Following a period of rapid growth, consumer engagement platform Braze has recently moved into the City of London’s Broadgate Exchange Square. Outgrowing their presence at a nearby shared co-working facility, the company wanted their new dedicated facilities to be an employee attraction tool, whilst also being as ‘future-ready’ as possible. Making the workspace desirable and enjoyable was an important consideration for the company, who exercise a fully agile, hybrid working policy.
The design intent and space plan of the new office was undertaken by AIS Interiors, with the furniture dealer by Bailey (now Insidesource) procuring and installing the furniture. To support worker wellbeing and meet employee expectations, all workstations across the floor are sit-stand. These 258 workstations greatly outnumber current employee numbers, but are in place in anticipation of further, rapid expansion.
Banks of desks are punctuated with large collaboration tables to provide alternative work settings adjacent to workstations. Should the company expand yet further beyond the current provisions, these collaboration tables have been configured in dimensions exactly equivalent to 6-person benches, allowing rapid switching out whilst causing minimal disruption.
The 258 KI Work2.1 Sit-Stand desk workstations have been configured with ‘E Series’ screens finished with Camira Sumi Yabu SUR20, Camira Sumi Handa SUR10 & Camira Sumi Daisen SUR09, and a white beading. These fabrics were especially selected to suit other furniture in each respective neighbourhood but are not usually used for screens as they have a weave. When stretched over screens, this weave can often look warped or distorted, however the KI factory managed to create an elegant and seamless finish for this bespoke request.
Generally arranged as groups of 6, many of these workstations feature a fixed-height ‘D’ end table that creates collaboration space and prevents people needing to squeeze in-between desks for impromptu gatherings. These tables blend into the workstation configuration but are in fact freestanding so can be moved to create finger safety gaps next to the desks, or even removed if necessary.
The KI Work2.1 Sit-Stand desks were chosen for their advanced cable management system. The clever design of the lower cable tray of this system makes cable distribution easier and totally hidden between desks, whilst reducing the size and number of floor grommets required.
The large floorplate uses furniture, screens, and planting to delineate space, whilst shelving has been avoided to reduce the accumulation of visible clutter over time. Arranged into neighbourhoods, the office features mostly neutral colours.
The colours used on desk screens blend into their adjacent breakout areas, and bolder colours have been used in spaces furnished with high tables and soft seating that provide informal meeting spaces within the open plan. There are numerous standalone pods and booths, as well as traditional meeting rooms to provide a rich variety of work space types to suit different people and functions.
JJ Bailey, Business Development Director at Insidesource, commented, “We’ve worked with KI on many projects and their service is always of an excellent standard and their products are of the highest quality. The Work2.1 Sit-Stand desk is no exception.”
About KI
KI’s furniture helps the world’s leading organisations create happy, healthy, high performing working and learning environments for their people. Bringing together good design, advanced engineering and sustainable resources, KI’s products are durable, flexible and offer excellent value.
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Clerkenwell Design Week returns to the streets of EC1 for another year of exciting product launches, talks, presentations, and exploration of a wide range of international designers, makers, and manufacturers.
As part of this year’s event, KI will be taking space in the grade II listed building and CDW 2023’s festival hub, Old Sessions House, on Clerkenwell Green. The main feature this year is KI’s latest innovation, Clubhouse, a flexible system of acoustic frames and panels that can create a variety of private and collaborative spaces. From individual phone-booths to larger meeting areas with advanced tech integration, Clubhouse has been designed to revolutionise the way we work and interact in shared spaces.
Clubhouse’s clean and contemporary design provides a modern and innovative solution that is both visually striking yet supremely functional. Situated in this traditional backdrop will showcase its versatility, demonstrating how it can be seamlessly integrated into any setting. The crisp lines of Clubhouse’s chamfered edges throughout the structured framework paired with 10mm glass panels will juxtapose uniquely against the rustic, raw plaster walls and original chandelier of the room, creating a spectacular contrast between old and new. Clubhouse’s innovative design will offer a glimpse into the future of workplace, displaying how traditional spaces can be transformed into practical and productive environments.
Speaking about the installation of Clubhouse in Old Sessions House, KI’s President for E.M.E.A, Jonathan Hindle, said, “We are excited to showcase Clubhouse in such a beautiful and historic space. The juxtaposition of the old and new will create a visually stunning statement that highlights its adaptability. We believe this installation will offer visitors a unique and engaging way of experiencing Clubhouse’s unique features.”
KI has collaborated with Designers Guild to use their fabrics throughout the installation; chosen for their beauty, durability, and sustainability. A wide range of tonal neutrals, putty pinks, and accent crimsons in fresh linens and sheers have been selected to complement the modern design while adding warmth, colour, and texture to the space. Designer Guild’s commitment to environmentally friendly practices make them an ideal partner for the show.
