![]() ![]() Steelcase envisioned a shoot that took place in environments that appear to encourage creativity by way of it’s inspiring and stimulating interiors and use of Microsoft technology. They needed photographs that captured this new look and feel for the brand and would cement them as a go-to source for businesses that are developing these types of environments for their own employees. They had the foresight to partner with Microsoft to develop the “Creative Spaces” campaign in order to capitalize on the trend of workplace environments shifting toward more creative atmospheres. Steelcase is the largest manufacturer of office furniture in the world and their forward thinking is what has kept them a market leader for many years. ![]() Microsoft says, however, that "more showrooms will be coming online soon.Creative Spaces - London, New York, & Chicago Update: The article originally said that the Creative Spaces are at Steelcase Worklife Centers in ten cities, but they're only on display at one in New York City right now. Select Steelcase dealers will also start selling the pen-enabled Surface Hub, which costs $9,000 in the 55-inch version and $22,000 for the 84-inch model. The companies haven't revealed any pricing, probably since it varies according to the desired configuration. At any rate, you can now see them at the Steelcase WorkLife Center in New York, with more coming online soon in San Francisco, Munich, London and other cities. ![]() It's not exactly clear if Microsoft's products are being offered in a package with Steelcase products as part of Creative Spaces. The concepts (shown in the gallery above) have descriptions that sound like Silicon Valley satire, but they should allow businesses to create employee-friendly creative spaces without Google-sized interior design budgets. The various Creative Spaces include Steelcase Products like the $1,000 Gesture Chair, Brody Worklounge and $1,500 AirTouch Table. "Most employees are still working with outdated technology and in places that are rooted in the past, which makes it difficult for them to work in new, creative ways," said one analyst in the press release. For instance, Microsoft found that most workers feel career advancement "depends on their ability to be creative," but few think their workplace fosters that creativity. While that sounds a bit high-minded, Microsoft and Steelcase have studies to back it up. " will help organizations thoughtfully integrate place and technology to encourage creative behaviors at work." "The problems people face at work today are much more complex than they used to be," says Steelcase VP of Strategy Sara Armbruster. ![]() The companies see the new products as more than just desks, chairs and computers. Finally, the "Respite Room" is a fully private space that lets you relax and think. "Maker Commons" is aimed a rapid prototyping "hackathon"-style teams to "encourage quick switching between conversation, experimentation and concentration," using a mix of devices like the Surface Hub and Surface Pro laptops. The "Ideation Hub" is also a conference-style space that lets colleagues work on ideas in person or remotely on the Surface Hub. It also includes a lounge area for creative review with others on the giant-screened Surface Hub, an interactive white board. The "Focus Studio," designed with Microsoft's Surface Book and Surface Pro 4 in mind, gives workers "alone time to focus and get into flow, while also allowing quick shifts to two-person collaboration." Meanwhile, the "Duo Studio" lets designers work in pairs or individually via a Surface Studio all-in-one. The two companies have unveiled " Creative Spaces," which are office furniture layout concepts optimized to work with Surface products. It's now taking the next logical step by expanding into workspace lifestyle concepts via a partnership with Steelcase. With the Surface Book, Surface Studio and other products, Microsoft has managed to attract graphics pros, designers and engineers, many used to working with Apple products. ![]()
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