01.18.10| Reto Eberle is an adventurer. As a young man 20 years ago, he
decided to leave his homeland, Switzerland, and his prominent family to
come to the U.S. – Los Angeles, California, where else – to see what he
could see. After poking around here and there, he finally latched on to
an idea that was all his, virtual manufacturing, marrying the best
aspects of architect/designer product design and creativity (within the
context of a transaction), millwork and OEM production.
Competitions and Awards >>
01.19.10| HOK’s New York Office hosted an event at the AIA Center for Architecture
last Thursday. The occasion was prompted by the publication of a book by
Leigh Stringer, VP of Advance Strategies for HOK. The book is
entitled The Green Workplace: Sustainable Strategies That Benefit
Employees, The Environment, And The Bottom Line. Among those in
attendance were HOK principals Juliette Lam, Ken Drucker and Carl
Galioto, as well as Victoria Cerami and Mark Hochlerin of Cerami
Associates.
Environment >>, Events >>
01.18.10| Here's another great way to start the New Year and to get people thinking
about the benefits of effective office design. Gunlocke is holding
a competition for non-profit organizations that will award the winner
with its first Office Needs for Good Deeds online office makeover
contest. To help improve the style and productivity within its space,
thewinning organization will receive a 1,200 sq.-ft. makeover
(estimated value of $75,000) for its offices featuring Gunlocke's latest
casegood line, Silea and ancillary equipment.
Competitions and Awards >>, Manufacturing >>
01.18.10| It was neither the best of times nor the worst of times. While we in the
U.S. continue, generally, our charmed lives, there were events and
circumstances in the interiors industries to bemoan and many that brought
joy and hope. The economy finally struck us with full force, and by the
end of November, contract furniture orders were $620 million for the
month, with estimated trailing 12-month orders at $7.77 billion, down
30.2% year-over-year. November shipments were $640 million, with trailing
12-month shipments estimated at $8.025 billion, a 28.9% year-over-year
decrease -- "the worst drop we have on record," said Raymond
James analyst Budd Bugatch. Still, every drastic shift brings the
prospect of an inflection point, and we look forward to seeing what we
have learn from 2009. Here are a few of the salient developments covered
last year by officeinsight.
A&D Firms >>, Competitions and Awards >>, Events >>, Legislation >>, People >>
12.14.09 | Business savvy is becoming an important subject in the A&D
community, even if for some it only means finding a job or re-thinking a
career. Out-of-work design professionals are encouraged to beef up their
credentials, learn BIM, etc.
Manufacturing >>, Project >>
12.14.09 | Driving home from the NeoCon East show this year, still dazzled by the
diversity of office furniture and design industry on display and the
creative and enthused people I met, I remained puzzled about how
designers earn their money.
Random Walk >>
12.14.09 | Cubellis, the Boston-headquartered firm, has closed its doors. (See
officeinsight 8.20.07, Interview with Len Cubellis.) The firm had been in
business for over 20 years and, during the period 2005-2007 and beyond,
was engaged in an aggressive expansion plan. The plan was to “grow big by
staying small,” said Mr. Cubellis. Small entrepreneurial firm offices,
empowered to make their own decisions, were supported by the firm-wide
business infrastructure and the ability to leverage firm-wide project
capabilities.
A&D Firms >>
12.14.09 | Tout le Toronto A&D monde convened at the Four Seasons
Hotel’s Regency Ballroom on Dec. 4th for the ARIDO/IIDA
Leaders Breakfast. They came to be entertained, enlightened and
guilt-tripped by keynote speaker Edward Burtynsky. Described as a
photographic activist, he shoots the “after” versions of awe-inspiring,
Sierra Club-like vistas after they’ve been ravaged by industry.
Events >>, Prof. Associations >>
12.14.09 | Perkins+Will, Chicago, recently underwent an expansion and
renovation of its current location on the 35thand 36 floors at
330 N Wabash. The cornerstone of the renovation was to incorporate
sustainable strategies and create a dynamic work environment, resulting
in a LEED Registered Project, with point value currently tracking
Platinum status.
Project >>
12.14.09 | The second annual IIDA NY Chapter Sustainable Design Forum Quilt
Auction was held in the Haworth showroom last Wednesday.
Haworth's LEED Gold certified showroom showcased eleven large scale
quilts all designed and hand sewn by design firm teams and members of the
A&D community. The sold-out event was a silent auction to benefit
LMNOP, an A&D professional development and support group that
was formed earlier this year.
Events >>, Prof. Associations >>
12.14.09 | It was nice to thumb through the pages of last week’s
officeinsight and happen on a photograph of Princeton’s restored
Whig Hall. Nice in a comforting, old-fashioned nice-ness. In so
many senses. (And I realize one cannot thumb through
officeinsight; one merely scrolls. Down). But ah, the
classical design of the building. The sturdy stone walls, the tall, proud
columns. A design of nineteenth century architect A. Page Brown.
Ira Joe >>
