Integrated prefabricated furniture system for fitting-out open plan building space

An integrated prefabricated furniture is provided for finishing or fitting-out open plan building spaces, such as for offices, classrooms, hotels/motels, conference centers, medical treatment facilities, etc. A demountable architectural wall system covers the fixed walls of the building room, a portable partition wall system defines the interior space into individual work settings, and a demountable movable wall system forms custom width partitions. The three wall systems are completely compatible and fully integrated in both function and appearance, and provide similar utility raceways at common heights, as well as interchangeable cover panels. A modular column cover system selectively covers the support columns in the building room, and provides vertical utility routing and storage that integrates with the raceways in the wall systems. Pre-assembled facades, the freestanding storage case system, a space frame system, a prefabricated low raised floor construction, a modular overhead link head system, and accessories are disclosed and are designed and are designed to be used anywhere throughout the furniture system, and to serve to personalize the various individual work settings to accommodate specific users and tasks. Advantageously, the furniture system is readily reconfigurable.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
The present application is related to the following, commonly assigned, 
co-pending U.S. patent applications which are hereby incorporated by 
reference. 
______________________________________ 
TITLE SER. NO. FILING DATE 
______________________________________ 
Furniture Systems 
07/774,563 
10-8-91 
Dynamic Workspace Module 
07/819,396 
1-10-92 
Workspace Module 08/145,073 
10-29-93 
Utility Floor Construction 
08/063,500 
5-18-93 
Utility Distribution System 
08/063,463 
5-18-93 
Portable Partition System 
08/367,802 
12-30-94 
______________________________________ 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to the finishing or fitting-out of building 
space and the like of the type having a generally open plan interior, and 
in particular to an integrated prefabricated furniture system therefor. 
The finishing or fitting-out of building spaces for offices, medical 
treatment facilities, and other areas where work is conducted similar 
uses! has become a very important aspect of effective space planning and 
layout. Work patterns, technology, and business organizations are 
constantly evolving and changing. The building space users require 
products which facilitate change at lower cost. Space planning is no 
longer a static problem. Changing technology and changing work processes 
demand that a design and installation be able to support and anticipate 
change. 
These space planning challenges are driven largely by the fact that modern 
offices! officing spaces are becoming increasingly more complicated and 
sophisticated due to the increasing needs of the users for improved 
utilities support at each workstation or work setting. These "utilities," 
as the term is used herein, encompass all types of resources that may be 
used to support or service a worker, such as communications and data used 
with computers and other types of data processors, telecommunications, 
electronic displays, etc., electrical power, conditioned water, and 
physical accommodations, such as lighting, HVAC, sprinklers, sinage, 
security, sound masking, and the like. For example, modern offices for 
highly skilled "knowledge workers" such as engineers, accountants, stock 
brokers, computer programmers, etc., are typically provided with multiple 
pieces of very specialized computer and communications equipment that are 
capable of processing information from numerous local and remote data 
resources to assist in solving complex problems. Such equipment has very 
stringent power and signal requirements, and must quickly and efficiently 
interface with related equipment at both adjacent and remote locations. 
Work areas with readily controllable lighting, HVAC, sound masking, and 
other physical support systems, are also highly desirable to maximize 
worker creativity and productivity. Many other types of high technology 
equipment and facilities are also presently being developed which will 
need to be accommodated in the work places of the future. 
The efficient use of building floor space is also an ever-growing concern, 
particularly as building costs continue to escalate. Open office plans 
have been developed to reduce overall office costs, and generally 
incorporate large, open floor spaces in buildings that are equipped with 
modular furniture systems, which are readily reconfigurable to accommodate 
the ever-changing needs of a specific user, as well as the divergent 
requirements of different tenants. One arrangement commonly used for 
furniture open plans includes movable partial height partition panels that 
are detachably interconnected to partition off the open spaces into 
individual work settings and/or offices. Such partition panels are 
configured to receive hang-on furniture units, such as worksurfaces, 
overhead cabinets, shelves, etc., and are generally known in the office 
furniture industry as "systems furniture." Another arrangement for 
dividing and/or partitioning open plans involves the use of modular 
furniture, in which a plurality of differently shaped, complementary 
freestanding furniture units are positioned in a side-by-side 
relationship, with upstanding privacy screens available to attach to 
selected furniture units to create individual, distinct work settings 
and/or offices. All of these types of modular furniture systems have been 
widely received due largely to their ability to be readily reconfigured 
and/or moved to a new site, since they are not part of a permanent 
leasehold improvement. 
