Furnishing Tips For The Executive Suite

By Author: Larry Tang
Total Articles: 512
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Systems furniture is not generally associated with corner offices and executive suites, according to Mark Bassil, co-founder and vice president of MAiSPACE, a Mt. Olive, NJ, based manufacturer of modular office furniture systems. But by doing some homework smart interior designers and facility managers can save substantial amounts of money, time and aggravation by single-sourcing the entire project to integrated, turnkey providers in the contract furniture industry.

Single sourcing provides the advantage of having one point of contact for an entire project, Bassil says. Requests for proposals to fit out an entire workplace from cubicles to corner suites, however, must be carefully crafted to cover the entire project installed and ready for move in, confirm the move-in date, and spell out warranties and guarantees essential to long-term buyer satisfaction.

Set an Installation-Wide Theme

Integrated systems furniture suppliers such as MAiSPACE offer the broadest range in colors, styles and configurations that provide exciting visual aspects across the entire workplace to include cubicles, semi-private offices, ...
... reception areas, common areas, conference rooms and the corner offices, Bassil says. Today's facility managers and interior designers seek to avoid demarcation lines that set or suggest a visual if not a physical barrier between what some call the workforce and management. Such ‘barriers' run counter to establishing an atmosphere encouraging a team effort where all play a role in the success of the enterprise.

Such an atmosphere is essential to attracting and keeping a qualified workforce, Bassil maintains.

Space and furnishings, however, do signal achievement, and MAiSPACE offers an exciting array of designs and configurations that fit out executive and middle management areas at surprisingly affordable prices starting at from $12 to $15 per square foot installed. Bassil says. This is about 40% below what our competitors charge for comparable quality, and is due solely to our revolutionary approach to designing, building and installing the many components that comprise a fully furnished, ready to move in workplace.

Creatively Employ Stackable/De-stackable Panels and Full Walls

Walls set workspace boundaries, and can be used to define the type of work being done within the workspace. For middle and upper management, walls can invite collaboration or provide privacy, Bassil says. But they need not suggest the exclusivity so common of executive suites in years past. Designers should employ colors and textures available on stackable and de-stackable panels as well as full walls that compliment and continue themes that run across the entire floor plan. MAiSPACE load bearing panel segments, for example, are available in more than 15 options in colors and textures and can be stacked from 30 inches to 14 feet in height. This encourages ‘stepped' designs rather than monochromatic cubicles the same height throughout the entire workplace.

Glass panel segments - clear, frosted or patterned - are excellent design elements for establishing executive area boundaries that maintain an open feeling yet support privacy when manufactured to provide low sound transmission. Space-saving siding glass doors can be used to send the message that the occupant is either busy or available for discussions.

There are areas where floor-to-ceiling walls are required - such as for companies that frequently host clients for confidential discussions. MAiSPACE movable wall systems can be used to create private conference rooms or offices that complement the design of the workspace as a whole. They are attached to floors and ceilings using non-destructive fasteners and fully integrate with MAiSPACE open office modules. Privacy is assured with solid, tight-fitting doors and sound-deadening panels.

Finish the Project with Freestanding Furniture Options

MAiSPACE is now shipping a broad line of free-standing furniture especially for middle and upper management offices. It is available in designs combining brushed steel with Coverseal finishes in woodgrains and a variety of colors and includes desks with unhanded returns, bridges, corners, modesty panels, hutches and credenzas. Seating, tables and movable files are included in the MAiSPACE freestanding line for the executive suite.

High quality typifies MAiSPACE freestanding furniture. Our Coverseal surfaces provide an excellent example of this, Bassil says. Citing woodgrains as an example he points out that these surfaces are extremely durable and fade resistant, yet have the look of expensive solids and veneers found in the most costly furniture offerings. Options include cherry, maple, walnut and mahogany.

Support services such as AutoCAD and GIZA design software ensure that furniture and floor plans are virtually fault free. Installations are supervised by MAiSPACE personnel or those of its authorized dealers and distributors and are generally ready for move in within 6 weeks of placing an order.
MAiSPACE.com will help business owners and operators make smart choices in Systems Furniture and Office Cubicles for their offices and selecting the right Executive Suite Office Setup.