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Made in America: How using American Made Building Products can Improve the Economy
Recently, ABC news has been focusing on the topic of products made in America. Though the United States produces many items, they are often the minority of building products in our homes, schools and offices. One might argue that overseas products were purchased because they were a lower cost. However, with rising wages in China, overseas manufacturing is becoming more expensive.
According to Inc. Magazine, over the past two years, the United States economy has created roughly 330,000 manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing production has increased about 5.7% since June 2009. That is the fastest pace in over a decade. Between the rise in wages, hidden costs of doing business overseas and the need for job creation in the U.S., American companies are starting to turn to our homeland for their business.
In the architecture and design community, we often forget just how easy it is to specify items made in the United States. PaperStone, for example, is a U.S. based company that produces countertops made from 50% to 100% post consumer recycled paper right here in the State of Washington!
Many industry members are taking notice. Andrew Lewendal of Bozeman, Montana is one of them. He is an economist turn builder and is working on constructing a home built entirely from American made products. There are over 120 items from over 33 states in the home.
Although builders agree that it is slightly more expensive, they have been finding that quality and availability make up for it. For example, a box of American made nails is $5.00 more than those made in China, yet, the U.S. nails seem to jam less in the nail guns and therefore save time and money. Lewendal estimates that the "All American Home" should run only 1% to 2% more than a foreign sourced house.
The benefits of specifying and using American products are two fold. By supporting domestic goods we create manufacturing jobs and in turn, improve our overall economy. Lewendal is convinced if every builder bought just 5% more American materials, it would create 220,000 jobs. Think of the benefit of 10 or even 15%.
The story of the Montana builder has caught the interest of a local builder here in Spokane. Corey Condron of Condron Homes states, “My eyes were opened as I watched a news story about a builder in Montana using all American made products. Building new homes with American products will positively impact our local and National economies and it is something our customers will take pride in for years to come.” Condron Homes states on their website that they hope this will set the precedence to challenge other builders to follow suit.
Whether it is specifying a local cement manufacturer or verifying your plumbing fixtures are made in the United States, it is a quick and easy extra step to take that will pay off big time in the end.
For more information on using American made building products, contact us here.
Increase in Demand Creates Need for Improvements
With the state of the economy, our local food bank, 2nd Harvest is seeing an increase in need for food services. The Future of Feeding Hope program has been established to raise a total of 3 million dollars to help them keep pace with growing demands. The project is broken into 3 phases. The first is the overhaul of the Volunteer Center. The second is the renovation of the building and energy efficiency, while the third is upgrades to parking and access. Thus far, 2 million dollars have been raised and the first phase is nearly complete.
Phase one is dedicated to the creation of a Volunteer Center that focuses on efficiency and an increase in production. Last year Second Harvest distributed a phenomenal 19.7 million pounds of food. Of that 6.1 million pounds was fresh produce and 4.5 million pounds was other perishables. Second Harvest is dedicated to supply healthy food and with the economy not expected to recover for a few more years, the new Volunteer Center will allow output of nourishing fresh food and perishables to double.
One of the most critical aspects to the success of the Volunteer Center is the ability to operate outside normal business hours. By self containing the center, operational costs are kept at a minimum, at the same time providing a safe and comfortable work environment for volunteers. The extended hours are crucial to increasing the amount of food available for Second Harvest’s hunger-relief network.
Another key component to the Volunteer Center is to keep operational costs as low as possible. Second Harvest understands that the workplace can play into a volunteer’s level of comfort and therefore productivity. The Volunteer Center’s new sorting and packing equipment not only meets the highest food safety specifications, in a comfortable, climate-controlled work room. To complete the volunteer’s experience, there is also a new volunteer training room, break room and restrooms.
As part of the project team, Design Source donated their time to assist in the selection of materials and finishes as well as furniture. There were many constraints to work with in our selections and recommendations. With the help of local vendors and collaboration with the design/build team, we were able to secure discounted pricing on select materials that would normally be outside of 2nd Harvest's budget. The result is a Volunteer Center that is as impressively aesthetic as it is affordable.
Though the first phase of Second Harvest's Future of Feeding Hope program is nearly finished, work continues on the remaining phases. The energy efficiency upgrades will keep the distribution center operating at a more cost effective level and the exterior improvements will accommodate parking changes in the future to allow adequate space for the Second Harvest trucks as well as employees and volunteers.
At this time, Second Harvest is still in need of donations to complete the remaining phases. To help by donating or volunteering visit their website HERE.
