Chapter 14 Commercial Interior Design Applications 515 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. a door with acoustical control to ensure privacy of confi - dential matters. Similar to a home offi ce, private offi ces are in quiet zones of the building next to support staff, if necessary. Furnishings for private offi ces consist of a desk, desk chair, two side chairs, bookcases, credenza, and sometimes a small conference table. Technolo- gies must be supported in the private offi ce such as digital and communication devices. The designer often consults the professional who uses this offi ce about his or her preferred furnishings and confi guration of them. Private offi ce layouts require customization. They should be pleasing and acceptable for each individual occupant. Furniture is generally positioned off a sidewall facing the door opening and not directly in front of the door to allow door swing clearance. Accessories include a marker board, plants, and artwork, Figure 14-28. Workstations Workstations, also called systems, workspaces, or panel systems, are exactly as they sound—open to other nearby people via sight and sound. Such systems do not use full-height walls to frame the room, but instead use panels in a system format, Figure 14-29. Workstations are popular because they require much less space than private offi ces. For instance, a designer can put two, 100-square-foot workstations in the same 225-square-foot private offi ce. Workstations lower yearly rent costs, decrease construction and operat- ing costs (such as lower utility bills due to fewer light fi xtures), and improve tax write-offs and life-cycle costs—the costs of products from purchase through disposal. They are easy to transport if the organization moves to a new location or relocates within the same building. To enhance communication, designers often group or zone workstations together with other team members in the same department. Workstation groupings should be away from noise and adjacent to necessary support staff. Panels that serve as walls for worksta- tions are usually powered. This means that the panels are wired with electrical, telephone, and data hookups that are typically located in walls. In addition, they can offer acoustical privacy depending on the way they are constructed and fi nished. Furnishings within workstation groupings include a work surface, ergonomic chair, side chair, storage— usually in the form of movable bins, and technology support. Panels often form separations between the workstations. There is no typical industry-accepted standard size or layout for workstations. Many businesses select two or three layouts and sizes as typical workstations based on their average employee needs. Workstations are often eight feet by eight feet. The work surfaces can be confi gured in an L- or U-shape. Support Staff Offi ces Staff support offi ces are for those who assist in meeting business needs as a company defi nes them. Support staff members often produce reports, retrieve data, connect employees to others, and handle duplication production. Acoustical privacy is not always a require- ment but is preferable to enhance employee focus and concentration on work tasks. Furnishings for a support staff member include a desk or work surface, desk chair, and storage. Electrical, phone, and data hook- ups are also a requirement. Additional Areas Depending on the size of an organization and its values and goals, the designer may incorporate other areas into an offi ce design that support business functions and employee health and well-being. These include Haworth, Inc. Figure 14-28 Because private offi ces require customization, it is important for the designer to consult with the professional who uses the offi ce regarding confi guration of furnishings.