Design Inspires

As we get caught up in everyday work, it is easy to forget how that work can influence people and make a difference. Life stays busy, and new projects bring challenges, but it is important to remember that good design inspires. 

I recently had the opportunity to help design the interiors for the Community School of the Arts in Marion, IN. The CSA is an organization that provides dance, music, and art education classes for members of the community, seeking to enliven and inspire kids through the arts. This project was undertaken by our senior class of interior design students at Indiana Wesleyan University. Through the process of designing this space, which included a lobby cafe, several classrooms, and a theater space, I became increasingly aware of the impact of a well-designed space, a space capable of being an inspiration. 

 

 Creating that final, well-designed space requires a great deal of research and design strategies. Two elements that contribute to the successful design are the recycling and reuse of old materials and the creation of new, useful structures. Reusing existing materials helps reduce the amount of waste during the construction process, lessening the environmental impact. Implementing recycling in a design enables an unused piece of furniture or casework to be seen in a new light. Recycling existing materials also lowers the final cost of a project. In the CSA design, existing casework was relocated to a more functional area of the site. Additionally, existing molding was removed from the second floor and, rather than be wasted, was applied in more applicable spaces on the third floor. Generating a new interior environment, however, cannot be achieved without the proper addition of new built features. New elements mix with existing forms and complete the design. Providing new structures and interior features transforms the remaining space into an enriching and inspirational environment. Prominent new aspects of the CSA include a custom bar in the cafe, unique ceiling and floor features, and an art deco inspired, movable stage for the theater. 

The CSA desires to be a place where children can feel special and gain inspiration for the future; every interior detail adds to that final goal. The various elements merge together and create the overall environment. Individually, it may be just a color, a piece of furniture, or a cabinet, but when combined, it means much more. Never forget that hard work has a purpose and a successful end result provides justification for every minute of the work. Every piece, both new and old, can be part of a design that inspires. Looking back on the final proposed concept for the Marion Community Center of the Arts, I have seen that effective design has the power to improve life and benefit a community. 

 

by Jonica Klein

The ACS Catalog Goes 3D

By Kyle Rennaker, ACS Draftsman

 

The 1960’s marked the beginning of the CAD Revolution with the invention of “Sketchpad” by Ivan Sutherland, the CAD industry continued to flourish by leaps and bounds over the next five decades with the creation of BIM software such as Autodesk Revit (originally created in 1998 by the Charles River Software company).  As architects and engineers latch on to this BIM technology to help improve the process of constructing and designing buildings; manufactures must be able to keep up with new demands of 3D material.  And that is where Advanced Cabinet Systems comes into play.

In June 2012, Advanced Cabinet Systems released its first ever Advanced Cabinet Systems Revit Catalog.  Up to this point, architects were responsible of creating “generic” casework as “fill-ins” for specifications in their 3D projects.  Manufacturer-created 3D models, also known as Revit Families, help remove this trouble for architects by allowing them to easily download and drop them into their project. 

Easy accessibility is just one benefit of having manufacturer-created material; there are many more reasons why it’s beneficial.  One of the big benefits would be that each cabinet is to the standards of Advanced Cabinet Systems.  Every size that is available is easily accessible through a “type catalog”.  A type catalog gives all of the size options available through a pick-list without bogging down the model, thus keeping a relatively small file size.  Finally, another great benefit is that specifying the cabinets in a project is easier because the matching product number associated with the physical catalog is included with each model.  By loading in the “custom casework tag”, every floor plan would include the product number by being placed over the matching cabinet.

By having the manufacturer create their own Revit models, it creates a more stream-lined process for designers and architects in the overall build process.

Space Saving Furniture

I live in a small house--and when I say small, I mean it. We've got a downstairs with very little space division, a lofted upstairs, and two very, very small closets where I have to shove what seems like every possession we have into on a regular basis. To be perfectly clear, we need more space--or we need less stuff, whichever. Regardless, when I received an email from my boss recently about a new line of multipurpose, space saving furniture, it got me thinking about all the possibilities small spaces hold if a little forethought is put into their design and furnishings. Whether you are dealing with a small residence, office, or retail space, there are countless space saving ideas and fixtures that will meet a number of needs--all in one compact package.

