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.

 

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.

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

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.

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.

Interior Design Leaders Discuss the Value of Design

Past Presidents of NJ Chapter of ASID (2008).  From top left: Diane Durocher, Tere Bresin, Jack Ruthaser, Art Simon. Second row: Mary Brennan, Diane Boyer, Gail Whiting. Third row: Diane Gote, Steven Levy. Fourth row: Suzan Globus, Judy Fosshage. Front row: Camille Waldron, Rona Spiegel, Gale Youngworth, Linda Potter, Mary Sferra, Ria Gulian, Karen Topjian

At the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) New Jersey chapter Council of Presidents annual meeting last night, a group of interior design leaders discussed a recurring topic - the value of interior design. Usually the conversation is prefaced by the comment, "My clients don't understand what I do." and moves to the challenge of documenting the value of interior design based on its effect on human behavior.

After current NJASID President and President-Elect Diane Evans and Sharon Draznin (not pictured) brought us up to date about their plans for the coming years, I took the opportunity to talk about the latest initiative of the ASID Foundation which addresses documenting the value of interior design. Titled Transform/ Applied Research in Interior Design and Human Behvior, the Foundation's newly created interior design research grant program, will award up to three grants of up to $35,000 each in its first year. The Foundation is requesting research proposals from interior designers, scientists and educators regarding “How interior design impacts human behavior” through November 15, 2010. Special attention will be given to collaborative teams in the evaluation of the proposals. 

The healthcare industry has been leading the way in documenting the outcomes of interior design perhaps because the results are more tangible and easier to capture than in other types of interiors and because the healthcare industry has a tradition of documenting outcomes.  Designers who practice interior design in environments other than healthcare lack the proof that design affects human behavior and well being. It is something we designers instinctively know and have witnessed but have not yet recorded.

The exciting prospect about ASID Foundation's Transform grant program is that it creates opportunity and incentive for teams of interior design practitioners, educators and scientists to capture the value of interior design and share it with all of us associated with the profession so that we may be able to create a more definitive conversation about the value of interior design and share it with our clients.

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.

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.

 

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 Art Museum Anchors LoDo

Before leaving Denver, I visited MCA Denver, the museum of contemporary art, located on a remediated brownfield site two blocks from Union Station in LoDo.  This non-collecting museum -they take sustainability seriously in their mission- is housed in a 27,000 square foot LEED Gold certified building. The design of the building, "supports rather than defines the museum's mission" to quote the museum's literature.  This less-is-more approach to architecture in a field of iconic examples of contemporary museum architecture seems to suit this organization well. 

Image from www.mcadenver.org 

Additional features of the building interiors were noteworthy:

Natural light floods transitional spaces.

Children's learning spaces are segregated from exhibit spaces and easily maintained.

An open shelf library encourages exploration.

The green roof garden uses native plants.

 

I was also impressed with the message conveyed by the museum's admissions policy during  the Energy Effects exhibit, exploring the relationship between energy and aesthetics.  If a person walked, took public transportation or rode their bike to the museum, they were given a reduced admission fee. What a simple, smart way to remind us that each of us can take small actions to contribute to a healthy environment.