Knoll A3 Office Furniture System 

Knoll International, New York

From the outset, the Knoll A3 project was a complete revaluation and overhaul of the conventional—and some would say outmoded—office cubicle. With a background in architecture as opposed to industrial design, Asymptote was predisposed to take an initial approach that was spatial and environmental rather than primarily object-driven. The project was seen as a valuable opportunity to rethink the dynamics of the office landscape: How do people interact in quasi-wireless, digitally equipped environments? How can one have a sense of privacy while also feeling like part of a larger community? What are the new emotionally charged forms and materials that we surround ourselves with on a daily basis? How can these be employed to create vibrant and interesting work environments and furnishings? How can a desire for versatility and flexibility be accommodated while at the same time maintaining a high level of efficiency? Can this be achieved while still bringing a sense of order and dignity to our workspaces?

Date: 2002

 

Client: Knoll International, New York

 

Design: Hani Rashid, Lise Anne Couture

 

Project Director: Noboru Ota

 

Design Team: Noboru Ota, Jose Salinas, Birgit Schoenbrodt,

Renate Weissenboeck, Hannah Yampolsky

 

Engineer: Knoll Product Development, East Greenville, PA

 

Fabrication Consultants: Tip Sempler, Bill Shea