In order to gain increased efficiency in the use of expensive office real 
estate, attempts are now being made to try to support highly paid 
knowledge workers with these types of modular furniture systems in open 
office settings, instead of conventional private offices. However, in 
order to insure peak efficiency of such knowledge workers, the work 
settings must be equipped with the various state-of-the-art utilities and 
facilities discussed above. Since such work settings must be readily 
reconfigurable to effectively meet the ever-changing needs of the user, 
the distribution and control of utilities throughout a comprehensive open 
office plan has emerged as a major challenge to the office furniture 
industry. The inherent nature of modular furniture systems, which permits 
them to be readily reconfigurable into different arrangements, makes it 
very difficult to achieve adequate utility distribution and control. 
Today's office workers need new flexible alternative products for the 
creation of individual and collaborative spaces which allow the expression 
of the cultural aims of the organization, express the creativity of the 
designer, provide a "sense of place" for the user, and provide a 
competitive edge for the developer. These needs include a full range of 
privacy options, from fully enclosed offices which support individual 
creative work to open spaces for collaborative team work. The products 
must also be able to accommodate diverse organizations, unique design 
signatures, and constantly changing work processes. Workers also need 
effective lighting, better air quality, life safety, and ergonomic task 
support to promote productivity, minimize the expenses of absenteeism and 
workman's compensation, and reduce potential liability, which collectively 
make the building more desirable to prospective clients. 
Hence, utility distribution and control are fast becoming one of the major 
issues in office fit-out and furniture. Changing technology is creating 
greater demands on power and signal distribution networks. As businesses 
become more aware of the impact of proper ventilation and climate control 
on employee health and performance, HVAC is becoming more important as 
well. The current disposition of HVAC, lighting, and fire protection in 
the ceiling creates a separation between these services and the work 
settings below leading to inefficient and inaccurate systems. Routing 
power and signal distribution below the floor or in furniture systems 
often ends up in complex, idiosyncratic systems which are difficult to 
manage or change. 
There is presently an oversupply of office space and furniture systems 
which do not properly respond to or support change. Many older buildings 
do not have adequate utility capabilities, and the cost of conventional 
renovations or improvements often renders the same impractical. Even 
relatively new buildings can be quickly rendered obsolete by the fast 
paced changes in modern technology. The refurbishing of existing building 
space is therefore a concern which must be addressed by furniture systems. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
One aspect of the present invention is to provide an integrated 
prefabricated furniture system for fitting-out building space of the type 
having a generally open plan interior defined by fixed walls. A 
demountable architectural wall system covers the fixed walls of the 
associated building room, and includes a plurality of horizontally 
extending mounting channels which are attached to the fixed walls along 
upper and lower portions thereof. A plurality of horizontally extending 
belt zone utility troughs are attached to the fixed walls vertically 
inbetween the upper and lower portions thereof, adjacent to a 
predetermined worksurface height. A plurality of cover panels at least 
some of which are full width and have a horizontally elongated front 
elevational shape, are detachably attached to the mounting channels and 
the utility troughs to cover the fixed walls. A portable partition wall 
system spatially divides the interior of the room into individual 
workstations or work settings, and includes a plurality of freestanding 
panels detachably interconnected side-by-side. The panels have internal 
frames, at least some of which carry a horizontally extending utility 
raceway positioned adjacent worksurface height, and a plurality of cover 
panels, each of which has a horizontally elongated front elevational 
shape, and is detachably mounted on opposite sides of the frames to 
enclose the same. The belt zone utility troughs on the demountable 
architectural wall system, and the utility raceways on the portable 
partition zone wall system have a substantially equal width and are 
positioned at a common height to present a uniform horizontal appearance 
datum throughout the building room, and permit the continuous routing of 
utilities therethrough. 
