Learn more about Real Choices at NeoCon 2006.
New frame-and-tile system combines a crisp aesthetic and solid performance
Herman Miller, Inc., is introducing at at NeoCon 2006 a versatile and affordable frame-and-tile system that will help organizations create efficient, inspiring places to work. Called Vivo Interiors, its refined textures and precise details give the system a crisp, clean aesthetic. An essential set of capabilities delivers solid performance and ensures that Vivo has appropriate flexibility to furnish an entire space.
See and Experience Vivo.
In keeping with Herman Miller's tradition of working with leading designers, the company partnered with Douglas Ball to develop Vivo interiors. "The reason I enjoy working on office furniture," said Ball, "is that the rules keep changing. I see it as a positive thing, an exciting challenge."
Designing two systems simultaneously presented an additional challenge for Ball. "We asked him to design Vivo interiors and My Studio Environments so that both product lines would share his vision," said John Lubbinge, Herman Miller systems product director. "While each addresses a distinct set of customer needs, they share a visual compatibility that lets them work in harmony within the same space."
In Vivo interiors, Ball combined his attention to detail with his desire for a fresh look. For example, he placed a light-reflective horizontal bead, available in four colors, between tiles. "The bead projects out slightly from the tiles," explained Ball. "Its purpose is to reflect light. It's a detail that says to you there is something of interest there."
Ball developed a unique sliding-door design for the system's overhead unit. It echoes the rectilinear appearance of Vivo walls, while giving people a convenient way to access contents.
Vivo also embraces the trend toward light architecture. By incorporating optional furniture-style glides and open work surface supports, Ball provides the ability to lighten the scale of workstations and promote air circulation. The system's tiles have crisp edges, even when fabric upholstered, for a straight, well-defined reveal. Trim piece--on tops and sides of walls and at connectors--have a thin profile and matching painted surface that mutes their appearance. And all trim pieces interlock for exceptional alignment and fit.
The Vivo color, material, and finish offering is designed to quietly complement the architectural envelope of a space. Warm-to-cool and light-to-dark finishes combine harmoniously, so any combination results in a good choice. A range of accent colors on fabric-covered tiles and painted surfaces adds dimension, emotion, and spark. Glass, laminate, veneer, and textile options add sophisticated choices.
Since the 1960s, Douglas Ball has been creating person-centered and award-winning designs. His industrial design career has paralleled Herman Miller's study of the workplace.
"Our research into the office, under way since the 1950s, became very focused with our invention of systems furniture over 40 years ago," noted Lubbinge. "Since then, we've continued our study of the workplace, the changes that are happening there and how they affect work. We've used that knowledge, along with Doug's creativity, to shape and inform how Vivo performs."
Vivo walls, for example, are three inches thick and use a welded, tubular steel frame for their structure. This gives the system strength and stability. Because appropriate flexibility is a key element of performance, Vivo wall heights range from 35 to 79 inches with the option to stack up to 90 inches high. A universal connector can be used--and reused--in 2-, 3-, or 4-way configurations, saving on inventory and making rearrangement easier.
Vivo tiles provide freedom of aesthetic expression. They come in tackable, tackable/acoustic, painted, marker, power/data, open, rail, debossed, and glass versions that can be removed, replaced, and interchanged easily and without tools. A variety of tile heights, including full height, add to choices for creativity.
A proven 8-wire, 4-circuit electrical distribution system allows routing of and access to power and data every 11 inches of the frame height. And it offers cable lay-in capability at the top and base of frames.
Vivo is designed according to Herman Miller's rigorous Design for the Environment protocol. A typical Vivo workstation contains 36 percent recycled content. At the end of its useful life, a Vivo workstation is 69 percent recyclable. Vivo is GreenGuard certified, helping customers achieve LEED-CI credits.
"It's earth-friendly and economical," added Lubbinge. "With Vivo, you get a crisp aesthetic and Herman Miller quality, durability, and solid performance. It provides the features organizations value most, so they get the performance and quality they need and stay on budget.
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