Loomio
Fri 21 Jun 2019 1:17PM

First-Floor Large Furniture (Desk + 2-Seater)

PPG Patrick Paul Garlinger Public Seen by 18

We need to decide as a group what we'd like to do with the large two-seater furniture unit and the standing desk (currently in the cafe space).

RZ

Rosalind Zavras Fri 21 Jun 2019 2:13PM

Is it possible for these items to go upstairs at all? Is it a matter of cost or something else?

A

Amelia Fri 21 Jun 2019 3:30PM

Roz, to my understanding it is largely d/t the weight of the item...Also, I'm curious how the people in the collaboratory feel about it being moved up there? Thoughts?

PPG

Patrick Paul Garlinger Fri 21 Jun 2019 4:40PM

Yes, I understand the weight and their size to be issues, and they appear to be rather complicated pieces to break down and reassemble. I'm open to various ideas, and want throw out a bunch: (1) we could dive in and do the work to take them apart and bring them upstairs. I wonder about locations in the collaboratory. The standing desk could replace one of the tables against a wall, but I'd want to see what the dimensions are like. The same with the two-seater, which seems like it would talk up a lot of space. (2) We could move them to some other part of the second floor (i.e., could one of them go in the hallway by the conference rooms?) or the third floor (is there any room on the third floor for, say, the standing desk?). (3) We could sell one or the other or both as a supplement to our current fiscal issues. I'm sort of spit-balling here to generate thoughts/ideas ...

SA

Saks Afridi Sat 22 Jun 2019 11:52AM

I like the idea of it going to the second floor too.

MJ

michelle jackson Thu 27 Jun 2019 12:20PM

Marcos brought up moving the sofa on the first floor in a Slack thread yesterday. Are we thinking that we should move this to the 2nd floor? There is very little space on the third floor for either piece. The pieces were donated to our space, so I wonder if a possible other option would be to donate the two pieces to say the Bronx Incubator that one of the Pre Pro Bono Fellows works at (only if they have an elevator to their space. I don't have all of the specifics around that but keeping with the idea of paying things forward. Selling the pieces could make sense from a financial perspective, but it doesn't feel like it keeps with the generosity of the donation. The donor wanted to make sure that it would go to an organization whose mission they supported - an organization that needed and would appreciate the office furniture.

MS

Marcos Salazar Thu 27 Jun 2019 1:06PM

Chiming in on Michelle's comment - as I mentioned in Slack, people LOVE the sofa and I think it is a great addition to the space (along with all the great furniture Michelle and David brought in). I do think it could stay where it currently is - on the left section of the event space - where it fits perfectly and it gets a lot of usage. The only thing is it will need to be moved for many events. We moved it into the entrance for the night and then moved it back after our event so this could be a solution - temporarily having it in the entrance for events but it be required that is is always moved back after an event. Saks and Qinza, how would you feel about this compromise / solution?

One thing to note - the rug in the entrance makes it harder to move because we can't simply push it and it needs to be lifted. If the rug was not there, it would be much easier. We may decided to keep the rug there because it is nice in this area but something to just note.

MJ

michelle jackson Fri 28 Jun 2019 12:59PM

The carpet is nice there. Wondering if there are other solves? Also wondering how often do we want to move the sofa around. If it’s a few times a week, that feels like a lot.

MJ

Poll Created Fri 28 Jun 2019 5:27PM

Re: sofa and standing desk, which option makes sense to you? Closed Tue 9 Jul 2019 2:02AM

A response to Patrick's discussion thread about 2 pieces on the first floor. I'm trying out Loomio's Poll option - Offering up three possible options. Please vote on one of three. There is also an option of offering up another option. Thanks everyone!

