The Globus Design Associates Blog

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.

International Interior Design Leaders Determine Core Values

As part of an unprecedented global initiative by the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) to create a foundation of understanding about the core value, relevance, responsibility and identity of interiors, over 100 international interior design thought leaders gathered in NYC last week to reach consensus about the foundation of the profession. I am a co-opted board member of IFI and my absence from my blog is due to preparing for and participating in the global symposium.  The symposium attendees gathered to view the outcomes from the regional think tanks held in 70 countries around the world and the global on-line survey, resolve outstanding issues and reach a consensus, termed "Outcomes Declaration".

IFI President Shashi Caan sets the agenda for the two-day meetings held in the Steelcase showroom.

Keynote speaker, Richard Farson, Ph.D., author of The Power of Design A Force for Transforming Everything, 2008, Greenway Communications, challenged us to use our "design thinking" skills to solve problems such as addiction and recidivism.

We broke into groups to address the core values of interior design. I facilitated the group assigned the topic of "Business".  We arrived at statements about the value design adds to business.

From left, Jane Kucko, interior design educator, Tennessee; John McGee, practitioner, Scotland; John Lijewski, practitioner, NYC; Karen Broshcart, student, NYC; Marco Coello, practitioner, Mexico, Kalpano Kuttiah, design researcher, Chicago. Photo: Suzan Globus

In the evening, we gathered for dinner at the MTV corporate events venue on Broadway which provided an unusual perspective of Times Square.

Photo: Suzan Globus

Like all of the attendees I spoke with, I am proud to have participated in such an historical event in the evolution of the interior design profession and am eager to read IFI's publication of the results of the symposium and survey which will be used to inform interior design practice, education, public understanding of and, hopefully, government policy.

Greenliness is next to Godliness

One of the stops on my Aunt's "must-see" list, during her visit last week - after Christmas window decorations, of course -

was the New York City Public Library.

and its restored third floor.

Certain interior design elements, such as this casework

and these ceilings reminded me of a church.  That triggered a thought of my recent visit to a friend's church where I noticed a pamphlet in the lobby promoting green living as one aspect of leading a spiritual life.

One document offered an outline of steps to take ranging from questioning consumption and product packaging to cleaning supplies in order to lead a greener life.

Although I am not promoting a specific religion, I feel libraries in their role as community centers and places of information exchange can take a cue from the Presbyterian Church, in this case, and prominently place resources encouraging an interest in sustainability.  There is an opportunity for libraries to be leaders in disseminating information about sustainability which feels like a valuable void to fill.

Green Resources Invite Exploration

Making decisions about sustainable products and practices involves hours of research.  When the information is dry and presented in a boring format, the hunt can become tedious.   Several green websites are well designed and engaging. Afterall, isn't good design, regardless of the medium, always engaging?  Here's a short list of appealing sites to investigate:

Treehugger This comprehensive site weighs in on topics ranging from design to transportation with plenty of "how to" guides.

Environmental Working Group covers health, farming, natural resources and energy with a special focus on protecting children from environmental toxins.

Good Guide focuses on personal and cleaning products and is helpful for learning about the implications of some common chemicals used in these products.

Green Money Journal provides accessible information about socially responsible investing.

LOHAS a B2B site that tracks the market segment they name the "Cultural Creatives" and define as those seeking a lifestyle of health and sustainability to provide a forum to exchnage best business practices.

Enjoy the exploration.

 

Green Goes Main Stream in Crafts and Art

Using found objects to create art is nothing new.  "Objet Trouve" translating to "found object", is the French term for the practice that is commonly attributed to the DaDa movement.  It seems to be enjoying a resurgence perhaps due to the focus on sustainability.   These three examples popped up in my immediate area:

Quilt

Photo: Suzan Globus

"Paper Bag Quilt" by Lynn Liebenow was made using only recycled materials.  It was one featured at a quilt show at Monmouth University.

Card

Photo: Valerie Mangan

This award winning greeting card is the artful work of Valerie Mangan - yes, THE Globus Design Associates Valerie Mangan, which she made from an old photo sleeve.

Art

Art From Found Objects is a juried exhibit hosted by the Monmouth Museum through the end of the month.  This juried exhibition in the Museum's Main Gallery features artwork created from discarded, reusable or found objects. Forty-eight artworks from artists working in NY, NJ and PA and as far away as Missouri and Arkansas are featured. 

It is great to see sustainability seeping into all aspects of our culture.

Rain Garden Sustains Library Landscape

The recent drought and water restrictions on the East Coast of the US highlighted the sensibility of using indigenous plants to landscape public facilities and private residences.  The staff of the Red Bank Public Library in Red Bank, NJ took broader action when they had a rain garden installed in front of the library.

The Eisner Memorial Red Bank Public Library.  Photo by Suzan Globus

A rain garden provides an opportunity to capture and absorb run off from adjacent impervious surfaces and to return water vapor to the atmosphere.  In the library's case, the root systems from the new plantings surrounding the wrought iron fenced patio and adjacent to the walkways on the left collect moisture from the building's roof, patio, sidewalks and parking lot (not shown).

A closer look at some of the native plants used for the rain garden.  Photo by Suzan Globus

Indigenous plants are the best to use for a rain garden because they don't require fertilization and are tolerant of their native climate.  Notice how the grass in front of the garden is suffering from the water restriction in comparison to the native plants in the garden.

The Rudbeckia hirta L. (Black-eyed Susan) is keyed to a plant plan available in the library.  Photo by Suzan Globus

In addition to potentially reducing the Library's operating cost by reducing water consumption, the rain garden provides an educational opportunity for library visitors who can tour the garden with a plan identifying the plants.  The library has wisely capitalized on the garden installation by offering horticulture programs to attract potentially a new group of library customers and is leading the community by example with this visible measure of sustainability.