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Designing a Work Space that Embodies Your Brand
Recently, LUNAR, a Bay Area design company relocated their office to a new location. Nearly a decade ago, the company opened an experimental location away form their Palo Alto headquarters in San Francisco. The experiment proved to be a success, however, the physical environment of the office was not.
That is when the decision was made relocate to a new office near the design epicenter of San Francisco, adjacent to Potrero Hill. LUNAR’s President John Edson considers the new space to be an absolute success and from his experience shares three tips for embodying your brand within the workplace.
1. Express your Voice:
“A workplace is as much an opportunity to express who you are as a company as it is a functional place to get work done. This is an important chance to put your brand into three-dimensions, to surround yourselves with personality and character, to create some theater for your prospective employees and partners. At LUNAR, we achieved the first and foremost by picking a building with history. This could be considered cheating, but we’re not afraid to admit it. The bones of the building -- the straight forward layout, the authentic materials, the south-facing natural light -- made a rich and warm canvas for our vision. In fact, much of our renovation aimed to reclaim views of the brick and timber construction hidden behind an overzealous use of drywall.”
2. Embody your Values:
“In concert with creating a distinctive voice in the space, it’s crucial to identify the fundamentals of function: who goes where, what goes here, how should one get there. This is where user engagement is of vital importance. For us and our culture, we chose to sit in an open floor plan resembling a newsroom. From the CEO to interns, we share the same sightlines. The benefit is that cross-fertilization is turbo charged. The team shares greater awareness about what others are doing and it’s easier to create channels of learning and communication that lead to better design outcomes.”
3. Build a Stage, Not the Set:
“We wanted to create a space that would evolve as we learned how to optimize it from living and working in it. To create a design that could “learn,” We shelved plans to build custom furniture and dividers for the individual workstations, the co-lab (our project specific work area), and conference rooms. Not only did this save us money at a time of some pretty big cash outlays, it’s allowing us to continuously innovate how we use the space. The building itself is delightful to be in and the built features leave plenty of open space for experimental layout of furniture and dividers. We’ll construct more precious furniture and fixtures once we have more clarity about our needs and preferences – and even then, we won’t build anything that can’t be upgraded, improved, reconfigured or summarily ripped out.”
Example of Green Design: Innovative Re-Use of Materials
We recently uploaded progress photos of the SIERR Building here in Spokane to our Facebook page. It has been an awesome project to be a part of, and because the building is shooting for LEED Gold, we thought we would take some time and point out a few cool reuses of materials.
Historically speaking, the building was used by various railroad companies as a repair shop and storage yards for their trains. Seattle based energy efficiency building company McKinstry purchased the building and has spent months renovating it into a beautiful office environment for their Spokane work force.
From the very beginning, materials were salvaged and stored to be re-used creatively in the new space. Contents included metal panels, wood, amazing metal barn style doors and windows. Below are a series of images that highlight the creative and innovative reuse of materials in a soon to be LEED Gold building. Enjoy!
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Slidin' Into Fall 2011
Well, another successful Slidin’ Into Fall party is on the Design Source books! Thank you to all who attended. We had a fabulous time and it was such a pleasure having you here to celebrate with us.
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Herman Miller Tour and the Eames Experience
Recently, our designer Cassidy was invited to visit the Herman Miller Showroom located in Los Angeles, California. In conjunction with learning about the company first hand, she was enveloped in the world of two of the industries most famous and beloved designers, Charles and Ray Eames. We asked Cassidy to share her experience with us.
I was so excited to be invited to the Herman Miller showroom. I have always loved and appreciated the company, especially the classic design pieces. The showroom in Los Angeles is absolutely stunning. Typical of the warehouse architecture of Culver City, the showroom boasts beautiful exposed bowstring wood trusses, curved walls and freestanding forms in vivacious colors.
An array of Herman Miller product is on display. Ranging from the Eames Lounge to the Canvas desking system, there is quite a variety. Because of the history of design I always love the chance to experience the classics such as the iconic Noguchi coffee table. It never ceases to amaze me that many of the pieces have been in production since the 1940’s.
Two of the most influential people in Herman Miller History are Charles and Ray Eames. The husband and wife duo met while attending Cambridge and after marrying moved to California. They are most known for their work with molded plywood. The two were responsible for the design of the very first Los Angeles Herman Miller showroom which opened in 1949.
On the tour I had the chance to experience the Eames in a very intimate way. Their home located in Pacific Palisades was opened up to our group and what an experience it was.
Designed in 1945, it was one of nearly a dozen homes built as part of the Case Study House Program commissioned by John Entenza, the publisher of Arts and Architecture Magazine. The challenge was to design a home to express man’s life in a modern world. All homes were built and furnished using materials and techniques developed during the Second World War.