Preferably, the cover panels on the demountable architectural wall system 
and the portable partition wall panel system are substantially identical 
in size and shape to further reinforce the horizontal datum throughout the 
building room, and permit the same to be interchanged. A demountable 
movable wall system provides custom width partitions compatible with the 
demountable architectural wall system and the portable partition wall 
system. A modular column cover system is provided to selectively enclose 
support columns in the building room. Pre-assembled facades cooperate with 
the demountable architectural wall system, the portable partition wall 
system, as well as new or existing GWB walls, to form glass walls and 
entryways for the work settings. Pre-assembled freestanding storage cases 
compatible with the demountable architectural wall system and the portable 
partition wall system define storage for documents and the like and 
provide space partitioning. A space frame system is particularly adapted 
to support group work activities in the building interior, and includes 
utility raceways that cooperate with the raceways in the wall systems. A 
prefabricated low raised floor construction includes raceways which also 
cooperate with the raceways in the wall systems and space frame. A modular 
overhead link head system is supported from the building structure, and 
routes utilities therethrough to minimize fixed building wiring, plumbing, 
lighting, etc. A plurality of furniture accessories are provided to 
support the workers, and include connectors for interchangeably hanging 
the same from the demountable architectural wall system, the portable 
partition system, the demountable movable wall system, and the space frame 
system. 
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an integrated 
prefabricated furniture system for fitting-out a building room of the type 
having a generally open plan interior with an associated floor surface. A 
portable partition wall system spatially divides at least a portion of the 
open plan interior of the building room into a plurality of individual 
workstations or work settings, and includes a plurality of freestanding 
panels detachably interconnected side-by-side in a predetermined plan 
configuration. The panels have internal frames, at least some of which 
carry horizontally extending utility raceways positioned along an upper 
portion thereof. Cover panels having a horizontally elongated front 
elevational shape are detachably mounted on opposite sides of the frames 
to enclose the same. A space frame system supports group work activities 
in an open portion of the interior of the building room, and includes an 
overhead framework comprising a plurality of frame segments interconnected 
in an end-to-end fashion to form a rigid structure configured to be 
positioned above the floor surface. A plurality of support columns are 
connected with the overhead framework and support the same freestanding 
within the building room at a predetermined elevation above average user 
height. A plurality of individual panels are constructed to permit easy, 
manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user, and include 
connectors that detachably mount the same on the overhead frame at various 
locations therealong in a manner in which the panels hang downwardly from 
the overhead support in a generally vertical orientation. The panels are 
readily and easily manually removable therefrom and reconfigurable thereon 
by the user. Utility raceways extend along the frame segments of the 
overhead framework, and communicate with the utility raceways on the 
portable partition wall panels to provide utilities throughout the 
furniture system. 
Yet another aspect of the present invention is an integrated prefabricated 
furniture system for fitting-out a building room of the type having a 
generally open plan interior. A portable partition wall system spatially 
divides the open plan interior of the building room into a plurality of 
individual workstations or work settings, and includes a plurality of 
freestanding panels detachably interconnected side-by-side in a 
predetermined plan configuration. The panels have an internal frames, at 
least some of which contain horizontally extending utility raceways 
adjacent a predetermined worksurface height. A plurality of cover panels, 
having a horizontally elongated front elevational shape, are detachably 
mounted to opposite sides of the frames to enclose the same. A demountable 
movable wall system forms custom width partitions compatible with the 
portable partition wall system, and comprises a plurality of vertical 
studs positioned in a side-by-side relationship. A plurality of beltway 
channels are provided in different lengths to facilitate custom 
fabricating the partitions in different widths. The beltway channels are 
attached to the studs adjacent worksurface height to rigidly interconnect 
the same in a mutually parallel relationship, and permit the continuous 
routing of utilities therethrough with the utility raceways on the 
portable partition zone wall system. A plurality of cover panel detachably 
mount to the opposite sides of the studs to enclose the same. 
The principal objects of the present invention are to provide a furniture 
system for finishing or fitting-out open plan building spaces that is 
completely prefabricated and fully integrated. A demountable architectural 
wall system covers the fixed walls of the building room, a portable 
partition wall system divides the interior space into individual and group 
work settings, and a demountable movable wall system forms custom width 
partitions. The three wall systems are completely compatible and fully 
integrated in both function and appearance, and provide similar utility 
raceways at common heights, as well as interchangeable cover panels. A 
modular cover column system selectively covers support columns in the 
building room, and provides vertical utility routing and storage that 
integrates with the raceways in the wall systems. Pre-assembled facades 
cooperate with the wall systems to create finished entryways for the work 
settings. A freestanding storage case system matches the wall systems for 
complete integration with the same, and serves as a space partition. A 
space frame system is particularly beneficial in supporting group work 
activities, and includes raceways which communicate with the wall system 
raceways to effectively and efficiently distribute utilities throughout 
the building room. A prefabricated low raised floor construction conforms 
with the various furniture elements to provide support for work settings 
where the walls are inappropriate and which require maximum facility 
capabilities. A modular overhead link head system is supported from the 
building ceiling, and routes utilities therethrough to minimize fixed 
building wiring, plumbing, lighting, etc. Furniture accessories, such as 
hang-on binder bins, shelves, paper managers, ambient and task lighting, 
displays, and the like are designed to be used anywhere throughout the 
furniture system. The furniture system is readily reconfigurable to meet 
the ever-changing needs of the user, and minimize permanent leasehold 
improvements. 
