green, green, green

Y

ou've heard all about it, but do you really understand it? Green. Is it possible to be truly green?

As designers we have an obligation to ourselves, our clients, the environment and all the people who live on this earth to be responsible in our recommendations of products, materials and finishes.

But one doesn't have to stop there, recommending energy efficient equipment, using products with recycled content or recyclable, no chemical finishes or low-VOC emitting products, etc. are all part of the big picture.

So, how does one become "Green" minded? Below is a list of things we can do to help our families, clients and the place we live in to be safer and greener:

1) Use materials and products manufactured within a 500 mile radius of the projects locations.
2) Use energy efficient light fixtures and equipment (ie: kitchens, laundry areas), keep energy/resource conservation in mind
3) Use green interior finishes such as certified EPP carpet or recycled carpet
4) Use sustainable materials/rapidly renewable materials such as cork, bamboo, etc. and consider the manner that they have been harvested, and consider how they will be used.
5) Use only low-VOC, non toxic paints, adhesives
6) Use furniture which respond to the issue of sustainability (ie: using recycled fabric, alternative construction materials such as recycled fiberboard, recycled laminates)
7) Consider alternative materials such as solid surface materials with recycled content, tile, concrete, etc. for kitchen counter tops, vanities.
8) Utilize natural sunlight to its advantage
9) Create green standards in your projects; setting goals will help you achieve 'green'
10) Educate people on green options. As confusing as it is for professionals, the average person doesn't understand the variety of possibilities on the market.
11) Choose green products first, if you've been hired to design, be responsible and design green
12) Offer green services as part of your design services, soon green will be as important and common place as providing a structurally sound structure

The list could go on and on, but this gives you a pretty good idea of where to start. Keep in mind that safety, durability and resource conservation are among the most important factors in designing and recommending 'green'.

Unfortunately, today there's a lot of 'green washing' going on in the world today (similar to 'brain washing' and indicates deception). By implementing some of the recommendations above into your projects you join the rank of responsible, educated designers in saving our planet and our resources for future generations to come.

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a toilet is just a toilet until you find one thats unique

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ormally I wouldn't give a toilet a second look, but while traveling in Japan, I recently did just that!

So I'm like any normal person, you check into your hotel room, you set your stuff down, you start looking around at the room; taking in the design, the fabrics, the materials used throughout the room, the layout, etc. (ok, maybe normal for designers) and there, in a small corner of the bathroom is a very high tech looking toilet in its own room.

I look at it, I see theres an arm like piece coming out of the right side which resembles a remote control. There seem to be flushing options, water control options for cleansing, a deodorizing section with fan levels, automatic lid movement, blow drying and even a section with heat levels. I moved on, I guess you could say it was interesting but not yet fascinating.

Later I come back into the room and give the toilet a test run, to my surprise the amazingly warm seat has grabbed my full attention! I am suddenly hooked on this idea, no more startling cold seats in the middle of the night; this adds a whole new dimension to the water closet and its purpose.

It should be noted that the Japanese must take their toilets very seriously, as various versions of the heated electronic toilet could be found in restaurants, the train station and pretty much everywhere you can imagine. Ok, there are also some weird versions of a urinal type "squat toilet" installed in a few locations,
but we won't talk about them, as I still haven't figured these things
out yet! But I do know this, once you see the two options, you quickly
start looking for the electric one!!

Other things I noted were that each stall contained a wall mounted motion sensor for 'no touch' flushing; another really good idea since I always use my foot to flush-who in their right mind would want to touch anything in a public stall? Another thing was the wall mounted anti-bacterial unit with towelettes to clean the surface. Lastly was a high powered heated air unit with some sort of ultra-violet light to dry and sterilize hands after washing. Now do you see why this was so fascinating? I feel like I've been missing out!

Back home, I see my simple, regular toilet and feel disappointed. No more warm seats, how boring!! Can I survive without it? I mean really, why should I live like this any longer?

These upgraded toilets and public accessories certainly gave me something to think about, this obviously is not a luxury item, it's more like a sanitation necessity. It appears to be the standard in this country, why should our standard be any less?

Trust me, a toilet is just a toilet until you find one thats unique.....
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inspirations of japan

W

e just returned from a family vacation to Japan and

I have to say WOW!! What a wonderful place to be if you enjoy being visually stimulated and have a desire to soak up details, sounds, smells and don't mind being in constant close proximity to lots and lots of people.

We arrived into Narita Airport outside of Tokyo and quickly headed by bullet train to Kyoto, a small but exciting town full of temples, shopping and Geisha's.

We stayed at the Hyatt Hotel in Kyoto, which was recently featured in Hospitality Design Magazine. The hotel is gorgeous, the restaurants and bar are well designed and all areas featured numerous unique design details, requiring both time and sometimes a keen eye to really get it. I especially loved the 'library' room off the bar which features walls stacked full of magazines and books (see photo above).

Photos: Top left to right: bullet train, Louis Vitton-Tokyo,
Middle: interesting chandelier in shopping mall, Japanese Restaurant-Hyatt/Tokyo
Bottom left to right: Private dining room, Lobby Restaurant, Sushi Bar/Hyatt Kyoto

As one imagines of Asian cultures, organic materials are plentiful and are utilized with great skill in local design; these materials definitely add to the charm and mysticism of the culture. After only a couple visits to temples you begin to appreciate and understand the inspiration behind Asian design in general.

Photos: top left to right:on temple grounds Buda statue in green vegetation, stone pagoda
in natural setting, peering through the trees at the bridge over lily pond
bottom left to right: large rock which was split to allow the road to pass through-full of gold,
brown and red, 100 year old bonsai, waterfall on temple ground

Around town: top left to right: design found at the entrance to a store,

sake barrels/each with a unique label, center: restaurant sign
bottom left to right: paper lantern at temple, fabric panels, origami

Probably the most exciting portion of the trip was spotting Geisha's. It was an experience like something from Hollywood and the paparazzi. At approximately 6 to 7:00pm all the Geishas leave their homes made up and ready to start working, some leave in groups by taxi to unknown locations others walk to private rooms at restaurants where they entertain their awaiting clients. It became obvious when one was on the move as photographers and tourists were literally chasing them down the streets.


Seeing Geisha's up close was truly spectacular, there is something mesmerizing about them as well as very curious. Only after studying the Geisha photos can one see all the intricacy and layering in wearing a kimono; also of significance are the ornaments and up sweeping hair do's.

In an out of the way place, I found a store that carried new and vintage kimonos and obi's and purchased one for a fair price. As luck would have it, I also found the wonderful paper and wood umbrellas. I now have all on display in my home and they are breathtaking pieces of art and design as well as a wonderful reminder of our trip.

My mind continues to race from all the inspirations and ideas formed while traveling and I hope you find some inspiration from the collages I've shared with you. Remember to always bring your camera and sketchbook with you when you are out and about, you never know what might strike up an idea for later!

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