Each home was designed for either a real or hypothetical client. Charles and Ray’s client was a married couple working in design and graphic arts whose children no longer lived at home. They wanted a home that would serve as a background for “life in work” and with nature as a “shock absorber” as Charles would say.
One of the most amazing aspects of the home is the site itself. There is a beautiful meadow in front of the home and studio that is lined with giant eucalyptus trees. At the opposite end, the meadow gives way to a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Charles and Ray loved the meadow so much that they altered their original design of the home to fit into the setting rather than the other way around.
While visiting, the true essence of the Eames can be felt. Form their super cool door bell to the Ray’s tree swing in the meadow I had an overwhelming sense of connection to them. Charles and Ray moved into the home on Christmas Eve 1949 and lived and worked there for the remainder of their lives. Today the home and studio are available for private tours through the Eames Foundation.
The entire experience of the trip was amazing. As a young designer who is truly passionate about design and loves the history of my profession, I was in heaven.
To see more pictures check out the photo album on our Facebook page.
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The Importance of Stairs in a Healthy Work Environment
The global trend of sustainability has evoked an enormous amount of attention, but there is another global trend that deserves just as much concern, obesity. Technological advances, increased sedentary lifestyles and popularity of fast food are a potent combination. As a result, obesity rates are growing at an alarming rate.
Because we spend an estimated 2/3 of our life at the office, it seems to be a great place to start. Many companies are aware of the growing need to support healthy lifestyles, but providing a healthy work environment shouldn’t stop at adding a gym. A surprisingly simple solution is focusing on stairs to encourage staff to be healthy and more active.
In many existing office buildings the stairs are tucked away in a dark corner with no windows, bare bones finishes and are meant as a form of emergency egress rather than a healthy alternative to the elevator. Do not underestimate the value of taking the stairs. According to the Wellness Council of America, by climbing two flights of stairs per day, a total of 6 pounds can be lost per year. It also increases good cholesterol and reduces stress and tension.
In new construction, stairs should be designed as the primary source of movement. They should be interesting and inviting. Large landings can become break out areas for meetings and collaboration. Windows provide a view to the outside and create a positive experience that encourages their use. Also, locate the stairs in a more convenient location. Between the wait time and the distance to get there, the elevator will quickly become less popular.
In existing buildings, tear out the old, bland and basic finishes. That rubber nosing isn’t enticing anyone to use the stairs. Add attractive and bold finishes that will generate traffic. Install artwork where possible. Pump up the volume by adding speakers, especially if it is a boring back-of-house “emergency exit” stair. Relocate all community space at least one floor away from offices. By moving the break room to the second floor, the whole office will have to travel at least one flight of stairs for their lunch breaks.
Although a simple solution, making the stairs an enjoyable and enticing way to travel through the office will increase the activity level of the employees. Encouraging healthy habits and supporting active choices nationwide would have a huge impact on our obesity rates. So, the next time you go to work, ignore the easy option and take the stairs!
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Death of the McMansion
McMansions are rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Recently, 2,000 International Furnishings and Design Association members participated in a once a decade survey to determine what home life in America will be like by the year 2020. Smaller more efficient use of space seems to be the overall trend.
76% of the survey takers foresee the American home becoming smaller and containing fewer rooms. What is interesting is that when asked the same question at the turn of the millennium only 49% thought that homes would become smaller.
Of the rooms available to disappear from homes, the dining room seems to be the one getting the boot. 71% predict the extinction of the formal dining room. This means big news for the kitchen. The consensus is the act of dining will move into the kitchen and therefore to accommodate, kitchen sizes will increase. In fact, it is thought by 91.5% that single use rooms will be morphed into spaces that serve multiple functions.
If rooms are no longer serving single functions, then the furniture must also be adaptable as well. 65.7% of participants think that movable and modular pieces will overtake large scale, heavy, built-in furniture. Also, we will see an increased interest in ergonomics and a decrease in disposable furniture.
Perhaps the most space age prediction is the integration of technology. We might be living in the time of touch pads, but 97% of survey takers think voice and sensor controls will begin to appear on more and more home equipment.
Even though we already practice many of these predictions, we will see a definite increase in their popularity. Smaller, more open and efficient homes are becoming the new norm. The glory days of the McMansion are officially over.
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Knowledge Work and Today’s Office Environment
Today’s top performing companies can be defined by their higher profits, better employee engagement and stronger market brand position. According to Gensler, these companies have a significantly higher performing work environment, than average companies. So, what makes a company’s office a better incubator for a success? Well, there are a few things to consider.
