Teneo™ Storage Furniture
Teneo brings people together and brings a space together.
Using Teneo Teneo is meant to be an active part of work life, to live in the open at the heart of a group, to be seen from every angle. It invites people—from two to a roomful—to easily engage. Teneo also deftly manages the diverse objects that fuel team creativity. Teneo can be bold or quiet. Sophisticated or casual. You can give it the character you want to complement your interior design and architecture through the choice of color, material, configuration, and scale.
Birsel + Seck Reshape Storage When Herman Miller began developing new ideas for storage, we explored what it can do for people as well as how it contains things. But really, a shelf is a shelf, right? A drawer is a drawer. Well, maybe not. Maybe storage could be more in the changing landscape of work. Traditional storage has always excelled inside workstations and along walls. Now, with collaboration driving creativity and productivity, there needs to be storage support for groups of people who work together, meet, present, and host.
“The starting point of Teneo was challenging the storage archetype and saying, well, why can’t we do this any other way?” —Ayse Birsel & Bibi Seck
Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck, principles of Birsel + Seck, are a product design team with international roots. They are based in New York City. At Herman Miller, we have always teamed with designers from outside the company to provide diverse perspectives and fresh insights.
A New Category: Storage Furniture For designers Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck, the development of Teneo was a sequence of imagination and discovery unbridled by preconceptions. So it was no surprise to us that they came back with an entirely new paradigm for storage. We call it storage furniture, because it works like storage and looks like furniture. These sketches by Ayse and Bibi outline the story of Teneo’s design.
Looking at Needs The designers had strong feelings that the traditional storage paradigm—the metal box—is a good solution, but limited in application. They believed a new archetype could better respond to today’s needs.
Deconstructing Storage The designers began by literally taking a metal box apart and identifying its elements: what holds it upright; how it organizes, contains, and secures its contents; and what provides enclosure.
Reconstructing Storage To reconstruct storage into something more versatile, Ayse and Bibi broke it down into three distinct parts: structure, utility, and cladding. The structure is the same for all pieces; utility could be shelves, drawers, and doors; and the cladding—the skin—could be any number of materials.
The Systemic Approach The structure, utility, and cladding elements can be combined in numerous ways to create numerous products that put the user at the heart of the design. It offers flexibility and allows a versatile platform that can support many different functions and grow to meet new needs. Since all products share the same design elements, they share a consistent look to help unify a space.
Designing the Solution
Cladding
Ring
Ring
Utility
Cladding
The key design breakthrough was using exposed rings. The rings provide a flexible, strong, and durable structure that allows a huge variety of products. They support all the various utility elements, and they can be enclosed with a variety of cladding materials.
The Ring Herman Miller investigated many options for Teneo’s structure. Once we decided on the rings, we explored what shape and material they would be. We looked at a tubular structure, squared corners, solid end panels, and a lot more. For material, we selected anodized aluminum, which not only provides a timeless look, but also allows a lightweight structure that you can stand on glides or casters. The natural finish works just about anywhere and doesn’t dominate the aesthetic. Each ring is single piece, providing a strong structure. And we achieved the tightest radius possible for rounded corners, helping break the rectilinear archetype of storage. There are four ring sizes (24, 34, 60, and 70 inches high) so you can scale the product to the appropriate height.
“We wanted the rings to be exposed, to be an honest expression of function.”
—Ayse Birsel
Mix, Match, Unify Carts and cabinets. Towers and lecterns. Islands and easels. Teneo’s systemic approach opens the door to creating a large and diverse collection of products. Teneo is also a platform to build on for more products with even more applications. While each product is unique, they all share distinctive features—including the sweeping curves of door and drawer fronts—for a unified aesthetic and consistent function from the front door to the back.
Single Islands
hospitality island
project island
credenza island
lower drawer island
drawer island
equipment island
file island
upper door island
Side-by-side Islands
project island
file island
credenza island
hospitality island
upper door island
drawer island
lower drawer island
equipment island
When Teneo is open, it looks complete, even in its simplest, lightest form. In enclosed configurations, its organic flow and different textures add intrigue. In a combination of open and closed configurations, it’s balanced and multidimensional, with a variety of surfaces and shapes.
