Student Hubs: The New Campus Hot Spot

 
By Jeff Vredevoogd

As summer turns to fall, schools everywhere are preparing for a flood of students, and this year’s incoming class may be more connected than ever before. Yet while technology continues to support the ongoing evolution in teaching and learning, research shows there’s no substitute for direct face-to-face collaboration. This need for constant collaboration and connection is driving the emergence of a new type of learning space across college campuses—“hub zones” that offer a place for students to meet, gather, and work together.

Students look for spaces that help them connect with others before, during and after class. But what makes a hub hubbable? How much campus space should be dedicated to these zones? How can college administrators support the design of these spaces?

A survey of higher education facility planners, architects, and designers, Hub Life: Insights that Shape Campus Spaces. Simultaneously, we gathered insights from students–-primary users of hub spaces on campus-–inviting them to highlight their hubs in a short video contest submission. The results reveal some interesting touch points about hub zones:
 
• They enable teamwork. More than 70 percent of respondents identify collaboration as the primary benefit of hub zone learning. It may seem obvious that people depend on hubs when they need to hold team sessions, work on group projects, and meet with others.

• Technology is top priority. Nearly half of respondents note technological capability (WiFi and electric power) as being important to hub design and layout. Technology needs to be there as an enabler–like a sail on a boat rather than the anchor tying the user to one place.

• Accessibility is key. On average, up to 30 percent of space in student buildings, residence halls and libraries is allocated for hub zone use. As you walk a facility, you quickly see examples of hub spaces, even in areas you didn’t expect.

• Design to adapt. Flexibility is the number one trend in hub zone furnishings, including ease of maneuverability and white board access. At the same time, adaptive spaces are multi-use spaces, with elements that don’t always include casters.

• Size matters. The majority of respondents say zones should be designed for less than 10 people. Most facilities have more dedicated spaces (classrooms, conference rooms, etc.). Hub zones fall everywhere else. They are the places where planned or unplanned activities take place.
 
These results reinforce something we all know—a college campus is a dynamic, humming, communal place. Successful learning spaces, including hub zones, encourage engagement, which drives deeper levels of learning. The design and planning that goes into hub creation reinforces the diverse learning styles, design requirements and activities that these hubs support. 
 
To learn more about hub zone design and the research survey, contact herman_miller_education@hermanmiller.com.
 
As director of Herman Miller Education, Jeff Vredevoogd leads the effort to expand the understanding of evolving learning trends and the impacts on higher education environments. With more than 25 years experience in the commercial furniture industry, Jeff partners with higher education leadership to develop spaces that have a positive impact on teaching and learning. He is a member of Educause, the Society for College and University Planning, and Acuho-i.

What is a Summer Vacation Without Some Good A&D Reads?

Whether you’re jet-setting or simply looking for a good read while at the park, these five recently released A&D books are ideal for brushing up on what’s new in the industry.

 

Understanding Green Building Materials

By Traci Rose, Stacy Glass, and Jessica McNaughton

 
 

Policies, procedures, and guidelines for sustainability constantly are re-iterated, but what about the building materials themselves? As countless new products and manufacturers are introduced, professionals want and need to know which ones rise to the top. This book summarizes the materials available, compares their pros and cons, explains how to use them properly, and outlines what to consider when making final selections. Green building products range from eco-friendly sheetrock to sustainable paint finishes, all outlined in a designer-friendly guide for those submerged in the green-build movement.

                                                      

 

How to Write a Historic Structure Report

By David Arbogast

 
 

The compiling of a historic structure report (HSR), the document critical to preservation professionals, can be daunting. The book assists architects in gathering historical and archival data about the property, analyzing the structural, mechanical, and electrical components, and assessing the condition of its interior finishes to expertly evaluate a historic building prior to restoration. A precise outline of what information should be included in each report section and an explanation of how investigators can work together to produce an effective HSR is provided, making this guide a must-have.

