Developed by famed office furniture maker Herman Miller in 1984, the Ethospace line was created to "express in interior architecture what you or your organization is all about."
Designers Bill Stumpf and Jack Kelley wanted to create both a positive workspace that employees looked forward to working in, as well as a space that would accommodate the increasing demands of technology.
The resulting line features workstations that are architecturally interesting – with different colors, textures, scale, ergonomic considerations and natural light – as well as adept at managing power and cable.
The line is also easy on the environment – 100 percent of the steel frame is recyclable, while the remaining components are 78 percent recyclable. Components are made from 35 percent recycled content, and are also nontoxic and renewable.
The innovative frame-and-tile structure allows companies to easily adapt the workspaces as demands evolve. And Herman Miller has continued to add new components and capabilities to the line as business strategies, workplace processes and designer needs have changed.
Features of Ethospace include:
90-, 120-, and 135-degree connectors that allow you to create individual workspaces, private offices, and collaborative spaces that flow together or stay separate as needed. Components that can be repositioned wherever needed so the work areas can be easily be expanded or contracted. First-of-its-kind steel frames that are the foundation for hang-on components and house wiring and cable. Tiles in a variety of materials and styles (everything from glass to solid and perforated to rail) that can be mixed and matched to create a unique workspace that's also budget-friendly.
On its website, Herman Miller included a case study of Hanna Andersson, a children's clothing company based in Portland, Oregon that purchased Ethospace workstations just as business was starting to grow in the late 80s and early 90s.
"We still have the original Ethospace furniture throughout the facility," Robert Nesbitt, facilities manager told Herman Miller. "Its quality and flexibility fit with the character of this company."
When the company took over a five-story building a few years ago, they were able to refresh the Ethospace stations with new, bright red and glass accent tiles. And they were able to integrate new furniture from the Passage line seamlessly with the Ethospace furniture using a smilier color story.
Currently, Arnolds has several like-new Ethospace cubicles in stock, complete with storage tower, fixed curved work surface, overhead storage, a power source above the work surface, and built-in whiteboard. The multicolored fabrics that were used in this system help create both a positive and modern-looking work environment. Similar styles retail at Herman Miller for $18,000 per cubicle, but you can find them for just $1,850 at Arnolds.
Find used Ethospace Cubicles at Arnolds.