The furniture system provides alternatives to the architectural built wall, 
and also provides better performance and a higher level of finish. Because 
it is a factory made product, the furniture system can provide a more 
precise, finer level of detailing and greater utility access, performance 
and flexibility at a lower cost than field built systems. The furniture 
system is also better adapted to accommodate more mature workers, who have 
greater need for privacy and utility distribution as well as higher 
expectations and more sophisticated tastes. The furniture system better 
supports facilities planning by introducing a logic and an order that is 
self-evidently rational from the user point of view, and supports, rather 
than contradicts, the distribution of services to make facility management 
and planning easier. The furniture system enables developers and 
businesses to facilitate change and create lower cost environments to 
support new work processes in all building types, even those that are 
outdated and/or underutilized. The furniture system allows user control 
over environment, so as to create healthier work areas, which reduces 
stress and absenteeism. The furniture system provides improved utility 
distribution at lower first-time costs, as well as greater flexibility in 
utilities with lower life cycle costs. The furniture system is designed to 
interface with all types of existing buildings and building systems, and 
is nearly completely reusable, as well as environmentally responsible. The 
furniture system provides a new range of design options through the 
introduction of horizontal datum, and a wide variety of detailing options. 
The furniture system also allows a full range of levels of privacy from 
open group workspaces to fully enclose, acoustically private offices. The 
furniture system is efficient to use, economical to manufacture, capable 
of a long operating life, and particularly well adapted for the proposed 
use. 
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and 
appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following 
written specification, claims, and appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
For purposes of description herein the terms "upper," "lower," "right," 
"left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof 
shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be 
understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations 
and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It 
is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes 
illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following 
specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts 
defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other 
physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are 
not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state 
otherwise. 
The reference numeral 1 (FIG. 1) generally designates an integrated 
prefabricated furniture system embodying the present invention. Furniture 
system 1 is particularly adapted for finishing or fitting-out building 
space, rooms, etc. 2 of the type having a generally open plan interior 
defined by fixed interior and exterior walls 3. Such building spaces 2 are 
typically designed for use as offices, facilities for education/training, 
hotels/motels, conference centers, medical treatment, and other similar 
purposes. A demountable architectural wall system 4 (Plus wall) covers the 
fixed walls 3 of building room 2, a portable partition wall system 5 (Zone 
wall) divides the interior space of the building room into individual 
workstations or work settings 6, and a demountable movable wall system 7 
(Link wall) forms custom width partitions. The three wall systems 4, 5, 
and 7, which are shown individually in FIGS. 6, 2, and 7, respectively, 
are completely compatible and fully integrated in both function and 
appearance. A modular column cover system 8 selectively covers support 
columns 9 in building room 2, and provides vertical utility routing and 
storage that integrates with wall systems 4, 5, and 7. A pre-assembled 
facade system 10 cooperates with wall systems 4, 5, and 7 to create 
finished entryways for work settings 6. A freestanding case storage system 
11 matches wall systems 4, 5, and 7 for complete integration with the 
same. A space frame system 12 is particularly beneficial in supporting 
group activities, and the like, and includes utility raceways which 
communicate with wall systems 4, 5, and 7 to effectively and efficiently 
distribute utilities throughout building room 2. A prefabricated low 
raised floor system 13 is supported directly on the floor of building room 
2, and conforms with the various furniture elements to provide support for 
those work settings 6 requiring maximum utility capabilities. A modular 
overhead link head system 14 is supported from the building ceiling, and 
routes utilities therethrough to minimize fixed building wiring, plumbing, 
lighting, etc. Furniture accessories, such as hang-on binder bins 16, 
shelves 17, paper managers 18, task lighting 19, displays 20, etc. are 
designed to be used anywhere throughout furniture system 1. Furniture 
system 1 is readily reconfigurable to meet the ever-changing needs of the 
user, and minimize permanent leasehold improvements. 