 

 

Greening Modernism

By Carl Stein

 
 

A serious shortage of building resources is the result of the unfortunate belief that there is an unlimited amount available. And the assumption that technology can act as a savior for any such self-created problem has proven itself to be false. In “Greening Modernism,” Carl Stein connects the impact of individual building design decisions to the global energy and environmental crises. Essential beliefs for contemporary ecological thinking are outlined, as well as basic information, to assist practitioners and students of architecture, engineering, planning, and environmentalism in building-upgrade projects. The book is not a how-to guide but does offer data and describes the environmental benefits to reducing the demand for energy and other limited resources. Post-petroleum opportunities for architecture are also suggested.

 

 

The Architecture of Harry Weese

By Robert Bruegmann

 
 

Take a look at one of America’s most talented postwar architects, Harry Weese. With a career that covered half a century, from the 1930s to the 1980s, his significant designs included small but very creative houses, as well as large urban-scale commissions. Although European modernist Mies van der Rohe was an inspiration to Weese, most of his work resembles that of Nordic architects, such as Gunnar Asplund and Alvar Aalto. He favored natural materials, human scale, and comfort, reflecting his respect for older buildings and unexpected design decisions. Weese applied his problem-solving abilities to pieces ranging from a single piece of furniture to an entire city such as his own, Chicago.

 

 

A History of Design from the Victorian Era to the Present

By Ann Ferebee and Jeff Byles

 
 

A brief overview of the modern milestones of architecture, interior design, graphic design, product design, and photography from the Crystal Palace of 1851 to the iPhone are surveyed in this book. Ann Ferebee and Jeff Byles trace modern design across continents and cultures, emphasizing key movements and design traditions. Design’s evolution through a century and a half includes Art Nouveau’s ornamentation, the “new visions” of the Bauhaus, the rise of the International Style, and postmodernism and contemporary currents in the graphic arts and landscape architecture. The impact of technical advances of industrial design, typography, and photographic portraiture also are accounted for.  

 

What new must-read suggestions do you have for your A&D peers? Share them in the comments below.

 

--Raysha Armbrustmacher

Hands-On Learning at Kimball Office

 

As a student, every real-life job experience is a prime opportunity to gain personal knowledge and a step toward advancing your skill set—i.e., a much needed boost to separate yourself from the hundreds of resumes circulating across hiring managers’ desks. Recently, Kimball® Office provided a group of interior design students from Maryville University of St. Louis (class of 2012, shown above) the chance to get the inside scoop of their product design process during a visit to the office furniture solutions manufacturer’s showroom. It’s a program Kimball runs every year.

 

While at Kimball, the students were exposed to manufacturing and testing procedures and given tips on how to create effective workspace environments. After the visit, the Maryville students offered to help prepare the 120 presentation boards Kimball planned to produce for its new Vision collection of surface materials. Six sets of 20 swatches were mounted and are now being displayed in each of Kimball® Office’s nine showrooms. The boards (shown above) are to be used as tools for designers and clients to browse through the new textile solutions.

--Raysha Armbrustmacher

Reflecting on NeoCon® 2011

While many NeoCon® attendees and exhibitors are "extreme veterans," I have managed to gain a wealth of knowledge in my now two years at the annual design trade show, as well as create memories suit to look back on once I completely transform from student to professional upon graduation.

Creative showroom concepts such as Haworth's color blocks, Allsteel's situated classroom settings, Boyd Lighting's simplictic display of Roger Thomas fixtures and InterfaceFLOR's transformation to rich organic patterns reminds me that presentation is key. There were also great presentation examples on NeoCon's temporary floors. Silestone's exhibit GLIMMER featured project from Yves Behar's Fuse Projects presented at his 2010 NeoCon keynote, and Architecture for Humanity, Chicago's Food Desert Caravan on their "Life" collection quartz blocks.