Let's take a look at a few of my favorites...and I don't know about you, but many of these made me think, "well duh, why didn't I think of that??"

1. Boxetti

Designed by Rolands Landsbergs, each modules "is designed to achieve maximum efficiency of particular demands for functionality and suitability," and boy, does it look good doing it. I love the modern look and clean lines of this collection--from the office, to the bedroom, to the kitchen, this line can make even the smallest spaces functional. Check out the full collection here.

2. Club

Created by Daniel Debiasi and Federico Sandri for the German manufacturer Schönbuch, this space saving mirror/wardrobe combo would be perfect in a small home or clothing store.

 

3. As if from nowhere...

Designed by Orla Reynolds, I can think of countless places that this piece would be useful, i.e. my own home! A fully functional bookcase discreetly houses two tables and four chairs, making the need to worry about unexpected guests a thing of the past.

4. Minuetto Space-Saving Table

Produced by Italian manufacturer Milano Smart Living, this piece is great for anyone living in tight quarters. "It starts out as a console table but quickly transforms into a large dining table big enough to seat 10 people"--um, what?! That, my friends, is good engineering.

5. Folditure Leaf Chair

Created by architect Alexander Gendell, this chair folds to less than 3/4" thick and can be hung in a closet when not in use. With an aluminum composite frame and sturdy mesh seat, this durable chair is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

6. Twin Chair

This chair, designed by Philippe Nigro, is a clever two-in-one deal that allows a person to use the chairs stacked, or two people to use them separated--great for times when you need extra seating but can't afford to have chairs taking up space on a full-time basis.

Are you a small space dweller? Do you have a piece of space-saving furniture that has made your life a little easier? Leave a comment and let us know!

sources: one . two . three . four . five . six . seven . eight . nine . ten . eleven

Building Information Modeling

In June, Advanced Cabinet Systems announced the release of their Revit Families Catalog. This was a significant step for the company in providing resources that meet the ever-changing demands of technology in the architectural community, while also allowing ACS products to be integrated into their drawings. In light of this release, I wanted to take a look at Building Information Modeling (BIM) and how it is helping to change the face of building construction.

The National Building Information Modeling Standard Project Committee (try saying that three times fast), defines BIM as "a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition." Now, after reading that definition I was still a little in the dark about what BIM actually was, so in case you are too, hopefully the rest of this post will clear it up a little better...

Building Information Modeling goes beyond the standard 2D drawings often used in construction, and renders the entire space in 3D--while also allowing the user to see the time and cost associated with each phase of the process. This allows for quick extraction of different views of the building, saving time and resources that would otherwise be spent on the drafting table, and allowing the project to proceed without delay. If problems are detected within the drawing, elements can be easily changed while also maintaining an updated schedule of materials for ordering and tracking purposes.



Another major benefit of BIM is the ease of which a job can be handed off from one person to the next. Gone are the days of having to keep track of page after page of changes and revisions, with BIM each worker adds to a single drawing file and hands it down to the next--lowering the potential that information will be lost in the process and reducing the chance that costly mistakes will be made as a result.

With tight schedules and budget constraints, Building Information Modeling helps architects, builders, and designers work quickly and efficiently by allowing them to visualize the space from start to finish. This allows them to work out any potential problems before construction even begins; saving valuable time and resources, and often leading to projects that finish ahead of schedule and under-budget.

sources: one . two . three . four

The Classroom

 By: Anna, ACS Intern

The learning environment is defined by several factors that must be considered when designing a classroom space. Throughout my research for this project I have narrowed these down to the five most important things to consider when designing an educational setting.


Layout/Furniture
In the past, classrooms have been restricted to fairly simple layouts. Options for arranging standard desks and tables, while still maintaining functionality, are limited--often resulting in spaces that are monotonous and expected. Companies such as Herman Miller, Steelcase, and Hon have done extensive research and developed innovative furniture systems specifically for educational use. These systems can be used in a variety of ways to create spaces for group learning, collaboration, and lecture. 