The Gensler 2008 Workplace Survey identifies “Knowledge Economy” as the core concept of a successful office environment. A “knowledge worker” can be defined as “an individual who develops and applies knowledge and information in the workplace.” Today’s companies are no longer focusing on task processes and tools to improve speed and efficiency; they realize that the competitive advantage lies with the generation of ideas. Today, knowledge workers outnumber all other workers 4 to 1.
Although knowledge work still requires processes, they are far less structured, while cognitive involvement and analytical judgment skills are very important. It is also a composite of two work modes, individual and collective. Within these two modes are four categories that an office’s built environment should support: focus, collaborative, learn and socialize.
Focus – Every successful company has work to be done that requires focus and distrctions are its number one threat. The all too familiar format of the sea of cubicles in an open office environment is great for fostering interaction while reducing real estate needs, but are notorious for generating constant interruption. By providing a quite and uninterrupted workspace, away from the activity of the cubicles, a successful company creates a micro environment that supports the needs of focus work.
Collaborative – A popular term in today’s office environment design, collaboration stems form the idea of “collective intelligence.” The idea that “teams have the potential to offer greater breadth and creativity than any one individual can offer, resulting in innovative and comprehensive solutions and ideas.” Teamwork varies within different companies and its requirements are not the same. It is estimated that over 70% of what people know about their job is gained through everyday interactions with their colleagues. Research shows that incorporating visibility, openness, and greater work mobility into the office design are all important factors in fostering collaboration.
Learn – Learning “must be integrated into all aspects of a job because of the constant demands of change and the need for increasingly skilled workers, which traditional education cannot rapidly supply.” In an effort to avoid down time while training, it is important to integrate education into daily activity. When assessing the design of learning space within an office, context of learning and learning styles must be considered. Each learning style has different requirements of when, how and where learning should take place. Incorporating learning into daily work can be accomplished by incorporating varied educational environments with flexible furniture and visual aid technology.
Socialize- A successful knowledge economy has become increasingly social and relational. Work is accomplished through informal networks rather than organizational hierarchies. Socializing in an office creates a level of trust and the greater the level of trust, the greater the likelihood of cooperation. Social networks within an organization help solve problems, learn, innovate and adapt. Research shows that they have a corporate advantage because they have the capacity to create new knowledge. Adding a coffee bar, creating a soft seating area or an outdoor lounge off of a break room are all great ways to foster socialization within the work place.
When it comes to a successful company, the design of its corporate office plays a key role. As more and more companies move away from rigid tasks and hierarchy, and towards a Knowledge Economy, so must the company’s environment. The new workplace should be centered on focus, collaborate, learn and socialize. For additional information or to request help for your office, contact us here.
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The Dangerous Office Environment
Millions and millions of people work in an office environment and spend their days sitting at a desk performing repetitive work. What they may not know is that if their workstation is not set up ergonomically correct, it could be dangerous to their health. Ergonomics is basically the study of how the human body moves and its cognitive abilities and using that information to design products to work with the body versus against, preventing strain, discomfort or even injury.
Though it seems like a simple concept, it can be a huge benefit. By establishing and enforcing proper ergonomics, costs are reduced by increasing safety and thus decreasing the amount of sick time used. Also, it has been shown that proactive ergonomics increases workers satisfaction and productivity.
The first step to supplying a proper ergonomic environment is to work with your designer to conduct a survey of your staff. The results help establish the work patterns and needs as a whole as well as on an individual basis. This information allows the designer to specifically tailor each workstation to each persons needs, creating the most comfortable work environment possible.
One of the most important factors in office ergonomics is good working posture. The overall goal is to establish neutral body positioning. This includes items such as hands, wrists and forearms are straight, inline and roughly parallel to the floor, and elbows stay close to the body and are bent between 90 and 100 degrees.
But ergonomic comfort in the office is not restricted to office furniture. Lighting, glare and ventilation are just as important. Incorrect light levels and glare can cause a person to squint or strain their eyes while working, resulting most often in headaches an eye fatigue. Inadequate or insufficient air circulation can cause thermal discomfort while too dry of air can cause dryness of the eyes. And uncomfortable employees are not as productive as comfortable employees.
An employee’s general awareness is also very important to their comfort and safety. Each person should have a basic understanding of the functions and capabilities of their ergonomic workstation as well as being aware of their comfort level. Many times a person may not realize they are tired due to day after day of strained and dry eyes.
Through proper desk design, office environment design, and ergonomic education, increased employee satisfaction and productivity will be achieved. For questions or more information, contact us. We would love to help you improve the comfort level in your office.