2.15.10 | The first thing that Jennifer Graham and Stephanie Chiuminatto wanted was to keep in touch with their friends and work colleagues, not to start a non-profit organization that has grown to over 160 members and offers workshops and mentoring programs. It’s almost cliché to say that their group, LMNOP (Leadership, Mentoring, Networking and Opportunity for A&D Professionals), was born out of necessity, and yet there really is no other way to describe how it happened.
People >>
2.15.10 | For all of its frustrations and follies, at times the legal system manages to get something, if not right, at least better. Such is the case – getting it better – with a couple of Federal court decisions dealing with the subject of interior design legislation. The most recent case in the U.S. Federal Court for the Northern District of Florida was championed by the nemesis of interior design legislative advocates, the Institute for Justice, which, in this case, helped the profession get it . . . better. The result was a stunning victory for interior design and interior designers: The court upheld the Florida practice act.
Legislation >>, Random Walk >>
2.15.10 | Readers can get a better feel for the numbers in this issues business section, but I wanted to add a few observations on the HNI results for 2009.The contract furniture segment, even at the top, is more diverse that one might think. We pointed out last week that HNI is the second largest contract furniture company, even considering only its furniture sector.
2.15.10 | 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 recognize the office
environment in which we work, and how such dynamics complement the mind.
This column aims to identify some of the variables in an office setting,
and the impact they might have on how the mind works.
Research >>
2.15.10 | Nearly 40 Leaders of the IIDA-Northern Californa Chapter gathered in Sonoma, California to celebrate the early stages of an economic recovery, share best practices, renew friendships, and plan for the coming year. IIDA-NC includes Hawaii & the Pacific Rim, Northern California, and Northern Nevada. [I think I want to join.]
Events >>, Prof. Associations >>
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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 >>