The illustrated building room 2 (FIG. 11) is exemplary of typical new open 
office space, wherein fixed or demising walls 3 include windows 25, and 
entryway 26, as well as a floor surface 27. In the case of new 
construction, building room 2 is preferably a shell, left substantially 
unfinished, without any coverings on the interior of walls 3 or on floor 
27, and without utilities, such as wiring, lighting, plumbing, HVAC, fire 
sprinklers, etc. being installed therein. In existing building structures, 
the current coverings can either be augmented, replaced or covered over by 
furniture system 1. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, 
furniture system 1 is particularly adapted to be used wherever work is 
conducted, including offices, residences, airports, etc. 
The illustrated raised floor system 12 (FIGS. 9 and 12) has a prefabricated 
construction, and is abuttingly supported directly on the floor surface 7 
of building room 2. Although floor system 2 contemplates a wide variety of 
different constructions, preferably it has a thin-raised construction with 
a relatively low profile to facilitate easy ingress and egress from floor 
surface 27 of building room 2. Examples of suitable floor systems 12 are 
provided in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent applications Ser. 
No. 08/063,500, filed May 18, 1993, entitled UTILITY FLOOR CONSTRUCTION, 
as well as Ser. No. 08/063,463, filed May 18, 1993, entitled UTILITY 
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, which have been incorporated herein by reference 
therein. Regardless of the specific construction of low raised floor 
system 13, it has a hollow interior with optional raceways 30 and 31 (FIG. 
12) therethrough in which utilities are routed to their desired locations. 
In the illustrated example, floor raceways 30 and 31 isolate power wires 
from data and signal cables to alleviate interference therebetween. A ramp 
area 32 of floor system 13 facilitates ingress and egress between floor 
system 13 and the floor surface 27 of building room 2, while rails 33 and 
partitions 34 are provided about the open peripheral edges of floor system 
12. 
The illustrated column cover system 8 (FIG. 13) is designed to selectively 
enclose the building support columns 9, as in column cover unit 38, or 
form freestanding utility cabinets, as in column cover unit 39. Both 
column cover units 38 and 39 have a substantially identical construction, 
wherein each includes an internal framework 40 on which removable cover 
panels 41-43 are mounted to enclose the same. Column cover units 38 and 39 
have a top plan shape and configuration which is substantially larger than 
that of the associated building columns 9, so as to provide space between 
the same in which vertical corner raceways 44 and 45 are formed. The space 
between column cover unit 38 and an associated building column 9 also 
permits adjusting the distance between fixed building structures to 
accommodate regular wall panel widths, as described in greater detail 
below. The column cover units 38 and 39 may also be equipped with 
horizontal raceways 43 disposed immediately behind one or more of the 
narrow cover panels 43. In the cabinet style cover unit 39, one or more of 
the larger cover panels 41 and 43 may be hingedly mounted on the 
associated internal framework 40 to provide easy access to the interior of 
the same. Cabinet style column cover unit 39 may be used to store 
electronic equipment, such as telephone switches, and the like. As shown 
in FIG. 10, cover panels 42-43 can be provided in a variety of different 
styles and shapes to coordinate or match with the decor of furniture 
system 1. 
The illustrated prefabricated wall system 4 (FIG. 14), which is also 
referred to herein as the Plus wall system, is a demountable architectural 
wall system that is particularly designed for covering the fixed walls 3 
of building room 2. Plus wall system 4 includes a plurality of 
horizontally extending mounting channels 48 which are attached to the 
fixed walls 3 of building room 2 along upper and lower portions thereof. A 
plurality of horizontally extending belt zone utility troughs 49 are also 
provided for attachment to the building room fixed walls 3 at a position 
vertically between the upper and lower portions thereof, adjacent to 
standard worksurface height. A plurality of cover panels 50-51 are 
provided, at least some of which are full width, and have a horizontally 
elongated front elevational shape. Cover panels 50-51 are detachably 
mounted on the mounting channels 48 and utility troughs 49 to thereby 
cover the fixed walls 3. Preferably, mounting channels 48 include a hanger 
channel on which at least some of the furniture accessories may be 
supported, including hanging panels, ambient and task lighting, as well as 
hang-on storage with the use of additive support rails (not shown). The 
illustrated Plus wall system has both full and partial height segments. In 
general, Plus wall system 4 is a system of additive architectural wall 
elements for adding utility and upgrading finish to existing walls. Half 
columns (not shown) may also be provided for vertical utility distribution 
along the wall surface. 
