According to Merriam-Webster, the definition of a wall is simply, “one of the sides of a room or building connecting floor and ceiling or foundation and roof.” But with teams and workloads continuing to grow, we’re being challenged to maximize every inch of our space. What if we start to think of the wall not only as a structure or place to display art and décor, but as a functional space? An extension of our work surface.
With this mind shift, smaller enclaves and tight spaces now become incredibly valuable. And with the increasing importance of open-plan environments, previously overlooked and non-utilized areas transform into spaces for brainstorming and collaboration.
Using these principles as our guide, we set out in partnership with San Francisco designer, Brian Graham, to create a solution that would leverage the wall and make it as functional as it can be. Take a space that once wasn’t utilized and give it purpose.
Work|Able was designed as a forward-thinking wall system that allows free, off-module placement of tiles, work surfaces, storage, and accessories wherever you need them. With thoughtful design details, Work|Able maximizes touchdown, group, and meeting space, by integrating different panel sizes and materials such as chalkboard, pegboard, cork and acoustical PET tiles or facilitating collaboration by hanging a TV off the Traxx.
As an interior designer who evolved into a furniture designer, visual reference material is really important to Brian. He wants things around him that he can refer to quickly and gain inspiration. This philosophy carried over into his design of Work|Able by incorporating tools to display reference material in a direct, non-precious way.
“I wanted to create something that a designer can tailor to a specific look, a specific customer need. I want them to think of it as a kit-of-parts that can be used over and over on different projects by dialing the look and the feel up or down depending on what the expression is,” Graham added.
Incorporate workstations into the wall by hanging surfaces off of the Work|Able Traxx at low, standing or work surface height. Add work tools, shelves and accessories to support everyday work. Combine acoustic softness with a personal level of materiality, tactile and differentiation to create an engaging application within the larger environment. This type of flexibility, combined with the honest design of Work|Able, delivers a fully functional solution that integrates seamlessly into any space.
“I am very excited about Work|Able being applied in so many different scenarios,” Graham explained. “From something as intimate as making the space between your worksurface and your overhead a lot more functional, to allowing your opposite wall to grow in scale and become a little more architectural because that’s where you help brainstorm ideas, the possibilities are endless with this solution.”
Hear more from Brian in the Kimball WorkYourWay Podcast and learn all about Work|Able at: www.kimball.com/furniture/open-plan/work-able/.