The Globus Design Associates Blog

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.

 

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.

 

Holiday Outing Sparks Design Inspiration

We decided to keep it local for the GDA annual holiday outing this year and selected the Hunterdon Art Museum as our destination.  Located in a 19th century stone mill, the building is listed on the National Trust of Historic Sites.  The museum is situated in a quaint setting
in historic Clinton, NJ.  Some of us were as equally interested in the views to the outside as of the exhibit.

Val and Alden taking it in. Photo: Suzan Globus

Photo: Suzan Globus

The paper exhibit showcased the work of Pamela Becker who used paper for her constructions.

Linen and paper coiled bowls by Pamela Becker.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Wall hanging representing the four seasons by Pamela Becker. Photo: Suzan Globus

Artists using fire, smoke or explosion to create art exhibited their works on the second floor.

I'm still wondering how this artist controlled the smoke to acheive these circles.  Photo: Suzan Globus

The work of some of the museum members was exhibited on the third floor.

This nearly photographic quality portrait was executed in charcoal.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Afterwards, we walked up the street to The Garden Gourmet where Chef Briellen is cooking some memorable hearty, local fresh fare in an unassuming storefront.  We had a waterfront table in the cozy upstairs and rolled down afterwards to select some exceptional baked goods from her first floor bakery.

Design Lessons Learned:

1. Use familiar materials in new ways.

2. Experiment with unconventional substances, like smoke,  to create unknown effects.

3. Good design is always around if you can train yourself to recognize it.

4. Good local food, well prepared is always inspirational.

Library Interior Design Before and After

One of our prospective clients requested that we bring some before and after photos to their interview of firms that have been "short listed" for their renovation project.  It is is a great reminder that these types of photos help clients to put the change interior design creates in some kind of context. Showing before and after photos also helps me to explain the value of design beyond the pretty pictures that capture the results, because they remind me to discuss what programatic challenges the project presented.  Here is an example:
Before: The photo of the existing circulation desk covered during demolition triggers a discussion about how the library staff will function during the renovation.  Note the design presentation boards on top of the desk which display samples of the new building finishes to be installed.

Before: This photo of the Red Bank Public Library   before the redesign indicates sightlines, ease of use for non-English speaking patrons and a welcoming entrance were among the design program issues.

Before: Dense book stack placement and tall furnishings did not conform to the ADA guidelines and obscured the view of the river which would be a drawing card for the Library.

 

Photo: Stephen Carr

After: With sight lines improved, periodical shelving conforming to  ADA guidelines, materials reorganized for ease of location and comfortable riverfront seating, the library welcomes new customers.

Before:  Shown functioning as a staging area during the renovation, this historically significant room, a building highlight,  was underused before the library was redesigned.

Photo: Stephen Carr
After: With finishes restored, special collections securely displayed and new furnishings appropriate to the period installed, this room adds value to the library by functioning as a meeting room, quiet study space, reception area and tourist attraction.

 

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 Eats-Supporting Sustainability through your Stomach

Small plate of fresh corn, limas, soy beans and oyster mushrooms over home made pasta from the Staunton Grocery. Photo: Suzan Globus

I don't talk about why I became a vegetarian unless asked because it seems to make people uncomfortable. What one ingests is a private affair, but food is inextricably related to sustainability.  The short story for me is that after ruining my appetite from deboning a raw chicken 20 years ago, I started reading about the environmental impact of food, especially beef, production.  The trigger book was Diet for a New America, 1987, by John Robbins, the heir of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream fortune. My self education about the relationship of food production to the environment and spiritual reflection lead me to a decision to stop eating meat. 

I am very happy to see that more people have begun to contribute to the conversation and production of sustainable food.  It enables me to search for restaurants when I travel under the heading of "local food".  That usually gets me to restaurants who are cooking with local ingredients and using local suppliers. I've found some great results. Here are a few standouts:

1. The Staunton Grocery Staunton, VA.  This unassuming storefront restaurant is turning out some exceptional food in a small, historic Virgina town. Staunton, VA at sunset. Photo: Suzan Globus

2. Cochon New Orleans, LA. This may seem like a surprising pick for a vegetarian, but this restaurant, who's name translates to "pig" features well prepared authentic regional cooking. Those are decent search words if you are looking to eat green. By definition, if regional recipes are being used, they are based on food at hand. At Cochon, like Staunton Grocery, local wines and beers are also featured on their menus.

New Orleans street musician. Photo: Suzan Globus

3. Avec Chicago, IL.  This small wooden boite of a restaurant offers casual dining on serious cooking in a wine bar atmosphere with communal dining tables. The menu features fresh local ingredients used in Mediterranean inspired dishes. One of my favorite aspects of this restaurant is its ample offering of small plates because eating less food makes my health more sustainable.  Their site mentions that the restaurant is closed until September.  I hope this award winning restaurant continues to operate. Chicago geen. Photo: Suzan Globus

Associations  are springing up to encourage sustainability in food service, such as Dine Green. My selections are based on food supply alone, although both Cochon and Avec both appear to be built using natural materials in a minimalist setting and Staunton Grocery is employing a less is more approach to the restaurant's interiors.  The food industry has far to go in producing and supplying sustainable choices, but the restaurants are showing promise.