The illustrated prefabricated wall system 7 (FIG. 15), which is also 
referred to herein as the Link wall system, is a demountable movable wall 
system for forming custom width partitions that are compatible with the 
Plus wall system 4 and the Zone wall system 5. Link wall system 7 includes 
a plurality of vertical studs 55, adapted to be positioned in a 
side-by-side relationship. A plurality of horizontal channels 56 are 
provided in different lengths to facilitate custom fabricating the 
partitions 54 in different widths. Each beltway channel 56 is shaped to be 
attached to the studs 55 adjacent standard worksurface height to rigidly 
interconnect the same in a mutually parallel relationship, and permit the 
continuous routing of utilities therethrough, along with the belt zone 
utility troughs 49 on Plus wall system 4, as well as Zone wall system 5. A 
plurality of cover panels 57 and 58 are detachably mounted on the opposite 
sides of studs 55 to enclose the same. In the example shown in FIG. 15, 
the Link wall system 7 has base raceways 60 along the bottom edges of 
partitions 54, expressway raceways 61 along the top edges of partitions 
54, and transoms 62 mounted on top of expressway raceways 61, which extend 
to the ceiling. 
The illustrated storage wall system 11 (FIG. 16) includes a plurality of 
modular cases including file cabinets 63 and storage cabinets 64, which 
are designed to be arranged horizontally in a side-by-side relationship, 
to create both partial and full partition walls. The front faces of 
cabinet 63 and 64 can be oriented in either direction, so as to provide 
access from the desired area of building room 2. In the example 
illustrated in FIG. 16, file cabinets 63 and storage cabinets 64 are 
stacked! above eye level height, and are positioned on opposite sides of 
the cabinet style column cover 39 to create a wall which defines one of 
the work settings 6 on one side and an aisle 65 on the opposite side. The 
illustrated storage wall system 11 has a powered base 66 and a full 
expressway raceway 67. Utilities may also be distributed vertically within 
storage wall system 11. 
The illustrated prefabricated wall system 5 (FIG. 17), which is also 
referred to herein as the Zone wall system, is a portable partition system 
that spatially defines the open plan interior of the building room 2 into 
individual and group work settings 6. Zone wall system 5, which is 
disclosed in greater detail in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent 
application Ser. No. 08/367,802, filed Dec. 30, 1994, entitled PORTABLE 
TITION SYSTEM (PATHWAYS-ZONE WALL), which has been incorporated herein, 
generally includes a plurality of freestanding panels 68 interconnected 
side-by-side in a predetermined plan configuration. Each Zone wall panel 
68 has an internal frame 69, at least some of which includes a 
horizontally extending utility raceway 70 positioned adjacent worksurface 
height. A plurality of cover panels 71-72 are provided, each having a 
horizontally elongated front elevational shape, and being detachably 
mounted on opposite sides of the frame 69 to enclose the same. In the 
illustrated examples, Zone wall panels 68 also include base raceways 74 
extending along the bottom edges of the panels, and expressway raceways 61 
extending along the top edges of the panels, as well as glass transoms 76 
and full transoms 62. The full transoms 62 may have hollow interiors 
through which wires, cables and other utilities can be routed. Vertical 
drops are provided within the interior of panels 68 to provide power and 
signal anywhere between base raceway 70 and expressway raceway 61. In 
general, Zone wall system 5 is a stacking system which begins with a base 
which provides a low height see-over sitting panel. Stackers are available 
to provide no see-over sitting, no see-over standing, and above door 
height configurations. Panels 68 can be provided in different widths to 
carry additional utilities. 
