Steelcase Inc. opens its Chicago showroom for exhibition at NeoCon 2004, the World's Trade Fair for Interior Design and Facilities Management.
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The showroom demonstrates a range of products that address research findings on the real issues people face at work. Through a balance of enclosed and open spaces, Steelcase highlights a combination of personal and collaboration spaces designed to support the need for privacy, as well as foster teamwork and interaction within the workplace.
New product introductions at NeoCon include the Think™ chair, a smart, simple and environmentally sustainable seating product, and Pathways® Architectural Solutions, a portfolio of architecture and technology products. In addition, a media immersion center focused on sustainability will feature the Steelcase Environmental Partnership, a newly-launched initiative that helps customers to determine the most environmentally responsible way to handle any Steelcase furniture at the end of its useful life.
Further, Steelcase is presenting a showroom floor dedicated to the healthcare industry. Based on the company's research, conducted in partnership with IDEO and Steelcase Design Partnership companies, the healthcare showroom displays hospital environments designed to inspire healthcare workers, encourage healing and reduce the potential risk for medical errors.
"This year we are bringing companies face-to-face with solutions and products that are proven to support and improve the effectiveness, efficiency and health of people in the workplace," said James P. Hackett, CEO and president of Steelcase Inc. "Our continued commitment to research allows us to create solutions that can help corporations retain valued employees, foster collaborative relationships, and improve sensitivity to the sustainable and environmental issues that are fundamental in today's society."
New Product Introductions
Think™
The Think™ chair -- a chair with a "brain" and a "conscience" -- was created in collaboration with designer Glen Oliver Löw, McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry and the Institute of Product Development in Copenhagen, Denmark. The chair addresses the growing need for mid-priced ergonomic seating with a breakthrough for the planet, raising the bar in cradle-to-cradle design and life-cycle thinking, and conforming to the highest environmental standards. After three years of research and development, Steelcase developed three elements that work together as the "brain" of the Think chair to anticipate user needs and intuitively react to them as users change postures and sit for long periods of time.
The Your Profile™ seat and back system's flexors dynamically and independently follow the movement of the user's back and encourage natural spinal motion. The Your Power™ mechanism, passively creates resistance when users recline that is proportional to the user's individual weight. The mechanism's limb-like structure provides a more fluid, flexing motion than the robotic, prescribed movements created by mechanical pivots, axles and stops within most traditional chair mechanisms, and helps users to stay closer to their work when reclining. The Your Preference™ back selector allows users to choose between three recline positions.
Described as the chair with a "conscience," the Think chair is comprised of 99% recyclable content and can be made of up to 41% recycled material. In addition, the Steelcase Environmental Partnership will help companies manage Steelcase furniture, including Think, at the end of its useful life. Possibilities include reselling, refurbishing, donating or recycling.
Pathways® Architectural Solutions
Steelcase's Pathways® Architectural Solution is a fully integrated portfolio combining raised access flooring, modular power, and architectural walls to increase energy efficiency and sustainability, as well as reduce a company's overall interior construction schedule by up to 55%. With the uncertainty of energy costs, rapidly evolving technology, and unpredictable business changes, companies need to prepare effective and efficient environments that balance costs, performance, flexibility and environmental sensibility.
Steelcase's new Pathways Architectural Solutions provides companies with an environmentally superior alternative to conventional construction by integrating flexible architectural walls, modular power, zone cabling, underfloor air distribution, and managed lighting. Elements of the portfolio include Pathways Access Floor, Pathways Privacy Wall, Pathways Modular Power, and Pathways Zone Cabling.
In partnership with Lightolier®, Steelcase also offers managed lighting solutions. Lightolier, one of the world's oldest lighting companies and a leader in creative lighting solutions, celebrates its 100th anniversary this year and will showcase select products in the Steelcase showroom. Lightolier has been a strategic Steelcase partner for the last three years.
Steelcase Environments for Healing
A separate healthcare solutions showroom displays hospital settings designed to improve the overall experience of patients, visitors, and medical staffs in hospitals. Research conducted by Steelcase Inc. and IDEO over the last year identified major issues facing the healthcare industry that can be improved upon by enhancing hospital interiors. Applications include products from Steelcase and Steelcase Design Partnership companies including Brayton, The Designtex Group, Details, Metro, PolyVision™, and Vecta. The goal of this initiative is to demonstrate environments that inspire healthcare workers, promote patient healing and improve visitors' experiences.
