| The shape of the desk contributes to its functionality. | | | | about an inch or two. The aristocratic of all runners are |
| Having a desk that is curved in front makes it easier | | | | the ones that provide silent closing when the drawer is |
| for the executive to reach all parts of his desk. This | | | | suddenly closed. These runners have pneumatic shock |
| functionality is also achieved by have a wing of the | | | | absorbers, almost like that on a car, that catch the |
| desk that is "tilted" back for easy reach. Often the | | | | drawer within the last 2 inches and close it |
| tilted wing is opposite a return credenza that brings the | | | | automatically at a dampened speed so there is not |
| desk storage within easy reach. More storage can be | | | | bang when the drawer hits its stops. |
| achieved by placing a pedestal of drawers under the | | | | Concealed drawers built into the desktop itself provide |
| winged section of the desk. This allows the executive | | | | storage that is easily accessible. Many executive |
| to lean towards either side to access his file storage. | | | | desks have thick bold desktops that provide ample |
| Today's desk must provide access for a computer | | | | room for a pencil drawer or keyboard drawer. If these |
| and printer. These electronic boxes do not lend | | | | drawers can be made deep enough, they can also |
| themselves to the aesthetic appeal of an executive | | | | hold a notebook computer. However, a convertible |
| office, so they are best moved out of site. To | | | | hole must be provided at the back of the drawer for |
| accomplish this, a slide out cabinet for the printing | | | | cable connections. |
| device, and a vertical cabinet for the CPU should be | | | | Concealed cable channels must also be provided so |
| provided, and can be designed into a side credenza | | | | that unsightly telephone wires and computer cables do |
| with doors that fold back into the cabinet and out of | | | | not have to be run over the edge of the desk and |
| the way of the executive's movement. The CPU | | | | across the desktop. Executive desk should have |
| cabinet should not have a door on it to prevent heat | | | | concealed tunnels under the surface of the desk to |
| build up, or if so, there must be adequate ventilation to | | | | channel the wires to come up to the desktop where |
| prevent the unit from overheating and self-destructing. | | | | the executive wants them. Multiple grommet holes |
| The best way to move the computer out-of-sight is to | | | | should be provided for convenience for this purpose. |
| place it in a cabinet under the desk top. However, the | | | | A well designed executive desk should allow ample |
| cabinet must be within reach of the executive to have | | | | space under the desk for the executive to freely |
| access to the front panel for powering on, using USB | | | | move his legs. Unnecessary desk legs can be |
| ports, and accessing CD/DVD devices. | | | | designed out of the desk by using state-of-the-art |
| Storage is a necessary requirement for an executive | | | | suspension engineering techniques and hardware to |
| desk. Today's executive needs storage for file folders | | | | properly support the desk at its center. |
| and miscellaneous documents and brochures. Side | | | | To prevent additional noise and scratching, the inside of |
| credenzas can be used to hold file drawers and box | | | | all drawers should be lined with a synthetic leather |
| drawers. The file drawers should be designed to hold | | | | material. Keys and pens may then be silently thrown |
| both letter and legal size file folders. The desk can | | | | into the desk without scratching up the bottom of the |
| accomplish this function by having hanging file folders | | | | desk. |
| that are letter size in one direction, and legal size in the | | | | Additional functionality is provided by designing an inlaid |
| other direction. | | | | writing pad into the center of the desktop. This writing |
| All drawers should have central locking systems so | | | | pad must be made of thick polyurethane leather like |
| that each drawer does not have to be individually | | | | material that will hold its shape and character for |
| locked. | | | | years. Thin PVC leatherette should never be used for |
| The sliding hardware that allows the drawers to open | | | | a writing pad as it has a very limited life span when |
| and close are referred to as "runners", and are | | | | subjected to the daily rigors of an executive. |
| somewhat unsightly. State-of-the-art runners are | | | | A desktop that is designed to be cantilevered along |
| available that may be concealed under the drawer so | | | | the front of the desk will provide a useable area for |
| they cannot be seen. The top-of-the-line runners are | | | | guests to pull up the chairs and use the desk for the |
| designed to easily open and close the drawer and to | | | | notes or notepads, increasing their effectiveness for |
| help pop it closed if the drawer is left propped open | | | | meetings with the executive. |