distributed to students. Dr. John Trimble, principal of Brennan High School, remarked, “It is great to see families attending together, spending time sharing their love of learning.”

According to Ostlund, the Brody lounge chairs are the favorite among students and are in high demand. We are so glad to hear that students at Brennan High School are enjoying the flexibility and quality of their new space.

TAMIU’s New AISS Building

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 18:29:00 GMT

We are thrilled to share with you the final outcome of our two-year project at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas. Texas Wilson furnished the new Addition of Instructional & Support Spaces (AISS) Building that consists of classrooms, lecture halls, laboratories, and offices. This project was a success with the help of EYP Architects in the design process.

Figure 1: Bob Lounge Chairs

Figure 2: Move Chairs

Today’s higher education spaces are expected to perform in ways we never would have imagined a decade ago. Learning spaces today need to be flexible and multi-functional to meet the reality of educational environments and to ensure student success. The evolution of academic spaces on campus continues to transform interiors into areas that are interactive, tech-enabled, and adaptable to a variety of uses for collaborative engagement. Our goal in higher education is to enhance learning environments and create inclusive spaces for all students.

Figure 3: Lagunitas

The majority of the furniture used to furnish TAMIU’s new building was provided by Steelcase Education. Products consisted of gray Bob lounge chairs, yellow Lagunitas, Brody lounge seating, and Move armless chairs.

Figure 4: Brody Lounge Seating

This project came to fruition just on time for the new academic year to start in the fall. We are proud to have played a role in the growth of TAMIU and are excited to see how they utilize their new AISS building.

Top 7 Office Design Trends: Insights from our Experts

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 20:51:00 GMT

As the year is soon coming to an end, we thought we should share what we consider the top office design trends of 2019. These are our top 7 picks!

1. Flexible Office Spaces

One of the many trends we saw this year was flexible office spaces. Office furniture is not one size fits all – desks and chairs should be adjustable and workspaces flexible. Office spaces should allow employees to move around and work away from their desk. Such spaces can help increase employee satisfaction and efficiency.

Figure 1: Bivi Turnstone Team Table

2. Collaborative Spaces

Figure 2: Steelcase Flex Design Thinking

Another office design trend of 2019 was the use of collaborative workspaces. Employees can easily work together in spaces such as the one depicted in the image above. Characteristics of a collaborative space include plenty of desk space, comfortable and adjustable seating, large whiteboards, and technology.

3. Incorporating Technology

Figure 3: Regard

Technology plays an essential role in the success of any company, therefore incorporating technology directly into office furniture is crucial in 2019. By doing so, employees have the freedom to move around the office and connect anywhere. Some tech advancements we saw this year include: bluetooth-enabled standing desks, air-charging ports, under-desk mounted CPU holders and more.

4. Home-Inspired Pieces

Figure 4: Bivi Freestanding Rumble Seats and Bassline Table

Another prominent trend we saw this year was the creation of an at-home atmosphere in the workplace. In using home-inspired pieces it creates a warmer and more welcoming environment where employees can feel comfortable. Such pieces can include items like a plush sofa, throw pillows, a decorative lamp, or a soft carpet.

5. Biophilic Designs

Figure 5: Sagegreenlife Living Green Wall

Biophilic designs focus on bringing the outdoors in. Offices that are incorporating more natural elements in their office spaces are creating a more relaxing and stress-free environment for their employees. These designs consist of a lot of green walls, plants, water features, natural materials, and furniture pieces that feature organic colors. Such nature-inspired designs can help increase productivity and energy in the office.

6. Natural Lighting

Figure 6: B-Free Desk

Natural lighting was another major trend we saw this year and it coincides with biophilic design elements. The use of large windows allows natural light to pour in and offers employees a view of the outdoors. Natural light exposure has been proven to help employees be more healthy, productive, and alert.

7. Geometric and Abstract Patterns

Figure 7: NeoCon 2019

Lastly, geometric and abstract patterns were also a very popular trend this year. Monotonous and single-color walls are a thing of the past. We are now seeing abstract patterns and geometric forms not only in the material used to design office furniture, but also on unique wall coverings, carpets, lamps and more. Such distinctive patterns can be used to identify a creative space in the office.