From last year to this year, I would say the biggest change of in my experience, is getting a crash course in multi-tasking being an exhibitor working with the Casual For Contract Booth, being an attendee and citizen blogging with Designer Pages. (I certainly kept busy! But I did find some time to relax in a seat from Allsteel's Inspire Collection, shown above.) But I think it is safe to say that my greatest experience was having the opportunity to meet other students and young designers and share what we all wanted to contribute to the design industry. My generation is so optimistic and their outlook on the future of the industry has me excited all over again. I can't wait!

-- La Keisha Leek, design student blogger for Contract

Impressionable Textiles

Polyester, cotton, and linen, oh my! When visiting the Creation Baumann Manhattan showroom, located on the 15th floor of the D&D building on Third Avenue, yesterday to preview the manufacturer’s upcoming fall/winter collections, I found myself being welcomed in by the luxurious look and feel of textiles, hanging from any and every part of the space. Creation Baumann is introducing multiple new lines this upcoming season, of which several specific pieces caught my eye.

 
Classy officially meets function in the Eperla curtain fabric (my favorite new style). The decorative laser cuts had a way of grabbing my attention from afar, featuring circular burnouts that give a rustic base to the modern design. Through the use of coated linen the product had a durable feel while still managing to be edgy enough to interest younger consumers. Eperla is available in two different colors, up to 53-in. wide.

 
When shown the Elwood (shown) and Elwin curtain fabrics, I initially found myself intrigued. It certainly is a novel idea to hang walnut or maple, rectangular-shaped wood laminates from a curtain, which is actually a fairly hot commodity for spas, according to Creation Baumann. Why not give a paper-like curtain a 3D effect with wood? This piece had a way of conjoining nature with contemporary sleekness, giving a high-end feel. The curtains are available in two colors, in sizes up to 59-in. wide.

 
Lastly, is a new curtain fabric named Slice that lives up to its name. A burn out technique creatively toys with transparency in the development of this textile in a subtle geometric pattern, allowing for filtered light and transparency. Block cut outs create a downward diagonal cross stripe through the cotton fabric. This piece has a little more selection in terms of color, with six different color options available in widths up to 118 in.

These products are only a glimpse into the many that will be available in September at Creation Baumann New York and select showrooms nationwide. For more information, call 212-906-0106, e-mail info.usa@creationbaumann.com, or visit  www.creationbaumann.com.

-- Raysha Armbrustmacher

Foreseeing #NeoCon11

 

NeoCon World’s Trade Fair 2011 is literally right around the corner, being held June 13 to 15 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. And with over 700 participating showrooms and exhibitors, three days almost doesn’t seem like enough time to digest all of the latest innovations in contract trends, not to mention attend programming, too! Here are few things that I am looking forward to during this years show:

* Style-savvy showrooms. Last  year’s InterfaceFLOR showroom (Suite 10-121) swept me off my feet. The ode to the Memphis Design Movement had me talking about the presentation of their showroom for months after! (I even hung one of the bags that they gave out in my living room as an art piece.) I’m also excited to see what renovations Haworth (Space No. 312) has made. Last year’s showroom was reminiscent of South Florida, to me: Attendees sat by the indoor “pool” enjoying the styled seating arrangements and the architectural Kvadrat clouds overhead almost stealing the show.  This year, the showroom boasts a bold, colorful, modern design by Clive Wilkinson and showcases the new Haworth Collection. Other showrooms I’m looking forward to seeing are KI, Boyd Lighting, Knoll, JANUS et Cie, and AllSteel.

* Work is play. As an extra bonus to being the Casual Market intern with MMPI, I’ll be working at the Casual Furnishing “Casual for Contract” booth in the hospitality pavilion on the Floor 7. Make sure you stop by! Also on Floor 8 (Space 8-9074) will be “The Air We Breathe: The Chicago Clean Air Design Challenge” display. The initiative was sparked by two non-for-profits—Design Makes Change and Unit 2 Collection—to propose solutions to the poor air quality in the communities of Pilsen and Little Village that is caused by coal plants.

