Old Meets New
CASE STUDY
RA,
INTER 2
EM
SYST
AND
W
WILLO
INTERRA PLUS
RECONFIGURED
SYSTEM 2 REFRESH AN
OFFICE...AND MORALE
DEALER: 8x8 Office,
Oakland CA
END USER: San Francisco
Federal Credit Union
The San FranCiSCO Federal CrediT UniOn (SFFCU) is a not-for-profit, community-based financial
institution that has been exclusively serving its San Francisco members since 1954. It’s open to anyone who
lives, works, worships, or attends school in San Francisco and currently serves more than 30,000 members.
“By providing employees with a beautiful work space, a new sense of
pride has been infused here. Not only has morale lifted but the overall
dynamics of our work environment have improved,” said Steven Stapp,
CEO and President of the San Francisco Federal Credit Union.
IN 2011, THE CREDIT UNION UNDERWENT AN INTERIOR
remodel in order to update and unify the overall aesthetic
CEO Steve Stapp, next to Friant’s Interra system,
noticed an immediate impact the new office
furnishings had on the organization.
of the main branch located in the heart of San Francisco.
The project covered three floors — and almost all of its 37,000
sq. ft of office space — where 105 employees work and
included a blend of private offices, semi-private workstations,
reception areas and conference rooms.
After years of constant growth, during which furniture wasn’t
always a top priority, SFFCU’s interiors had taken on a dreary,
unorganized and nonprofessional look. As is often the case,
the design-build firm on the project specified furniture that was
too costly for SFFCU, which as a member-owned credit union
administers its operations with great fiscal responsibility. The
credit union’s Vice President of Strategic Development, Mark
Michaels, who oversaw the remodel, developed an RFP and
sent it to several office furniture dealers in search of a better
Perforated Interra tiles and pedestals, surfaces
and trim in Cloud White bring high style to this
down-to-earth San Francisco nonprofit.
FRIANT CASE STUDY San Francisco Federal Credit Union / 8x8 Office
PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRYAN FARLEY
“We saved a lot of money and couldn’t be happier with the results.”
– Mark Michaels, Senior Vice President of Strategic Development,
San Francisco Federal Credit Union.
solution. SFFCU selected the local furni-
aesthetics, but its effect was even greater
that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg,”
an overall plan that included several of
with a beautiful work space, a new sense
Office. “We loved Interra’s versatility
ture dealer, 8x8 Office, which had provided
Friant’s office furniture lines that were
significantly less expensive than the
originally specified products.
The 8x8 team, led by Jayne Williams and
Amy Settlemier, designed and oversaw
the multi-phased installation. For the
project, they scrupulously specified a
mix of new Friant product in conjunction
with previously installed Friant System 2
workstations that were in excellent condi-
tion after nearly 10+ years of use. This winning and resourceful combination created
a design-forward look for SFFCU’s offices
and helped save approximately 50% off the
cost of the originally specified product.
From the start, the SFFCU executive staff
supported the plan and knew a furni-
ture upgrade would improve the office’s
than anticipated. “By providing employees
of pride has been infused here. Not only
has morale lifted but the overall dynamics
said Jayne Williams, principal of 8x8
and modern looks.”
of our work environment has improved,”
The semi-private workstations include
the San Francisco Federal Credit Union.
custom-ordered fabrics and feature plenty
space from used and worn out to rejuve-
professional environment. The semi-pri-
asked for more.”
surfaces in Warm Cherry laminates and
The Look
fabrics Versatility (Chino, W432-3) and
said Steven Stapp, CEO and President of
low panels wrapped in brightly colored
“Friant helped us literally transform the
of glass to create an open, inviting yet
nated and uplifted — we couldn’t have
vate offices on the first floor include work
8x8 Office created a bright, streamlined
and professional look by heavily utilizing
Interra, Friant’s newest and most design-forward line available.
panels wrapped in custom-ordered Knoll
Element (Argon W1077-7) with Light Gray
panel trim and glass windows set high.
Friant’s Interra line was also used for the
second floor semi-private workstations
“Friant offers a full array of furniture lines,
and private offices that were finished in
us exactly what we needed to get the job
with modern accents, such as exterior
which fit perfectly for this project and gave
done – great looking, versatile furniture
white laminate. The units were designed
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perforated metal side panels and interior panels covered in custom-ordered Knoll and Maharam fabrics (Crisp in Thunder or
Pistachio 901860-014 and 017) to create a dynamic and pleasing effect.
For the SFFCU’s third floor, the game plan was quite different. Previously installed System 2 stations were cleared out and
placed in storage. Then, they were reinstalled according to 8’x8’s redesign, creating an upgraded office space that looked
brand new.
For the SFFCU real estate department, a small Willow reception unit welcomes members in Warm Maple with glass and
brushed aluminum finishes; stand alone storage units were strategically placed throughout the floors to provide ample
storage. Friant conference tables are used in each conference room.
“We know first hand that Friant’s furniture is not just great looking but is also durable and flexible,” said Mark Michaels,
Senior Vice President of Strategic Development. “We didn’t need to replace much of what we already had – we just added to it.
We saved a lot of money and couldn’t be happier with the results.” n
Project Specs
FIRST FLOOR:
2ND FLOOR:
3RD FLOOR:
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18 Interra workstations (semi and private offices)
n
n
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Cherry laminate worksurfaces
50 Interra workstations (semi and private offices)
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n
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Overhead and pedestal storage
White laminate work surfaces
n
n
Tool and file accessories
Low and high panels with all white trim
n
n
High panels in Knoll Versatility (Chino, W432-3)
and Element (Argon, W1077-7) with Light Gray (LG)
trim and glass
Exterior panels - perforated metal, Maharam Crisp
(Thunder, 901860-014 or Pistachio, 901860-017)
n
Interior panels - Knoll Versatility (Chino, W432-3)
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Free standing lateral files
Overhead and pedestal storage
n
n
n
Light Maple Willow reception unit
Tool and file accessories
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Free standing lateral files
n
n
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30 Reconfigured System 2 (semi and private offices)
High panels in Sticks (Straw, PF501-4)
with Light Gray trim
Free standing lateral files
Executive office - Friant casegoods, Light Maple
(reconfigured)
4 Conference tables in Light Maple with ellipse
edging
Friant 4901 East 12th Street Oakland, CA 94601 | Fax: 510.535.5237 | 510.535.5113 | www.friant.com