The Globus Design Associates Blog

Tips to reduce paper in the office

We pulled the plug on the fax machine years ago.  We found we were buying and using paper to receive unsolicited menus, mostly. We operate a "paperless" office but are always looking for ways to increase sustainable practices. Reducing the amount of paper in the workplace benefits all businesses, not just libraries.  Here are a couple of quick tips:

Photo: Suzan Globus

1. If your in-box looks like this stack which represents a fraction of the deluge of catalogues and junk mail we used to receive, my favorite way to make it stop is to register at Catalogue Choice.  The free registration lets you select the unsolicited mail you don't want to receive.  Let the sender do the recycling.

Photo: Suzan Globus

2. Accidentally printing on a check left in the printer is only one small reason to bank on line.  When you consider the resources needed to purchase and store checks and receipts and print and mail them, it's difficult to justify paper checks.

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

Creative Library Interior Design Makes a Difference

There is an increase in media coverage about libraries recently with the advent of Architectural Record's spotlight on libraries and a public library winning one of Metropolis magazine's Smart Environments awards.  Using the stories to take a quick pulse on the state of notable library design shows the contribution good interior design can make.

Take, for example, the lobby of Minneapolis' Roseville Branch Library, a winner of the Metropolis contest compared to the lobby of Amsterdam Library, Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam. For context, the Roseville Branch Library is a renovation and addition unlike the Amsterdam Library which was a new construction. The Roseville Branch Library earned a LEED Gold rating.  Although Europe is decades ahead of the US in green building principles, it is unclear which were employed in designing the Amsterdam library.

Similarly, the two facilities contain dramatic two story spaces dedicated to materials display and browsing with clerestory windows, natural light, indirect lighting and white walls.  Given a similar "shell", compare the results of the interior design of each space.

 
Roseville Branch Library  Metropolismag.com Lara Swimmer
 
Openbare Bilbliotheek Amsterdam Photo:arkitip.com

Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam.  Photo: Shelley Berstein

The  interior design of the open, semi-circular materials displays for the Amsterdam library creates pockets of intrigue which invite exploration in the Amsterdam Library. The Roseville Branch Library display fixtures are visible at a glance.  Decorative pendant lighting and column mounted sconces  avoid washing the space with a uniform, flat light and mimic the highlights occuring in nature. The furnishings, floor plan and lighting in both spaces create a significant impact on the library user's experience. Which space would you prefer to use?

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.

Smaller Library Circulation Desk Opens Space for Growth

Downsizing is not just for baby boomers. We are happy to be designing a new circulation desk for the River Edge Public Library to bring the library into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act's new 2010 guidelines.  Similar to many older circulation desks in existing libraries, this one was taking up a lot of real estate.

Existing desk upon entering the library.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Desk from front facing  Photo: Suzan Globus

End of circulation desk  Photo: Suzan Globus

The existing desk measures 54 linear feet.Through the years, sections of it have been repurposed as shown by the circular media display above.  The new desk will measure 30 linear feet and will be positioned in line with the wall perpendicular to the column on the right in the top photo.  This will give those entering the library an unobstructed view through the windows on the back wall (top photo). It will also position the staff closer to their office as well as enable them to easily greet those entering.  Relocating and reducing the size of the desk opens up some very valuable floor space for new materials, display,additional seating and computers to enable the library to keep up with the increased demand for those functions in the future.

Rendering of proposed circulation desk. Drawing: Alden Anderson

 

 

Interior Design Students' Project Demonstrates the Value of Design

After Brookdale Community College Interior Design students designed a day room in the facilities for long term battered women at Ancora Psychiatric Hospital in Hammonton, NJ, they learned about the effect of their design.

Students of Patty Blaser's Interior Design Studio and Celeste Chirichello's Textiles Class teamed together to design a day room referencing the calming influence of nature.

Design inspiration drawings by Dorata Cerwas

Materials Presentation Boards by Dorata Cerwas

The hospital's facilities and medical personnel told the instructors that after the day room was installed they noted that one patient would no longer confront others in the newly redesigned day room.  They said her behavior was noticeably less aggressive within the new environment.  They also related that patients who formerly took their meal trays to separate areas within the room to eat in solitude were now eating in groups. 

The hospital has volunteered to document the behaviorial changes and share the results with the interior design instructors who will be able to share the value of interior design with other students.  I'm happy to informally share this case of the value of interior design with you.

 

 

Library Design - The Value Discussion

Recently, a library design client asked me what they would have to show for the money they wanted to invest in redesigning their library.  I love this question and understand the value of interior design is difficult to quantify.  One member of the client team wanted to list the increase in seats, shelving and media display space gained from the redesign.  This is a good place to start the value conversation, but doesn't get to the heart of the value of design.  Let's look at a brief case study.

Before

We were asked to redesign a Library Staff Workroom to create more privacy and individual storage and to segregate functions.  

  This plan shows the existing conditions of the Library Workroom before we redesigned it. Disregard the numbers on the plan that key to a list of the existing furnishings not shown. You can see that the desks are located on either side of an aisle bisecting the space. Anyone walking through the space will potentially distract anyone working in the room. I never understood how the person sitting at desk #45 got to her chair without moving file #47.

Photo: Valerie Mangan

The existing wood desks afforded no acoustical privacy and space was cramped.

Photo: Valerie Mangan

The lack of adequate personal storage space created a shortage of work counter space.

