IIDA & ASID Issue Statement on Joint Initiatives

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and
American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Boards of
Directors have issued a statement reaffirming their desire and intention to
continue our work together on issues of mutual interest that benefit the
members of the interior design community.

Recent joint endeavors include:

*        Substantial investments by IIDA and ASID with the Interior Designers
of Canada to restructure the Interior Design Continuing Education Council
(IDCEC), the profession's CEU registry for Interior Designers.

*        Ongoing planning with IIDA and ASID to jointly provide a new, more
accessible and lower cost NCIDQ preparatory program for designers.

*        Increased opportunities for student chapter collaboration through
the joint promotion of student member experiences including the Student
Career Exchange and Student Career Bootcamp at NeoCon 2012.

*        A joint IIDA and ASID Fellows summit at NeoCon 2012

The senior leadership and boards of both organizations continue to explore
joint initiatives that support our collective Members. We will meet later
this month to continue that work and help provide strong leadership for our
industry.

Our organizations look forward to working together to further strengthen the
design industry.

Peter Conant, IIDA, AIA 
IIDA International President

Lisa Henry, FASID
ASID National President

The Story of Why We Gather

Submitted by Meredith Hurst, Allsteel, Industry IIDA, LEED Green Assoc.

IIDA Georgia Cooper Partner:  AllSteel

We are social beings. We convene, congregate, confer, and collaborate. We come together to discuss, disagree, ideate, share, brainstorm, and solve problems. Sometimes, we want to be heard. Other times, we're there to listen. Large groups and small. Planned and impromptu. We gather when we have a job to do and often, we do it better in the company of others. It's the way work gets done. Because something special happens when we GATHER.

Collaboration isn’t a new way to work. In fact, it happens daily, spontaneously, and throughout the office and beyond. On the way for coffee you bump into a colleague in the hall. You ask a question about a project. The conversation continues, so you lean against the wall. A third person joins, and you scan the area for a place to meet. So we wondered, since collaboration is such an integral part of the way we work, is there a better way to help people come together to collaborate?

As Allsteel began to explore new solutions to make it easier for people to work together outside the individual workspace, it became clear that traditional meeting areas don’t always accommodate the behaviors that happen in them. That spaces are often empty. That even more spaces were inflexible and uninspiring. And, too often, there aren’t enough spaces that invite spontaneous collaboration, or the right kind of spaces aren’t available at all. We found there were few products on the market that naturally and intuitively address the need for interaction and collaboration, and using conventional products wasn’t always the best solution.

So Allsteel seized the opportunity to design a collection of furniture from the ground up to fulfill this unmet need in the marketplace. We set off to create something that everyone needed, but maybe didn’t know they needed. The result is Gather,™ Allsteel’s response to today’s changing demographics, shrinking workstations,and evolving workstyles. Our goal? To redefine the workplace as a destination for people to come together to move ideas and thinking to a new level.  This non-traditional collection of furniture includes a dozen eclectic pieces that offer architects, designers, dealers, workplace strategists, and facilities planners intuitive solutions that accommodate human behaviors and unlimited possibilities to mix and match for a variety of environments and activities.

Learn more about the new Gather Collection from Allsteel at http://www.allsteeloffice.com/2011NewProducts/gather/index.html.

DRESSED 2012 - The Fashion Extravaganza

DRESSED 2012 - ATLANTA’S INTERIOR DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE COMMUNITY’S FASHION SHOW EVENT OF THE YEAR!

ATLANTA - The Georgia Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA Georgia) is proud to announce its 3^rd Annual Dressed Fashion Show to be held on Thursday, May 10, 2012 at the Atlanta History Center.  The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is a not-for-profit professional networking and educational association that “works to enhance quality of life through excellence in interior design and to advance interior design through knowledge, value and community. Dressed is one of three signature events held by IIDA Georgia. The 2012 Dressed is chaired by Derek Rusch (derek.rusch@teknion.com) of Teknion, Co-Chair Bry Ayers (bayers@idea-span.com) of Idea|Span, Michael Talbot of Heery International  as the Jr Co-Chair.

Dressed is the chapter’s largest annual event and pairs Atlanta’s most talented interior designers and architects with the architectural and design (A&D) industry manufacturers to create one of a kind and wearable garments out of non-traditional materials for a runway extravaganza like no other. Teams of 2-6 designers are challenged to construct a highly unique garment made almost entirely from their sponsoring manufacturer’s products including: wall coverings, flooring materials, deconstructed contract furniture, paint and more.  The sky is the limit as these designers test their imagination to create articles of clothing from materials traditionally used to create buildings.