Results

Results Option % of points Voters
move 2 pieces to 2nd floor 37.5% 3 J MJ AG
keep couch on 1st floor and make it move easily with glides / keep table in storefront for a set time period and then decide 37.5% 3 D MS PPG
Keep 1 item, sell/donate another 25.0% 2 RZ A
keep them on 1st floor 0.0% 0  
give them away/sell them 0.0% 0  
Undecided 0% 4 D C DH Q

8 of 12 people have voted (66%)

D

David Fri 28 Jun 2019 6:17PM

keep couch on 1st floor and make it move easily with glides / keep table in storefront for a set time period and then decide

I added an option that I've discussed in part with @marcossalazar1 and others -- the couch is massively popular and well-used on the 1st floor, it just seems like the challenge is moving it as necessary. this can be solved easily by adding furniture glides to the feet, allowing it to be repositioned as needed. for the big desk, i think it would be good to try out having it live in the storefront for a bit, and then reassessing after a set period (say 3 months?) to see how it works for people

J

Jerone Mon 1 Jul 2019 1:43PM

move 2 pieces to 2nd floor

The acoustic sofa / phone booth makes a lot of sense on the 2nd floor since people need to take calls up there OR it could be used to create an acoustic barrier for small meetings. The standing desk would be a great hot desk zone on the 2nd floor, especially because folks like having a standing desk option up there from time to time that doesn't require moving crates.

AG

Anurag Gupta Mon 1 Jul 2019 2:49PM

move 2 pieces to 2nd floor

I would put them in the hallway and not the collaboratory as the collaborator is already quite crowded.

MJ

michelle jackson Mon 1 Jul 2019 3:45PM

move 2 pieces to 2nd floor

I think moving 2 pieces to 2nd floor makes sense. In order for the first floor to be the most flexible, having furniture that is light and easy to move around is super important. The standing desk in the cafe, makes it completely inflexible in terms of creating impromptu seating spaces or pop-up spaces. The idea of having to move it back and forth for events is something that I'm not keen on. I'd like to keep the carpet in the 1st floor gallery space. 1st floor- less is more.

A

Amelia Fri 5 Jul 2019 5:42PM

Keep 1 item, sell/donate another

Hey! The couch gets a lot of use currently, so I think we should hold onto that. I don't have a preference as to whether or not it stays on the first floor. I can volunteer my time to move it if need be. I think we should donate the desk and NOT keep it in the cafe. This is because we are currently searching for cafe partners and we potentially have another cafe in the works. Having lots of furniture taking up space their limits their creative liberty also, (finishing this in the loomio chat)

RZ

Rosalind Zavras Mon 8 Jul 2019 1:20AM

Keep 1 item, sell/donate another

I definitely vote for donating the standing desk, I love the sofa thing

PPG

Patrick Paul Garlinger Mon 1 Jul 2019 2:04PM

Can we add this to tomorrow's agenda and take up discussion then? Seems like not a lot of us have weighed in on this. I was offline for 4 days and am just now catching up on the various Slack & Loomio messages.

PPG

Patrick Paul Garlinger Thu 4 Jul 2019 5:25PM

I didn't add my comment to my vote, so I'm putting it here. I can be persuaded about moving them to the 2nd floor, but the collaboratory is packed right now, so I'm loathe to do that. I think the standing desk could be put in the center of that cafe space so that people can work on all sides of it -- with high chairs if people want to sit, or people can use it as a standing desk. That would mean removing a bunch of the wooden materials currently lining the windows, which would be helpful for creating a more open space and bringing in more light. I am fine with the 2-seater where it's at with glides to make moving it a lot easier. In this way, we avoid the effort and expense of dismantling them and moving them upstairs, only to find out that they don't really work there.

A

Amelia Fri 5 Jul 2019 5:42PM

Hey! The couch gets a lot of use currently, so I think we should hold onto that. I don't have a preference as to whether or not it stays on the first floor. I can volunteer my time to move it if need be. I think we should donate the desk and NOT keep it in the cafe. This is because we are currently searching for cafe partners and we potentially have another cafe in the works. Having lots of furniture taking up space their limits their creative liberty. Also, there have been lots of conversation around creative activations and performance art in the cafe area. The large table is cumbersome to move in the event that these happen.

PPG

Patrick Paul Garlinger Mon 8 Jul 2019 3:19PM

I'm happy to have the standing desk be donated (or sold, if the original donor permits) instead of having it take space in the cafe. Right now, it looks like there is unanimity in keeping the sofa 2-seater, but it's split as to whether it's first or second floor. @rosalindzavras, you didn't specify, and Amelia said she didn't care. Any further thoughts on location?

