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Integrating technology into mobile furniture for hybrid workplaces
Over the last few of years we been increasingly looking at ways to integrate technology into mobile furniture and more traditional whiteboards. Be this client led or through our research and monitoring of changes and trends in workplace design.
The rise of hybrid working has led to a more urgent need for engaging teams both in and out of the office to collaborate together as seamlessly as possible ensuring everyone’s input is valuable. Developments in technology and increased need from users means this is becoming much easier to achieve with a bit of thought on how best to implement it.
We began in 2018 by looking at ways to integrate large TV screens into our mobile whiteboard products to provide the dual function of combining whiteboard and AV presentation space. This product became a permanent part of our range as the ThinkingWall AV Divider, currently one of our most popular products.
We continued our product development by integrating AV capabilities into our ThinkingWall Acoustic range. A system of multifunctional movable walls designed for work teams and project teams to best enable them to optimise their own workspaces.
The ThinkingWall Acoustic AV became an integral part of the range and we have since delivered numerous custom versions to suit clients requirements. This includes incorporating full Teams meetings systems to better enable hybrid and remote working.
An obvious improvement to this system was the integration of battery power for wireless functionality. Interior designer and architects often mentioned the difficulty in postioning floor boxes and power points to enable flexible furniture mobile furniture to easily move from place to place. Adding a battery solves this issue and eliminates trailing wires.
The addition of battery power has given us the freedom to experiment with building in other elements of technology to further enhance the product and add further functionality. All of these options can be mains powered however batteries give that extra flexibility to be easily moved throughout the working day. Then simply plug in to recharge over night.
Incorporating lighting was an interesting challenge, we wanted to add in a diffused glow under the shelves of the ThinkingWall mobile storage unit. We felt the softer glow would contrast well with traditionally bright overhead office lights and create a more homely feel.
For a more small scale but useful intregration we added a built in wireless charging pad to our mobile storage unit. This featured on our stand at the Workspace Design Show in 2023, very handy for topping up phone charge throughout the show!
Integrating technology into mobile furniture will continue to develop over the coming years and we will endeavour to keep pushing what is possible. We always enjoy collaborating with clients to create a bespoke product or with manufacturers to build in new technologies.
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Relevant products
ThinkingWall® Mobile Acoustic AV
A mobile and freestanding unit which combines drywipe and magnetic writing surface with acoustic panels and integrated mounts for TV screens or AV displays. Available wired for mains power or with built in rechargeable battery.