Gulf Coast Observations

While visiting Mississippi last week, I had the opportunity to travel along the Gulf Coast from Waveland to Ocean Springs, MS and see some of BP's oil spill clean up efforts. As usual, I took these photos from a moving car. The area is still grappling with the effects of Katrina, so the BP catastrophe seems especially unfair.

Hurricane Katrina winds flattened miles of  Mississippi forests.

The orange booms were visible crossing between Bay St. Louis and Pass Christian, MS.

Miles of beautiful white sandy beaches were dotted with clean up crews.  The shoreline was not visible from the car, so I did not see oil on the beach.

Clean up crews equipped with plastic bags to capture oil balls of oil.

Porta-potties and tents to provide relief from the sun for the workers stuck up like warts on otherwise pristine beach sand.

New fences erected to warn bathers of the water pollution lined the coast for miles.

Acres of empty parking lots issued an eerie reminder of the compromised water.

A sign of hope

Some of the forests devastated by Katrina have begun to reseed themselves. 

In preparation for a fourth of July observation, flags were erected in the sand as if in testament to the human spirit.

Library Seating from NeoCon

NeoCon is fun to attend because it is a social as well as product platform. Take a look at some impromptu meetings:

 

The Suits (top) vs. The Skirts (below)

Taking a cue from the skirts, I will review seating choices which might be useful in a library.

Staff Seating  

The Wilkhahn On chair won a show gold and is touted as moving as your body does which this man is demonstrating.  The design is clean and strong, just wish the sustainability story was better.

Lounge Seating

This Cateby's Collection chair reminded me that there are some opportunities for crossover from the healthcare industry into libraries, except that most healthcare chair designs still scream "healthcare".  This one is trying to move the style forward. Not surprisingly, I've been met with resistance from librarians when suggesting certain libraries try a recliner or two in a controlled setting.  Too bad the library customers aren't given the opportunity to weigh in on this topic.

I imagine Vitra's Cocoon chair would gain several loyal fans in a library setting.  It provided me with some much welcomed adult time out from the bustling show crowds.  Sight lines would be a critical factor in locating this lounge seat in a library setting.

Versteel's IMMIX bench seating looks like it would function well in libraries with space to afford individual lounge seating with tables in between.  The tablet arm option helps.  When are the finish options going to increase for those of us interior designers who want a great looking and durable frame finish for public spaces and won't specify chrome due to its negative environmental impact?

Teknion's dna lounge seating gets high marks from me because of its flexibility. It can be used as lounge seating for individuals and meeting spaces for small groups - at the same time.  The data connections are included in the backless center module.   

Young Adults Seating

Librarians are on the prowl for hip seats for the teens.  These fill the bill:

Leland International's Pluto seats attracted more than teens.

Itoki Design's CH Bench offers a variety of grouping possibilities which is an attractive feature to teenagers.

More to come

I'll be featuring other furniture finds from NeoCon in additional categories suitable for libraries in the future.

Library Furniture Finds from NeoCon

I'm back from attending NeoCon billed as the "World's Trade Fair" in Chicago's Merchandise Mart which boasts 4 million square feet of space much of which is taken by furniture show rooms. In other words, lots of choices of furniture.  I narrow them by scouting for innovation and furniture not necessarily intended for library markets that will translate into furniture suitable for libraries.  After all, I'm a designer. Anyone can go to the traditional library furniture manufacturers for their library furniture.  Time is a constraint at NeoCon. I did not get the opportunity to see every showroom in the building for this year's collection of my NeoCon standouts.

Keep it Moving

Ergo Ergo

A new entry in a line of seating that allows the human body to support itself instead of depending on the chair, Ergo Ergo caught my eye.  Designed by Alan Heller after seeing writer Barbara Blackstone sitting on an exercise ball to write a book, the "chair" is  made from a combination of UV resistant polyethylene and rubber. I hope the new design will evolve into substituting the polyethylene for something that is not a human carcinogen.

I can imagine librarians protesting about the mobility of these seats, but I like to use a variety of seating in public libraries and imagine these would be especially welcome by teens.

The Ergo is definitely cooler looking than the HAG Balans kneeling chair above.  Remember this one?

The  company offers that the Ergo Ergo is especially well suited to early education applications because they claim children learn better when their bodies are in motion. After watching a video of show goers testing the Ergo, I was impressed by the range of ages of people attracted to them and the smiles they emitted.  Now, if only the materials can be improved.

As a side note, the sales associate, I photographed below demonstrated another way to keep moving while sitting.

This set up reminds me of Steelcase Details' introduction of the Walkstation in 2008.

Details Walkstation

I wonder if people can really work well and walk at the same time. There is no question that we are spending more time indoors and many of us are spending much of that time in front of a screen of one size or another. The manufacturer's attempt to address fitness with furniture is laudable.  It will be interesting to see where this trend heads.

Shopping Mall Libraries are Timely Idea

From the Pacific Northwest

They are not a new idea, but shopping mall libraries make especially good sense today.  With a high rate of turnover in malls, developers are looking for tenants and libraries can be great partners.

This rendering of the King County (WA.) Library System's Lake Hills Library shows the Library  that the developer chose to anchor his redevelopment of the Lake Hill Shopping Center in 2009.  The developer paid for the shell and the library provided funding for the interiors.

To the Pacific Rim

Bringing libraries to the people who use them was a consideration in locating the Thai Knowledge Park on the eighth floor of the Central World Plaza shopping mall in Bangkok last year. 

These images (courtesy of rubbell.hepple.net) show that successful library design in a mall needs to compete with retail design.  Public library interior design needs to compete with retail design regardless of where the building is located.

As a footnote, the Thai knowledge Park was destroyed when the building was burned by arsonists in May 2010.