Texas Wilson at the ESC-20 Library Resource Roundup

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 21:22:00 GMT

This past Friday, September 20, 2019, Texas Wilson attended the ESC-20 Library Resource Roundup – an annual event that welcomes all educators to learn about the newest library products and services. Georgia Cantu, our Education Sales Specialist, and Matt Grier, Regional Education Manager from Steelcase, joined the event for its 26th anniversary to visit with librarians and showcased our latest education products. We were thrilled at the opportunity to be an exhibitor at the event for a second year in a row, and we were also very excited to give away a free buoy to all participants that entered a drawing for a chance to win.

The all-day learning event consisted of more than 50 sessions, over 80 presenters/authors, and more than 60 exhibitors. Our Texas Wilson representatives were able to showcase our furniture and technology products that are designed to increase active learning in any education setting. We were very fortunate to have attended the event this year, it was a great opportunity for us to display everything Texas Wilson has to offer in regards to our education products. We would like to thank the Education Service Center Region 20 for allowing us to participate in the event. It was a great Roundup and we look forward to attending next year!

5 Questions to help you find the right demountable wall

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 15:24:00 GMT

When exploring demountable wall solutions, the options can be overwhelming. There are so many factors that play into which wall will work best for your business, from how they look to how they are constructed to how much privacy they create. These five questions are designed to help you evaluate demountable wall systems and choose the right option for your needs:

1. How often do you plan on reconfiguring?

If you plan on reconfiguring very frequently (i.e. once a week, once a month), a unitized system is going to suit you best, as these are the easiest to detach and move. If you plan on reconfiguring every 6 months to a year or more, you can look at both unitized and modular systems. With either type of wall, you eliminate the mess, dust, and disruption of drywall demolition and construction.

6-12+ times per year: Privacy Wall, Privacy Wall Glass Selections
1-2 times per year: LiteScale, V.I.A.

3. How important is acoustical and visual privacy?

If you work in a highly confidential environment, you should aim for higher STC ratings that can be created with double glazed glass or solid panels. If visibility to shared content is also a concern, you may want to add film to the glass, or decorative cloaking film that hides only screen content. For spaces where you want privacy but are not as concerned about confidentiality, you can look at systems with lower STC ratings, including single glazed systems.

Privacy level: “Good” (25-35 STC): Privacy Wall Glass Selections, V.I.A.
Privacy level: “Better” (35-45 STC): Privacy Wall, V.I.A.
Privacy level: “Best” (45+ STC): V.I.A.

3. What kind of aesthetic are you looking to achieve?

Do you want a very open and transparent aesthetic with walls that appear seamless? Or a more substantial, built-in look? Glass fronts only? A combination of solid panels and glass to provide some privacy? There are a range of options to suit any aesthetic. If you want a very high-end, seamless look, Lite Scale is a great option, as it has the lowest profile available and gives the appearance of seamless glass. If metal trim separating the glass panels suits your aesthetic, your options are broader, and include V.I.A. and Privacy Wall.

When it comes to the surface of the solid walls, you can choose among steel, fabric, wood, markerboard, and more exotic materials. You can incorporate integrated blinds, or automatic privacy glass that changes from transparent to opaque with the push of a button. There are so many options available with demountable walls. If you identify your must-have’s and your nice-to-have’s, it will be easier to find the right solution.

Low (1-3”) profile: Lite Scale, V.I.A., Low Profile Privacy Wall
Standard (4-5”) profile: Privacy Wall
Butt-glazing for seamless joins: Privacy Wall Glass Selections, Lite Scale

4. What kind of technology would you like to integrate?

Think about the kind of technology you want to integrate within your enclosed environments. Do you want mostly flat screens for displaying content? Conferencing technology to connect local and remote teams? LED lighting to optimize the appearance of participants in video calls? Wall systems have different capabilities in terms of integrating technology, so it’s important to know what your expectations and needs are in this critical area. Another important consideration is whether you need wall cavity access to be able to service the technology.

Surface-mounted technology with no wall cavity access (monitors, interactive whiteboards):

Privacy Wall, Privacy Wall Glass Selections

Embedded technology with wall cavity access (monitors, interactive whiteboards, LED lighting): V.I.A.

5. What is your budget?

The sleeker and more sophisticated the solution, the more it generally costs, so it’s about finding a system to meet your specific needs at your desired price point. Keep in mind that although demountable walls cost more up front, they provide a greater return on investment. We can conduct a detailed ROI analysis and show you exactly how much you will save over a number of years.