Photo: Valerie Mangan

Eating or taking a break in the middle of a storage area does not support the idea of respite.

After

Our redesign of the area created individual work stations oriented so the backs of the staff face passersby.

The new workstations provide increased personal storage and accoustical privacy.

The Real Value

If the value discussion is limited to finite and visible (i.e. "What will we have to show for our money?"), the workroom redesign added one workstation in an existing space.  But the true value for the money spent on interior design includes:

• Increased accoustical privacy

• Increased visual privacy for those whose work requires it
  

• Better segregation of functions

• Dedicated break space

• Less disruption of work from incidental foot traffic

• Reduced feeling of being crowded

• Staff excitement over having their own, clearly defined space
• Enhanced aesthetics
  

I like to conclude that all of these attributes result in increased efficiency and productivity and higher staff morale resulting from pride of place and increased sense of well being and I know that this is difficult to quantify.  I also know that the less tangible attributes are where the true value of interior design lives.

Installing Furniture During Library Operating Hours

Sometimes installations during operating hours cannot be avoided.  If that is the case, some steps can be taken to make the process easier of staff and customers.

1. Schedule delivery as early in the day as possible.

Photo: Suzan Globus

Trucks arriving before the library opens ensures the entrance won't be blocked if only the front entrance can accommodate the delivery.

2. Check beforehand that the number of installers on site is adequate to complete the installation in a timely manner.

Photo: Suzan 

3. Request that old furniture be removed before new furnishings arrive.

Photo: Suzan Globus

If old furniture is to be replaced, it can take up double the amount of floor space while it remains.

4. If machinery is required to complete the installation, designate a workplace removed from foot traffic.

Photo: Suzan Globus

Ideally, no fabrication should occur on site. If it is unavoidable, the designated area must be supervised so that no customers are allowed near the work area.

Due to schedules, deadlines and the desire to provide uninterrupted customer service, deliveries and installations occasionally occur when customers are present and safety is always the key concern. Employing these simple precautions, helps to create a safer environment.

How to add Quiet Space into an Existing Library Interior

I was checking an installation of of custom casework my firm designed for the Jefferson Public Library the other day when a library user began talking to me about the library.  I asked her what she thought the biggest change was in the library's new  design and she said that now she could find quiet spaces within the open plan.  Because one of the program requirements for the redesign of the library was to create quiet space within the existing public space, I was happy to hear she thought we achieved the goal.   Here is how we did it.

1. Carve out space in book stacks.

Before Photo: Valerie Mangan

Shifting rows of book stacks like those shown, above left, can yield some floor space in between the ranges.

After  Photo: Suzan Globus

The tall book stacks create a natural sound barrier and element of privacy for the people using the carrels and table in the newly created quiet study area, above.  Because the interior design program included a sustainability component and a fiscally conservative approach, we reused as much of the existing furnishings as possible.  We keyed the floor plan to the existing lighting and power drops to avoid additional electrical costs which the library was unprepared to address at this time.

2.  Consolidate book collections, particularly the young adults materials.

Before Photo: Valerie Mangan

The majority of the young adults collection was located behind the tall periodical shelving, above left.  The graphic novels display, left of center, was not adjacent to the teen area.  Teens tend to travel in groups and can be perceived as disruptive to other age groups of library customers, so consolidating teen services and collections tends to reduce noise.

After  Photo: Suzan Globus

Carving out a corner, to which teens tend to gravitate, reshelving the collection to provide easy access to young adult books and computers and adding some appealing seating in flexible arrangements helps to create a space where teens want to linger.

3. Locate high traffic materials near the library entrance.

Before Photo: Valerie Mangan

Previously, the reference area, far left above, was adjacent to the library entrance.

Before Photo: Valerie Mangan

Those seeking to do on-line research or work quietly on a laptop at a carrel, above, could easily be distracted by noise from the foot traffic through the nearby front doors.

After  Photo: Suzan Globus

Designing a browsing area with new materials, periodicals, digital media and comfortable seating near the entrance keeps the sounds of the quick, casual visitors segregated from those seeking quieter surroundings for longer stays at the library.

 

Green City Initiatives - Lessons from Denver

During a quick trip to Denver, CO, I was impressed by some simple sustainability programs that make the city more accessible and enjoyable.

Leaving the Newark terminals behind. Photo: Suzan Globus

Landing in Denver. Photo: Suzan Globus

Although Denver is home to some progressive interior design like the multi-use lobby of The Jet Hotel

The Jet Hotel lobby.  Photo: Suzan Globus

which transforms into the Jet Bar at night when the draperies get fastened to the columns,

The Jet Bar.  Photo: Suzan Globus

I was more interested in city planning than facilities.  Here is what makes green Denver work well:

1. A pedestrian mall that transverses a mile long retail district.  Free service on hybrid, accessible buses that run frequently 20 hours a day. Photo: Suzan Globus

2. Public art installations, adequate lighting and lush landscaping make the mall a pleasant place to be.  Photo: Suzan Globus

3. Street performers. I didn't get a chance to ask this musician if his performance was subsidized by the city. Photo: Suzan Globus

  4. Ample, well located bike racks.  Photo: Suzan Globus

5. Bikes available to rent and return to various spots around the city including the train station.  Rates range from a dollar an hour to five dollars a day.  Photo: Suzan Globus

6. Public buses with front mounted bike racks to accommodate cyclists. Photo: Suzan Globus