Contract - August 2012 - (Page 16)

International in culture, design, and practice Welcome to the wide world of design, literally and figuratively. In this issue, we are looking at the broad geographic breadth of design from international projects to a wealth of products that positively affect the way that we work, learn, heal, and relax. The winners of the Best of NeoCon® product competition (page 55) demonstrate that enhancements in design of furnishings and materials have an impact on our world, enhancing the interiors you design and the experiences of people within. Design touches our lives, with furniture, objects, details, and spaces designed humanely. We know our immediate home and work places intimately, while our awareness of the world around us has grown. International practice as a norm American architects and designers have increasingly been completing projects small and large in other countries. It’s become a norm—even for firms that are not extremely large—to procure projects and partner with firms elsewhere, from Asia to Europe, from the Middle East to South America. The changing economy in this country pushed many firms to seek work elsewhere as opportunities expanded outside the U.S., and enhanced computer and communication technology have enabled this sea change. The rewards of international design work are many, but the issues and upfront concerns are also plentiful. Here’s an abbreviated list of considerations for working abroad: 1. Which foreign markets could your firm realistically work in? 2. What are the foreign trade issues or barriers? 3. What policy issues in that country will impact your work? 4. How is design practice different in that country? 5. How do professional ethics differ in another country? 6. What cross-cultural aspects are to be considered? 7. Which laws or licensure issues will influence a project? 8. How can you ensure proper payment and protections? 9. What are the vagaries of copyright for design? 10. What are the procurement or customs issues? In his article International Design and Practice: Lessons from an Expert Abroad (page 136), Aaron Schwarz, FAIA, a principal and executive director of Perkins Eastman who oversees the firm’s Mumbai office, offers many more applied lessons from work in countries such as India and China. Schwarz offers this suggestion: “It is important to listen and learn from professionals in the country you are designing in, and remember that the American way is not always perceived to be the best or most appropriate way to complete a project.” The human connection in global work is absolutely key. To help facilitate that, Gensler established the Gensler Exchange, allowing its global talent to gain experiences in offices in other countries. Diane Hoskins, FAIA, executive director at Gensler, describes the program at length in Designing Cultural Fluency Firmwide with the Gensler Exchange (page 144), and offers examples of how the experience has enriched individuals, offices, and the global firm itself. “The true measure of our collective success,” Hoskins writes, “is in our ability to forge longstanding client relationships that are rooted in—and represent—the communities where we do business.” Communities across the globe are in need of design services. WIth that in mind, I encourage you to take a close look at the winners of the Inspirations Awards (page 140), presented by Contract in partnership with Tandus Flooring. The awards recognize a commitment to social responsibility in commercial interiors, implementing design to improve the quality of life for those in need. One project in particular deserves special notice in this issue on international design: Gyoryuno-yu in Japan. This is a community house for a coastal town where nearly 70 percent of all homes were destroyed by the tsunami on March 11, 2011. A university professor and students designed and built the gathering space adjacent to temporary housing to help reconnect and rebuild a community. That’s the power of design, and inspiration. Sincerely, John Czarnecki, editor in Chief 16 contractdesign.com july | august 2012 PHOTO: MEG WAlTON edItorIal http://www.contractdesign.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - August 2012

Contract - August 2012
Editorial
Industry News
Product Focus: One Size Fits All
Product Focus: By the Hand of the Painter
Product Focus: The Future Is Bright
Product Briefs: Team Players
best of NeoCon®
Sanofi Headquarters
Microsoft Vienna
Gensler Bangkok
St. Regis Sanya Yalong Bay Resort
International Design and Practice: Lessons from an Expert Abroa
Competition: Inspirations Awards
Practice: Gensler Exchange
Designers Select: Fabric
Sources
Ad Index
Exhibition: KarlssonWilker Exposes the Many Facets of Wolf-Gordon

Contract - August 2012