ICON - The magazine of the American Society of Interior Designers - (Page 54) thinking green The Evolution of Sustainable Libraries Resource directors provide guidance for design libraries nationwide. Sustainability is everywhere in the interior design—and numerous other—industries. The number of designers practicing sustainable strategies is increasing, as is the number of clients aware of—and requesting—“green” projects. Like any other grassroots movement, much of the responsibility for change rests with individuals. But at the same time, one of the greatest challenges can be changing how the system operates. As any practicing, or aspiring, designer knows, product samples are an integral element of the design process. But when it comes to moving the interior design industry in a more sustainable direction, the sampling process can also be viewed as a necessary evil. “I’ve been running libraries for years, and it’s great that people are finally talking about [sustainability,]” says Peter Carey, resource librarian for Butler Rogers Baskett Architecture, a firm with offices in New York City and South Norwalk, Conn. “The sustainability dialogue is getting louder and louder every year.” Carey is also the marketing and public relations coordinator for the Resource Directors Association (RDA), a not-for-profit professional network of resource professionals working in the architecture and design community. The stated mission of RDA—founded in 1997, and with a current membership of close to 300 individuals nationwide—is to promote awareness of the resource director profession and create an environment in which knowledge of materials, products and processes is shared. “RDA is essentially a network of resource librarians who are in close contact with each other,” explains RDA President Eileen Ragsdale, LEED AP, resource librarian for TPG Architecture in New York City. “We provide a vital support system in instances where our usual resource tools and databases might be insufficient.” As green awareness continues to grow and become a more prominent element within all aspects of the design process, resource directors and librarians will have an increasingly vital role in raising awareness about not only what products are sustainable, but about how to implement a more sustainable sampling process. “It varies greatly from firm to firm, how ‘green’ design libraries are,” says Ragsdale. “Even factors like the amount of real estate you have [for your library space] can determine your greening options.” TPG, for example, places a major emphasis on sustainability within its 250-plus person firm, including its own internal organization, TPGreen, whose purpose is to educate peers, research the latest products and processes and implement design solutions that are ecologically responsible. Essentially, there are two sides to the sustainability effort when it comes to design libraries. First of all, one must ensure that the library includes products that are green, which, while getting easier, can still be a challenge. Firms may be hesitant to include some of the latest—and unproven—green products in their go-to collections. “We don’t want to be the first to specify something, because of the risk involved,” explains Carey, who often uses RDA’s About the Resource Directors Association It is the intent of the Resource Directors Association (RDA) to organize and promote the awareness of this unique profession within the Architecture and Design community and create a standard for it. In addition to annual meetings such as a green round table discussion in the spring and a NeoCon Review in July, RDA members also meet once per month at a different design firm or showroom, in order to show the different ways each resource person manages, categorizes and catalogs information. What is a resource manager’s role? Like many professions, the role of a resource director or resource librarian can vary greatly, depending on a number of factors, including the type and size of firm, level of training and expertise, and whether the job is a full-time position. The typical responsibilities of a resource director or librarian include • Research new products/materials and educate architecture/design staff • Meet with manufacturer representatives about current products • Maintain interiors, architectural and sustainable libraries, and A&D industry resource databases • Write specifications, and/or specify/recommend materials and finishes appropriate to specific project requirements • Conduct internal product presentations and meet with clients • Establish finish and furniture palettes • Fabricate presentation boards and materials and work on design/construction drawings • Manage FF+E documents/schedules and coordinate furniture budgets What does RDA do? RDA’s objectives include • Improving members’ professional standards • Educating members about new products and materials to enrich product offerings • Providing members a platform for networking within the profession and among industry affiliates • Developing education and career opportunities for resource professionals • Establishing RDA’s visibility in the A & D Industry 54 ASID ICON | THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF INTERIOR DESIGNERS
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