* Events galore. The programming during NeoCon brings out some of the most influential professionals from every aspect of the design industry. There will be a keynote by “Mad Men” set designer Amy Wells. On Tuesday Stylex will host a panel discussion and wine reception in Suite 346. “Stylex Designers & the Web: Tips for Online Specifications”  will discuss the distinctions between print media, digital media, and in-person contact (trade-shows, showrooms, etc.) in terms of how each are being used by designers. Panelists are to include Royce Epstein, senior resource specialist at Kling Stubbins, Paul Petrunia, co-founder of Archinect,  John Czarnecki (congratulations on becoming editor-in-chief!)  and moderated by Jenny Rector, business development director at DesignerPages.

* Live to learn. Wednesday, June 15 is student day at NeoCon!  There will be segments hosted by IIDA and ASID. During the student programming, aspiring designers will learn from professionals, hear their stories, and get feedback on your portfolio. I’m particularly looking forward to hearing Kay Sargent’s presentation. I heard her speak during NeoCon East and there was one thing she said that stuck with me:  “We all know that there should only be good design, because bad design is not an option.”   What a perfect attitude to take into NeoCon 2011!

If you’re on twitter, follow me now @KLdeTriomphe and (if you’ll be attending the show and tweeting) include the #NeoCon11 hashtag in your posts to stream on DesignerPage’s “NeoCon Live” feeds throughout the first floor of the Mart. Hope to see you at the show!

-- La Keisha N. Leek, guest student blogger

A "Reel" Inspiring Design

 
Last year, as I was searching for architecture and design events, I came across information about the Architecture and Design Film Festival in Tribeca. I thought to myself that this would something really exciting to attend, but the festival was taking place in October and, with a full course load of design classes during the semester, I wouldn’t be able to get from Chicago to New York for the event. In a stroke of luck, however, Festival director and founder, Kyle Bergman would be bringing the festival to Chicago for the first time in May 2011. I penciled it in right away and when the time came I would immerse myself in film like I had never before.

The Architecture and Design Film Festival was hosted on May 5-9 at the Gene Siskel Film Center, SAIC, in collaboration with the Wit Hotel just across the way. The festival played films in a program series, which were offered several times during the weekend to accommodate attendees. I myself splurged on five programs (they were reasonably priced at $7 per program, with each totaling three to four short films)!

I saw a film on Vincent Scully, one of the greatest art and architecture historians. The film documented his time at Yale from a young boy, to becoming a student at the college, to finally becoming a professor there. (I assume that there was something about the university that made him not want to leave.) I also saw a really good documentary on renowned architectural photographer Julius Shulman, which depicted the story of how he captured the Modernist movement through his images. Structures by Richard Neutra, Frank Gehry, and the most commonly recognized visual of his snapshots of Case Study House 22, designed by architect Pierre Koenig, were all featured in the film.  

As a student I am always excited when I come across names in the world of architecture and design that I’ve never heard of. I saw a film that told the story of textile designer Lucienne Day and furniture designer Robin Day, and how they transformed the ideals of British design during the post World War II era. Robin’s design of a polypropylene chair that could weather all conditions, among other designs suitable for both residential and commercial consumption, essentially did for British manufacturer Hille what the Eames collective did for Herman Miller. Lucienne Day, who was less famous, still was able to gain notoriety in America by winning a number of design competitions with her textile designs that channeled inspirations from her childhood.

Topping off my weekend was being able to take home a Steelcase Cobi Collection task chair that I won during a raffle. I’ve never won a raffle before, so I guess it was meant to be!

