2.8.10 | IA Interior Architects, a multi-branch, international firm, is one
of just a few large firms that have made a world-class reputation based
largely on their work in interiors. Recently, the firm has been making
news because of its recognized projects, and because of the personnel
developments in its coastal offices, NYC and LA, both of which have had
stumbling points in the recent past.
A&D Firms >>, People >>
2.8.10 | For some designers, furniture may be an afterthought, but this appears to
be an artifact of process and inconsistent with the holistic approach
required for the best design. The same can be said for the artificial
separation between the many aspects of the built environment from urban
design through architecture, interior design, furniture design and the
integration of technology.
Competitions and Awards >>
2.8.10| Haworth announced last week that its 2009 global sales were $1.11
billion. What's really amazing is that we no longer question that Haworth
is among the industry leaders, not only in size, but in importance
(although it still has not solved the NYC problem).
Business and Finance >>, Manufacturing >>
2.8.10 | Location, location, location is still the rule in real estate
matters, even though no capital expenditures is what we have been
hearing most frequentlyfor the past 15 months. And for sure there is
nothing like a change of venue to mess up a good thing. Look what
happened to NeoCon West after it moved from its original
convention center location into the LA Mart. Sad or pathetic – pick your
adjective – but for sure, we miss a West coast show.
Events >>
2.1.10 | Contract magazine’s official 50th Anniversary Issue
will be published in March, but the festivities got started last Friday
morning at the Annual Interiors Awards Breakfast at Cipriani
42nd Street. Unless they were among the lucky ones who could
just roll out of bed from the Hyatt Hotel across the street, attendees
had to set their alarm clocks for “extra extra” early and brave an
arctic blast to enjoy coffee and conversation at the 7:30 power
reception. Breakfast and awards were served at a more manageable 8:30
am.
Competitions and Awards >>
2.1.10| I am overcome with a certain amount of guilty pleasure each year as I
bound up the few steps to Cipriani 42nd to begin a new year’s
round of self-celebration at the annual – this year the 31st –
Interiors Awards Breakfast, which coincided with Contract
magazine’s 50th anniversary. If just half of the A&D and
contract furniture adulation evident in Contract’s introductory
anniversary film translates into contributed projects and advertisement,
there will be at least another 50 years ahead.
Events >>, Random Walk >>
2.1.10 | There’s no denying the beauty of the finished product, but despite tile’s
ability to transform ordinary spaces into award-winning ones, the
manufacturing process is a dirty business. It starts with a messy mixture
of sand, feldspar clay and water that can yield considerable amounts of
wet waste or “sludge.” “[We used to] collect, put in trucks and send to
the landfill approximately 6½ million pounds of wet waste a year,” says
Tim J. Bolby, Director of Technical Services, Crossville
Inc., a manufacturer of porcelain, metal and glass tile based in
Crossville, TN, and privately held by The Curran Group, based in
Crystal Lake, IL,.
Environment >>, Manufacturing >>
2.1.10 | John Berry speaks softly but carries a big portfolio as he continues his
role as an ambassador-at-large for design. He’s classically trained with an undergraduate degree in design from
Indiana University and a master’s in fine arts from the Cranbrook Academy
of Art near Detroit. He’s put in a solid stint for Herman Miller as Vice
President of Corporate Communications, and maintains his connection with
the company as liaison with the Eames Office and as the author of the
Rizzoli coffee-table book, Herman Miller: The Purpose of Design.
Manufacturing >>, People >>
2.1.10 | The idea of cognitive ergonomics is relatively
new, and one that Kimball Office has spent years
studying. However, in order to fully understand
how the mind works at work, we must first
appreciate the office environment we work in, and
understand how workplace dynamics complement the
mind. This column aims to identify some the
variables in an office setting, and the impact
they can have on how the mind works at work.
Product >>, Research >>
2.1.10 | Spacesmith developed the new New York City Police
Department Building for two clients: the Brooklyn Navy Yard
Development Corporation and the New York Police Department. The design,
certified by the USGBC as LEED Gold, sets a precedent for operations
facilities; it is part of an overall campus that includes an auction lot
and parking fields.
Project >>