The Globus Design Associates Blog

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?

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

Library Display Finds from NeoCon '11

I'll admit it.  I'm not a fan of using slat wall display on end panels in libraries due to its oversubsciption and under whelming design.  If the slat wall pieces are not filled, it adds a strong horizontal linear design element that is rarely incorporated into the overall design of the space.  If the slat wall is finished in a strong color, it can stop the eye instead of the materials displayed on it.  I am always on the prowl for different ways to display library materials. The products displayed at NeoCon yielded a couple of options:

This large format, children's book, two sided, mobile trolley by Jonti Craft provides display at the eye level of the intended audience.  Although the exposed screw holes prevent me from labelling it sleek, there is much to be said for straightforward design from simple materials that doesn't have a large foot print and is easy to relocate and change.

Photo: Suzan Globus

This sleek introduction by Sparkeology allows the owner to create changeable displays in house from perforated 8-1/2" by 11" paper to hang on this brushed metal, two sided T-stand. I could imagine it being used also to display some topical periodicals supporting an adjacent display.

Library Furniture Finds from NeoCon 2011

My time at NeoCon's product displays was limited this year, but I did manage to spot a couple of products which appealed to me for use in libraries. For children's and teen seating:
Photo: Suzan Globus

With the right upholstery, these Arconas ottomen, configured to resemble flowers, could brighten a children's area.

Photo: Suzan Globus

"Flip" by Sparkeology is well suited to a teen area in the library.  Shown as storage for backpacks and laptops, the portable stool can be inverted to function as seating.  The coated steel finish is a good choice for teen use.

Library Contains Hidden Treasure

One of the benefits of designing Library interiors is discovering a link to the past or a hidden treasure within a Library's special collection.  A recent visit to a prospective client uncovered several surprises:

Photo: Suzan Globus

1. A beautiful setting on a lush campus overlooking the New York skyline.

Photo: Suzan Globus

2. Strong of the period - 1970's- architecture. As an aside, it doesn't always make for the most usable or accessible interiors, but is still interesting to look at.

Photo: Suzan Globus

3. Exceptional student art displays. This mobile was donated by former student, Alexander Calder.  See photo above for another view.

Photo: Suzan Globus

4. More "student" art. A Calder sculpture anchors rows of book stacks.

 

Bid Opening in Historic Surroundings

It's not unusual for me to attend a municipal bid opening. Many of our library interior design projects are for public libraries and we routinely prepare public bid packages for them.
Photo: Suzan Globus

It's a rare treat to find municipal offices housed in the likes of a restored former home of John Jacob Astor IV where the Bernards Township administrative offices are located.  These people truly understand the "reuse" part of sustainability.

 

Bernards Township, located in Somerset County, NJ is characterized by lush rolling hills dotted by estates on former farmland. The Bernards Township administrative offices are based in this English Tudor home gifted to the town in 1968 by John Jacob Astor VI who was born here shortly after his father perished in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.

 
Photo: Suzan Globus

This dining room turned meeting room created the most genteel environment for a bid opening I have ever encountered.

Photo: Suzan Globus

The staircase provides access to second floor offices. And while I'm thinking of some of the reasons why New Jersey is called "The Garden State", check out my spring greenery photos in Lauren Mattia's The Real Jersey Shore video on Rumson Patch.

 

New Library Circulation Desk from start to finish

I've been writing about firm's design and the construction of the new circulation desk for the River Edge Public Library and I'm happy to report it was installed last weekend while the facilities were closed.

From our "drawing boards"

Design concept perspective of a section of the new desk. Design by Globus Design Associates

In the Shop

View of the accessible section designed to meet the new ADA regulations.Photo: Suzan Globus

Interior of the desk showing the book return slot and wire management troughs in the open sections.  Photo: Suzan Globus

To the installation at the library

The desk is in place at the library awaiting delivery of the solid surface counter. Photo: Suzan Globus

The cabinetmaker's installers clean the carpet at the end of the first day of the installation. Photo: Suzan Globus

Take a look at the finished installation on River Edge Public Library's Facebook page