All of this furniture talk has gotten me that much more excited about NeoCon World Trade Fair 2011, which is right around the corner on June 13-15 at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. I will be a Citizen Blogger for DesignerPages again this year, as well as working at the Casual for Contract booth with the Casual Market in the Design Center, which will be displaying select outdoor furnishings for commercial use. If you’re on twitter, follow me now @KLdeTriomphe, and (if you’ll be attending the show and tweeting) include the #NeoCon11 hashtag in your posts to be featured in the live feeds throughout the Mart.

-- La Keisha N. Leek, Contract magazine guest student blogger

Designing for Digital Retail Engagement: Thirteen Tried-and-True Technologies

These 13 tried-and-true technologies, compiled by our sister publication DDI, are changing the game for the in-store experience:

 
At a busy train station in Tokyo, drinks supplier JR East Water launched the aCure touchscreen vending machine, which uses an embedded camera and face-recognition technology to determine the age and gender of each user, and recommend soft drinks based on his or her profile. This concept could be easily adapted for use in-store, offering product suggestions within a supermarket or even a fashion boutique.

 
U.S. fashion brand WE has introduced a Twitter Mirror within dressing rooms, enabling patrons to take a photo of themselves modeling a garment and upload it to Twitter. Meanwhile, a touchscreen scanner displays information about the in-store and online availability of different sizes and colors, while an additional screen can be used to browse WE's e-commerce site, make purchases and arrange home delivery. (Credit: Photo courtesy of RVDA)

 
In Spain, Diesel is using interactive installations in its dressing rooms, where shoppers can log onto their Facebook account through a Facebook Connect app and publish images of themselves trying on new outfits. These can then, of course, be commented on by friends.

 
At its Inspirience Centre in The Netherlands, domestic appliance brand Miele gives its visitors use of an iPod Touch to help them navigate the space. Customers register online in advance to make an appointment with a product advisor. In the Inspirience Centre, a GPS-enabled iPod Touch—preprogrammed to the user’s requirements—guides them around the store to items of interest and automatically triggers relevant products to appear on high-definition screens. It also causes their preferred scents and sounds to be emitted as they enter a new zone. The system also provides valuable shopper information by monitoring visitor routes, hotpots and dwell time.

 
Aiming to provide some distraction for young minds is the dual-screen billboard by Ford in the United Kingdom. The billboard had one screen for adults, which played an interactive video of a new car model, and a lower-placed one that provided puzzles and games for children. In total, 11 screens were installed at airports and retail centers nationwide, each generating more than 20,000 interactions over a two-week period.

 
Adding vitality to a somewhat ordinary product, home fragrance brand Ambi Pur installed interactive demo booths at retail centers across Spain to promote its new 3volution range. Customers could hold one of the products in front of the screen to trigger an augmented reality (AR) visual depicting scenes related to the fragrance, which was accompanied by scents emitted from the booth.

>> View the rest at DDI

What is your take on incorporating technology into retail design? Is it the way of the future, or a shortcut to real customer engagement? Share your thoughts with us below in the comments.

Have an iPad? There’s a Design App for That!

 By Douglas Wittnebel,  AIA,  LEED AP, Principal, Gensler

I have always been a sketchbook architect and artist. As such, I have been documenting my excursions to places around the world in journals, moleskins, sketch tablets, and even on napkins. But more recently, these more traditional surfaces for my scrawling have given way to a new tool in my arsenal--selected digital experiments with the iPad.

The daily tasks of the architect and designer in today’s business environment include the creation and development of ideas, as well as finding new ways to illustrate and capture that process of creation.  As an architect and an artist, I dedicate time and effort to keep up-to-date with these new innovations that have been released to the public, and I was fortunate earlier this year to gain access to an iPad. It since has become a daily (and nightly) companion on my journey to experiment with the wonderful range of applications for drawing, sketching, and designing on a digital tablet format.

I am finding that new avenues of opportunity come with the ability to create a mixture of digital drawings and migrating these drawing stages from one app to the next.  The top seven apps that I currently am testing and using for drawing, sketching, and creating are:

 
1. Brushes  - features a versatile app and (best of all) the actions will playback all of the brushstroke sequences. It's a delight to the eye, and to the client, when viewing on the iPad or on the big screen.

