flexCELL A NEW WAY TO WORK
flexCELL FLEXIBLE WORK ENVIRONMENTS FOR 2020 IN RESPONSE TO METROPOLS MAGAZINE’S WORKPLACE OF THE FUTURE DESIGN COMPETITION 2013
the PROBLEM: Create a sustainable and inclusive work environment that caters to the workers of the future who would like the flexibility to work when they want, where they want, and how they want.
our SOLUTION: The flexCELL, or flexible work cell system provides an adaptable and efficient way to work that responds to the worker of the future. It is a self-supporting independent workspace that synthesizes emerging alternative energy and building technology.
PLUG AND PLAY PHOTOVOLTAIC MEMBRANE
IN A FEW STEPS... ONE TWO THREE FOUR
JOIN OUR NETWORK LOCATE YOUR CELL SELECT TYPE OF CELL(S) ACCESS CELL
LIGHT BEAMS
A continuation of the light source provided by the light column on the exterior. The light beams provide ambient light on the interior of the cells
DISPLAY SCREEN Current Technology Highperformance Electrochromic display glass with surface quality to support vibrant color and clarity needed in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and next generation liquid crystal displays (LCD) Future Technology Thin, light weight touch-sensitive, and damage-resistant glass materials enable complex electronic circuits and nano functionality Manufacturer: Corning Lotus™ Glass – Current Technology
ACCESS FLOOR
WORK SURFACE Folds away when not in use. flexCELL offers various materials for the work surface.
TASK CHAIR A Modern designer chair is provided in the Standard flexCell
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high pressure laminate in our signature cell patterns
flexCELL options
FINISHES
walnut
black cerused oak
< natural oak
shown with walnut shelves
FC01 THE STANDARD
FC02 THE UNCONVENTIONAL
Long Work Surface 60” x 24” counter folds down when not in use and has a recessed designed to tuck away your chair Low Profile Office Chair Featuring designs by select modern designers Storage Store and lock your valuables and documents in this shelving unit
C Table Work Surface 26” x 16” table on casters offers flexibility for alternate comfortable work positions Work Bench Loungey 18” x 60” bench with weighted back cushion designed to be arranged in a variety of ways Storage Cabinets can be added for additional storage
< High Pressure Laminate
in our signature cell patterns
Globus Cork Flooring in a variety of colors and textures
>
flexCELL
HOW IT WORKS Each FlexCELL functions as an inclusive work environment that is self-supporting. While the user works, flexCELL is busy working to create a sustainable solution to our energy needs. This diagram explains the emerging building technology that helps to make this happen.
LIGHT COLUMN / STORAGE MODULE Frosted glass clad channel behind storage unit funneled light powered by the photovoltaic cell fabric Location of the storage module depends on cell configuration required
ENTRY DOOR Sliding glass door defines entry to cell. Door remains locked when not in use. Access permited only to users with reservation
FLOOR SYSTEM DC smart grid system by Armstrong adapted for access floor. Floor panels are available in a variety of colors and finishes including cellular pattern shown
PHOTOVOLTAIC MEMBRANE Constructed using molded FRP or glassfiber reinforced balsa wood coated with photovoltaic film or PV film. This method was developed by Michele Puzzolante. The PV film, composed of third-generation dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) is a technology created by Michael Gratzel that generates electricity in a process mimicing photosynthesis. DSSCs provide direct / indirect light with 20% more electricity than silicon by collecting more visible light, the indoor dominant light source. Manufacturer: Solar Print Implications DSS molecular nanoparticles are cheaper, lighter, and more environmentally sound.
ROOF & FRAMING STRUCTURE Incorporates aluminum framing with a Power Distribution Platform that channels DC power in micro grids for walls, floor, ceilings Precedent: Armstrong DC FlexZone System
GLASS PANELS Laminated Glass with two layers of
safety glass
Low E- Coating (as required) creates effective barrier in cold climates which lowers the U-value by reducing radiant heat flowing through the glass
Heated Glass Low E- Coating possesses passes electric charge through the glass which generates heat
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NORTH ELEVATION
WEST ELEVATION
Laminated Glass with double layer of safety glass provides insulation for colder climates
Access floor heated for colder climates
Cooling engine concealed in Storage Module
DIAGRAMMATIC SECTION
SOUTH ELEVATION
THE DETAILS
Operable windows allow air in and out of the cell
EAST ELEVATION
PICK YOUR CELL TYPE 1 CELL
2 CELLS
Plans provided in cell phone app when selecting work cell.
MULTIPLE CONFIGURATIONS TO CHOOSE FROM
3 + CELLS
ONE SPACE, INFINITE POSSIBILITIES
PARK AND WORK FlexCELLs provide the convenience of working anywhere, even a parking lot. And with the ability to harness energy, FlexCELLs in these environments become solar farms. The environments for these modular workplaces are endless.
