How Is A New Project Handled?

By Author: John Tang
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When MAiSPACE was commissioned to provide office furniture solutions for ScienceFirst, a family-owned designer and manufacturer of hands-on science labs, the New Jersey based systems furniture manufacturer knew exactly how to develop a design for this company. This is a company that has achieved success in the medical field by helping clients work smarter through an integrated marketing and education process.

Naturally, they would make similarly wise decisions when it came to furnishing their own, new facility in Northern New Jersey. With a limited construction and furniture budget and high aesthetic expectations; every dollar had to be used wisely says MAiSPACE co-founder, Mark Bassil. He continued, We wanted to make sure that the design of their new facility would meet their specific needs, reflect their business strategy, and finally meet their clients' expectations.

To develop a design for ScienceFirst we drew inspiration from the business itself. For instance, banks or other financial institutions stand for affluence and stability; we have to communicate these dual objectives to their clients. When it came ...
... to education, we knew we had to be careful. We recognized their unique mission of Educating the scientist of tomorrow, and took cues from the importance of this statement.

Another major challenge was to create a workplace that fit the design of the building itself. Most of the time these facilities work as hard as the employees who work in them and are designed to operate as strategic assets. One objective of their Architect, David J. Fournier, principal of The Aztec Corporation, was to come up with a design incorporating the existing architectural elements within the space. So we used the existing model as our guide and turned it into our advantage. We proposed a turnkey build out inclusive of reception area, MOrSPACE workstations, private offices, mail / fax room, conference rooms and a break room.

A part of the landlord's build-out allowance was to go towards the construction of walls within the space. ScienceFirst determined they could realize a cost reduction and a tax depreciation advantage if they substituted new drywall construction with MOrSPACE 84" high panels. The MOrSPACE walls served two purposes: to divide space and to act as the spine wall for clustered stations positioned against it. In addition to lowering cost, the tile selection on the MOrSPACE partition walls blended with the aesthetic of the workstations making them look seamless.

Coverseal wood pattern work surfaces were selected for workstations. Wood veneer tops and tiles were placed in reception and conference areas. These accent finishes played off of the existing wood columns that defined the space. Banded glass was chosen for the workstations to compliment the glass walls fronting the conference rooms.

From a technology standpoint, power poles were required to access voice / data and power within the ceiling. As the panel frames were being completed during installation, the contractor decided to change the access point for the utilities to columns and walls. MOrSPACE was able to quickly substitute several electrical components without causing delay to the electricians' schedule.

ScienceFirst realized the true flexibility of the MOrSPACE system when we were asked to make minor reconfigurations to private offices and workstations. Within several weeks of moving in, Mr. Fournier said, "often times, clients come to us looking for the least expensive furniture solution, which often leaves no choice but to consider pre-owned furniture which inherently has its functional and aesthetic limitations.

The new MOrSPACE systems' competitive pricing that includes tasteful selections of wood, glass, fabric and paint, still allowed ScienceFirst to shift extra dollars toward higher grades of wall treatment and carpeting. With 6,000 square feet of space furnished with systems furniture, conference rooms, a kitchen and reception for $18.21 per square foot delivered and installed, both the Architect and End-user were elated.

Since 1993, we have designed and furnished over eight million square feet of corporate headquarters. There are plenty of furniture systems on the market today. In fact, of the almost $11 billion shipped a year in office furniture products, 36% are furniture systems. So why MAiSPACE? Because you won't find award-winning technology features and unparalleled design at our price points anywhere else. It's that simple.
MAiSPACE.com will help business owners and operators make smart choices in Systems Furniture and Office Cubicles for their offices and selecting the right for Offices Furniture. How is a New Project Handled?