The Art of Philanthropy
As we ‘emerge’ and embrace a season full of events after a long hiatus (which shall remain nameless), it is exciting to be in-person again, with our design family, dressing up with a new appreciation for what we have - good health, good friends and an industry we love.
Behind-the-Scenes
The 2022 IIDA New England Fashion Show is just around the corner, and we are excited to see the amazing work come to life and be showcased on stage at Big Night Live in downtown Boston. In the past, there has been some amazing work presented by the most talented teams throughout the design community, but not many see the effort that’s put in to bring these designs to life.
Implementing WELL Elements
This past November, hundreds turned out on a brisk Saturday to celebrate the opening of the City of Cambridge Universal Design Playground. Located in Danehy Park in West Cambridge, the $5.8 million playground stretches across a 30,000 square foot area. The site is on top of a landfill, formerly an early 1900s clay pit run by the New England Brick Company.
Intro to the EC3 Tool
Understanding the world of carbon can be a confusing feat. Carbon dioxide numbers are rising beyond levels ever seen in human history - think 50% higher than preindustrial levels according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
NeoCon 2022
NeoCon returned to its usual time frame this past June after the 2020 show was canceled and moved to October 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The commercial design industry’s most important event held at theMart in Chicago, IL is a chance for the contract industry's major manufacturers, as well as emerging ones, to showcase thousands of new products and services including furniture, interior finishes, and technology.
An Inside Perspective
It is crazy to think how the world has changed in the past couple of years. In that time, the A&D community has had a great deal of movement from talented locals exploring new opportunities at firms, end users and even starting up their own shops. One group in particular has faced career challenges in ways those before them never had: the recent grad.
Redevelopment
It all began back in 2017 with a Letter of Intent. With this letter, HYM Investment Group proposed a large scale redevelopment of the approximately 160 acres of the Suffolk Downs race track site located along William F. McClellan Highway where East Boston meets Revere in Massachusetts. They envisioned transforming the site into a highly-resilient, transit-oriented, mixed-use development with commercial office, retail, housing, and open space.
Designing with Cork
We are constantly thinking of design and architecture as a layered collaborative effort. Changing the skylines of cities doesn’t come from one person’s ideas or opinions; it comes from layered inspiration, collaboration through varying perspectives and experiences with a holistic design-forward approach.
Civic Design
This past November, hundreds turned out on a brisk Saturday to celebrate the opening of the City of Cambridge Universal Design Playground. Located in Danehy Park in West Cambridge, the $5.8 million playground stretches across a 30,000 square foot area. The site is on top of a landfill, formerly an early 1900s clay pit run by the New England Brick Company.
Hospitality in 2022
The latest trends aren’t just about design
It is no surprise that the biggest trends in hospitality are largely influenced by behavior seen over the past few COVID-filled years. Though we’re not nearly as locked down as we were in 2020, it is clear that in order for people to feel comfortable to be on the move, they have to feel safe. It’s predicted that travel will recover in 2022, so the demand to design seamless and purpose-filled experiences is key to attracting and retaining the next on-the-go type.
Artists for Humanity
Creative Jobs for Creative Teens
As an increasing number of art and design communities engage in creating a more diverse and inclusive cultural landscape, one Boston non-profit organization has been a pioneer of that effort. Artists for Humanity (AFH) has been working to surmount social, economic, and racial divisions by empowering under-served teens through the creative arts.
Visiting NeoCon
Highlights from the Student Winner of the 2020 IIDA Design Awards
This year, Mya Mosher, the 2020 IIDA Design Awards Student Winner, got the chance to attend NeoCon as part of her prize package from last year. She visited Chicago and has recapped some of her favorite highlights below.
Pop-Up Retail
Reinvention in the Community
Retail is on one of the highest stages, putting on a performance that is experienced by all; and with high exposure comes high stakes. The stakes to get into the market, to stay in the market, and to be at the forefront of it are all real pressures of the volatile retail market. The turbulence of the industry has only increased during Covid; however, as foot traffic starts to ramp up again, many brands are dipping their toes back into the brick and mortar experience through pop-ups.
Facade-ing Into the Future
Architectural Prefab
Prefabrication, where components are built offsite and then shipped to a job-site for installation, is becoming one of the most popular trends in the construction industry worldwide. With its innovative construction strategy often associated with modular and offsite construction, “prefab” is helping to make the building process simpler and more efficient.
Mixed-Use Developments and Smart Growth Cities
Assembly Row at Assembly Square
Prior to the mid-20th century, people lived in dense, city neighborhoods where each block was comprised of varied, mixed-use buildings. After World War II, the low cost of land and the baby boom led people to desire more space. Suburban subdivisions, which offered more square footage and outdoor space, with a short commute to the city became prominent and lured the middle class away from these dense, urban environments.
Higher Ed
The Laws of Attraction and Retention
We've all heard the term "attraction and retention" in the context of companies and their hiring practices. These are typically things that companies offer to their employees in order to attract new talent as well as retain existing employees to keep them engaged and happy. A few things that come to mind are some of the over-the-top office perks including an in-office masseuse, nonstop cold brew flowing from the pantry kegerator, or a multistory slide through the middle of the office. The same types of strategies apply in a higher ed setting, although they look quite different.
WELL Building Standard
The Effect of the Built Environment on the Individual
The Coronavirus has shed light on the importance of human health and well-being in many ways. Every topic relating to mental and physical health has been at the forefront of discussion and the importance of overall body health is now recognized as a top priority for many. Yet, as the world starts to get back to its original state, many environments don’t reflect this new value. No one has quite grasped the impact our built environment can have on our health and safety better than the architecture and design community.
Redesigning Trauma Care
The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation
A traumatic injury can happen to any one of us, in any place, and at any time. According to the Centers for Disease Control, traumatic injury is the leading cause of death for people 46 years of age and under in our country, ahead of both cancer and heart disease. Despite these statistics, there remains inadequate resources to manage traumatic injuries and the specialized care they require.