 

Color
Color is an important factor in the physical learning environment that has an impact on student achievement, as well as teachers' effectiveness and staff efficiency. Specific colors and patterns have a direct influence on the health, morale, emotions, behavior, and performance of learners. Color increases students' capability to think, create, and invent, while also enhancing their ability to express themselves, work together, and organize. When selecting a color for a learning environment it is important to research and consider the effects it will have on students and educators. 

 

Illumination
Illumination within the classroom is often achieved through the easy and economical solution of fluorescent lights on a dimmer. However, designers are now rethinking the effectiveness of this solution as current studies are showing the degree to which lighting affects a student's classroom performance. Illumination encompasses aspects much broader than the standard overhead electric lighting system--illumination also refers to direct natural light, indirect natural light, indirect artificial light, reflected light, and the control of all sources. Poor lighting controls have a negative impact on occupants; glare, eye strain, fatigue, decreased attention span, increased body temperature and poor student/teacher performance. The proper use of illumination can have very positive outcomes resulting in improved test scores, reduction of poor behavior, and higher student achievement. Natural daylight should be the primary source of lighting in schools, supplemented by electric light when daylight fades.

 

Distractions
Within seconds, a student's attention can quickly move from the teacher or activity at hand to being distracted by what is outside of the window, over hearing a class next door, or watching a pupil within their own classroom. There are numerous distractions within a learning environment and the physical layout of the space can greatly affect active learning, while helping to minimize well-known attention-stealers. The ability for a student to hear and understand what is being said in the classroom is necessary for effective learning and high academic performance. An environment with poor acoustics builds a communication barrier which often leads to distant and distracted students. A few easy ways for designers and educators to reduce classroom distractions would be to use noise reduction panels to absorb excess sound, be conscience of door and window placement, and make sure that the physical layout of the space lends itself to keeping students focused on the task at hand.

 

Air Quality
Providing clean air is beneficial to students and educators. Due to the small amount of square footage available per child in an educational environment, it is no shock that schools have a major concern for indoor air quality. A lack of clean air can result in an increase in allergies and asthma, with these ailments accounting for nearly 12.8 million days of school missed by students in the U.S. Ironically, the students themselves are the main source of contamination; bacteria is created by the acts of body respiration and increased metabolism. Other items contributing to poor air quality include books, writing materials, clothing, and at times computer equipment. 

There are three major things to consider when evaluating the air quality within the classroom, the first being source control. Any source of air pollution, such as standing buses, glues, paints, and markers must be removed or stored separately from the classroom. Secondly, the ventilation must be checked. Ventilation is needed because it prevents stale air from building up as a result of increased levels of carbon dioxide and VOC's. The HVAC system must then properly circulate the fresh air at a comfortable temperature and humidity level. The final thing to consider is filtration. Filters are highly recommended as the best technology to remove airborne particles, and it is vital to take precautionary measures to ensure that clean air is being provided to the students and educators.

 

These five factors help to create a successful learning environment. Focusing on at least one of these categories could entirely change a classrooms aesthetic, but when all five are considered during the design process, what results is the ability to change the face of the classroom setting.

sources: one . two . three . four . five

Flexible Learning Environments

As a follow up to last week's blog, "Environmental Effects on Learning", I've compile a few examples of well designed classrooms from across the web. These spaces show a creative use of color, materials, and furnishings while maintaining a high level of flexibility that allows them to be used for a wide range of activities.

As a student, I know I would have loved learning in these environments!

Desks and chairs on casters keep this space flexible and allow for quick and easy reconfiguring.

Brightly colored and ultra-portable, these desks can turn any space into a fun learning area.

Moveable glass walls and multipurpose furniture make this space perfect for both teacher led discussions and group collaboration.

A desk/chair combo on wheels allows for an unlimited number of seating configurations.

Brightly colored furniture makes this classroom a fun and inviting learning environment.

A large room with moveable furniture allows for multiple learning activities to take place simultaneously.

In many climates, a covered outdoor area can be utilized by students nearly year round, giving them access to fresh air and sunshine.

A large room with walls that tuck neatly away provides just the right amount of classroom space, while still allowing the space to be utilized by larger groups.

Moveable window-walls help bring in the outdoors in this learning environment.

