there’s something strange about the relationship between technology and the built environment: although they cost about the same, one lives much shorter life than the other. so while we’re always busy working to buy new technology, we seldom make changes to our furniture and buildings. when herman miller launched in ‘red’ line in november 2000, it was a courageous move into the internet market: cheap, easily assembled furniture sold exclusively through the web. among the innovations were small fabric dividers for that ‘open’ office feel, mobile file cabinets and platform desks with an adjustable pedestal for the once-massive CRT monitors. like the internet bubble, the furniture line collapsed and was discontinued in march of 2002. walking around the medialab i noticed a now-vintage desk from that line sitting in the hall with a new function: flat-screen TV kiosk. the monitor pedestal now sits forward, encouraging passersby to interact, and the old work surface supports a then-unimaginable large flat screen monitor. it’s encouraging that such an outdated – and seemingly obsolete – design could live for another (tiny) function before it delaminates into oblivion.