The illustrated space frame system 12 (FIG. 18) is particularly designed to 
support group work activities in an open portion of the open plan interior 
of associated building room 2. Space frame system 12 is disclosed in 
greater detail in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S. patent application 
Ser. No. 774,563, filed Oct. 8, 1991, entitled FURNITURE SYSTEM 
("COMMONS"), and in the illustrated example includes an overhead framework 
82, comprising a plurality of frame segments 83 interconnected in an 
end-to-end fashion to form a rigid structure configured to be positioned 
above the floor surface 27. Space frame system 12 also includes a 
plurality of overhead support columns 84, each having an upper portion 
thereof connected with overhead framework 82, and a lower portion thereof 
shaped to abut the prefabricated floor system 13. It is to be understood 
that space frame system 12 can also be supported directly on the floor 
surface 27 of building room 2. In any event, columns 84 support framework 
82 in a freestanding fashion within building room 2 at a predetermined 
elevation above average user height. Space frame system 12 also includes a 
plurality of individual panels 85 which have a lightweight construction to 
permit easy, manual, bodily translation of the same by an adult user. The 
panels 85 include connectors 86 that detachably mount the same on overhead 
framework 82 at various locations therealong in a manner in which panels 
85 hang downwardly from overhead support 82 in a generally vertical 
orientation, and are readily and easily manually removable therefrom and 
reconfigurable thereon by the user. Panels 85 may include sound 
attenuation to facilitate partitioning, as well as special exterior 
surfaces for displays. The horizontal frame segments 83 of framework 82, 
as well as support columns 84 include utility raceways 87 and 88 
associated therewith to facilitate providing utilities to the associated 
work area. In one example of the present invention, frame segments 83 and 
support columns 84 have substantially hollow constructions, forming 
raceways 87 and 88 therein, which are divided to physically separate power 
and cable wires. In the example illustrated in FIG. 18, space frame system 
12 is positioned directly on top of prefabricated floor system 13, and a 
Zone wall panel 68 extends from the outside pair of support columns 84. 
The illustrated furniture accessories (FIG. 19) are designed to be used 
anywhere throughout furniture system 1, and are adapted to personalize the 
individual work settings 6, as well as to provide support for the common 
work areas, such as at space frame system 12. In the example illustrated 
in FIG. 19, the furniture accessories include binder bins 16, shelves 17, 
paper managers 18, task lighting 19, displays 20, and display hooks 21. 
The furniture accessories 16-21 can be hung from Plus wall system 4, Zone 
wall system 5, Link wall system 7, and/or column system 8. The panels 85 
associated with space frame system 12 can also be hung not only from 
framework 82, but also from the mounting channels 48 associated with Plus 
wall system 4, as well as top edges of Link wall system 7 and Zone wall 
system 5. In this manner, information can be prepared on panels 85 at a 
convenient location, and then transferred between the various work 
settings 6 and/or common work area associated with space frame system 12. 
The illustrated facade system 10 (FIG. 20) includes a plurality of 
pre-assembled facade units 92-95 (FIG. 3), each of which includes an 
entryway, and is adapted for connection with wall systems 4, 5, and 7 to 
completely enclose a given work setting 6. Facade units 93-95 are all 
straight facades, and are provided in different widths and configurations 
to accommodate different interior layouts. Facade unit 96 (FIG. 20) is 
curved, and includes an arcuate sliding door. In the example illustrated 
in FIG. 20, facade units 94-96 have a glass transom 76, and full transoms 
62 and 97. 
The illustrated link head system 14 (FIG. 21) is designed for overhead 
routing of utilities throughout building room 2, and comprises plurality 
of like link head segments 100, each of which is supported from the 
structure or ceiling of building room 2, and is mutually interconnected 
end-to-end to define a continuous housing in which utilities are carried. 
In the examples illustrated in FIG. 8 and 21, two pairs of link heads 101 
are arranged on opposite sides of each link head segment 100 to form two 
sets of vertically stacked raceways 102 and 103. Each of the link head 
segments 100 is mounted on an open framework 104, which is in turn 
suspended from the building structure by adjustable straps or struts. 
Modular cover panels 105 are mounted on the lower side of framework 104, 
and extend continuously between the opposite link heads 101, so as to form 
a U-shaped enclosure through which utility conduits, such as HVAC ducts, 
sprinkler pipes, power lines, communication lines, etc. can be routed 
through building room 2. The link heads 101 may include a flat vertically 
extending common rear wall with a plurality of horizontal flanges 
extending outwardly therefrom to form the vertically stacked columns of 
mutually isolated raceways 102 and 103. An accessory hanger channel 
preferably extends along the lower edge of each link head 101, and is 
adapted to support a plurality of office accessories thereon, such as 
lights, motion sensors, etc. Preferably, each of the raceways 102 and 103 
is dedicated to a specific type of utility, so that they can be physically 
separated from one another, and thereby alleviate interference. 