The theme for this year’s event is: Dressed in Architectural Styling, teams are given a time period to use for inspiration for their garment and partners up with a manufacturer’s representative.  Garments have to feature 60% of the manufacturer’s product and are judged on Construction, Creativity, Detailing, Use of Materials, Originality and Wearability.  Teams have already been assigned periods ranging from Prehistoric to 20^th Century.  This year’s event will be held at, the very fitting venue, The Atlanta History Center.  The initial sponsorship drive is underway but sponsorship opportunities are still available. If interested in becoming a Dressed 2012 sponsor, please contact Hilarie Robbins at hrobbins@ceofga.com

With the anticipation of over 500 designers and manufacturers participating and attending, Dressed is one of the largest industry events of the year, and this year’s committee aims to share the extravaganza with the local community in an effort to bridge the gap between the A&D Community and the general population in Georgia.   Come out and support design excellence while enjoying a fabulous evening.  Early-bird tickets go on sale Thursday, March 15, 2012.  Please visit IIDA Georgia’s website (iidageorgia.org), for more information and contact us at dressed@iidageorgia.org.

Rolling Out Today's Carpet Trends

Submitted by Elizabeth Chambley, The Mohawk Group
By Jackie Dettmar, VP of Commercial Product D&D, The Mohawk Group

The Mohawk Group - IIDA Georgia Platinum Sponsor

Design Quarterly

New construction has slowed, but cost-effective and eco-friendly renovations are still on the upswing. As carpeting can be one of the largest elements of the material and finishes budget for a commercial interior, and though these budgets are squeezed tighter than ever, it remains an important piece of any project that needs to be given significant thought.

Designed to Inspire

It goes without saying that consumers are more cautious with purchases in a suffering economy.  Certainly they want design concepts, patterns and color palettes with longevity, but they are still seeking innovative solutions. Carpet is no exception.

Pattern selections are embracing timeless geometrics and subtle small-scale organics, and are also taking a twist on the traditional. Design inspirations come from everywhere – nature, fashion, culture. Nature inspired textures as well as retro organics and geometric shapes are increasing in popularity.  Even stripes and classic geometrics are getting a makeover with simpler, cleaner form.

Color selections are also increasingly invested in more timeless neutrals with wood tone elements and grays of varied tones and Chroma from silvery lights to saturated coals. Designers and facilities everywhere are striving to bring light and nature into interiors. Coastal blues and greens and earthy khakis are hip today – and will still be stylish tomorrow – whether for a lobby, break room, boardroom or anywhere in between. Chromatic brights are key for unexpected splashes of color used for navigation, differentiation and branding. There are also increasing opportunities for facilities to select an accent color of their choice in their carpeting to reinforce their brand and differentiate their space from that of the competition.

The pattern design and color of carpet can powerfully impact a space and its inhabitants, and it’s one of the more important considerations when making a selection. Do you want to use your flooring selection to encourage and reinforce collaboration, to sooth and rejuvenate the soul, or to be a haven for the young, cultured and hip? Does the company pride itself on conservative thinking and tradition or does it strive to redefine the way people communicate and interact?

Be a “LEED^®”er

Today, a carpet is no longer measured on aesthetics alone. It is also judged on how it will affect the environment both inside and out. Innovations in green processes, reclaimation, and reuse continue to be introduced in all aspects of flooring choices. Fiber and materials are evolving with more recycled content and bio-based content. Understanding the importance of going green within the architecture and design industry, tools are now available that allow architects and interior designers to understand how the carpet selected will impact the environmental rating of the building in which it is installed.

With the birth of Web-based calculator tools similar to The Mohawk Group’s LEED^® Plus Calculator^™, the environmental impact of offerings can be easily determined, allowing users to:

• Search carpet collections and calculate the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) LEED (Leadership in Environmental Energy Design) certification points, as well as other environmental industry ratings, from CHPS (Collaborative For High Performance Schools) to GGHC™ (Green Guide For Healthcare)

• Easily access and document in three simple steps: log-on to the LEED Plus Calculator site, choose a product and select the rating system or third-party certification; within minutes, delivers research results in a PDF report that can be used as supplemental product documentation for LEED or equivalent certification submission.

Maximizing an Investment

Key to carpet success is candid upfront dialogue with your flooring consultant. When beginning a new project, certain questions must be considered as the responses to them will play a critical role in choosing the best color, pattern and backing system. The industry continues to see a growth in carpet tiles as a versatile alternative to broadloom.   

