Looking Ahead: Sustainability Events 2013-2014

Written by:
Meghan Woodcock, EDAC 
SCAD Professor, Interior Design
IIDA Sustainability Forum Director

Looking Ahead: Sustainability Events 2013–14

2013–14 offers a wide range of events focused on bringing environmentally minded individuals together. Engaging activities, diverse line-ups and thought-provoking content promise to continue raising awareness and inspire the next set of meaningful steps towards change. From conservation efforts and film festivals focused on the urgent environmental issues of our time to understanding the built environment's most rigorous and ambitious performance standards and the world's largest expo dedicated to green building, here’s a glance at what’s coming up in 2013–14.

Georgia

Georgia Conservancy Tybee Island Beach Swap
September 21, 2013 7:30 AM // Savannah, GA
georgiaconservancy.org/index.phpmact=Calendar,cntnt01,default,0&cntnt01year=2013&cntnt01month=&cntnt01event_id=126&cntnt01display=event&cntnt01lang=en_GB&cntnt01returnid=69

Smart Cities and Ecosystems
Thursday, October 3, 2013 6:00PM – 8:00PM // Atlanta, GA
usgbcga.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mc&view=mc&Itemid=110

2013 Forestry Symposium
Oct 4, 2013 8:30 AM // Athens, GA
usgbcga.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mc&view=mc&Itemid=110

Understanding the Living Building Challenge Public Workshop
December 5, 2013 // Atlanta, GA
living-future.org/events/understanding-living-building-challenge-workshop-atlanta-ga

Greenprints 
March 12–13  2014 //  Atlanta, GA
greenprints.org

National

Understanding the Living Building Challenge Public Workshop
September 25, 2013 // Cincinnati, OH
living-future.org/events/understanding-living-building-challenge-public-workshop-cincinnati-oh

The New Metrics of Sustainable Business Conference
September 24–25, 2013 // Philadelphia, PA
sustainablebrands.com/events/sbiif/newmetrics13

Understanding the Living Building Challenge Public Workshop
October 11, 2013 // New York, NY
living-future.org/events/understanding-living-building-challenge-public-workshop-new-york-ny

Leadership Summit on Sustainable Design
October 6– 8, 2013 // Minneapolis, MN
www.di.net/events/summit

Net Zero Cities 2013
October 23– 24, 2013 // Fort Collins, CO
netzerocities.net

CitiesAlive 11th Annual Green Roof & Wall Conference
October 23, 2013 - October 26, 2013 // San Francisco, CA, USA
citiesalive.org

BECC 2013 – Behavior, Energy & Climate Change Conference
November 18 – 20, 2013 // Sacramento, CA
beccconference.org

2013 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo
November 20-22, 2013 // Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
greenbuildexpo.org/faqs/General-Information.aspx

DC Environmental Film Festival 2014
March 18-30, 2014 // Washington, D.C.
dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org

Living Future 2014
May 21–23, 2014 // Portland, OR
living-future.org/unconference2014

San Francisco 4th Annual Green Film Festival
May 29–June 4, 2014 // San Francisco, CA
sfgreenfilmfest.org

Sustainable Brands '14 Conference
June 2–5, 2014 // San Diego, CA
sustainablebrands.com/events/sb14/register

2014 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo
November 8–10, 2014 // New Orleans, LA
details TBA

International
Sustainable Brands London Conference
November 18-19, 2013 // London, England
www.sustainablebrands.com/events/sblondon13/register

Understanding the Living Building Challenge Public Workshop
November 19, 2013 // Madrid, Spain
living-future.org/events/understanding-living-building-challenge-workshop-madrid-spain

Understanding the Living Building Challenge Public Workshop
November 21, 2013 // Barcelona, Spain
living-future.org/events/understanding-living-building-challenge-workshop-barcelona-spain

14th Annual Environmental Film Festival
November 21–24, 2013 // Toronto, Canada
planetinfocus.org/film-festival

2014 International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability
January 22–24 2014 // The University of Split, Split, Croatia

onsustainability.com/the-conference

Ecobuild 2014
March 4–6, 2014 //  London, England

ecobuild.co.uk

International Conference on Sustainable Design and Construction Engineering
April 29–30, 2014 // Paris, France
waset.org/conferences/2014/france2014/icsdce/

IIDA Member Spotlight: Meet David Sheehan, IIDA

A Volunteers Experience at Zerolandfill Atlanta

Student blogger  Saima Ahmad sent us her blog post about her Zerolandfill Atlanta experience, see what she has to say about this great event!  Remember, that the second weekend is coming up.

"I am an IIDA student member from GTC and volunteered at the Zerolandfill event on Saturday. Here is my blog covering the first day."


IIDA Student Member's experience with the Zerolandfill Atlanta Event

The New Kind of Clubhouse in MultiFamily Communities

Residential Forum – The new kind of clubhouse in multifamily communities

Submitted by: Katherine Leicht, Shelton Taylor & Associates, IIDA

            With the economy still struggling to get back on its feet, young adults remain nervous about making a commitment to buying a place. Instead, they opt for renting in high-end apartment complexes with upscale, all-inclusive amenities.

