THE PUBLIC WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE… IS HERE TODAY AT THE BRITISH LIBRARY!PRODUCT GUIDE TO THEWIFI FURNITURE TRIAL

17 January to 11 March 2005

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Index

1 Layout of Furniture

2 Introduction

4 Vitra

4 Kinnarps

5 Bene

5 Colebrook Bosson Saunders (CBS)

6 Boss & Haworth

6 KI

7 Ahrend

7 Orangebox

8 Hands of Wycombe

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Furniture Layout

The plan below identifies each item of furniture and the manufacturer who designed it.

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Kings LibraryIst Floor

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Introduction

The British Library has become the largest WiFi hot spot in London, following itssuccessful launch in July 2004, and we now have over 130 customers a day usingour service.

This unrivalled success has driven us in partnership with Building Zones, our WiFipartner, to look at how people are working with this technology and how the publicspace at the Library supports the “nomadic worker”.

The initial investigation indicated that the current usage of café tables and chairs wasnot an ideal working environment for long dwell times and a review of the currentavailability of WiFi designed furniture in the market place soon identified that thiswas in its infancy. This led the Library to develop the WiFi Furniture Trial concept.

The WiFi Furniture Trial provides an interactive exhibition presenting the best“nomadic working” solutions from ten leading European furniture manufacturers and has created a flexible working environment adjacent to the King’s Library.

Innovation has been the essence of the designs, from built-in power supply to storage facilities, and each item of furniture has had to satisfy the six key criteria the Library set the manufacturers to overcome in terms of:

1 Security: personal effects, equipment and information2 Storage: bags, equipment and documents3 Safety: trips, hazards and electrical equipment4 Access to power: that is safe, secure and failsafe5 Ergonomics: posture, lighting and workplace6 Additional services: added value to offer to visitors and readers

We hope you enjoy this exhibition and please feel free to use this new workspace.

Your feedback of each item of furniture is essential to permit the Library and themanufacturer to assess the items in terms of meeting the needs of WiFi users. Thefurniture questionnaire can be found at the British Library’s WiFi welcome page.

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ManufacturerVitra

ModelJoyn

DescriptionJoyn is the culmination of Vitra’s 40 years ofoffice research combined with fresh insightsfrom the young French industrial designersRonan and Erwan Bouroullec. The Joyn conceptis based on the insight that communication isthe key issue of a contemporary office, withconnectivity, interactivity and networkingpromoting collective intelligence.

Joyn embraces the diversity of the workplace. It does not impose a way of working yetpromotes many.

Joyn, Joy and Join. Bring people together. Bring the ways of working together. With one language.

Contact Details Vitra Ltd30 Clerkenwell RoadLondonEC1M 5PG

www.vitra.com

ManufacturerKinnarps

ModelCafé Saw Tooth Table & Plinth Bar Stool

DescriptionOften when a group of people becomeengaged in a conversation or impromptumeeting without sitting down, at least one of them will end up leaning against a wall or a door post. The support of the Lean Backmaintains the benefits of standing up at thesame time giving the user a rest. The upholsteryis a natural breathable material, easy tomaintain as well as durable. The Lean Back is supported by the Memo table, which has a laminate top and is a standing height table.This can be used for a coffee cup, to supportwriting material, a PDA or laptop.

Contact DetailsKinnarps (UK)Comfort HouseNewlands DriveColnbrookSloughBerksSL3 0DX

www.Kinnarps.com

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ManufacturerBene

ModelCoffice, High_Com Table & Sitz Stool

DescriptionCoffice is innovative furniture. A symbol forrelaxed sitting and networking. For all thoseplaces where one wishes to be able to discuss,negotiate and network in a professional andrelaxed atmosphere. At the same time it is alsohigh-quality touch-down furniture for loggingonto the internet or intranet.

The High_Com table is ideal for stand-upmeetings in reception and waiting areas orother communication zones. With its uniqueshape, a comfortable personal distancebetween people allows for a relaxed discussionatmosphere. The Sitz stool opens up a newdimension of mobility. Easy to move, it involvesneither sitting nor standing but something inbetween. This one-legged creation is a sensiblemeans of support for all those who do notnecessarily want to sit while on the job,but do not want to be left standing either.

