Types of Moveable Operable Wall Systems
There are four basic types of Movable Operable Wall Systems (also known as Operable Partitions, Moveable Partitions, Folding Partitions, Acoustic Doors, Air Walls, Folding Room Dividers, Demountable Partitions, Vertical Lift Partitions, Vertical Lift Walls).
- Overhead supported (Single and Paired manual panels): Track and trolley operation. Move in a horizontal plane. Single and paired panel configurations. Have many types of top and base acoustic seal systems – fixed, mechanical, electric. Highest STC’s available – up to 56. Manually positioned. Solid or glass systems.
- Overhead supported (Continuously Hinged Electric operation): Track and trolley operation. Move in a horizontal plane. Continuously hinged train like configuration. Fully automated electric operation. Solid or glass systems.
- Demountable: Physically set in place between ceiling and floor. Secured to ceiling and floor. Individual panels. Solid or glass systems.
- Vertical lift: Secured to overhead support system. Move vertically into an overhead space. Electrically operated. Solid or glass systems.
This article has not considered accordion doors, continuously hinged manual partitions, or floor supported partitions.
Factors to Consider When choosing any Type of Moveable Wall System
Your choice of a Moveable Wall system should be made carefully and after a complete evaluation of your needs, desires, and expectations.
- Privacy: Both visual & acoustic. Consider what you are trying to create and what is best for the occupants to accomplish their designated tasks.
- Noise Reduction and Containment: What work or tasks are being done? Is a quiet environment a requirement? Size, shape, and materials are all factors to consider. Analyze and anticipate.
- Aesthetics: All types come in a variety of materials and styles. Choose the materials based on wear, are they subject to abuse, finish, appearance.
- Flexibility and Customization: How much and how often will you want to be able to reconfigure the space? Think through the needs and possibilities.
- Budget: How much do you have to spend on space division? Then select based on the best you can achieve for the money you have available. With Moveable wall systems there are many options that can reduce price without affecting performance.
Markets for Moveable Operable Wall Systems and how to use them to create a Dynamic Interior Environment.
Moveable Operable Wall Systems are used in all vertical markets. The most common are Offices, Hospitality, Convention Centers and Hotels, Education, Healthcare and Religious.
Office Space Applications
Today businesses need flexible workspaces that are adaptable to the ever-changing needs of associates. Gone are the days of individual cubicles that created a sense of isolation and a lack of collaboration. Then came the open-plan system – tearing down the walls – which resulted in the opposite: too much noise, compromised productivity and a total lack of privacy. A right balance was needed – Moveable Operable Wall Systems!
Moveable systems, manual and/or electric, glass and/or solid are used to create meeting rooms visually, physically, and acoustically in just minutes. Demountable Systems, usually acoustic or non-acoustic glass are used to create private offices with the option for visual privacy using transformative glass or internal blinds. Many businesses require the ability to quickly create areas where associates can meet for collaborative purposes, areas for quiet breaks or lunches, training rooms or event spaces. Rather than dedicate areas solely for the purpose of these and other events, moveable wall systems are used to create them only when needed.
Using moveable wall systems and selecting the correct product for the perceived need, office space can quickly adapt and maintain the dynamic, creative functional workspace that meets the ever-evolving needs of the occupants.
Educational Applications
Schools, Universities, all Educational Institutions must be able to accommodate a wide range of activities and group sizes. Often schools, especially in small communities, are the center of “all things happening” and used all hours of the day including weekends.
Moveable Operable wall systems will allow for the reconfiguration of interior spaces to meet these varying needs. One minute the occupants may require a large hall for a community meeting and then the same area may have to be divided up into individual classrooms or study areas. The key to making educational buildings as useful as possible for all that use it is to maintain the flexibility of the space allowing it to serve multiple functions as needed. This can be achieved using Moveable Operable walls designed to do this in addition to providing acoustical and visual privacy.
To provide this basic need – flexibility achieved using Moveable Operable Walls – the owners and designers should consider the following to keep the building dynamic:
- Design with Change in mind: Nothing stays the same during a school’s lifetime. Moveable Operable Walls will permit the interior reconfiguration of the interior space to accommodate present and future needs.
- Design for the Community: Most Schools now have multiple uses rather than just educating students from 9 to 4. Moveable Operable Walls allow for accommodation of the communities’ needs keeping the school active, dynamic, and purposeful for all.
- Invest in Quality: Do not compromise on Moveable Operable Wall System quality especially when it comes to acoustics. Once you have a Moveable Operable Wall system installed it is extremely difficult to make it better and if you try to do so it will be expensive.
- Anticipate Expansion: At some point the building will have to be expanded to handle the growing population and associated needs. Having the ability to reconfigure internal space and keeping the building dynamic by using Moveable Operable Wall systems will allow all space to be used effectively and fully prior to the point where actual expansion must take place.
Hospitality Applications
Hospitality/Convention Centers have the most dynamic environments of all. In the hospitality Industry the ability to create change and modify space is at the heart of what one of these facilities is all about. The ability to adapt and transform hospitality space quickly, effortlessly, confidently, and efficiently is crucial to its success.
- Hotels: Small or large, most hotels require a location to hold meetings. Moveable Wall Systems are used to create adaptable space based on the needs and number of people. And then later the Moveable Walls can be stored to accommodate a private party or reception.
- Conference Centers: There are in every city independent conference centers whose success or failure is based on their ability to accommodate varying needs of the occupants. Moveable Walls allow for the creation of multiple breakout rooms from a larger space or the expansion back to a larger ballroom for larger groups.
- Convention Centers: Tall walls. Long walls. Convention Centers must have the ability to hold a wide range of events and always with varying space requirements. Moveable Walls allow these spaces to be easily reconfigured to meet the specific needs of the event.
Moveable Walls offer the ability to provide extensive customization possibilities to meet any need in any application in office, educational & hospitality projects. They provide a flexible and custom solution to redefine the use of space, enhance functionality and contribute to better occupant experiences. Moveable Walls are easy to use, have a diverse range of surface options and are aesthetically pleasing. The importance of flexible and adaptable space will only continue to grow.