Developers are not going to build one of these lavish communities before getting to know the market around the area. “It's critical to get detailed information about potential residents from the builder in the beginning," says Victoria Currens, principal with Style Interior Design based in Irvine, Calif. "We like to collaborate with builders at every stage of the project. First and foremost, you have to determine how the space is going to function and who will use it because this influences most design decisions.”

            Today, the “new generation” clubhouse has turned into a social gathering place for friends to hangout, families to host parties, and neighbors to meet and mingle with each other.

“The look and feel of multifamily communities continues to change. Greater competition is forcing developers to differentiate their products–and it all starts with the clubhouse. There is a new focus on lifestyle, amenities, and services. Developers willing to provide excellent clubhouse design, not to mention quality amenities and services, will add value to their property and will successfully attract renters willing to pay premium rates.” (Source A)

Below are some new and upgraded areas of the typical amenity space.

 

• Outdoor area

Today’s outdoor areas in new-construction multifamily communities are not your typical rectangular pool with uncomfortable chaise lounges. They are resort-style, recreational areas with waterfalls, bocce ball courts, grilling areas with top-of-the-line appliances, fire pits, and multiple seating groups.



Metro 808 Apartment Homes – Charlotte, NC

Image courtesy of Woodfield Investments, LLC, www.woodfieldinvestments.com



Metro 808 Apartment Homes – Charlotte, NC

Image courtesy of Woodfield Investments, LLC, www.woodfieldinvestments.com

Hidden Creek Apartment Homes – Gaithersburg, MD

Image courtesy of Woodfield Investments, LLC, www.woodfieldinvestments.com

Whitehall Parc Apartment Homes – Charlotte, NC

Image courtesy of Woodfield Investments, LLC, http://www.whitehallparcapts.com

• Multimedia Theater

Say goodbye to watching the Lakers game on your 32”TV in your living room. Say hello to watching it with your friends and neighbors on an 80” flat screen with surround sound speakers.

Creekstone Apartment Homes – Durham, NC

Image courtesy of Woodfield Investments, LLC, www.woodfieldcreekstone.com

• Demo Kitchens

Seen in more of the upscale communities, residents can practice their cooking skills by themselves or take classes that are offered by the community every week by a local chef in the demo kitchen.

Whitehall Parc Apartment Homes – Charlotte, NC

              Image courtesy of Woodfield Investments, LLC, http://www.whitehallparcapts.com

Wi-Fi Café 

Equipped with cappuccino/latte/coffee/smoothie machines and tablet chairs with outlets built-in, the typical “business center” is no longer strictly business.

Hidden Creek Apartment Homes – Gaithersburg, MD

Image courtesy of Woodfield Investments, LLC, www.hiddencreekapartment.com

Whitehall Parc Apartment Homes – Charlotte, NC

Image courtesy of Woodfield Investments, LLC, http://www.whitehallparcapts.com

Whether the prospect is looking for a great pool area to throw parties in the summer or a demo kitchen to practice cooking, they have one thing in common:  they want the “new generation” amenities, regardless of resident profile.  

Sources:

http://www.multifamilyexecutive.com/design/bells-and-whistles_3.aspx (source A)

http://www.multifamilyexecutive.com/design/extreme-student-housing-amenities-catching-on-elsewhere.aspx

http://www.multihousingnews.com/category/features/architecturedesign

 



Hospitality Forum - Lobby Design

Hospitality Forum - Lobby Design
submitted by: Foreman Arden Rogers, III  ASID, IIDA  Senior Associate, tvsdesign

 

I have never written a blog before but have "looked" at many.   All I know is I like to see pictures rather than read too much.  Since it’s hospitality Forum this month I am going to highlight a recent hotel we did and talk briefly about some of the influences that were a part of the lobby design…and show lots of pictures. 

I am then going to give share some great websites I find inspiration through all the time. 

Lastly, I am going to talk about Coverings which is coming to Atlanta end of April…more pictures!

Lobby Design:

 The "living room" of the hotel.  Lobbies more than ever are becoming the most exciting place in the hotel.  The trend is to have an 18 hour lobby or a place for “first drink /last drink”.   This idea makes them an all day revenue maker, whereas before they were just a waiting room or quick meeting place.  Lobbies are a place to relax, work, eat and meet.  The lobby is where you grab a coffee and quick pastry in the in the morning and at night a place to grab a bite from a limited menu and a glass of wine while you check emails.

Connected - There is a need to have as much connection as possible with lots of plug -ins and wifi.  This is a huge design element now.  You have to be clever in the placement, making sure the outlets do not stand out like a sore thumb but at the same time placing them intuitively for the guest.  Another trend is to have places just off the lobby that work as a “tech lounge”.  A place that has computers and a printer as well as a communal table that can work for small meetings.    