Colors and Patterns

Colors and patterns are more than just aesthetic accessories, they are also performance features. For example, high-traffic open office areas are served well with multi-colored carpeting, which can hide those hard-to-treat stains. Look for manufacturers that offer protectants built into the fiber of the carpet to permanently protect against these nuisances.

Backings

Choosing the appropriate backing system for the intended space is critical to providing long-term, high performance. Carpeting in high-traffic areas like hallways should have a backing that offers lifetime performance warranties covering edge ravel, delamination and tuft-bind loss.

Adhesives

Wasteful glue buckets, messy transfer papers, inefficient downtime and costly procedures can create a sticky situation with traditional carpet adhesives. Fortunately, there are several new technologies worth investigating that can make installation a breeze, including pre-applied adhesives.

Although the economic downturn will have a lasting effect on the business of design, slowly but surely, new projects are being commissioned and the industry is headed toward a level of normalcy. End users continue to become savvier in making selections and seek the most innovative designs and sustainable products that their investments will allow for. By understanding the design and maintenance needs of a given space, clients and end users can be presented with the best options that will not only be aesthetically pleasing over time, but will also perform well for years.

Jackie Dettmar is vice president of commercial product development and design for The Mohawk Group. A leading manufacturer of award-winning broadloom, modular and custom carpeting for every installation, the company is propelled by its legacy of world class performance, cutting-edge style and sustainable innovation. For additional information about its proven and new generation design solutions, and to learn more about The Mohawk Group and its four brands – Karastan, Lees, Bigelow and Durkan – visit www.themohawkgroup.com. Connect with The Mohawk Group on Twitter and Facebook.

2012 Platinum Co-Partner - Herman Miller

2012 Platinum Co-Partner promotion, Q1

News Flash: Student membership 2012 gets Extended

IIDA HQ announced recently that the current student membership is changing to follow the calendar year from January-December(calendar year).  Starting in 2013, all student memberships will follow the calendar year like our professional members. 

What that means to 2012 Student members:   all 2012 current student members will get an extension of their membership this year to run through December 2012.  This is a great benefit for current student members!  Take advantage and get involved with our chapter.   

If you have questions, contact Elizabeth Heroux, Campus Center Director at campuscenters@iidageorgia.org or go to http://www.iida.org/content.cfm/students

Get out of the Dark with Cooper Lighting CEU classes

As an IIDA Retreat Partner, Cooper Lighting would like to invite interior design professionals to a series of Lighting CEU courses on many illuminating topics.  Below is a listing of scheduled events for 2012.  Registration is simple and easy on the link listed below.

Cooper Lighting SOURCE Educational Classes

Cooper Lighting’s 2012 SOURCE calendar of educational classes for the lighting and design community. The SOURCE, one of the industries’ leading lighting education facility, is located at Cooper Lighting’s headquarters in Peachtree City, Georgia, and offers a wide variety of seminars designed to broaden the understanding of lighting and its applications. The SOURCE has been servicing the lighting industry for over twenty years and to date, over 100,000 lighting professionals, university students and end-users have benefited from the SOURCE experience.

Current available seminars/workshops for 2012, at a glance, are:

March 7 – 8:                LED Exterior Lighting Solutions

March 14 – 16:            Lighting Fundamentals for Distributors and Contractors

March 26 – 27:             Healthcare Lighting Solutions Workshop

April 12 – 13:               Lighting and Controls for the Facility Manager

May 16 – 18:               Lighting Fundamentals/Lighting Basics

June 6 – 8:                  Fundamentals for Teachers of Lighting

June 14 – 15:              Healthcare Lighting Solutions Workshop (Boston, Massachusetts

August 23 – 24:           Residential Lighting Solutions Workshop

September 5 – 7:        Lighting Fundamentals for Distributors and Contractors

September 19 – 21:    LED and Energy Efficient Retail and Hospitality Lighting Solutions Workshop

October 3 – 5:             Lighting Fundamentals/Lighting Basics

October 9 – 10:           Healthcare Lighting Solutions Workshop (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)

October 23 – 24:         Energy and Retrofit Solutions for Commercial and Industrial Spaces

November 14 – 15:     LED Exterior Lighting Solutions

December 5 – 7:         Lighting Fundamentals/Lighting Basics

Additional information and registration can be completed online at http://webtools.cooperindustries.com/lighting/classes or contact the SOURCE/Cooper Lighting at 770.486.4800 or e-mail thesource@cooperindustries.com.