A compact stage/bleacher area saves spaces and makes this corridor functional.

sources: one . two . three . four . five . six . seven . eight . nine . ten

Space Planning

In continuing our series on retail design, this week I thought we would take a look at a few ways to optimize your retail space. Whether you run a small specialty boutique or a large discount warehouse, it is important to consider customer flow and product placement in order to utilize the space to its full potential and help drive sales.

There are three areas that are important to keep in mind when you are planning the layout of your store:

1. Entrance
2. Sales floor
3. Check out area

Specialty retail is a very competitive field and with so many other stores vying for a shopper's attention it is important to have an enticing entrance. Well executed window displays will often give a customer a nice glimpse of what they can expect to see in your store. Once you get their attention, it is important that the entrance be spacious to avoid the bottleneck effect that comes with funneling too many customers through an opening that is too small. While it may make sense to place your best products at the entrance, research done by Envirosell, a company that studies customer behavior, have shown that these items often get overlooked by shoppers eager to get inside the store. As people have the natural tendency to go right when they enter a space, better placement for these products would be about 15 steps in on the right side. This will allow the customer enough time to gain their bearings of the space and begin the shopping process.

When laying out the sales floor, it is important to consider the main circulation path that customers will take as they walk through the space. A well thought out path will lead shoppers through the most important departments of the store and prevent areas from being under-shopped. The type of circulation path that you use will depend on what your store is selling, but it ultimately comes down to making people comfortable as they shop in your store. If a shopper is confused and overwhelmed by your space, it is likely that they will turn around and walk out pretty quickly, leading to a lost potential sale. Customers that are engaged and find it easy to locate the products they are looking for will often shop longer and purchase more.

While there are a number of circulation path layouts that can be utilized, here are a few of the most common:

• Pathway: This plan is great for clothing stores, as it easily moves the customer toward the back of the store on a path that is unobstructed by fixtures.
• Hub and Spoke: This plan features a clear anchor point with pathways branching off into various areas of the store.
• Varied: This plan works well in stores that primarily display their products on the wall, such as shoe and jewelry/accessory stores. It draws attention to special displays areas and showcases wall displays.
• Straight: This plan leads the customer to the back of the store by dividing main areas with walls to display merchandise, making it great for a variety of stores.
• Loop: This plan works great for grocery stores, as it leads the customer through all of the major areas of the store and encourages impulse shopping.

The circulation path you choose will often dictate where you place your check out area. Customers should have a clear understanding of where they need to go to complete their purchase, and in many cases, it is important to provide a sense of privacy during the transaction. As technology continues to evolve, many retailers are moving away from providing a physical cash wrap to complete the sale and equipping their sales team with hand held devices capable of doing the job of a traditional cash register--and often faster. This allows associates to move freely about the store, making them more accessible to the customer.

A few more things to consider during the space planning process...

1. Pace: In order for a customer to enjoy their experience at your store, they must be the one to set the pace at which they shop. Providing areas for customers who wish to shop longer and at a slower pace, as well as accommodations for those that need to get in and out of the store quickly, will ensure that everyone is satisfied.

2. Product Placement: The placement of merchandise throughout your store must make sense to your customer. However, what makes sense to one person may not make sense to the next and this is where cross merchandising--placing the same product in different areas throughout the store--helps to make products easy to find while decreasing customer confusion (and frustration).

3. Building Codes: As building codes can vary significantly from one city to the next, it is important to know the codes in your area before investing valuable time and money into a space plan that doesn't meet all of the requirements.

4. Market: Know the market you are trying to reach and set a limit on how much product you will display at any given time. Crowded stores often reflect lower prices, while fewer products on display typically gives a higher-end feel.

5. Flexibility: Make a plan that is flexible and can be changed around easily without tearing the entire store apart. This will not only save your staff time but will also save you money.

6. Privacy: Give your customers enough room to move. Avoid stressful situations for your shoppers by providing space that is out of the flow of traffic where they can make buying decisions without being interrupted.

What tips do you have on creating a successful retail space plan? Have you found that a particular type of circulation path leads to increased sales? Let us know in the comments below!

sources: one.two.three.four.five.six