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==History==
==History==
===Action Office I===
===Action Office I===
In 1960 Herman Miller created the Herman Miller Research Corporation under the direction of [[Robert Propst]], and the supervision of [[George Nelson]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> Its mission was to solve problems related to the use of furniture, but not the furniture itself.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> The corporations first major project was an evaluation of the "office" as it had evolved during the 20th century, and in particular, how it functioned in the 1960's,<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> Probst's studies included learning about the ways people work in an office, how information travels, and how the office layout affects their performance. Propstr consulted with [[mathematicians]], behavioral psychologists, and [[anthropologists]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> Propst concluded from his studies that during the 20th century the office environment had changed substantually, particularly in relation to the ammount of information being processed<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> The ammount of information an employee had to analyze, organize, and maintain had increased dramatically. Despite this, the basic layout of the corporate office had remained largely unchanged, with employees sitting behind rows of traditional desks in a large open room, devoid of privacy. Propst's studies suggested that an open environment actually reduced communication between employees, and impeded personal initiative.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> On this, Probst commented "One of the regrettable conditions of present day offices is the tendency to provide a formula kind of sameness for everyone."<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> In addition, the employee's bodies were suffering from long hours of sitting in one position. Probst concluded that office workers require both privacy and interaction, depending on which of their many duties they were performing.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref>
In 1960 Herman Miller created the Herman Miller Research Corporation under the direction of [[Robert Propst]], and the supervision of [[George Nelson]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> Although [[George Nelson]] remained at Herman Miller's main campus was in [[Zeeland, Michigan]], [[Robert Propst]] and the Herman Miller Research Corporation was located in [[Ann Arbor, Michigan]]<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}
</ref> to place it in close proximity to the [[University of Michigan]] campus. Herman Miller Research Corporation's mission was to solve problems related to the use of furniture, but not the furniture itself.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> The corporations first major project was an evaluation of the "office" as it had evolved during the 20th century, and in particular, how it functioned in the 1960's,<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> Probst's studies included learning about the ways people work in an office, how information travels, and how the office layout affects their performance. Propstr consulted with [[mathematicians]], behavioral psychologists, and [[anthropologists]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> Propst concluded from his studies that during the 20th century the office environment had changed substantually, particularly in relation to the ammount of information being processed<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> The ammount of information an employee had to analyze, organize, and maintain had increased dramatically. Despite this, the basic layout of the corporate office had remained largely unchanged, with employees sitting behind rows of traditional desks in a large open room, devoid of privacy. Propst's studies suggested that an open environment actually reduced communication between employees, and impeded personal initiative.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> On this, Probst commented "One of the regrettable conditions of present day offices is the tendency to provide a formula kind of sameness for everyone."<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> In addition, the employee's bodies were suffering from long hours of sitting in one position. Probst concluded that office workers require both privacy and interaction, depending on which of their many duties they were performing.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref>


Probst and the Research Corporation developed a plan, which [[George Nelson]]'s office executed in the form of the Action Office I (AO-1), and introduced it in the Herman Miller lineup in 1964.<ref>{{cite book | last = Habegger | first = Jerryll | authorlink = Jerryll Habegger | title = Sourcebook of Modern Furniture (Third Edition) | publisher = W.W. Norton & Company | year = 2005 | location = New York, New York | isbn = 0-393-73170-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> AO-1 featured desks and workspaces of varying height which allowed the worker a freedom of movement, and to assume the work position best suited for the task.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> AO-1 was ideally suited to small professional offices in which managers and employees often interacted using the same furnishings, but wasn't suitable for large corporation offices. In addition, it was expensive, and difficult to assemble.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> Despite its shortcomings, Nelson won the [[Alcoa Award]] for the design, neglecting to mention Probst's contribution.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref>
Probst and the Research Corporation developed a plan, which [[George Nelson]]'s office executed in the form of the Action Office I (AO-1), and introduced it in the Herman Miller lineup in 1964.<ref>{{cite book | last = Habegger | first = Jerryll | authorlink = Jerryll Habegger | title = Sourcebook of Modern Furniture (Third Edition) | publisher = W.W. Norton & Company | year = 2005 | location = New York, New York | isbn = 0-393-73170-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> AO-1 featured desks and workspaces of varying height which allowed the worker a freedom of movement, and to assume the work position best suited for the task.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> AO-1 was ideally suited to small professional offices in which managers and employees often interacted using the same furnishings, but wasn't suitable for large corporation offices. In addition, it was expensive, and difficult to assemble.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref> Despite its shortcomings, Nelson won the [[Alcoa Award]] for the design, neglecting to mention Probst's contribution.<ref>{{cite book | last = Pina | first = Leslie | authorlink = Leslie Pina | title = Classic Herman Miller | publisher = Schiffer Publishing | year = 1998 | location = Atglen, Pennsylvania | isbn = 0-7643-0471-2}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:39, 8 March 2011

The Action Office is a series of furniture designed by Robert Propst, and sold by Herman Miller. First introduced in 1964 as the "Action Office I" product line, then superceeded by the "Action Office II" series, it is an emmensly important design in the history of "contract furniture" (office furniture), as the "Action Office II" series introduced the concept of the flexible, semi-enclosed workspace, now better known as the cubicle. All cubical office designs can be traced back to Herman Miller's "Action Office I & II" product line.

