Interior Design Giants

I should have posted this in January, but better late than never.

Visit Interior Design Magazine's site to see the report on 2012's Top 100 Giants and visit the links below to see a showcase of their work.

Projects for Giants 1-10 slideshow here.

Projects for Giants 11-20 slideshow here.

Projects for Giants 21-30 slideshow here.

Projects for Giants 31-40 slideshow here.

Projects for Giants 41-50 slideshow here.

Projects for Giants 51-60 slideshow here. 

Projects for Giants 61-70 slideshow here.

Projects for Giants 71-80 slideshow here.

Looks like 2011 was a better year than predicted for many of the firms!  

I am so relieved to see things are looking up for the industry.  

Great Article: Generation Green

Watch out Boomers & X/Y gens.  Millennials are entering the workforce and ready to make a positive impact.

Follow the link below to read a great article about the greenest generation: the Millennials and how they intend to transform the planet for the better. 

Generation Green - Currents - Greensource Magazine

via Green Source.

Free CEU: The 5 Levels of Gypsum Board Finishing

While surfing around for Impact Resistant Wall Construction the other day, I found a great free (!) CEU explaining the levels of gypsum board finishes and when to specify it.

Register.

If you haven't created an account with Ron Blank and Associates, you should. This is a great resource for all sorts of free online CEUs. Most are worth AIA credits. There is NO CHARGE and when you register it also includes a membership to GreenCE.com which has a few free (hard to find!!!) LEED CEU's!

Watch.

The 5 Levels of Finishing Gypsum Wallboard.  The online course is hosted by Ron Blank & Associates and sponsored by National Gypsum Company.  

The learning objective are:

1. Explain what gypsum is
2. Understand the fire resistance of gypsum
3. Determine the levels of finish
4. Understand industry terminology
5. Know when to specify level: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5

The course closes with a quick 10 question quiz (multiple choice and true/false). You must answer at least 80% correct to receive a certificate of completion.

How easy is that?

If you are not interested in a certificate but are interested in the basics read on for a quick rundown:

 

Top 10 Mistakes Interior Designers Make

“Every noble work is at first impossible." – Thomas Carlyle” is a great description that correctly illustrates the natural conflict that arises when you mesh together the creative soul – designer with the Type A personality – project manager in a space with lots of change, little time and never enough money! At the prodding of Design Elixir I am giving you my “list of mistakes” made by designers during my 27 years of construction management experience.

 10.  Timing. Projects have a variety of time-lines and often the timing of final selections hinder the progress of the project. Recognizing long lead time items from the beginning, like special flooring tiles, lighting, and items like artisan sinks, or items that may seem like a simple add but are labor intensive to complete – i.e. faux painting a wall, could make a very positive impact on the move in date.

9. Adding elements at the last minute. Some designer elements may need special plumbing or electrical connections or may change what has already been installed in the “rough in” stage of the project. Last minute changes can create a windfall of extras to the client and ultimately back up the project schedule.

8. Receiving “buy in” from the owner before presenting to contractors. I have experienced projects where a designer has introduced an element into a project that an owner just plain doesn’t want in their space or does not work with their perceived vision. This can delay the project and cost the owner/designer time and money.

7.  When working with an outside Architect, making sure the design elements work within the limitations of the building/space. The common use of exposed ceilings – when the structure is in design can help with design of steel support structures, placement of beams/columns/windows and doors.


6.  Designers need to include dimensions of their designs. Often we will see designs that do not include the proper dimensions or are not to correct scale and when applied in the field, mistakes are made or work has to re-done to match the intent of the designer.  {Design Elixir Recommends: Construction Drawings and Details for Interiors: Basic Skills }


5.  Designers need to be aware of local and national codes. We sometimes see designers want to include features that impact the 1 or 2 hour rated walls or want doors which are for emergency egress to be removed or moved. These changes create issues within the space meeting local/national codes. {Design Elixir Recommends: Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2009 International Building Code }

4.  ADA Requirements. Designers need to look at ADA requirements when looking at specialty items such as toilets, restroom sinks, grab bars, clearance in hallways and landings. Local/national codes have certain requirements that need to be met and adhered to.


3.  When making choices for flooring, designers needs to remember the function of the client. If they have heavy foot traffic like construction trades (retail, tile distributor, tools sales etc), it does not make sense to install wood flooring or light carpet. Some items make look great on the designer board but just don’t work for the owner in the long run.


2. Lighting can be a very critical item. Designers need to know the owners work habits, employee’s work habits and the orientation of the building. These can all have a huge impact on lighting design and layout.

And finally, the number one thing designers can do that will impact the project during the construction process….

1. Designers need to include the contractor in the process. Meetings with owners, designer’s architects and contractor can pay huge dividends for all. Include everyone in meetings as early in the process as possible. These can have substantial impact on budgets, time-lines

Guest Blogger: Tim Roberts, Buckingham Construction Company

Leading a LEED Charrette?

I'm a big fan of design charrettes.  They are such a fantastic way for a group of people to brainstorm and piece together a great design concept.  I read an interesting article yesterday on GreenSource about LEED charrettes and thought it would be worth sharing.  So today's post doesn't have any pretty pictures, just a link to an incredibly useful article with multiple resources for organizing a productive charrette.

So without further ado, here is the link:  LEED Charrette Planning Guide by Real Life LEED
 

Now go get your charrette on!

If you don't know what a charette is, see this link for the definition.  This website is also a great resource to bookmark or add to your Interior Designer's Toolbox- it's full of great information for revitalization projects (think brownfield redevelopment or urban renewal). 

Free Continuing Education for Interior Designers & Architects

Established in 2000, InformeDesign is a collaboration between ASID & the University of Minnesota's College of Design.  The driving idea was the belief (read: FACT) that interior designers and architects must continue to their education to improve their methods of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public. InformeDesign's mission is to "facilitate designers' use of current, research-based information as a decision-making tool in the design process, thereby integrating research and practice."