Approximate Budgeting Numbers (installed cost; non-Union per linear foot):

$425- $550/LF: Privacy Wall
$475– $600/LF: LiteScale
$450- $580/LF: Privacy Wall Glass Selections
$530-$700/LF: V.I.A.

It’s a New Day at Whataburger!

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 14:57:00 GMT

San Antonio’s favorite fast food restaurant has a new corporate campus headquarters (HQ).

Beginning Friday, September 21st, Whataburger’s HQ employees moved into their brand new facilities including endless collaborative huddle spaces, 194 workstations, 7 private offices and numerous conference rooms constructed with 1,020 linear feet of Steelcase VIA modular wall.

The Texas Wilson|Steelcase team along with RVK’s Design Team and the Whataburger Designing & Planning Team co-created the new Whataburger campus expansion located at 155 Concord Plaza.

The building was once occupied by our customer Spectrum Health Clubs, and most recently Gold’s Gym. The swimming pool was filled in on the first floor to accommodate the reception/entryway and the existing wood floor from the designated aerobics space remains in the “Family Room” on the 3rd floor. Whataburger has moved several departments into the building to accommodate growth and provide a well-balanced workspace to retain their growing family.

Whataburger HQ has moved more people in this campus expansion than their entire Company move from Corpus Christi to SA in 2009.

Move in day was buzzing with excitement. As employees filed into the 46,000 square foot space, they found their new accommodations outfitted with Steelcase height adjustable workstations and Gesture chairs, (The latest design in the Steelcase High-Performance seating line).

Texas Wilson is proud to have played a role in what is sure to be a benchmark in the company’s 50 plus years of growth.

What is your productivity work style?

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 14:26:00 GMT

And does your workplace provide spaces that enhance and support how YOU work?

There has been a lot of discussion in the past few years about introverts and extroverts within the office setting and of course, there has always been a conversation about right brained (visual and spacial thinkers who process information holistically) VS left-brained thinkers (those who process information more analytically or sequentially). Needless to say, no single individual is simply one or the other modality, we are much more complex creatures than that. Science has also been adding to this notion of complexity through an increasing number of studies that look at our brain functions and cognitive processes.

There are a number of more robust models emerging that look at and categorize different types of work styles – or the individual way we process, organize, and complete tasks. It can be argued that the most successful organizations are the ones that can leverage the diversity of work style and provide spaces that support each of these individual types equally – providing an ecosystem of spaces if you will. Many people have weighed in and named these different productivity work styles but here are the 4 that leading consultant Carson Tate has outlined; Prioritizer , Planner , Arranger and Visualizer. And then let’s take it one step further…what kind of space can we envision that would support each individual work style.

OK, let’s take a look!

PRIORITIZER > DATA DRIVEN > GOAL ORIENTED > LOGICAL

This work style represents a group that is very efficient and analytical in their approach. Consistency is key and this group is very focused on prioritizing to reach time-sensitive goals. So, what kind of workspace would work for this group? Generally, this group might prefer a logical, professional, and orderly space. Shared benching and open resident spaces would work with some visual privacy – functional, efficient comfortable and able to support their drive to completion.

PLANNER > ORGANIZED > ACTION ORIENTED > PROCESS DRIVEN
This productivity type is a list maker. Very practical and focused on creating detailed plans and making sequential lists to achieve a deadline. Once on track, this group is frustrated when plans change or derail. This group is energized and looking at the finish line. They need a private space to focus and a bonus would be technology-based productivity tools that help them stay on task. A private space that can be leveraged during active, project-focused times would help them stay on track.

ARRANGER > INTUITIVE > CONSENSUS ORIENTED > EXPRESSIVE

The hallmark of this productivity type is that they relish conversation and building relationships within the work environment. Highly supportive and expressive, this type prefers teamwork to individual work and enjoys face-time and sharing with colleagues. Lounge settings and meeting spaces that are informal, inviting, comfortable and collaborative would support this work style, accented by whiteboards to seamlessly share information and build mind share.

VISUALIZER > HOLISTIC > IDEA ORIENTED > CREATIVE

This is the “big picture” thinker. Always looking at a problem with a broader perspective, this productivity work style tends to work intuitively and synthesizes and integrates information into more strategic plans. When thinking about space to support this type of work style, one could look at resident desks that have comfortable lounge seating in close proximity. This setting allows people to bounce ideas off each other and share but then quickly return to a desk and focus on processing information.