KI will also be launching a Bruce Kenneth reclining chair and ottoman. Inspired by Brutalist furniture and architecture, the products have been designed with intentionally opposing smooth, organic curves and unnatural edges. Its realistic design doesn’t try to be too ‘statement’, but instead creates a timeless and practical product with seamless one-piece frame and legs.
Alongside this exclusive showcase there will also be a selection of KI’s most popular products to complete the scheme including Take5 Ottomans, 800 series storage, Grafton collection chairs, and Athens tables.
KI’s one-piece polypropylene Postura+ chair will also have focus on it as visitors are invited to explore its new colour palette and ongoing sustainability efforts towards a circular economy. The small gallery will also feature KI’s process for a new bi-product wood chip mix for Postura+ stools that reflects their commitment to eco-friendly design.
Don't miss this opportunity to discover the future of open plan architecture and sustainable design with KI at Clerkenwell Design Week 2023.
KI’s furniture helps the world’s leading organisations create happy, healthy, high performing working and learning environments. Bringing together good design, advanced engineering and sustainable resources, KI’s products are durable, flexible and offer excellent value.
If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more.
KI has confirmed that Postura+ will begin a transition to a circular economy, with all one-piece chairs manufactured from December 2022 set to contain at least 30% recycled polypropylene.
Following over 3 years of trials and testing, this achievement sets an important milestone on KI’s journey towards taking a leading position in the circular economy. Over the coming years, KI will work towards increasing this percentage to future milestones 50, 80 and ultimately 100%, bringing all standard colours into line with the increasingly popular Jet Black chairs which are already made with 100% recycled content.
The unique, UK-based supply chain development will see 600 tonnes per year of waste plastic being fed into the standard production process, the equivalent of over 2,000,000 food containers per annum. These new mixed virgin/recycled polypropylene chairs have been rigorously tested and have achieved the same certifications and standards as the fully virgin plastic chairs, so the unparalleled, proven Postura+ 20-year warranty remains in place.
Jonathan Hindle, President, KI EMEA comments: “We manufacture approximately 400,000 one-piece Postura+ chairs alone each year, making it one of our most successful and high-volume product lines. Eliminating 600 tonnes of virgin polypropylene from this supply chain demonstrates our commitment to realistic, impactful steps towards sustainable practices, without compromising colour options, quality, durability and warranties.”
Jeremy McWhinney, KI’s Finance & Operations Director adds: “Whilst other products in our lives have been able to utilise recycled polypropylene for years, they are routinely single or limited use items – Postura+ chairs must withstand the toughest learning environments for decades. The testing and production processes involved have been years in the making, and we look forward to continuing our journey towards our ambition of 100% recycled content in the future.”
This innovation in Postura+ chair production further enhances the product’s environmental performance, outlined in its independently verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Manufactured in the UK, these chairs are transported in 100% recyclable packaging, and are themselves 100% recyclable at their end of life.
Alison Mallett, KI Europe’s Director of Education Furniture comments: “Our customers both in the UK and across Continental Europe are looking for ways to reduce the environmental impact of their procurement practices, without adding unrealistic cost or compromising quality. What we’ve managed to achieve with Postura+ chairs is a fantastic step in the right direction and we are confident that this exciting news will be met with great enthusiasm from our customers.”
PwC, a renowned professional services provider, has made a significant investment in the city of Belfast by relocating its offices to Merchant Square. The move to the city centre comes from a desire to not only support the growth of the company, but to signal its confidence in the area and encourage other businesses to take a similar initiative.
The new workplace is spread across 200,000 sq ft over nine floors and provides the regional hub for around 3,000 employees. The building is an amalgamation of three existing structures with a dramatic feature staircase linking floors four, five and six. The hope is that the new office will help to increase employee numbers over the next few years, meaning the design needed to have versatility as well as longevity. To meet both of these requirements, a wide range of KI furniture was specified by the lead interior designer, BDP.
On four of the levels, KI’s Colonnade system is being used to create user-controlled, open-plan spaces which the teams can quickly customise depending on the immediate need. Each Colonnade comprises 800 Series cupboard and drawer units integrated with 800 Series Shelving. Semi-sheer Kvadrat Acoustic Drops curtains feature on each open side of the structure and divide up the space for meeting or work settings. To maximise the system’s flexibility, Colonnade Cube stools were also chosen as they can be neatly stored away within the unit’s structure. The stools are upholstered in a variety of fabrics and colours to best complement the Colonnade units.
Moveable easels hook over the overhead gantry rails at any point and these are accessorised with magnetic backed whiteboards which also store away neatly in the open shelving when they are not being used.
Two different colour schemes were specified for the Colonnade systems, one of which uses vibrant colours that echo the shipbuilding heritage of Belfast. Bright yellow powder coated easels pay homage to the nearby Harland and Wolff cranes, whilst bright blue and red powder coats emulate well-established maritime engineering colour schemes.