The various elements of furniture system 1 are completely compatible and 
fully integrated in their dimensions, finishes, connections, and utility 
distribution interface to create a coordinated finished building room 2. 
For example, the cover panels on Plus wall system 4, Zone wall system 5, 
and Link wall system 7 may be substantially identical in size and shape to 
permit the same to be interchanged. As previously noted, these cover 
panels preferably have a horizontally elongated front elevational shape, 
which creates a uniform horizontal appearance datum throughout the 
building room 2. The cover panels are available in common and/or 
coordinated coverings or finishes. Also, the various raceways associated 
with wall systems 4, 5, and 7, as well as column cover system 8, facade 
system 10, and space frame system 12 are preferably provided at common 
heights, so that they communicate when the units are positioned 
side-by-side to permit the continuous routing of utilities therethrough. 
The vertical raceways 44 and 45 in column cover system 8 and 87 and 88 in 
space frame system 12 are designed to communicate with the horizontal 
raceways in the remaining elements of the furniture system 1, and 
particularly assist in transmitting utilities between prefabricated floor 
system 13 and link head system 14. 
FIG. 22 illustrates another arrangement of furniture system 1, wherein the 
space frame system 12 extends between two sets of workstations 6. The two 
sets of workstations 6 both include expressway raceways 61 extending along 
the top edges of the partitioning members, and are located at a height 
common with the frame segments 83 of space frame framework 82 and the 
associated raceways 87. Consequently, the space frame framework 82 
provides a canopy effect for the common area disposed between the two sets 
of workstations 6, and also forms conduit to route utilities, support 
accessories and accept infill between the two sets of workstations 6. 
FIG. 23 illustrates yet another arrangement of furniture system 1, wherein 
the space frame system 12 forms an overhead link for of each the 
workstations 6. Utilities can be routed through the raceways 87 in the 
frame segments 83 of space frame system 12 to provide suitable utilities 
to the various workstations 6. 
Furniture system 1 is an integrated and comprehensive system of space 
definition and utility distribution products. It spans in function from 
present modular panel systems to current GWB walls, and surpasses both in 
terms of utility distribution, level of finish, flexibility, and 
integration. Furniture system 1 can provide a complete fit-out from the 
base building shell to the end user--including utilities, finishes, and 
controls. Furniture system 1 also works within existing or more 
traditional new construction to provide the level of performance and 
enclosure required by specific buildings, organizations, and users. 
Furniture system 1 provides a full range of enclosure and privacy options 
from screens that wrap around desks, to partial height walls, to 
completely enclosed private spaces, and completely open post and beam 
frameworks for collaborative work. It fills all the functions 
traditionally provided by panels and GWB, while offering more flexibility, 
more accessories, and greater utility access. Furniture system 1 is based 
on a horizontal division of walls into zones which allow performance 
criteria to be added where they will be used with the greatest comfort and 
efficiency. Utilities are easily accessible, finishes can be varied at 
different heights (for example: tackboard or white board in upper levels, 
more durable finishes below . . . ) The horizontal aesthetic also recalls 
a traditional architectural vocabulary of wainscots, chair rails, and 
moldings that relates to the proportions of the human body. In furniture 
system 1, utilities are distributed in three horizontal zones--the kickway 
at the base, the beltway just above worksurface height and the expressway 
located just above door height. These provide a variety of utility 
strategies depending on the height of the installation and the utility 
requirements. For additional loads, there are optional, add on utility 
troughs which can be mounted on partial height walls. For areas with low 
reconfiguration considerations, the interior of the wall can be accessed 
by removing the skins to provide large amounts of wiring capacity. The 
transoms can also carry large amounts of wires and some HVAC--and are 
ideally located for long distance distribution. Furniture system 1 is 
designed to maximize flexibility--providing access to wires for easy 
rewiring, the skins are removable and interchangeable, accessories can be 
used across all the product lines, the stacking frame can be reconfigured 
with a minimum of wastage. The various cover panels can be removed and 
replaced in the field giving added access the interior wall for 
connections and allowing refurbishment of the system without any effect on 
the frames or utilities. The Linkhead system 14 provides access to 
building utilities to allow clean changes and minimize downtime. This 
flexibility is important to respond to the increasing frequency of change 
in the workplace. 
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those 
skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without 
departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be 
considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by 
their language expressly state otherwise.