History

Action Office I

In 1960 Herman Miller created the Herman Miller Research Corporation under the direction of Robert Propst, and the supervision of George Nelson.[1] Although George Nelson remained at Herman Miller's main campus was in Zeeland, Michigan, Robert Propst and the Herman Miller Research Corporation was located in Ann Arbor, Michigan[2] to place it in close proximity to the University of Michigan campus. Herman Miller Research Corporation's mission was to solve problems related to the use of furniture, but not the furniture itself.[3] The corporations first major project was an evaluation of the "office" as it had evolved during the 20th century, and in particular, how it functioned in the 1960's,[4] Probst's studies included learning about the ways people work in an office, how information travels, and how the office layout affects their performance. Propstr consulted with mathematicians, behavioral psychologists, and anthropologists.[5] Propst concluded from his studies that during the 20th century the office environment had changed substantually, particularly in relation to the ammount of information being processed[6] The ammount of information an employee had to analyze, organize, and maintain had increased dramatically. Despite this, the basic layout of the corporate office had remained largely unchanged, with employees sitting behind rows of traditional desks in a large open room, devoid of privacy. Propst's studies suggested that an open environment actually reduced communication between employees, and impeded personal initiative.[7] On this, Probst commented "One of the regrettable conditions of present day offices is the tendency to provide a formula kind of sameness for everyone."[8] In addition, the employee's bodies were suffering from long hours of sitting in one position. Probst concluded that office workers require both privacy and interaction, depending on which of their many duties they were performing.[9]

Probst and the Research Corporation developed a plan, which George Nelson's office executed in the form of the Action Office I (AO-1), and introduced it in the Herman Miller lineup in 1964.[10][11] AO-1 featured desks and workspaces of varying height which allowed the worker a freedom of movement, and to assume the work position best suited for the task.[12] AO-1 was ideally suited to small professional offices in which managers and employees often interacted using the same furnishings, but wasn't suitable for large corporation offices. In addition, it was expensive, and difficult to assemble.[13] Despite its shortcomings, Nelson won the Alcoa Award for the design, neglecting to mention Probst's contribution.[14]

Action Office II

Following the poor sales of AO-1 Probst and Nelson went back to the drawing board.[15] For several year Probst and Nelson fought over a disagreement on the work environment best suited to the employee of a corporate office, and Nelson was eventually taken off the project.[16] With Nelson gone, Probst was free to indulge in his concept of an office that capable of constant change to suit the changing needs of the employee, without having to purchase new furnishings, and allowed the employee a degree of privacy, and the ability to personalize their work environment without impacting the environment of the workers around them.[17] Probst recognived that people are more productive within a territorial enclave that they can personalize, but also require vistas outside their space.[18] Probst's concept was the "back-up", a two or three sided veritcle division that that defined territory and afforded privacy without hindering the ability to view or participate.[19]

AO-2 was based around the mobile wall unit that defines space.[20]unit also supports multiple work station furnishings, which benefit from the vertically oriented work space.[21] The components were interchangable, standarized, and simple to assemble and install. More importantly, they are highly flexible, allowing the company to modify the work environment as needs changed.[22]

The AO-2 lineup was an unpresedented success, and was quickly copied by other manufacturers.[23]

Coherent Structures

Probst's last contribution to the Action Office lineup was a series of furnishings designed specifically for the hospital and laboratory setting. Known as "Coherent Structures", the series of highly mobile containers, frames, carts, storage devices and rails were introduced in 1971.[24] Designed to streamline the service functions of a hospital environment, they were highly successful until the advent of centralized computer systems made such portability of documents obsolete.

Ethospace

Designed by Jack Kelley, who worked on the design of both AO-1 and AO-2, "Ethospace" enhansed the wall elements of the AO-2 system.[25] Kelley changed the wall units to highly varied, but standardized, tiles that could be simply slid into a frame and finished with end caps. Without dismantling the frame or disrupting work flow, the color, texture, function, and character of the workspace could be changed simply by selecting new Ethospace tiles.[26]

Action Office today

The "Action Office I" series was dropped from the Herman Miller lineup in 1970.[27][28] In 1978 the "Action Office II" line was renamed simply "Action Office", and continues to carry that name today.[29][30] Herman Miller describe it as "the world's first open plan office system", and claims a "$5 billion installed base".[31]

In 1985 the "Action Office" earned the title of "Most Significant Design since 1960" from the Worldesign Congress.

Recent modifications to the "Action Office" included making more storage room available and allowing for collaborative workspace. One design, dubbed "Resolve", using technology and 120 degree corners, was permanently added to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) collection in New York City just two years after its creation in 1999.

In 2000 Robert Propst died, but is known to have regretted to some extent what his idea had evolved into and become, calling it a contribution to "monolithic insanity."

In the media

Although the "Action Office" can be seen in virtually every film released within the last thirty years and set in an office environment, the first appearance of an "Action Office" product was in the Stanley Kubrick film "2001: A Space Odyssey", which featured a white AO-1 roll top desk in the reception area of the film's space station.

References

  1. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  2. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  3. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  4. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  5. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  6. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  7. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  8. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  9. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  10. ^ Habegger, Jerryll (2005). Sourcebook of Modern Furniture (Third Edition). New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-73170-7.
  11. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  12. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  13. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  14. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  15. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  16. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  17. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  18. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  19. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  20. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  21. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  22. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  23. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  24. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  25. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  26. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  27. ^ Habegger, Jerryll (2005). Sourcebook of Modern Furniture (Third Edition). New York, New York: W.W. Norton & Company. ISBN 0-393-73170-7.
  28. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  29. ^ http://www.hermanmiller.com/Products/Action-Office-System
  30. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.
  31. ^ Pina, Leslie (1998). Classic Herman Miller. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-7643-0471-2.


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