The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) recently announced the launch of a new online resource: the Interior Design Product Finder. This new product, available on www.asid.org, features a search engine with a broad array of industry-specific product and service listings that will aid ASID members in their purchasing decisions. "We are delighted to offer this extremely effective online search tool as a resource for our members," says Michael Alin, executive director of ASID. "The Interior Design Product Finder will facilitate searches of products and services by providing designers with an inventory of supplier companies tailored by business segment." Developed by MultiView Inc., an Irving, Texas-based publisher of network search engines, the Interior Design Product Finder provides two search methods: a keyword-driven search, and a predefined category search by business type. To learn more, visit www.asid.org.
Great Grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright Showcases Latest Works
From an unpretentious workspace in a century-old building in Chicago's West Loop neighborhood, saws buzz, woodchips fly … and imagination soars. For the past 18 years, S. Lloyd Natof—great grandson of Frank Lloyd Wright—has been designing and crafting distinct furniture pieces while developing a loyal following among Studio Furniture collectors and connoisseurs. While Natof has enjoyed a tremendous word-of-mouth following, he recently spent more than six months creating more than a dozen new furniture and cabinetry pieces. From his modern day take on a traditional Japanese Tansu of Bubinga wood, to the intricate pattern in his African mahogany dining table, Natof's vision and detailed craftsmanship are evidenced. "I approached this as an opportunity to test the limits of my own creativity, while introducing new audiences to the virtues of Studio Furniture and displaying the full range of my work," explains Natof. Information about all of Natof's new pieces, along with details on some of his previous works, can be found at www.slnatof.com.
Poll Identifies America's Favorite Architecture
It's official: Two of the most iconic buildings in the United States—the Empire State Building (1) and the White House (2)— top the list of America's favorite architecture, based on the results of a public poll of the 150 best works of architecture recently conducted and released by Harris Interactive and the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The poll was conducted in conjunction with AIA's commemoration of its 150th anniversary, which occurs in 2007 and is dedicated to "Celebrating the Past, Designing the Future." "This poll of America's favorite architecture confirms that architecture resonates with people," says RK Stewart, 2007 AIA president. "The choice of the Empire State Building shows that when you ask people to select their favorites, they chose buildings and designs that symbolized innovation and the spirit of their community—but also, more importantly—they chose structures that hold a place in their hearts and minds." Rounding out the top five favorite structures were the Washington National Cathedral, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Golden Gate Bridge (3-5 respectively). A complete list of the top 150 structures, based on the results of the poll, as well as information about the architects and designers of those structures can be found at www.aia150.org.
Transformit Receives Good Design Award
Tension fabric R&D leader Transformit has received the Good Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum. It received the award for "The Dynamics," its proprietary system of rectilinear tension fabric frame components. The Dynamics enables designers to achieve designs previously not possible with curvilinear shapes atypical of tension fabric structures. The system utilizes aluminum extrusion frames that facilitate up to three layers of fabric and special effects through layering of translucent fabrics, application of pattern and/or graphics and the integration of lighting beside or between layers. Transformit is in the process of working with interior designers to create custom applications for hospitality, retail, exhibit and event arenas. The Good Design Award was founded in Chicago in 1950 by Edgar Kaufmann Jr. with the participation of top designers including Charles and Ray Eames, Florence Knoll and Russell Wright. Each year the museum receives hundreds of submissions. Learn more at www.transformitdesign.com.
Call for Entries: ZweigWhite to Recognize 200 Fastest-Growing A&E Firms
Which architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firms are the hottest in the industry right now? The Zweig Letter will answer that question with its 2007 Hot Firm List. The list is based on a survey of industry firms conducted by the Zweig Letter, the voice of reason for architecture, engineering and environmental consulting firms. The Zweig Letter 2007 Hot Firm List is limited to firms based in the United States and Canada that derive the majority of their revenue from the practice of architecture, engineering, planning, environmental consulting or allied disciplines. Firms are ranked according to their three-year growth rate in gross revenue from 2003 to 2006. Design and environmental consulting firms may enter the competition online at www.thezweigletter.com. The deadline to enter is June 1, 2007. The 200 fastest-growing firms will be announced at the eighth annual Hot Firm Conference, held October 24-26, 2007, in Boston. For more information, go to www.zweigwhite.com.
InformeDesign® Releases Implications on Color in Office Environments
A recent issue of Implications, InformeDesign's monthly newsletter on design and human behavior, reviews a body of research on the use of color in office environments. How color affects workers, it turns out, is actually not very well understood. "Although color is an integral part of design, very little empirical evidence exists to support some of the popularly held ideas about the effects of color on task performance, worker productivity and human psychology," says author Nancy Kwallek, Ph.D., a professor and director of the interior design program in the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin. Contrary to what one might expect, for example, studies Kwallek conducted found that although a color scheme may affect a worker's mood, there was no correlation between mood and productivity. Kwallek also discusses some recent studies that have affected popular notions about color and behavior. More information is available at www.informedesign.umn.edu