A space for all - For years the lobby bar was a bunch of old men drinking and watching sports.  Women are quickly growing to be the largest business travelers.   One of the biggest challenges is getting those women out of their rooms and in the lobby spending some money. 

One of the ways this is done these days is designing a space that is elegant with a bar that is sophisticated.  Think wine bar over sports bar OR smart and sexy over English pub.  It still amazes me how our designs influence the way people act.  We, as designers, have that gift to impact ones behavior by producing an environment that encourage the guests.

Seating – This is one of the most important references to Lobby design - you need different types:  from bar to counter; communal to lounge.  Then you need individual and group seating.  And on top of it all it all needs to be adaptable to go from a small group to a larger one...quickly.   This hotel for instance rents out areas of the lobby for different group events.   Once again another revenue maker.

You have to design the seating for both sexes.    For example:  Women often will want to be in the space but tucked away and not feel on display.  Men want a comfortable large bar chair with a back.   This is only to name a couple of thought processes when selecting the furnishings.

Lighting – Very important!  In the morning it needs to be bright and energetic and as the day goes on it slowly transitions to soft mood light.  The goal here is to make the space feel and look different at night than it did that morning when they left for the their meetings.

Art -The lobby has become the place to have large commissioned art.  This museum-like quality is wanted and often it can give a sense of place or highlight local artists. 

This, of course, is just one type of  hotel.  Not every hotel needs to think like this.  This was a business hotel, but for a resort or family hotel you would have another list of things to design towards. 

The business of Hospitality design is more than a beautifully decorated space.  It has purpose to the hotel owners to create an inviting and comfortable place for their guests to gather, meet, eat, and work.  Hospitality design needs are a space for all as the "Living Room" of the hotel.  But the real goal to keep in mind is instigating the additional revenue in sales of food and beverage for a hotel in the offerings beyond just the room charge itself!  This is what makes for a happy client.

Here are my favorite websites I use for inspiration:

www.architizer.com            http://design-milk.com/               http://www.thecoolhunter.net/

Exhibit at Coverings 2013!-     This is the largest tile and stone show in the Americas.   It is one of my favorite shows, I can wander around the show for hours looking at all the unique and cool materials.   It is here in Atlanta this year and it's free! 

The Ultimate Tile + Stone Experience for the first time is heading to Atlanta, Georgia!
April 29-May 2, 2013 | Georgia World Congress Center

ww.coverings.com

Here are some great finds from last year:

This is a 5’x10’ by 3/8” thick tile!  From Stonepeak.

Beautiful Sicis mosaic

Brushed Chinese stone





Emil Ceramic Tile

VIVA Ceramica

 

Check out the designer showcase while you are there.  This year we have 4 local firms doing projects:

• VeenandaalCave - Maternity Room 
• ASD - Bar
• Mark Williams Design - Master bath
• tvsdesign - hotel lobby  

They are being built during the show in 4 days!  Below is a photo from last year of the hotel bedroom that "yours truly" did.  It was all Ceramics of Italy.



David Allen Group had only four days to cut and install all the tile.



The final product The tile above the bed was the catalyst for the design.  It is actually a map of Milan by LEA

The End.

SEGD Accesibility Workshop - April 11th

Join us for this must-attend design and accessibility event featuring technical information

and inspirational project case studies essential for any designer working in public environments,

domestically and internationally.

AIA, AIGA, ASID, IIDA discounts available.

Call 202.638.5555 or contact

jennette@segd.org to register.

For more info bit.ly/ada-segd

Program sponsored by

On behalf of SEGD and the Atlanta Chapter, I would like to invite you and your members to the SEGD Accessibility Workshop on April 11th. IIDA members will receive a discount if registered by March 15^th.

SEGD has been guiding the environmental graphic design and architecture communities on ADA conformance issues for more than 20 years, dating from well before the Americans with Disabilities Act passed in 1990.  This all day workshop is designed to provide design professionals with the latest information on accessible practices and regulations for signage and information in the built environment. The workshop will use the SEGD 2012 ADA Update, "Signage Requirements in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design," as a learning baseline.

Designers from the SEGD community will present case studies featuring innovations in accessible signage, wayfinding, and technology-enabled information systems. Roundtable discussions with experts from the SEGD Accessibility Committee will provide an opportunity for project sharing and design feedback from participants and presenters alike.

Stephen Carlin
SEGD Atlanta Chapter Co-Chair

stevecarlin@coopercarry.com

Knoll Textiles - 2013 Partner

Introducing our new ad campaign featured in the Spring, Summer, and Fall
2012 issues of Interior Design and HD Magazine.
The campaign is the winner of the Society of Typographic Arts 2012
Archie12 Award and the 2012 HOW Design MagazineInternational Design Award.
Click on the ads below to discover the upholsteries showcased.

http://www.knolltextiles.com/textiles/newsstory?storyId=90