H. Hendy Associates Completes Herman Miller Showroom; Blending Function with Display in Unique Design Project.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- Space Design is Taken to a Higher Level When Architectural Elements are Implemented to Support Both the Sales Process and Employees' Needs

H. Hendy Associates, a nationally recognized interior architecture, planning and design firm was selected to design the 13,600-sq.-ft. open-planned office space of Workplace Resource, a prestigious business furnishings showroom and sales office located in Orange County. As a certified dealer for Herman Miller -- one of the nation's largest commercial furniture manufacturers -- Workplace Resource sought H. Hendy Associates to design a new space with the capabilities to house the sales operations side of the business and function as a showroom for Herman Miller's high-end product line.

"Most furniture showrooms tend to be sterile," said Anne Alex, president of Workplace Resource. "Clients have a difficult time connecting with the people who work there."

In keeping with the Herman Miller corporate philosophy, Alex wanted to create a space that blended functionality with design: in short, create a working showroom, where the products on display were actually in use on a daily basis by the employees of Workplace Resource.

H. Hendy's creative team developed a design concept that could be implemented to achieve Workplace Resource's goals of blending function with design that allowed employees to be productive despite the busy sales process taking place around them. H. Hendy Associates integrated various "zones" that support the Herman Miller sales process and appeared seamless to its key customers visiting the showroom. An environment that incorporates natural, warm and inviting colors accessorized with wave walls, translucent panels suspended by cables, bamboo floors, rich fabrics, and metallic chocolate paints serve as the backdrop for three customer and workplace zones: Hosting, Discovery and Product.

The Hosting Zone is designed as a central hub to greet customers and make them feel comfortable. According to H. Hendy Associates Designer Sydney Eagan, "The goal of the Hosting Zone is to make the client feel instantly comfortable, and at the same time create a certain level of intrigue and curiosity."

To establish comfort, the team chose certain elements that are familiar, warm and inviting, such as natural colors, textures and materials. To create intrigue, the team incorporated the unexpected, including a curved wall that allows glimpses into the area beyond and a plasma screen that displays imagery and visiting clients' names. The awe factor aims to inspire the customers and showcase the design possibilities available to them.

The Discovery Zone is designed to encourage dialogue and create a mutual learning experience of the customers' needs. A series of connected conference rooms lead from the Hosting Zone to the showroom/workplace where technology is strategically incorporated to help educate customers on the product offerings and used as a tool to stimulate conversation between customers and the Herman Miller sales associates.

The Product Zone highlights the various Herman Miller product lines of furniture and accessories, some of which are in use by the employees of Workplace Resource. The design team continued the theme of natural colors, finishes and textures and incorporated architectural elements -- panels, frame-and-tile, poles, mobile graphics and Design on Textile imagery -- that act as focal points to keep the customer captivated.

H. Hendy Associates worked closely with Alex and the Workplace Resource team to develop a timeless and long-term solution by including primarily neutral color selections along with ideas and plans for refreshing certain elements that will allow the space to adapt to new design trends.

"The response from our clients has been wonderful," continued Alex. "The average furniture showroom visit is half an hour, while our clients spend an average of two hours in this space. This has translated into a higher sales closing ratio. The design of the space really contributes to the success we have enjoyed."

H. Hendy Associates is an interior, architecture, planning and design firm in Newport Beach that provides creative architectural services for prestigious corporate clients such as Nike, Toyota, Ameriquest, State Farm Insurance and Pacific Sunwear. As one of the top interior architecture, planning and design firms in the United States, H. Hendy Associates provides services ranging from preliminary building and site analysis to post-occupancy evaluation. H. Hendy Associates has received numerous industry awards and recognitions including Interior Design's top 100 design firms.

Founded in 1979 by Heidi Hendy, the company has thrived through its permanent-teams approach, commitment to client satisfaction and ability to offer cost-effective solutions. For more information, visit www.hhendy.com.