Template^®

Using shallow storage units as space dividers was a concept that Knoll had been considering for years. As the open plan design philosophy moved away from the panel-enclosed individual workstation, and towards a more open, collaborative layout, Knoll saw a market for the innovative planning scheme. The central concept was a spine wall deep enough to accommodate hanging files, but compact enough to be used in between other systems components — basically a thick panel.

Antenna Design was brought in to realize the concept. With the help of Knoll team member David Noel, Antenna created a kit of parts, which could be used in literally hundreds of layouts and horizons to create efficient storage solutions while consolidating components and saving space.

By relocating the storage capacity of traditional pedestal and overhead units, as well as technology management, to the spine, the space around the primary worksurface was opened up.

“With the primary worksurface positioned perpendicularly, the horizontal spine becomes your back and forth, a conduit for collaboration,” explains Noel. Template’s dual-sided access also allows interaction between workstations on opposite sides of the spine, “It’s not two units back to back, but a yin and yang.”
 

Antenna Design was founded in 1997 by Masamichi Udagawa, a Cranbrook Academy graduate, and Sigi Moeslinger, who holds degrees from NYU and Art Center College of Design. Antenna's people-centered design approach aims to make the experience of objects and environments more meaningful and exciting. Among Antenna’s best known projects are the design of New York City Subway cars and ticket vending machines, JetBlue check-in kiosks and displays for Bloomberg.

When Knoll set out to create a new open plan office system, Antenna’s experience with the ever-expanding presence of technology, and their expertise in user experience made them an attractive collaborative partner. Together Knoll and Antenna conceived Antenna Workspaces, an innovative open plan system, which reflects Udagawa and Moeslinger’s interest in functional simplicity and their expertise in using design as a tool of social interaction that bridges people and technology.

Antenna has been recognized with several prestigious design awards, including the National Design Award in Product Design from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. Both Udagawa and Moeslinger are senior critics in graphic design at the Yale University School of Art.