Contract - May 2010 - (Page 18)

industry Swimming in Sustainability Burnaby, Canada—Building product manufacturer and distributor Sustainable Solutions International (SSi) has received a LEED-CI Gold Certification for its recently renovated corporate headquarters in Burnaby, Canada. Designed by Shelley Penner, director of practice at design firm Penner & Associates, the upgraded interior merges green building practices, aquatic aesthetics, and state-of-the-art technology. “Gold LEED level was our target, and we were determined to achieve it,” says Glenn Sheargold, president of SSi. “We are very pleased and proud of the teams effort in reaching our goal.” The 4,200 sq.-ft. structure, which also earned the Silver Award of Excellence from the Interior Designers Institute of British Columbia, contains a reception space, five offices, a conference room, open plan workstations, a fully functional kitchen, and a water-efficient bathroom. Plenty of daylight access keeps energy usage down, as well. Retractable screens separate the reception and display areas, which allows for adjustable light depending on the type of product display. The screens are made of a special material onto which images may be projected. Given that each workstation features a view of the nearby Fraser River, an aquatic atmosphere fills the headquarters, with a color palette of blue and green accents throughout. “Achieving this certification required both a physical and financial commitment,” says Sheargold, “but it was essential for SSI to undertake the task as further reinforcement to our commitment to sustainability, company ethos, and culture.” www.contractdesign.com/ssi Miami Sweet Miami—Although tropical design flair is no stranger to Miami, CetraRuddy Hospitality Group seems to have successfully found a way to make the bold Brazilian notes blend with chic nostalgic elements in the recently opened Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill. Located in Miami’s Design District, the 4,200-sq.-ft. restaurant bursts with South American Colonial-styled architecture and an eclectic interior. “The focus of our inspiration was the theme of ‘favela chic,’ blending two distinct styles to create the unique identity of Sugarcane,” says designer Nancy Ruddy of CetraRuddy. “The Latin/Japanese fusion can be seen in the design, as well as the menu. Our goal was to interpret an offshoot brand for Sushi Samba in a more organic style.” CetraRuddy created a sense of timelessness for the restaurant by showcasing organic textures, wood floors, and salvaged pieces, such as ironwork, mirrors, and shutters. Vintage wallcoverings and a wall that features multiple layers of peeling paint present a loved-yet-forlorn sentiment. These classic elements are contrasted by modern pieces and a vibrantly colorful interior—such as hand-painted Moroccan tiles—which reflect the Brazilian favela spirit. Additionally, banquettes with mismatched tables and chairs from various periods were custom designed to the overall eclectic nature of the space. www.contractdesign.com/sugarcane SEEDing Social Impact The ideas planted by a group of design professionals back in 2005 have finally come to fruition. The SEED Network, a relatively new organization advocating the right of all individuals to live in a healthy community (socially, economically, and environmentally), announced on March 31 the launch of the Social Economic Environmental Design® (SEED) Evaluator. The new measurement standard, which was introduced at the 2010 Structures for Inclusion 10 Conference, will measure and aptly credit design projects that effectively create a positive social, economic, and environmental impact. Following in the style of its USGBC predecessor LEED, the SEED® Evaluator is a Web-based tool that will help designers evaluate and certify their developing design projects in a way that is transparent and accountable to the public. At SEEDNetwork.com, community members will be able to define goals and measure the success of local design projects via a third-party certification process, which will assist designers in achieving buy-in and cooperation from local residents on design projects. “In addition to being a guide through the design process, it also can provide a ‘stamp of approval,’ a third-party certification that the community’s goals are being met. Resulting projects maximize the positive impact of a community’s limited resources,” says Brian Bell, executive director of Design Corps. and a leader of the SEED project. However, it is important to note that SEED is more than simply a “stamp of approval.” Lisa Abendroth, one of the SEED project leaders and teacher of design, says, “It’s a tool for developing design projects, evaluating them as they progress, and assessing them when completed. So it will be of critical value to designers and architects who want to ensure they are developing socially responsible projects.” Read more at www.contractdesign.com/seedevaluator 18 contract may 2010 www.contractdesign.com http://www.contractdesign.com/ssi http://www.SEEDNetwork.com http://www.contractdesign.com/sugarcane http://www.contractdesign.com/seedevaluator http://www.contractdesign.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - May 2010

Contract - May 2010
Contents
Editor's Note
Industry
Exhibition
Focus: On the Bench
Focus: Collaborative Workshop
Green: How to Get Certified
Practice: A Change for the Better
Trends: The Death of the Office (as we know it)
Domesticating the Workplace
Prepare for Impact
Off Campus
Bold and Buzzy
Luxe & Lean
Vital Mission
Social Verdict
Design in the Fourth Dimension
Picture This
Designers Rate
Sources
Ad Index
Perspectives

Contract - May 2010