Presentation Units
lectern
easel
easel
easel
book cart
Wall Units
open shelf unit
open shelf unit
storage unit
storage unit
supply cabinet
equipment cabinet
equipment cabinet
storage unit
equipment cabinet
open shelf unit
closet
With its different ring sizes, Teneo goes from a mobile pedestal that fits under a work surface to a tall wall unit that can define a workspace. Whatever the size, Teneo always looks natural and well proportioned.
Individual Storage
drawer storage
pedestal
enclosed tower
enclosed tower
open tower
open tower
Surfaces
lectern surface
touchdown surface, right- or left-end peninsula
flat top surface
touchdown surface, bridge
flat top surface, side-by-side
flat top surface, back-to-back
touchdown surface, peninsula
curved top surface
Material Choices “Teneo is a great canvas,” says Susan Lyons, the New York-based designer and artist who collaborated with Birsel + Seck to create the Teneo palette. “You can give it the character that fits your space by choosing from the wide range of materials.” The colors coordinate with Herman Miller’s foundation palette for systems— a timeless selection of neutrals combined with bright accent colors for pulls and cladding. Teneo also introduces intriguing new cladding textures. There are different textures and gloss levels to choose from. Different finish qualities can be combined for a layering effect. The various finishes play with light differently, adding depth and richness. Teneo pushes the notion of what storage is made of to new dimensions. For example, a felt cladding overlay literally gives Teneo a different feel—a dense and soft surface that can carry color. Cork cladding overlay creates a surface that’s unexpected and rich, like a veneer. A laser-cut pattern or perforations can be added to cladding for a distinctive touch. Color and materials can be changed by selectively replacing cladding and utility elements. Cladding
Painted solid metal
Veneer
Cork overlay
Felt overlay
Full-width pull (drawer)
Partial-width pull (door)
Caster
Glide
Details
High Gloss
Metallic
Finishes
91 White
8Q Folkstone Grey
WL Sandstone
CL Cool Grey Neutral
WN Warm Grey Neutral
MS Metallic Silver
Formcoat
91 White
8Q Folkstone Grey
WL Sandstone
CN Metallic Champagne
EH Metallic Bronze
Painted laser-cut
Sand Texture
Finishes
7L Dune
7M Chai
7N Grass
7U Blue Ridge
ZK Cappuccino
B4 Blue Medium
8T Gull
8Y Moonbeam
7V Loden
WN Warm Grey Neutral
8Q Folkstone Grey
WL Sandstone
DF Twilight
DQ Desert
Bright Sand Texture
7W Napa
7Y Sedona
7Z Mink
G1 Graphite
91 White
CL Cool Grey Neutral
G1 Graphite
91 White
CL Cool Grey Neutral
WN Warm Grey Neutral
1M Orange Crush
2M Green Apple
3M Berry Blue
ED Aged Cherry
2U Light Brown Walnut
UX Walnut on Cherry
3U Medium Red Cherry
Pull Finish
Geiger Wood Veneer
Wood Veneers
OU Walnut
UL Natural Maple
EY Light Anigre
Solid Color
6U Chocolate Brown Sapele
Zephyr
Laminates
91 White
8Q Folkstone Grey
WL Sandstone
2M Green Apple
3M Berry Blue
Cork
BO Brown Parquet
Felt
1M Orange Crush
CL Cool Grey Neutral
WN Warm Grey Neutral
D1 Canyon
DC Misted
Group collaboration area • Storage units: 91 White, Geiger® Light Anigre; easel: Dune, Geiger Light Anigre; Anodized Aluminum pulls • Eames® elliptical table • Celeste™ lounge chair
Team gathering space • Side-by-side file islands: 91 White, Moonbeam, Geiger Medium Cherry Red; Anodized Aluminum pulls • My Studio Environments™
Large conference room • Side-by-side hospitality island: 91 White, Geiger Chocolate Brown Sapele; Graphite pulls; lectern: Geiger Chocolate Brown Sapele • Eames aluminum group chairs
Small conference room • Side-by-side hospitality island: Geiger Light Anigre; easel: Dune, Geiger Light Anigre; Anodized Aluminum pulls • Eames soft pad chairs
Project area • Project island and easel: 91 White, Gull • Vivo® interiors • Caper® chairs • Eames table
Meeting space • Open shelf unit: Walnut • Nelson™ swag leg group
Lounge • Equipment cabinet and drawer storage: Dune, Geiger Light Anigre; Anodized Aluminum pulls • Eames lounge chair and ottoman
