The Globus Design Associates Blog

Happy Holidays

Green When No One is Watching

A guest speaker in my Sustainable Design class asked my students, "What did you do today that was green when no one was watching?"  The next day, with the question still resonating, I rode my bike to work.

Bike secured in the office entrance.  Photo: Suzan Globus

I can't take additional credit for using a vintage reconditioned bike because this 3-speed beauty was gift, but being green when no one is watching is a phrase that will stick.  Thank you, Rene Clawson for planting a seed.

Libraries in the Digital and Sustainable Age

Photo: Suzan Globus

I was asked to design a special area to attract young adults in a public library by library board members who lamented, "Kids don't read books anymore," while wondering what effect this assumption will have on public libraries in the future.  Coincidentally, one of my Design for Sustainability students submitted a paper on the effects of e-readers on libraries and I was interested to read his view regarding the need for libraries.

Typical of many library users, he said that the library was the coolest place he had ever visited as a child because it was, "crammed with anything and everything you wanted to know about."  To him, the fact that Amazon made library e-books available on Kindle was a signal of the need for libraries in the digital age.  He also felt that the continual use of the millions of library buildings around the world allows for optimization of our built environment in relationship to sustainability.  Contrary to the opinion of the my library board clients, this college student stated that he is partial of physical books and will continue to use the library for that purpose only.  Libraries have a wonderful opportunity to build on that sense of discovery that engages people of all ages by offering "anything and everything" people want to know about in both physical and digital formats in an environment that is designed to both stimulate them and support them in their quest.

Sustainable Design Collaboration Begins in the Classroom

Design for Sustainability classroom at Kean University. Photo: Suzan Globus

I've accepted a position teaching Design for Sustainability II to Earth Science and Interior Design and Industrial Design majors at Kean University.  I am especially excited to be teaching sustainability to this mix of students because interior designers recognize the need to collaborate with scientists to document the effects of interior design on the environment and building occupants in order to better understand the value of design.  Hats off to Kean for combining these disciplines in the classroom to enable the students to learn from each other and carry their comfort with collaboration into the workplace after they graduate.  Case study, anyone?

Public Libraries Provide Storm Shelter

Hurricane Irene disrupted daily life for residents of the eastern US this week causing many to turn to their public libraries for support.

Photo: Suzan Globus Raritan River, New Brunswick, NJ.

Public librarians across NJ documented visitors more than doubling as residents flocked to their libraries to charge cell phones, seek information, use the internet and talk to their neighbors.  Strained wi-fi networks and seating capacities accomodated the crowds while library staff directed people to the resources and comfort they needed.

Photo: Suzan Globus People staring at the surging Delaware River, Stroudsburg, PA.

One library, designated as a shelter,  provided cots and water to those evacuated from their homes.  Others reported their staff volunteering to make snacks and drinks available to those seeking refuge from the storm. Another reported setting up a temporary business center for those unable to work from home.

As one librarian wrote, "We hope our library made a difference to many people in our community who did not have power and needed to use the library's computers to communicate with their families or businesses or needed to access reference resources and information or just a good book or library program for their family during this difficult time."

The storm underlined the value that public libraries provide to their communities, especially in times of need.

Back Roads Reveal Historic Preservation, Restoration and Adaptive Reuse

Serendipity is one of the best rewards of travel. On a recent trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains, I  encountered examples of historic preservation, renovation and adaptive reuse where people understand the "reuse" part of sustainability. A double rainbow announced what lay ahead.
Photo: Suzan Globus

Photo: Suzan Globus

The public library in Shepherdstown, W.V. is tucked into the former circa 1800 headquarters for the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Photo: Suzan Globus

The library is centrally located in the center of Shepherdstown's commercial hub, West German Street, a restored historic district.

Further south in New Market, VA., I happened upon a retired fireman, who is a descendant of Dr. Soloman Henkel, engaged in lovingly restoring his relative's former home.

 
Photo: Suzan Globus

According to this plaque on the home's exterior, I was given a much more gracious reception than the Yankee soldiers who came to town.

Photo: Suzan Globus

In what was the front parlor of the original home, thin sheet rock which allows for a reveal around the fluted door casing is being considered in lieu of repairing the plaster walls.

Photo: Suzan Globus

The stylized dentil frieze and angular corner blocks on the door casing echo the trompe l'oeil panels in the newer front parlor and are of a grand scale compared to the more modest bullseye corner blocks and trim surrounding the original six panel interior door above.

Photo: Suzan Globus

The cracked painted plaster ceiling presents some restoration challenges.

Images of the original interior design are guiding the renovation.

Photo: Suzan Globus

The next project for the fireman/renovator is Dr. Henkel's pharmacy behind the house.

 

Vacation Shots

I will be well into my vacation away when you read this, so I'm sending vacation images from nearby historical Victorian Ocean Grove, a well planned small seashore town where thousands flock each summer. People have said that if you live in a place where others spend their vacations, you stop appeciating the beauty of it, but I don't expect that will happento me.

Teens use Library in New Ways

To hear some of our public library clients tell it, part of the headline above, "Teens Use Library" might be newsworthy.  In towns where the library is not located within walking distance of the schools, some public libraries use programs such as gaming to attract teen users.

River Edge Public Library employed a creative tactic to engage teens to become more familiar with and take pride in their local library by enrolling them to assist in moving part of the book collection. The move was precipitated by the redesign of the library interiors.

As demonstrated by these photos on the library's page, the volunteers are enjoying themselves. The teens are engaged and the library is saving money by using volunteer labor. Great idea and execution by Daragh O'Connor, Director. It will be interesting to see if The teens will increase their use of the library after investing their time to improve it for their community.

Climate Change Reminder of Interior Designer's Role

Photo: Suzan Globus

An angry sun was trying to get its last licks in on a sweltering day during my 7:30 pm ferry commute from NYC yesterday. The excessive heat reminds me of the responsibility I have as an interior designer to reduce my clients' impact on climate change by weaving sustainability throughout each project.

So thanks, Builder's Exchange Magazine for the good bytes on the Rock Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library and Archives  that we designed and is being submitted for LEED-CI.

 

Library Furniture Surprises from NeoCon

The encouraging news in the library furniture world is that the go-to workhorse furniture lines known for manufacturing cost conscious solutions are investing in good design.  They understand or are willing to bet that:

1. Good design sells.

2. Good design doesn't have to be more expensive.

 

Here is a sampling of my list of old standards with noteworthy new additions to their product lines:

Global - Ballara, Lounge seating

Hon - Voi, Desks

KI - Learn 2,  Classroom seating

Jofco - Collective space, systems furniture