From the Community Blog

In today's interconnected world, embracing diversity and fostering community engagement are essential for driving innovation and creating inclusive, empowered environments. In the heart of Via Seating lies a powerhouse - our people. Our organization takes immense pride in the dedicated artisans within its ranks who skillfully handcraft every chair with care and pride. Hailing from various corners of the community, Via Seating's team is a mosaic of nationalities, age groups and personalities, contributing to a diverse and vibrant work environment. This diversity fuels the company's strength, fostering innovation and enhancing their approach to chair manufacturing. Guided by LEAN manufacturing ...

In the realm of healthcare, wellness is not just a buzzword; it's a fundamental aspect that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional health. When it comes to medical education buildings, where future healthcare professionals are trained, the design of these spaces plays a crucial role in shaping the learning experience and, ultimately, the quality of care they provide. Designing for wellness in these environments goes beyond aesthetics; it involves thoughtful considerations that promote the well-being of both students and faculty. It also seems fitting that we design healthy buildings and learning environments for those that are training to promote health and ...

Over 150 years of inspirational and collaborative leadership, the award-winning architecture practice of Shepley Bulfinch has influenced health and science design paradigms, from hospital campuses to teaching facilities. An education legacy with a specialization in library design has evolved to embrace a new commitment to housing and urban development for a regenerative and equitable future. Since its inception in 1874, the firm’s work has been at the forefront of major social movements and moments in Chicago, and across the country. Beginning with the design of the Marshall Field Wholesale store in 1874 to completing a Master Plan for the University ...

The 55th edition of NeoCon, the world’s leading platform and voice for commercial interior design, will be held June 10-12. An estimated 50,000 attendees will convene at THE MART in Chicago to experience firsthand the latest trends and innovations influencing the future of shared spaces. From fostering deeper connections and prioritizing sustainability to learning from neuroscience, NeoCon exhibitors are pioneering what’s next in design with creative solutions for environments that are not only innovative and functional but also enriching and inclusive. Below are just a few impactful themes shaping today’s workplaces, hotels, restaurants, retail spaces, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities––alongside standout new ...

It's one of the unspoken questions in the (ongoing? permanent? soon-to-be ­wrapped-up?) debate about in-person work versus remote work: How can the office be better than home? Or, for the non-believers - can the office be better than home? Home is, for many, the place of maximum comfort and convenience. There has never been - will never be, short of a Jetsons-level invention - an easier commute than the one between your bed and your desk setup. Your fridge has exactly the snacks you love and if someone burned an empty coffee pot again, you probably only have yourself to ...

I am an endless advocate for small business, always have been and always will be. It is within my core. The question I want to look at is why should small business manufacturers matter to the industry and to GSA? With experience working for small business manufacturers earlier in my career, I now dedicate my efforts to supporting them through Catalyst. Additionally, I take pride in being a woman-owned small business myself. Through this lens, let’s look at the importance of small business manufacturers to the furniture industry and GSA. It’s important to understand that Small Business Manufacturers play an ...

Can design be functional, responsible and beautiful? Some believe that you must compromise one in order to succeed with the other two. I believe that innovative, responsible, beautiful design is not just a dream or a potential for “one day,” but that there are tangible, practical steps designers can take to make their ideal creations a reality. 1. Choose Materials That are Better for People + Planet Materials matter. In fact, Urban Land Institute shares that 80% of a building’s environmental impact is based on its materials. By selecting materials that are more inclusive for all people and better for the planet, ...

In the heart of Manhattan's Lower East Side, you'll find a shining example of community support and empowerment: the Chinese American Planning Council (CPC) Community Center. Over the span of four years, a transformative project has been underway, weaving together the threads of culture, inclusivity and innovation into the very fabric of its design. Inspired by CPC's core principles of integration, inclusion, and empowerment, the project has blossomed into a space that not only serves but also embraces the diverse communities it represents. At the forefront of this project is a focus on holistic design as a catalyst for community engagement ...

Public libraries play an essential role in developing healthy communities, serving as a third space institution that has taken on many functions beyond lending books. They connect people to information, services, and each other. Libraries form partnerships with other organizations to meet the social needs of the community. They offer early childhood literacy opportunities and reading programs for children, and are safe havens for teens, providing after-school homework help and positive social activities. They offer computer classes to help older adults learn technology skills. Libraries support small businesses, entrepreneurs, provide job and career assistance, access to video conferencing and maker ...

When we are babies, we soak up the world like a sponge, intently watching the people around us to learn how to move, behave, and communicate. Though we’ve grown up, observational learning does not stop after childhood. In fact, we continue this behavior throughout our lives, picking up different manners, social norms, and specialized skills from watching other people—in all kinds of contexts—whether at home, at the grocery store, on the bus, at a ballgame, or in the office. In common vernacular, listening in, observing, being a “fly on the wall” is often called eavesdropping. In the context of the workplace, ...