Annabelle Hadlow, project architect at BDP, said: “Materials and furniture specification is always important to PwC. We have a fantastic understanding of its design aspirations and how the offices reflect the cities in which they are located whilst providing functional and flexible spaces. For Merchant Square, the furniture was crucial in achieving the right, characteristic design and the right levels of adaptability across all floors.”
Throughout the office space, a variety of other KI designs provide seating and tables to support both the impromptu and more focused work practices that are required. These include Zig poseur height tables and Work2.1 Sit-Stand tables in a variety of finishes such as graphite Fenix tops on raw steel, black and yellow under-structures. These tables provide ideal settings for dropdown work and casual collaboration.
KI’s Take5 high back armchairs adorn multiple areas and are upholstered in a variety of fabrics and colours. Ruckus chairs on castors are located around collaboration tables and inside the Colonnades. The innovative design of the Ruckus is also ideal for sit-stand tables, allowing a person to either sit in the chair or perch on its backrest, depending on the height setting of the table.
Throughout the building are 800 Series personal lockers fitted with RFID wireless lock technology which can be remotely monitored and controlled by the facility management teams. Some larger versions are also located in the basement area to provide cloak and leisure storage. Other specifications of matching 800 Series cabinets, recycling units, and tambour cupboards - a PwC standard - can also be found in the back office service areas.
As we return to the office, many organisations are looking for inspiration on how to best prepare and adapt to the post-COVID hybrid working model. In May 2021, KI had the pleasure of hosting 'Designing for a neurodiverse workspace' with networking group Women in Office Design. The hybrid event brought together a small group of people from across the workspace sector both at the KI Showroom and via Zoom.
During this interactive session, Julie Lecoq of HoK was joined by Sarah Miles from Arcadis, to discuss the growing importance of worker wellbeing, and how companies can optimise their workplaces from very early on in the design phase. There was a strong consensus that there is a business case for diversity, equity and inclusion - and designers are in an important position to help their clients understand early on that it is affordable, achievable, and essential.
Julie did a fantastic job of laying out the research and examples of neurodiversity and its importance in the workplace; whilst Sarah presented a great case study that resulted in a completely new workplace concept developed in collaboration with KI's 'Infinity' design team - Colonnade.
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term that covers a range of conditions such as dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and others. It is estimated that 1 in 8 people fall under this umbrella, and whilst awareness is improving, only half of those affected will know it. The complexity and severity in which these conditions affect different individuals are also highly variable. So, unlike many other considerations when creating more inclusive spaces, neurodiversity factors might often be unknown or unseen.
Workplaces that support neurodiverse employees allow every individual to perform to the best of their abilities. This is an exciting opportunity for any organisation, ensuring that everyone in their team has the tools they need. Having a one-size-fits-all approach might deprive a company of hiring or retaining fantastic individuals who have so much to offer, simply because the working environment compromises their wellbeing so badly. For example, vast uninterrupted, busy open-plan spaces can be filled with noise and visual distractions during a workday. For some individuals, this would be overwhelming and overstimulating - so if they aren’t able to find a quieter space, they would not be able to cope and would have no choice but to seek an alternative place of work.
COVID has really disrupted traditional workplace strategies with new emphases on work-life balance, hybrid working models and heightened sensitivities around personal safety. But what's most important to remember is that inclusivity measures will benefit neurotypical individuals as well as those who are neurodiverse.
Nurturing individual needs can be enhanced by offering greater user control within the workspace. Rather than expecting individuals to adapt to their environment, create an environment that can be adapted by the user to suit their requirements.
This has already been important for a number of years with growing emphasis on collaborative and creative working, rather than process-driven static work done at an individual workstation. But now, the remote working model has been thrust upon all kinds of organisations, pushing forward a hybrid working model. One of KI's major clients faced these challenges pre-pandemic, working with Arcadis and our design team to create Colonnade to help meet the project requirements.
Sarah and her team worked with us to develop this brief which manifested in some really clever ideas that maximised user-controlled customisation. It was important for users to have full autonomy to reconfigure the space without having to call in support from facilities or IT. This makes it easier for those with varying physical abilities to be able to use the space. It also facilitates easy modification to help control noise and visual distractions.
HOK's extensive research also looks at other factors that can be quickly and readily addressed such as:
A recording of the event is available via YouTube, below. If you'd like to discuss Colonnade, or anything else from this session, please get in touch with KI: [email protected]
About KI In 1941, KI introduced their first product – the folding chair. It answered the call for portable, stackable seating. Today, this chair symbolizes a legacy of listening to the customers. They've grown well beyond their origins, designing locally in response to their customers' needs and providing contract furniture solutions that fit their environment, brilliantly.
