11.2.09 | Peter Gaslow took over the reins from his father – the legendary Larry Gaslow, chairman – as President and CEO of Empire Office, Inc. (www.empireoffice.com) in 2002. Together with his colleague Richard Gulardo, COO, Mr. Peter Gaslow is well into his second recession as the firm’s leader, and he confirms that, despite the great impact of the most recent impact on contract furniture sales, the Empire team knows how to deal with challenging times.
11.2.09 | I wasn’t able to attend NeoCon East this year due to a passing bronchial infection, so, at the last minute, I asked my college roommate and long time friend Dr. Jeffrey James to stop by the Baltimore Convention Center, record the annual State of the Industry Panel, and get a load of what I do for a living and the interesting people that I am fortunate enough to work with.
Events >>
11.2.09| Jess Sorel and Otto Williams do not, as a practice, finish each other’s sentences, but they are remarkably accomplished at completing – and complementing – the other’s most promising thoughts.
Product >>
11.2.09 | In what may be an ironic twist, the financial carnage that has swept over our economy is creating an opportunity for savvy A&E firms to finally breakthrough when pitching the value of energy efficiency and sustainability. An alarming number of office buildings are being foreclosed upon or being voluntarily returned to their lenders. At the same time opportunity investors are raising capital to acquire real estate assets with significant upside potential.
11.2.09 | I did it again. I sent out an "all-staff" email. Yes, I felt a twinge of doubt as I clicked send, but ...click I did. If you've ever been there, you too may have wondered in retrospect what prompted you to broadcast your questions, thoughts or ideas so widely and directly throughout your organization. Isn't there a more appropriate system or process? Aren't there protocols, knowledge-management sites, designated folders to upload into, databases to search, wikis, blogs and discussion boards all designed to filter and distribute this information?
Research >>, Technology >>
11.2.09 | Driving along New England’s charming, leafy, winding Route Seven recently I passed a business called “Classic Towing.” I did not know towing could reach such a height. If I ever need a tow, that’s who I will call.
Ira Joe >>
10.26.09 | In the years I have been writing about interior design, I have been continually amazed by the intelligence, talent, breadth of experience and depth of knowledge of interior design professionals. And, almost to a person, these professionals are highly attuned to the notion of completing their projects in accordance with the wishes of their clients.
A&D Firms >>
10.24.09 | Career path’s are not always linear, but often have interesting angles and peculiar trajectories. Michael Winstanley, AIA, AICP, is one such case, and, as of October 1, he is the Managing Principal of Mancini•Duffy/Winstanley, the D.C./Virginia regional offices of NY-headquartered Mancini Duffy. Just last week, Mancini Duffy announced that Mr. Winstanley and his team of seven and Doug Svitchan and George Eisenberger of Still and Svitchan have become part of the the 35 member force in the D.C. region for Mancini•Duffy.
10.26.09 | Of course you will recall George Frideric Handel, the German who
was composing in England in the Italianate manner. Hence, The
Messiah. This may make it easier for you to remember another
multi-cultural icon, Richard Sapper, the German industrial
designer, working in Italy in the . . . well, the American manner,
creating such successful objects as the Knoll Sapper chair, the
ThinkPad laptop for IBM, the Tizio Lamp for Artemide and
the Melodic Teakettle for Alessi. O.K., the last two are very
Italian, but have been well received in the American market.
Product >>
10.26.09 | Chicago's Agati is something to go out of your way for at this year's NeoCon East. Agati is a relatively small niche player in the contract furniture arena, but it is making some interesting moves.
Events >>, Manufacturing >>
10.26.09| With the introduction of the Arissa Collection at the 2008 Healthcare Design Conference, KI set out to change the way interior designers and facility managers think about bariatric seating. Arissa creates an entirely new category of furniture; one that is universal and serves the various needs of patients, family and staff members. The collection supports individuals up to 750 pounds, yet can accommodate a vast spectrum of users without appearing oversized or too delicate.
Product >>
10.19.09 | On Monday October 12, 2009, Tuohy Furniture Corporation and Haworth Inc. signed an agreement pursuant to which Haworth acquired part ownership of the Minnesota-based manufacturer of executive casegoods, conference tables, seating and lounge furniture. “This partnership will strategically strengthen product mix and distribution networks,” said the press release issued the following Wednesday.
10.19.09 | NeoCon East, the regional NeoCon that took hold in a big way in the U.S. because of its focus on the federal government, returns October 28-29 for the seventh year to the Baltimore Convention Center. Thousands of innovative products and resources for Corporate, Hospitality, Healthcare, Retail, Government, Institutional and Residential interiors from more than 250 exhibitors will be part of the show.
Events >>
10.19.09 | Those involved in office interiors projects should start paying very close attention to the discussion revolving around “green leasing.” The Model Green Lease that was written by a national task force is showing signs of becoming the game changer originally envisioned.
10.19.09| Sustainability has to go far beyond racking up LEED points if thing are going to change enough to put a dent in environmental problems. Moreover, if any of your prospective new hires is adamant about sustainability in their employment but they can only talk about LEED, you will know they aren't serious.
10.19.09| As I walked down the driveway from fetching the paper this autumn morn the sky was iron gray and seeping its chill into the air and me. The grand maple in our front yard has gone from green to gold to bare-branched …in what seems like the blink of a barnswallow’s eye. The leaves lay strewn and still on the leaning-into-sleep grass.
Ira Joe >>
