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.

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.

 

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?

How To Decide Who Will Build the Library Circ Desk

Unless their circulation desk is ordered from a catalogue, most libraries will have to purchase a circulation desk custom made for their needs about once every 10-20 years.  How does the staff decide who is qualified to fabricate the desk?

 
Circulation Desk ADA Section.  Design by Globus Design Associates

1.  Before your start the process, hire an interior design professional to design the desk to your exact requirements.  The design professional can show you how to achieve a well made, sustainable, desk with flexibility to meet changing requirements.

2.  Submit shop drawings to three fabricators.

Circulation Desk perspective.  Globus Design Associates

The lowest bid may not be the best, so investigate by asking the following questions:

1. Can the fabricator supply references?  If so, call and ask about his/her/performance.

2. Ask how the fabricator guarantees the work and what procedure is followed in case of a problem.

3. Understand the main business of the fabricator.  If it is a shop that specializes in school furniture, for example, will your project languish during the summer months while the shop is busy filling orders for schools?

4. Make sure the fabricator is not subbing out the job to an cabinet shop unknown to you.

5. Ask if you can see the desk in progress. 

If you hire a designer to oversee this process, all of these questions and more will be addressed by the designer including approving finish samples before final production begins.  A circulation desk is a big investment for a library.  It's best to avoid surprises and ensure the desk you want is what will be delivered.

 

Sticker Shock - How Designers Help When the Actual Exceeds the Estimated

I checked in with a client to see what responses he was receiving from issuing a request for quotations to fabricate a custom circulation desk for his library and found him surprised at the increase in price from the estimated price of the desk.  Although it doesn't happen frequently, increases can occur and when they do, it's important to understand why.

REASONS FOR INCREASES IN ESTIMATES

1. The estimate was prepared more than a year ago.  Most estimates are valid for 30 days.

2. The design changed after the estimate was requested.  If additional drawers, files, locks,  shelves or other storage features are added due to evolving staff needs, they will increase the bottom line.

3. The desk size grew between the time the estimate was requested and the purchase is ready to be made.  If the foot print of the desk increases, its price will as well.  By using $200 per linear foot as a rough base cost gauge, it's easy to see the costs add up when the desk size increases.

4. The client asked for additional services from the vendor.  Requesting moving existing furniture out of the way, disassembling and removing the existing circulation desk or any other ancillary service will add cost to the estimate.

5. The vendor changed fabricators.   It is not unusual for small businesses to close, move, or  be acquired by a larger company forcing the vendor to seek  pricing from a different contractor than the one who quoted the estimate originally.

These are some of the factors which can cause a difference between the estimated and actual costs.  If the difference is price is unmanageable, the interior designer can do several things to assist:

ACTIONS DESIGNERS CAN TAKE TO MITIGATE INCREASED COSTS

1. Review the quotation to identify any ancillary service costs which were not included in the budget.

2. Request an itemized quote from the vendor to review all costs for accuracy.  Understanding this will help the designer determine where to most effective cut costs if it is necessary to execute step 4 below.

3. Negotiate with the vendor as the client's representative to effect a cost savings agreeable to all.

4. Revise the design to accommodate the budget.  Revising a completed and approved design has service costs attached to it, so it is last on the list.  However if it is necessary, the designer has the resources to creatively effect cost savings without jeopardizing the integrity of the design and function.

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.

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.