Do you want to find out your personal work style? Take this assessment ! Learning about your work style, learning style, emotional intelligence can really help you dial in the right workplace and organizational fit for you. Not only that, it can help us design better workplaces that support and complement all the inherent diversity within the modern office! Here’s a link to an article with several self assessments .

Top ergonomic office chairs

Wed, 19 Sep 2018 14:08:00 GMT

If you have an office job, you will sit at your desk for somewhere between 70-90% of your typical workday . Odds are, you are sitting right now while reading this (and full disclosure, I am sitting while writing it). Since you spend a majority of your time sitting, your office chair has a huge effect on not only your immediate comfort but your long-term health.

The wrong chair can have significant negative consequences on both your body and mind. Neck, back, and shoulder pain are some of the biggest indicators that your chair is not supporting you correctly. And this pain is not just a small nuisance. In fact, back pain is one of the most common reasons for employees to miss work. Even more jarring, reports found that uncomfortable office chairs can lead to mental health problems including stress and depression.

So how do you find an office chair that will help you avoid all these issues? Well, the trick is finding a chair that’s ergonomic.

Not exactly up to speed on what ergonomic means? Here’s the recap. Ergonomics is the applied science of designing things that will fit the people who use them. An ergonomic chair is supportive in all the right places and easily customizable. It can be tailored to fit each individual user and help create a comfortable, safe, and efficient work place. That’s the kind of chair you should be looking for!

Check out our top 5 favorite ergonomic office chairs below.

Gesture by Steelcase

Steelcase is one of the leading researchers in ergonomics and Gesture is a great example of how they utilize their insights to create products that work for their users. After a global posture study across 6 continents, Steelcase found that new technology and new behaviors led to nine new postures used while at work that were not considered in their current seating solutions. Gesture was created to address these new postures and help workers combat fatigue and back strain.

Features

Unique 360° arms mimic the human arm’s natural movements
Flexible 3D LiveBack design allows the chair’s back to conform to a variety of users and their postures
Unique core-equalizer system increases or decreases lumbar support when reclined or upright
Alterable back stop system creates a tension-adjustable recline system
Flexible seat edges minimize pressure against thighs
Seat slider offers quick seat depth customization for users of different heights
Optional adjustable lumbar support provides extra support for the lower back with 4″ height-adjustment

G20 by Global

The G20 features a four position synchro-tilter control that adjusts to body weight automatically and allows you to make seat and tilt adjustments quickly and easily. A synchronized mechanism reclines the seat and slides it to the rear as the back tilts, ensuring that the chair moves with your body. Lumbar support is fully active and can be raised or lowered to suit user’s preference.

Features

Lumbar support adjustment allows you to raise or lower the lumbar support on each side independently, uniquely positioning support where you need it most
The synchro tilt mechanism links the seat and the back so that they tilt simultaneously, at a 2:1 ratio, allowing the user’s feet to stay on the floor as they lean back
Tilt tension is easily controlled by rotating the seat side handwheel clockwise to increase tension or counter-clockwise to decrease tension to match personal preference

Think by Steelcase

Think is the chair with a brain and a conscience. It’s intelligent enough to understand how you sit and adjust itself intuitively. The Integrated LiveBack™ System conforms to your body and moves with you as you change postures. It features an advanced weight-activated seat, so anybody can get comfortable, quickly.

Features

Lumbar comes standard, and updated dual-energy lumbar uses two embedded glass resin springs to dynamically support the spine’s natural movement
Advanced weight-activated mechanism with double the synchro ratio (3.5:1) to improve recline posture
Tension setting has been modified to make it easier for more petite users to recline
Adaptive bolstering technology uses cored pockets in the seat foam, allowing the seat to hug the legs
Weight-activated mechanism with adjustable tension controls includes a synchronized tilt function to ensure an optimal seat and back recline angle
Flexible seat edge reduces pressure on the legs and promotes better blood flow
Integrated dual-energy lumbar support can be adjusted up and down
Padded 4-way adjustable armrests can be moved vertically, horizontally, forward and backward, and pivoted inward

Series 1

Sit your way. The Series 1 Task Chair’s built-in LiveBack Technology can be adjusted to suit each user; simply slide the support higher or lower as needed as the day progresses and different sitters come and go. Adaptive bolstering and 4D adjustable arms allow users to adjust the chair’s arms until it suits them for the task at hand, while adjustable seat depth ensures proper circulation while seated, putting an end to sleepy legs and feet. A few easy adjustments go a long way in setting up a chair that supports you and your coworkers in all the right ways.