Contact DetailsBene plc47-53 St John StreetLondonEC1M 4AN

www.bene.com

ManufacturerColebrook Bosson Saunders (CBS)

ModelHercules

DescriptionHercules is a technical post system that, inconjunction with other CBS products, can beconfigured to provide a range of different workand information solutions. These solutionsinclude: small to medium work points,information and data points and multi-screentechnical walls. The key element of Hercules is a vertical extruded aluminum post thatcontains an internal power and data channel.This allows any associated cabling to be neatly and securely routed through the product. Thispost incorporates details that allow small worksurfaces, flat screens, CPU holders and tool bars to be fitted in minutes.

Contact DetailsColebrook Bosson Saunders Products Ltd35 Union StreetLondonSE1 1SD

www.cbsproducts.co.uk

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ManufacturerBoss & Haworth

Model PC Point, Spin & Hello

DescriptionPC Point provides a hot spot location for internet and e-mail usage, the system can be mobilised to allow for an ever changingenvironment. The vertical office form provides a touch down area for ‘nomadic’ workers and provides essential services such as light,power, security and storage.

Spin is specifically designed for use in breakoutzones, including lounges and reception areas. Thepatented product features 360 degree rotatingarm with writing tablet that allows both the leftand right handed user the flexibility of using alaptop, holding an informal meeting or simplybrowsing in a relaxed environment.

Say Hello is a guest chair designed by LyndaChesser and Bill Schacht of Chesser SchachtDesign. This features a writing tablet with can be positioned for the left and right handed userproviding a comfortable work space suitable for laptop use.

Contact DetailsBossBoss DesignsBoss Drive, DudleyWest MidlandsDY2 8SZ

www.boss-design.co.uk

ManufacturerKI

Model SmartKart with Go Power

DescriptionThis is a mobile personal storage unit developedby KI for ‘touchdown’ plug and play activitiesand with it's own battery powered 13A 240volt outlet block providing a fully mobile andwireless power facility for PC and phonecharging for up to a day. At night the unitsimply plugs into a mains charging supply.

Contact Details KI (UK) LtdCommonwealth House148/153 High HolbornLondonWC1V 6PJ

www.kiuk.co.uk

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Haworth UK LtdCannon Court5 Brewhouse YardSt John StreetLondon EC1V 4JQ

www.haworthuk.co.uk

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ManufacturerAhrend

ModelAhrend 700

DescriptionThis represents a new vision on office work, a furniture concept that allows us to keep upwith a constantly changing work environment,to make optimum use of scarce space whileleaving room for personalization. The core ofthis concept is the vertical desk on which all the equipment you need can be mounted, i.e. laptop, mobile or PDA as well as files and personal items whilst working.

This concept provides for all the needs of thetouchdown “nomadic” worker at the Library

Contact DetailsAhrend LtdHogarth Business ParkBurlington LaneChiswickLondonW4 2TX

www.ahrend.com

ManufacturerOrangebox

ModelBoundary

DescriptionThis is a modular upholstery system wheresimple, smart components can be usedindividually or linked to provide whateverscenario you need. The seating elements are constructed to provide a level of supportand comfort that meets whatever functionaldemands are required throughout the day.

Boundary’s low arm unit can be specified to provide power and data at seat level.Combining this with the small or large writing tables means the Boundary can become your desk if you so choose.

The Boundary creates a zone where people canwork, meet informally or a place to escape to,to relax for new inspiration and a comfortablesocial setting for exchanging ideas.

Contact DetailsOrangebox146/148 Clerkenwell RoadLondonEC1R 5DG

www.orangeboxuk.com

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ManufacturerHands of Wycombe

ModelAdapted ‘Lightyears’ Pod & Rapport Swivel Chair

DescriptionThis is an adaptation of a standard product,encompassing a rechargeable UPS battery andan extendable worktop in a simple, compactmobile unit. The unit has been tailored toinclude secure yet visible storage, a Kensingtonlocking device and an easily accessible 13-ampsocket for use by Library visitors.

The unit is complemented by the addition of a comfortable Rapport swivel chair mounted on a disc base that is linked to the unit itself.

The result is a flexible arrangement providing a furniture solution that meets the needs of the Library by providing a remote rechargeableergonomic workstation, easily maintained,having good working space and secure storage for the visitor.

Contact DetailsHands of Wycombe6 Dashwood AvenueHigh WycombeBucksHP12 3DX

www.hands.co.uk

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