At Four Point Design, we work with a variety of partners who provide products and solutions for our clients’ spaces. And part of being “on point” with our clients involves taking advantage of opportunities to learn more about these solutions. Case in point: last month, the Four Point Design team took a trip to the headquarters of Kimball International in Jasper, Ind.
The following are takeaways and reminders inspired by our trip, based on the experiences of two of our interior designers, Emma Walsh and MaryJane Sanchez.
Cleanliness and durability are key considerations for healthcare furniture. The furniture at healthcare facilities takes on unique demands, and cleanliness is a critical priority. At Kimball, Four Point Design witnessed the testing of various upholstery options with a specific cleaning product for a healthcare client.
“It was great to see how willing Kimball is to be a partner to our clients to make sure that they get the best and most durable product for their specific situation,” Emma said. “They were interested in hearing our feedback on products and understanding what we’re looking for, what our clients need, and how they can improve or expand on their product lines to fill any gaps.”
“Form versus function” no longer applies. Four Point Design’s experiences at Kimball reinforced the concept that functional spaces can be beautiful while creating a meaningful impact on users—whether in healthcare settings where patients are healing or in office environments where people collaborate or focus on individual tasks.
“Our industry has made incredible progress, and we no longer have to choose between functionality and aesthetics,” MaryJane said. “Today, both can be found seamlessly integrated into furniture systems, accessories, and material applications that ultimately enhance the way people live and work.”
The Four Point Design team at Kimball.
Meeting the people behind the products provides inspiration. In addition to having helpful dialogue around the industries Four Point Design serves, the team learned about the history, growth, and evolution of Kimball. As Four Point Design prepares to celebrate our 10th year in business, learning about Kimball’s background and meeting their team members provided inspiration to the Four Point Design team.
“We met several people in the manufacturing area that have been with the company for 20 to 40-plus years and still enjoy and find purpose in their work,” Emma said. “We also found it encouraging that we have such great partners close to home who are working to support our clients. It allows us to help support our local Indiana community in return.”