5.11.09 | Since 1964, Geiger International has been one of the most highly
regarded names in commercial casegoods. The company was founded in Canada
by its namesake, John Geiger,
who guided it with an unyielding
passion for wood craftsmanship, good design, and operational excellence
and a relentless ideal of perfection that shaped every aspect of his
company's culture. In 1979, Geiger moved to Atlanta and in 1993, it
acquired famed chair maker Brickel Associates, led by legendary
designer Ward Bennett. Then, in 1999, Herman Miller
acquired Geiger, and the question became, Will Herman Miller ruin
Geiger?
People >>
5.11.09 | One of our favorite shows, the International Contemporary
Furniture Fair, will be held May 16-19, 2009, at the Jacob K Javits
Convention Center, NYC. During the Fair's four days,145,000 sq.ft. of the
Javits Center will bustle with more than 25,000 interior designers,
architects, retailers, manufacturers, representatives, distributors, and
developers. Thankfully, members of the general public are welcome on
Tuesday, May19 when the ICFF is open to all.
Events >>
5.11.09 | Samba Carnivale was the theme as party goers entered the ballroom
of the landmark Century Plaza Hotel in Century City for the
21st Annual International Interior Design
Association-S.CA Calibre Awards and formal dinner. This
year's show was co-chaired by Jim Klawiter, Robyn Taylor and
Hillary Luckenbaugh.
Competitions and Awards >>, Prof. Associations >>
5.11.09 | Stay around long enough and everything repeats . . . and repeats. A
little less than 10 years ago, IIDA and ASID held several serious
discussions about a possible merger. It seemed to be a mighty effort, but
. . . there were differences.
5.11.09 If the current economy was a disaster flick, it would be the horrific
sequel to the last major recession (the 1980's debacle), and like all
Hollywood blockbusters, it would outdo the previous version by invoking
the dreaded Depression Era imagery and dolorous tone. Set against the
backdrop of a dying planet and several other depressing conditions,
anxiety levels are not only heightened, they're at the edge of the chart
and about to run out of paper.
People >>
5.11.09 | As I was pursuing some mundane task the other morning the
radio trotted Home on the Range out into the morning. It was my local
and loved
classical music station and I didn't ever expect to hear that
tune. My delight surprised me. I am not a cowboy fan. I don't like
western movies. I put away childish interest in the genre way back in the
distant mist of time.
Ira Joe >>
5.4.09 | Earlier this year, a spirited debate occured in that tangled web called online media between Michael Cannell, a design writer for the New York Times, and Murray Moss, the owner of New York City retail design gallery Moss. The issue at hand: Does Design Love a Depression? Mr. Cannell started things rolling with his story claiming that design loves, adores, wants to marry a depression.
Events >>
5.4.09 | Jon Vingerhoets thinks he can light up your life, and this marathon runner appears to have the products, personality and energy to do it. Mr. Vingerhoets, a recent and welcome addition to our shores one couldn't get through Ellis Island in the old days with that length or spelling was appointed last year to lead the next generation of Artemide in the United States succeeding Guido Peratto, who had held that position for over two decades.
People >>, Product >>
5.4.09 | IIDA New York's 20th Annual IIDA Leaders Breakfast packed
New York's interior design community into Gotham Hall in NYC last week.
It was John Lijewski and Hilda Longinotti's tenth year as
co-chairs of the event, and the IIDA NY members and the contract
community came in droves, even for the 7:30 AM call time. It was apparent
that they were there to celebrate 20 successful years of the event, enjoy
the bagel and lox, take in the speakers lined up for the morning and
mostly to enjoy each other's close (very close) company.
Events >>, Prof. Associations >>
5.4.09 | Allsteel has signed what is called a Strategic Partnership
Agreement with Ice Edge Business Solutions, a leader in
intelligent 3D design software. That will bring a powerful 3D modeling
software to Allsteel and its distribution network. Allsteel said that it
has been working closely with Ice Edge to ensure a successful
implementation of ICE for the Allsteel dealers. The joint announcement
also said that the agreement represents a commitment by both companies
to establish Allsteel as the technology frontrunner in
furniture.
A&D Firms >>, Technology >>
5.4.09 | Lamex, a wholly-owned subsidiary of HNI Corporation, is the
first office solution provider to receive LEED-CI Gold in China for its
showroom in the Tangxia manufacturing campus with a display floor area of
over 15,000 sq. ft.
A&D Firms >>, Environment >>
5.4.09 | Save A Sample! has just completed its 10th year with a celebration
at the Knoll Showroom last week. Imagine, just one person's idea,
Suzanne Swift, at the cusp of greater environmental awareness, has
redirected thousands of pounds of materials and samples
"destined" for landfill into the hands of design students,
giving them tools for their general design education and probably the
most important lesson they'll learn about saving the environment.
Competitions and Awards >>, People >>
5.4.09 | Canadian office furniture manufacturer Simo is launching its new
EVO line in hopes to change the way people approach the office
environment. With small footprints, an eco-friendly production process
and elegant designs, EVO will enable customers to effectively utilize
their office spaces and make the workplace feel less like work.
Product >>
4.27.09 | Matthew R. Haworth scion of the Haworth, Inc. founder andleadership has always seemed assured of employment. But now he has beennamed to what must be one of the toughest jobs in the contract furnitureindustry: filling the shoes of his father, Richard G. Haworth. Mr.Haworth(M) will become Chairman of the Board succeeding Dick Haworth, whowill become Chairman Emeritus.
Manufacturing >>, People >>
4.27.09 | In Milan, amongst the stylish Italians, the gelato, the pasta, bread,
salted meats and cheese, there was a furniture fair last week. Well,
the furniture fair The Salone Internazionale del Mobile.
And amongst that fair is a city full of innovative design, beautiful
design, far-out design and some impractical design.
Events >>, Product >>
4.27.09 | Last week we covered Hilda Longinotti's retirement event at the
Herman Miller NYC National Design Center. (officeinsight 4.20.09,
Hilda, Hilda: Wherefore are thou Hilda?) The gracious Ms. Longinotti
phoned us last week to let us know that she had taken notice of our
modest efforts. Unfortunately, as we were preparing the article, our
universal memory card reader corrupted our files, making it impossible to
open them. We solved the problem mid-week, and recovered some of the
images.
Events >>, People >>
4.27.09 | Kimball Office and Teknion joined forces to carry the
message of Sustaining Interior Design Education to over a thousand
interior design firms and studios in architectural firms across North
America. (The support of all vendors of interior products are invited and
encouraged to participate.) These companies and others were prompt to act to create awareness within
the interior design profession of the realistic concern about where the
next generation professional interior design educators will come from.
This concern is becoming critical as many educators in this field near
retirement.
Prof. Associations >>, Research >>
4.27.09 | As a professional interior designer, and a nascent design
scholar
interested in human-environment interactions, I've wondered if I will
forever be skirting around the outside of the architectural
establishment while examining architecture from the inside-out. At it
turns out, my
interest in inside-ness has created a form of outsider-ness that is
as important as it is perplexing.
Research >>
4.27.09 | We must not allow April to pack its bags and return to wherever it spends
the other eleven months without noting its venerable place in the
calendar. April is National Poetry Month. Because it was in April
that Shakespeare was born. On the 23rd. Back in 1564. Back in
Stratford, England. So it's fitting to honor poems by honoring the
gentleman who lifted our lumpy, mongrel language into exquisite verse.
Ira Joe >>