If you’d like to feature your news or stories with SBID, get in touch to find out more.
SBID Accredited Partner, KI Europe has published new Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its portfolio of UK-manufactured products to help customers meet their sustainability objectives. Valid for five years, these documents help to achieve credits towards SKA, BREEAM, LEED and other certifications and standards.
KI’s furniture helps the world leading organisations create happy, healthy, high performing working and learning environments for their people; bringing together good design, advanced engineering and sustainable resources.
An EPD is a standardised and verified way of quantifying the environmental impacts of a product based on a consistent set of rules known as a PCR (Product Category Rules). Conformant with ISO 14025 (ISO 14025:2006 Environmental labels and declarations - Type III environmental declarations - Principles and procedures), these cradle-to-grave EPDs are concise and include environmental information and life cycle assessments (LCA) which have been conducted by Giraffe Innovation Ltd. LCAs cover materials, production, distribution, use, through to end of life; helping specifiers and customers to confidently make more sustainable procurement decisions.
Jonathan Hindle, KI’s Group Managing Director, EMEA, comments: “Sustainability is a top priority for a growing number of public and private sector projects. These EPDs show our commitment to tackling our shared issues such as climate change, carbon footprint and environmental impact. Additionally, analysing the environmental performance of our products over their lifetime can help us to develop even better products and processes in the future.”
KI’s products manufactured in the UK with third-party verified EPDs, published on Environdec (www.environdec.com) include:
Additional KI products including bespoke items have self-declared third party reviewed EPDs that have been produced by using the same calculator and standards.
If you'd like to become SBID Accredited, click here to find out more.
Sponsors of the SBID International Design Awards for the Office Design category reveals how they help to create happy, healthy, high performing working and learning environments with their range of smart, contract furniture solutions for office, workplace and healthcare spaces. Jonathan Hindle, Group Managing Director E.M.E.A of KI tells us more...
What are the origins of your brand?
KI (Krueger International, Inc.) is headquartered in Wisconsin, USA; was founded in 1941, and has been a contract furniture manufacturer ever since. Fully employee-owned, KI has grown to become one of the world's largest, most respected furniture manufacturing groups. KI’s EMEA headquarters and showroom in Central London is supported by an established network of manufacturing facilities and distribution partners across the UK, Europe and the Middle East committed to providing customers with smart solutions for Workplace, Education and Healthcare Sectors.
How do you work with interior designers?
KI engages with interior designers and specifiers both directly and through a global network of showrooms and resellers. It has offered a unique Market of One manufacturing philosophy for many years and supports specifiers with the opportunity to design and build the furniture the want quickly and cost effectively through its Infinity programme. There are many online tools to assist designers such as See it Spec It, CAD and Revit Symbols, Image Libraries and Finishes options libraries to assist with Specification and Planning.
What value does your sector add to the interior design industry?
We provide a valuable furniture engineering design and manufacturing resource for workplace, education and healthcare interiors. KI’s furniture helps the world’s leading organisations create happy, healthy, high performing working and learning environments. We strive to improves productivity through the design and manufacture of furniture solutions which both optimise floor plans and stimulate users. We also know how diverse furniture requirements can be, so by working to understand what our client's need, we can deliver the ideal solution.
How does your offering enhance an interior designer’s projects?
As above. Not only do our products represent cutting edge solutions to furniture requirements in workplace, education and healthcare environments, KI brings together good design, advanced engineering and sustainable resources to produce products that are durable, flexible and offer excellent value.
KI products can help designers meet client needs by improving productivity of the end-user through the design and manufacture of furniture solutions which both stimulate and provide efficiencies; meeting the demands of evolving workplaces. Customers throughout the world come to KI, not just for high-quality contract furniture but for the knowledge to make the right choices. Working with KI gives you access to our wealth of experience and innovation, so we can help you select the perfect furniture for the desired application.
What are the latest trends you’ve noticed in your client’s requests?
KI Europe has recently introduced the 800 Series Shelving System, designed to offer a flexible platform for designers to divide space in open plan offices with shelving systems providing a domestic aesthetic. We have introduced a new seating range utilising the latest injection moulding techniques to provide flexible comfort and a lightweight aesthetic called Grafton, a new injection moulded dining chair called Hatton an enhancement to the market leading education seating range Postura+ providing fully recycled plastic options and a new generation Sit/Stand Collection of desking and benching called Work 2.1 to meet the evolving requirements for enhanced wellness across major organisations.
Why did you want to become a sponsor for the SBID Awards?
We wanted to engage with the SBID in order to better promote KI’s capabilities and desire to work with the world leading design practices which the SBID attract.
Sponsorship for the SBID International Design Awards 2020 is now open.
To find out more about becoming an SBID Awards sponsor next year click here or email [email protected]
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