Features

The Series 1 backrest boasts integrated LiveBack™ technology. Interdependent flexors bend and move with the user to support the spine throughout the day
Soft curved arm caps maintain forearm support and remain comfortable whether sitting upright or reclined. 4D adjustable arms allow for easy pivots as well as personalized height, width and depth settings
Adjustable seat depth and upright back lock allow the seat to be positioned forward or backward for long term comfort.
Adaptive bolstering enables the seat to conform to the user’s shape, providing dynamic support that can adapt to the body as postures change.
Series 1’s intuitive adjustments fit a broad range of users, making it easy to use

Vault 9 to 5

Vault’s ergonomic design and sleek look make it a great choice for conference or office applications. High quality woven tension mesh conforms to the user’s back, following every move with support, including the lumbar region.

Features

A8 adjustable arms, A6 multi-adjustable pivot/swivel arms, A40 adjustable arms and A41 multi-adjustable arms
High resilient molded foam seat
New K2 enhanced knee-tilt control with side tension adjustment and three position lock
A seat slider to adjust seat depth is included with all controls
Waterfall seat front promotes circulation and good health

Looking for the perfect ergonomic chair for your work space? We can help! Make an appointment to come explore our products.

8 Shifts to consider as Millennials enter the workplace

Fri, 14 Sep 2018 14:35:00 GMT

Much like any other environment, the workplace is always changing. Change is inevitable and it seems far more productive to embrace it rather than fight it. In today’s workplace, Millennials entering the workforce have the power to influence a serious shift in the next decade and organizations are going to have to adapt.

Millennials (Generation Y) are beginning to enter the business world and they are bringing with them their own culture and values. Social networking, multitasking, and technology are a way of life for this generation. According to research, the average millennial has received more education than the average young adult from previous generations and it is assumed that most of Gen Y will join the creative class as knowledge workers. Already millennials are changing how work is both perceived and achieved. The “Y Factor”, a Steelcase research term, represents 8 major cognitive and behavioral shifts of the creative class worker. And the spirit that drives the Y Factor? Generation Y. Here’s a look.

THE Y FACTOR

1. Personal achievement through career SHIFTS TO Personal identification beyond work

2. The workplace is my office SHIFTS TO The workplace is wherever I am

3. Technology is a tool SHIFTS TO Technology is a part of me

4. Trust is developed in person SHIFTS TO Trust is developed both offline and online

5. Valuing conformity SHIFTS TO Valuing Identity

6. A focus on training SHIFTS TO A focus on growth

7. Work and life are separate SHIFTS TO Work and life are one

8. Serial collaboration SHIFTS TO Continuous connection

It is one thing to attract employees but it’s another thing to engage and retain them. Attracting and engaging the 21 ^st century workforce is one of three key areas of strategic business focus. In order to attract, engage, and retain the best talent, an organization must prepare for the Y Factor. Spaces that match cognitive intensity or spaces that allow employees to express their individuality are examples of how the workplace itself can be a physical supporter of the major shifts above. So employers, if you haven’t already caught on to these shifts, you heard it here from a millennial herself – prepare to change or be changed!

For a deeper dive on the Y Factor and workplace planning design strategies that support the Y Factor, check out these links!

Steelcase | 360 Magazine

Whitehouse.gov | Millenial Report

Dupress.com | 2014 Global Human Capital Trends Report

Top Ergonomic Office Chairs

Sat, 08 Sep 2018 15:20:00 GMT

If you have an office job, you will sit at your desk for somewhere between 70-90% of your typical workday. Odds are, you are sitting right now while reading this (and full disclosure, I am sitting while writing it). Since you spend a majority of your time sitting, your office chair has a huge effect on not only your immediate comfort but your long-term health.

So how do you find an office chair that will help you avoid all these issues? Well, the trick is finding a chair that’s ergonomic.

Check out our top 5 favorite ergonomic office chairs below.

Gesture by Steelcase

Features

Unique 360° arms mimic the human arm’s natural movements
Flexible 3D LiveBack design allows the chair’s back to conform to a variety of users and their postures
Unique core-equalizer system increases or decreases lumbar support when reclined or upright
Alterable back stop system creates a tension-adjustable recline system
Flexible seat edges minimize pressure against thighs
Seat slider offers quick seat depth customization for users of different heights
Optional adjustable lumbar support provides extra support for the lower back with 4″ height-adjustment