Can Green Design Translate to Boats?

If not green design, then good design certainly translates to boats. Is it the connection to sustainability or a romantic notion that draws me to the thought of jumping into a wooden boat and sailing off under the power of nature? I am not going to try to understand my attraction to classic wooden boats, especially sail boats; I'm just going to continue to admire the design of some of my favorite boats during my travels.

Oyster Boats

They aren't sail boats, but wooden Chesapeake Bay oyster boats get high marks for clean, honest design.

Oyster Boat, St. Michael's, MD. Photo: Suzan Globus.

Work boat, Chestertown, MD. Photo: Suzan Globus

Whether used for work or sport, these boats have  simple, elegant lines.

New work boats, Tilghman Island, MD. Photo: Suzan Globus

Model Boats

Far from simple, this wooden boat model being restored captures my eye for design details.

Model boat restoration work room, St. Michael's, MD. Photo: Suzan Globus

It's difficult for me to choose if the models or the organization of the workspace is more intriguing.

Antique wooden boat models, St. Michael's, MD. Photo: Suzan Globus

Sail Boats

Hinckley 42 Sail Boat, St. Michael's, MD.  Photo: Suzan Globus

The Hinckley Company stopped making wooden boats but retained the classic lines of this blue beauty on the right.

Cape Dory Typhoon, Navesink. NJ  Photo: Suzan Globus

I've had my eye on this Cape Dory sailboat on my way to work. Although she isn't made of wood, there is enough mahogany trim coupled with vintage lines to make my head turn.  I'd have to move my office off shore to justify her purchase as a commuting expense.

 
Navesink River sunset  Photo: Suzan Globus

For now, I'm looking forward to spending a few days away and wish soothing seas and good design to all.

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.

The importance of people in design photos

Pretty Pictures

To continue the theme of the effect of motion on how we perceive design, I find it odd that we frequently see interior design represented as a series of still photographs by the design press. (Visualize the beautiful photos in the design magazine of your choice.) What we are required to react to is a flat composition of colors and shapes that have little to do with a person's experience of a space, especially when they move through it.  It limits the definition of interior design to art as opposed to the creation of interior spaces to support the highest level of human activity (my elevator definition of interior design). This definition addresses aesthetics, sustainability, accessibility, the psychology of color and spatial relationships and all the other aspects of interior design because without all of it taken into account, humans can't perform at their maximum.

My company is guilty of promoting our design work conventionally by using still shots. We are understanding that rather than "ruin" a good shot by capturing a person in it -as I've sometimes heard it expressed by design professionals - it feels right to keep people in our photographs. 

Without humans

Ocean County Library Children's Room. Interior Design by Globus Design Associates

With humans

Raritan Public Library Children's Room.  Interior Design by Globus Design Associates

Although she doesn't stand out in the photo, the little girl in the stage coach structure conveys a sense of how a child might use this redesigned former 18th Century tavern turned children's library space.

I believe putting people in design photos promotes understanding of the experience of using the space beyond establishing a human scale.  At least I hope so and would be interested to know your thoughts.

GDA Holiday Outing

Destination: Trenton, New Jersey?

Each year, I take my staff on a holiday outing to "a place of design interest".  This vague description gives me leeway in selecting our field trips. This year we found some surprising visual treats in Trenton.

Not exactly the design capital of the world, you say?  In the early 1800's, it was the ceramics making capital of the world and earned this landmark sign which I look forward to seeing when returning from Washington, D.C. by train.

 

We toured a small gem of a museum Ellarslie, The Trenton City Museum, housed in an 1848 Italianate mansion.

Photo by Suzan Globus

The museum is located in Cadwalader Park, a 100-acre park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. It deserves a return trip in the spring to see it in bloom.

 

Ceramics are the foundation of Ellarslie's permanent collection and include examples from the highly collectible Fulper, Stangl and Trenton potteries as well as Lenox and Boehm porcelains, all products of Trenton factories. 

Photo by Suzan Globus

The vibrant complimentary colors in this Stangl Sunburst pattern were riveting.

Photo by Suzan Globus

This Lenox porcelain coffee service, with Art Deco influences and a Canadian inspired painted design, offers a frigid contrast to the Stangl pottery shown above.

We capped off the day sharing wonderful northern Italian dishes such as homemade squid ink pasta in one of Trenton's many eateries.  Without my colleagues, GDA would not be able to deliver such great service to our clients and it certainly wouldn't be as much fun doing it.  Our holiday adventures remind me how lucky I am. Happy New Year.