IMAGINE FLEXCELLS IN THESE ENVIRONMENTS
ROOF DECK
STOREFRONT
SOLAR FARM
HOME
PUBLIC SQUARE
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ON THE BOARDWALK location:
Boardwalk Coney Island, NY Brooklyn Boardwalk
project size: client:
5 cells, 200 sf City of New York Parks & Recreation
ONE SPACE, INFINITE POSSIBILITIES
Work on the beach FlexCELL enables you to do a bit a work while not interrupting your vacation or leisure time.
Linear Configuration FlexCELLs are ganged to provide a collobarative environment when needed. The small footprint of work cells enables them to be placed virtually anywhere people gather.
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THE SKY IS THE LIMIT location:
Highline Project New York Brooklyn Boardwalk
project size: client:
flexCELL
4 cells, 200 sf 1 bath cell (available as needed) City of New York Parks & Recreation
FLOOR PLAN
Door Maneuvering Clearance Clear space at water closet Clear space at lavatory The BATH Cell FlexCELL provides an accessible bathroom cell when needed which will be installed by our expert installers. The bath cell also incorporates opaque glass for privacy.
ONE SPACE, INFINITE POSSIBILITIES
MAQ
METROPOLIS ASKED QUESTIONS
Who are we? What’s our focus? Flexcell business environments integrate the space, products and/or services your enterprise requires. We focus on supporting you, so you can focus on whatever you do whenever and wherever you need.
Who are 2020s Workers? The modern work force is multi-generational. Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials work side-by-side, as Gen Z stands on the cusp of adult work life. The gender pay gap closed since women dominate the modern force. But workers aren’t just human. Artificial Intelligence supports and even surpassed human efforts. “Data will be our colleagues and our employees.” (Gallegos)
How do we work? Faster. Remotely. Globally. In yoga pants. 21st C. technology investment amplified business overhead savings. The highspeed techno-evolution eliminated time, distance, and language barriers. Techo-baby Millennials want workplace/ time choice. We meet globally in real time. But live human interaction is still necessary. The coffee house isn’t always conducive to phone calls. Critical meetings can’t be Facetimed. Artificial Intelligence workers ignore noise and distractions, but humans don’t. When human work requires quiet, designated work space is key. Workers need instant "plug and play" offices whenever and wherever they are.
Human Needs and the Bottom Line Human workers need space and services. HR Management, facility energy / maintenance = overhead. Weighty overhead kills small business, slows global enterprise. Our objective is to slash overhead AND design healthy, sustainable workplaces. Healthy environments = happy workers= productivity. flexCELL helps you do this by offering when you want, how you want, where ever you want.
flexCELL’s Future Vision The flexCELL vision is simple. We are the invisible stage for workers of the future. flexCELL currently offers workspace and facility maintenance. flexCELL envisions future growth of our background system. Future flexCELL company growth includes platforms for an a-la-carte buy in HR service/benefit for workers and data storage through the flexCLOUD. At flexCELL, we continue to design solutions that fit your needs.
Sources:
Armstrong Industries. "http://www.armstrong.com/pdbupimages/201068.pdf." 2013. www. armstrong.com. 29 July 2013. Breslin, Michael. www.ecmag.com . July 2013. July 2013. Brown, Seth. USA Today. 7 February 2010. 19 07 2013. Carlson, Katherine. www.fabricarchitecturemag.com. May 2008. July 2013. Coney Island Development Corporation. http://www.thecidc.org/. n.d. image. July 2013. Corning Glass. http://www.corning.com/news_center/videos/ADayMadeofGlass2.aspx. 2013. June 213. Department of Energy. "Communications Requirement Of Smart Grid Technologies,." 2010. EMerge Alliance. "EMergealliance." 2013. emergealliance.com. June 2013. Gallegos, Demetria. blogs.wsj.com. 23 May 2012. 2013. 19 July 2013. KVA. http://www.kvarch.net/. 2013. June 2013. National Renewable Energy Lab. "http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/49722.pdf." July 2012. www. nrel.gov. pdf. July 2013. Office Staffing. Office of the Future: 2020. 2008. web pdf. 22 June 2013. Puzzolante, Michele. http://www.mpd-designs.com/. 2012. July 2013. SolarPrint. www.solarprint.ie. 2013. July 2013. SolarTwin. www.solartwin.com. 2013. July 2013. Stanford University: Rachael Tachie-Menson, Nicholas Perry, Dhackson Muthulingam, Kevin Shan. http://www.stanford.edu/group/mota/education. n.d. July 2013.
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