{"id":852954,"date":"2024-10-28T18:13:27","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T22:13:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/?p=852954"},"modified":"2025-01-20T16:20:09","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T21:20:09","slug":"the-modern-locker-wears-more-hats-than-ever-before","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.steelcase.com\/research\/articles\/the-modern-locker-wears-more-hats-than-ever-before\/","title":{"rendered":"The Modern Locker Wears More Hats than Ever Before"},"content":{"rendered":"

Offices have transformed significantly with the rise of hybrid work. Work is more dynamic than ever, and people\u2019s storage needs have shifted. They\u2019re not just looking for a place to store file folders and paper documents; they need a place to keep their belongings safe while they focus on work, especially now as more workstations are shared.<\/p>\n

Steelcase conducted in-depth research to examine the locker\u2019s role in the modern workplace. They followed people throughout the workday to understand what they\u2019re bringing to the office, their work patterns, when and how often they use lockers, and any pain points they experience. The goal was to gain a thorough understanding of what people need and how they use lockers, as well as balance user needs with decision-makers needs. The research showed that lockers need to do more than store. They can play a significant role as a gathering space to help people connect with others, enhance team ownership, and provide visual shields in the open floorplan.<\/p>\n

\"Work
WorkValet\u2122 lockers offer the ultimate versatility in terms of functionality and design. These lockers create a warm welcome to the office by providing varied compartment sizes and shelving options to fit new storage needs as well as inviting aesthetic features.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A bigger role for lockers<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe took on the challenge to create a new, comprehensive locker system that supports what people need today,\u201d says Steelcase Industrial Designer Viola Vallon, who led the team that developed WorkValet\u2122<\/a>, Steelcase\u2019s latest locker solution. \u201cEvery component of WorkValet<\/a> is designed with functionality, aesthetics and flexibility in mind \u2014 all elements are created to establish a sense of comfort and familiarity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lockers were originally created to store coats and bags \u2013 and compartment sizes were based on that. Today, people are more mobile and often do not have a dedicated workstation where they can store their belongings. They need a secure space where they can keep personal items like laptops, water bottles, bike helmets and luggage safe, so they can have peace of mind as they work.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we observed people in the office transition between different activities throughout the day we recognized what a critical role lockers can have in supporting those transition moments,\u201d says John Spykman, product developer at Steelcase. \u201cWhether it\u2019s a place to start and end the day, a frequent stop in a team\u2019s space, a transitional space to visit in between meetings or when they\u2019re switching between focus work and collaboration, people need places that are easily accessible so they can comfortably pack and unpack their belongings. We designed WorkValet<\/a> to provide them with a \u2018landing zone\u2019 \u2014 a space on top of the locker or an open cubby \u2014 where they can comfortably and easily do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Modern locker storage solutions can also meet spatial needs previously served by fixed walls and room dividers. Lockers can act as team boundaries, providing space division while fostering collaboration and a sense of belonging, solidifying team ownership. \u201cThe flexibility of WorkValet<\/a> enables a variety of configurations, allowing designers to optimize space better. The ability to specify within a 16th of an inch gives designers a lot of choice for how to design with it,\u201d says Spykman. \u201cIts versatile design can create a freestanding version providing a two-sided boundary, be built in front of a wall, or fitted into an architectural nook.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other features informed by user observation include an elevated base allowing for easier access to bottom lockers, which were rarely used because they were too difficult to reach. The lighter aesthetic (compared to traditional lockers) also creates a warmer and more pleasing working atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\"\"
WorkValet can now be specified with a raised leg base, open shelf, drawer and planter, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality. WorkValet offers basic key, combination, RFID (shown in photo) and network locking options. The rigid, colder aesthetic of traditional lockers has dissolved into a warm, more versatile storage solution that offers options for a variety of colors, materiality and design features that shape the personality of the office today.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What modern workers expect<\/strong><\/p>\n

Steelcase research categorized the data into three types of employees based on how often and when they are in the office \u2013 anchored, untethered and destination workers.<\/p>\n

Anchored workers<\/strong> spend most of their working time in the office and tend to store items they need to access quickly, such as laptops, water bottles, lunch boxes, and gym bags. Typically, lockers were only placed near entrances, far away from where people were working. Lockers for anchored workers should be in close proximity to their workstations, as they need to access their belongings multiple times throughout the day.<\/p>\n

Untethered workers<\/strong> \u2013 often considered hybrid workers \u2013 spend about half of their time in the office. They switch between remote work and in-office work on a daily or weekly basis and want practical storage for personal items. They need to know their belongings are safely tucked away and will typically use the lockers at the beginning and end of the day.<\/p>\n

Destination workers<\/strong> are travelers who come into the office occasionally, a few days a month, usually for specific meetings. Often traveling from further away, they\u2019re looking for a safe storage solution for more oversized items like coats, backpacks, or luggage. The ideal office locker for destination workers is often at the entrance or in easily accessible community spaces.<\/p>\n\"\"

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A bay provides a warm welcome as people come into the hybrid workplace. Typically planned near the entrance of the building, a bay has a high quantity of lockers with a variety of locker sizes.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t

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The hub is a great addition to in-between spaces. Typically planned with ample space around the hub, it welcomes people to gather around its worksurface to socialize or collaborate.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t

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This bespoke credenza goes beyond traditional application typologies, demonstrating the design flexibility in creating unique storage solutions.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t

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A border provides storage and space division within a hybrid neighborhood. Planned near workstations within a team space, it is primarily for individual use within a team space.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n

\u201cWorkValet<\/a> does more than store things \u2013 it ultimately contributes to an inviting office atmosphere with its versatility,\u201d says Vallon. \u201cAll of its carefully designed elements work together to ensure people feel supported and comfortable as they journey through their day.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How office storage solutions have transformed to support people\u2019s diverse needs in the era of hybrid work<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":37261,"featured_media":852959,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"topic":[],"class_list":["post-852954","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Role of Locker Storage in Modern Offices | Steelcase<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Hybrid work has changed needs for office storage and lockers can be more than just a storage solution. 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