Reception area • Closets and supply cabinets: 91 White; Cool Grey Neutral pulls • Vivo interiors • Mirra chair®
Touchdown space • Peninsula surface and supply cabinet: 91 White; storage unit: 91 White, Geiger Light Anigre, 91 White pulls: hospitality island: Geiger Light Anigre, Anodized Aluminum pulls • Caper chair
Equipment area • Equipment cabinets: Metallic Champagne, Green Apple pull; equipment island: Metallic Champagne, Sandstone, Green Apple felt and pull
Private office • Credenza islands and touchdown surface: Geiger Chocolate Brown Sapele; Anodized Aluminum pulls • Abak® environments • Eames aluminum group chair
Individual workstations • Pedestals: Metallic Silver; drawer storage: 91 White, Metallic Silver; Berry Blue felt and pull • Resolve® system • Aeron® chairs • Leaf® personal light
A Storage Solution for Every Need There’s a place for storage everywhere in an office; in group spaces devoted to teams and meetings, in community spaces that are accessible to everyone, and inside workstations for individuals. Our three lines of filing and storage products—Teneo storage furniture, Meridian® filing and storage, and Tu™ filing and storage—provide complete and coordinated choices. They all have the versatility to handle storage needs throughout a workplace. At the same time, each has its own specialty: Teneo in group space, Meridian in community space, and Tu in individual space.
Teneo with Meridian • Teneo storage units with left-end peninsula touchdown surface and easel: 91 White and Geiger Natural Maple veneer; Cool Grey Neutral pulls • Meridian Stackable™ lateral files: 91 White and Teneo pulls • Intersect® portfolio table • Caper chairs
Teneo with Tu • Teneo credenza island: 91 White and Geiger Natural Maple veneer; Cool Grey Neutral pulls; Tu lateral file and pedestal: 91 White; Teneo pulls in Anodized Aluminum • Vivo interiors • Mirra chair
We’re Working to Get to Zero
Recycled Ironstone finish on drawer bodies is made from up to 50 percent recycled powder-coat paint. Herman Miller purchases all woods from sustainable supplies; that means the wood must be replenished faster than it is harvested. Teneo is also GREENGUARD certified and can contribute to LEED certification.
Easy OptionsSM Capability Our versatile, flexible products give people real choices. If they need something extra, we can do that, too, from modifying existing products to developing new ones. For more information on our Easy Options capability, please visit www.HermanMiller.com/easyoptions
Warranty Teneo storage furniture is durable for a long life and carries Herman Miller’s comprehensive 12-year, 3-shift warranty.
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© 2008 Herman Miller, Inc., Zeeland, Michigan Printed in U.S.A. on recycled paper O.WA2300 ® Y, Z, Abak, Aeron, Caper, Eames, Ethospace, Intersect, Leaf, Meridian, Mirra, Resolve, and Vivo are among the registered trademarks of Herman Miller, Inc. ™ Celeste, My Studio Environments, Nelson, Stackable, Teneo and Tu are among the trademarks of Herman Miller, Inc. SM Easy Options is among the services marks of Herman Miller, Inc. ® Geiger is a registered trademark of Geiger International.
Like all new Herman Miller products, Teneo was designed and developed according to the strict environmental requirements of the McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) Cradle-to-Cradle protocol. MBDC Silver certification is pending for all Teneo products.
For more information about our products and services or to see a list of dealers, please visit us at www.HermanMiller.com or call (800) 851 1196.
Teneo helps Herman Miller reach our sustainability goals of zero landfill, zero hazardous waste generation, and zero VOC emissions into the air by 2020. With its systemic design, each product can be repurposed and take on a different role. So when your needs evolve, you don’t need to replace an entire piece, which lengthens a products’s life.