RZ

Rosalind Zavras Wed 17 Jul 2019 2:09PM

Sorry I thought I had responded here! I don't care either way

MJ

Poll Created Fri 30 Aug 2019 7:56PM

Move standing desk and sofa from cafe to 2nd floor in September Closed Fri 6 Sep 2019 11:03PM

We've completed a test period for the two pieces of furniture on the first floor: the standing desk and the sofa.

I propose that we move these two pieces to the Collaboratory on the 2nd floor in September. The two pieces are used and enjoyed, but they are heavy and difficult to move.

As a group, we decided to try them out on the first floor. They've been on the first floor for a few months.

People who use the sofa like it due to the privacy and sound buffering that it creates. The standing desk is used on daily basis when the space around it is clear.

The two pieces are not easy to move around and are limiting the flexibility of the cafe and event space. The sofa currently blocks the white board in the cafe and the table is right in the middle of the cafe space limiting how the floor space is used.

Increasing event and cafe revenue are critical to the financial health of the cooperative. Minimizing what permanent items that we have on the first floor, will increase rental interest in the event and cafe space as it maximizes the perception of the space's adaptability.

Results

Results Option % of points Voters
Agree 100.0% 7 D J MS Q PPG A Y
Abstain 0.0% 0  
Disagree 0.0% 0  
Block 0.0% 0  
Undecided 0% 5 D C RZ MJ DH

7 of 12 people have voted (58%)

D

David
Agree
Wed 4 Sep 2019 1:24PM

I like Anu's idea of having the couch in the hallway. Open to whatever seems plausible for standing desk.

J

Poll Created Thu 12 Sep 2019 6:52PM

Furniture move / Collaboratory re-arrangement! Closed Wed 18 Sep 2019 2:03AM

Hey all! Thanks for participating in this discussion and decision. In order to move the large furniture pieces up to the collaboratory, we'll need to re-arrange the furniture to make space. We'd love to have as many people present as possible for greater safety, less exhaustion, and more fun!

Patrick, Michelle, and I have committed to making the rearrangement happen prior to the furniture moving upstairs by the end of the month. We're also aware that many, especially Dave, have already put a lot of time and thought into making the collaboratory layout as much of a participatory design process as possible. Dave, if you wouldn't mind sharing any of your findings from that initiative, we'll happily try to include them, but rest assured we're not looking to set any "official" layout without you; we just need to quickly reorganize given the current usage and new furniture in order to keep to the September deadline of the furniture move.

We have confirmed the date of Wednesday, Sept 18 for all three of us to be here for several hours throughout the day and evening. If other members can participate in "Collaboratory Move-Stuff Day," please please please commit to 1-2 slots on the 18th that work for you! (Note: there is plenty of tidying up to do before, so Michelle and I are going to start that around 9am if any can join for that.)

Results

UTC Votes J MS MJ AG PPG A Y AQ
Wed 18 Sep 2019  1:00PM
4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wed 18 Sep 2019  3:00PM
4.5
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wed 18 Sep 2019  5:00PM
2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wed 18 Sep 2019  7:00PM
4
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wed 18 Sep 2019  9:00PM
2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wed 18 Sep 2019 11:00PM
3
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thu 19 Sep 2019  1:00AM
2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

8 of 14 people have voted (57%)

J

Jerone Thu 12 Sep 2019 6:52PM

Thu 19 Sep 2019 1:00AM
Wed 18 Sep 2019 11:00PM
Wed 18 Sep 2019 7:00PM
Wed 18 Sep 2019 3:00PM
Wed 18 Sep 2019 1:00PM

Woohoo! Ready to move, ready to groove.

MS

Marcos Salazar Thu 12 Sep 2019 6:54PM

So sad I won't be here to help (in NM) :(

Y

Yuko Tue 17 Sep 2019 1:36AM

I'm coming back from Japan on 19th, and I won't be able to. I'm sorry!