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TCA Architects

Challenge

TCA Architects was moving into a new office that would house 40+ individual workspaces. They wanted furniture solutions with unique, deliberate details that met the needs of their bustling firm: ample storage and surfaces for both individual and collaborative work, including spaces to review drawings. We were tasked with carefully mixing custom pieces with products from our Standard Line, to maintain a cohesive look and avoid the dreaded sea of desks.

Solution

We designed neighborhood-style clusters organized around a center spine for power distribution, privacy, and elevation change. Our classic Belay desks, Toast dividers, and Swing power and data beams were the key elements of this office layout. We paired these Standard Products with two custom pieces--storage units that double as work surfaces, and slim D-Top tables that utilize the same leg profile as Swing for visual cohesion.

PRODUCTS FEATURED: BELAY, Swing, Toast, CUSTOM Storage, custom d-top side table
LOCATION: Irvine, CA
PHOTO CREDITS: TCA ARCHITECTS

 
 
 

Understand the needs of TCA’s employees

✔ Height-Adjustable desk for ergonomic primary work
✔ A secondary return surface to review drawings
✔ Document and general storage
✔ Tackable Surfaces for Personalization and Acoustic Enhancement
✔ Invisible Power and Data distribution
✔ Furniture Dimensions that align perfectly with architectural elements

This was our tall order! We developed multiple neighborhoods that utilized standard as well as meticulously dimensioned custom products. Read on to see how each custom piece came to life.

 
 
 
 

Prototype a Swing-inspired side table

Architects spend a lot of time reviewing drawings and there often isn’t enough space for this activity on a single surface. We designed a slim D-Top table with a Birch plywood edge to match the primary desk and angled legs that compliment the leg of our Swing system. The devil is in the leg details.

 
 
 

Build storage units that double as work surfaces 

After pinning down worksurfaces, we dove into designing a collection of custom storage units. We built these pieces to seamlessly integrate with the architecture and also double as an extension of the worksurfaces.

To match the project aesthetic, we designed a sleek, white, metal casework with softened radiused corners. The edges of the case extend above the top surface to prevent small items, like architectural drawings, from falling off.

 
 
 
 

Refine storage unit details 

The finishing details on the storage units include drawer fronts with integrated handles. Instead of clunky external metal pulls, we opted for simple cutouts that emphasize the clean approach to the project as a whole. Opening the drawers reveals an exposed plywood edge detail and ball bearing glides to ensure smooth functionality for years to come. We elevated the storage on legs to create a perceived lightness and hid the lock inside the open cubby area to maintain a minimal profile.

 
 
 

Build the city

After defining each neighborhood’s elements, we were able to easily mirror three and four-desk cluster layouts into the space—cohesion, and familiarity without monotony.

 
 
 
 

Install

For the final install at TCA, we fit together all the individual pieces that make up each of the twelve C-shaped neighborhoods.

While these puzzle pieces perfectly fit the current layout, we designed everything to be reconfigurable to ensure future flexibility in the space.

 
 
 

Develop a day-two addition

Often it takes working in a new space to truly understand how each furniture piece can best serve an office and its workers. For TCA, they wanted a bit more privacy so we created an integrated metal modesty panel that we were able to quickly manufacture and seamlessly retrofit to the custom D-Top tables.

 
 

Featured Products

An unconventional solution to the open office, Swing was built to divide personal space and distribute power and data. Personalize it by adding tackable acoustic screens or writeable whiteboards—or use the bar to hang plants or lighting.

Belay is a height-adjustable, free-standing desk that comes with a range of feet, legs, controller, and finish options. Every detail from the ground up can be fully personalized. Belay was designed to compliment all of our benching systems.

Toast, our free-standing acoustic panel, is versatile and light enough for anyone to move. Position this screen between desks, in collaborative areas, or group them to create on demand walls. Our tackable surface makes it great for brainstorming or for impromptu meetings.

 
 

If you can imagine it, we can create it.