2. Inspirepro - is a kind of a quirky brushstroke app that has its own signature style. It's good for quick sketches and expressive gesture captures.

 
3. Artstudio - is a versatile range of tools and layering menus gives the designer a lot to work with and a lot of possibilities for exploring new styles.

4. Doddlebuddy -  has a simple, easy-to-use interface with a quick response time. It's very intuitive to use. Start with this one and you will move on to more apps.

5. Inkpad - is a big favorite for those Illustrator fans and devotees (like myself), and allows the user to create wonderfully flat and crisp shapes and forms with overlapping layers.

 
6. Artrage - offers a remarkable range of brushes and textures, and provides the closest likeness to a “real” palette knife approach in applying liquid media to a canvas. It's a visual delight. http://www.artrage.com/

 
7. Sketchbook pro - is advanced and versatile, holding lots of promise. It hints that more will be coming soon. I can spend hours developing design ideas with this application.

When you put the time and energy into exploring these and other apps, you come to realize the real “virtual” scenario is a mobile digital sketchbook, allowing the architect, designer, and artist to create in new and wonderful spaces and times.

While it is impossible to predict what will happen next on this creative journey, I for one am looking forward to these new tablet formats and applications that will extend the mixture of analog and digital drawing and painting. 

 

Douglas Wittnebel,  AIA,  LEED AP, is a principal for Gensler, based in San Ramon, Calif. His sketches and drawings can be viewed on his blog at http://www.drawingontheworld.blogspot.com/.

Do It for the Kids (of Kathmandu)

I’m not necessarily a very charitable person (a terrible thing to say, I know, but let me explain). I’d rather be one to make a difference by, say, running a marathon and raising money/awareness in others than mindlessly throwing dimes into a container at a storefront. After all, when you’re a writer for a living, those dimes can be few and far between in the bottom of your purse. But I do have to admit that like most people (at least those with some sort of heart anyway), I recognize a good cause when I see it.

That’s why I was thrilled to recently receive a note about a design-inspired initiative, called Kids of Kathmandu, that is raising awareness for Nepalese orphans. It started last year when Brooklyn-based newlyweds Andrew Raible, a furniture maker, and Jami Saunders, a photographer, used their honeymoon to volunteer in an orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal. They were so touched that once home they formed Kids of Kathmandu. The newly established non-profit utilizes photography, art, and design to raise awareness and funding for the 41 kids, half of whom suffer from chronic malnutrition.

 
The organization’s first initiative, The Desk Project, called designers to create unique children’s desks to support the orphans education. Eleven different designers came to the call, and each of the teams’ 11 desk designs will be auctioned off at an inaugural fundraising gala, being held in New York City on May 12, to raise money.  Tickets cost $75 ticket and will cover an evening of hors d’ourves, drinks, and live music. Additionally, the event will feature a photographic art installation that showcases large-format photos of the orphan children, which will be available for sale.

Desks crafted by:
Andrew Raible (Standard41) http://standard41.com
Andrew Rumpler (Nine Stories Furniture Co) www.ninestoriesdesign.com
Ben Strear (Strear Built) www.strear-built.com
Bill Hilgendorf (Uhuru) www.uhurudesign.com
Brian DeRosia www.brianderosia.com
Daniel Moyer (Daniel Moyer Design) www.danielmoyerdesign.com
Eric Manigian www.manigian.com
James Harmon (Workshop) www.workshopdesignbuildllc.com
Mark Righter (Cambium Studio) www.cambiumstudio.com
MADE www.made-nyc.com
Wadaly www.wadaly.com

More information on the event and organization is available at http://kidsofkathmandu.org/. Make sure to spread the word and share your kudos with the contributing desk designers!

--Stacy Straczynski