Selecting Furnishings: Selecting Furnishings: Off-the shelf v. custom furnitureOff-the shelf v. custom furnitureGeorge H. Pike

Director, Barco Law Library and

Assistant Professor of Law

University of Pittsburgh School of Law

March 24, 2006

The Barco Law Library: Summer 2004The Barco Law Library: Summer 2004

Summary of the projectSummary of the project

• Renovation of two of three floors (3rd floor to be done summer 2006)

• “Filling in the hole”, structural renovation

• Patron services center renovation

• New lighting, ceiling, floor & wall decor

• New furniture, casework, paneling

The selection process: The selection process:

• Off-the-rack or custom furniture & casework– Each presents strengths/weaknesses– Cost– Design

• Coordination of furniture and casework?

– Features• Surfaces, light, power, data, storage, etc.

– Quality, durability, aesthetics, warrantees

The selection process: The selection process: Identifying possibilitiesIdentifying possibilities

• Research

• ALA Conference exhibit hall

• Architects

• Colleagues

ExamplesExamples• Library Bureau

• Demco

• Agati

• Moser

• Fetzer

• Architectural Woodwork Institute

• Local office furniture supplier

Best (and most important) part of Best (and most important) part of the selection process: Road the selection process: Road Trips!Trips!

• Visiting installations

• Visiting vendors

• Visiting manufacturing plants

Custom furniture designCustom furniture design

• Who designs, architect or vendor or both

• Who will own the designs

• Multiple cooks: designer, vendor, manufacturer, general contractor, installer

The purchase processThe purchase process

• Is furniture part of the larger renovation process?

• Will your purchasing procedures limit choice of vendors?

• Sole source justification

Ordering, Delivery, InstallationOrdering, Delivery, Installation

• Timing and lead-time

• Coordinating with construction timetable

• Who is responsible for the installation?

Follow-upFollow-up

• Change orders/what we forgot

• Punch list

• Warrantee issues

• Maintenance

• Repair/Replacement/Upgrade

Showing offShowing off

Carrel inspirationCarrel inspiration

Agati Library ChairsAgati Library Chairs

• Sample

Table inspirationTable inspiration

Lessons learnedLessons learned

• See your furniture in action

• Retain ownership/access of designs

• Coordinating design of all wood features is critical part of aesthetic

• Think long term: features, quality, maintenance

Questions?Questions?