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Time for a National Design Policy?
from The Design Observer Group
 Sensing the possibilities of a new presidency, design professor Elizabeth Tunstall is trying to persuade the U.S. federal government to enact a national “design policy.” The set of edicts she’s got in mind would compel the government to treat various forms of design as essential to our national life, much as it does money or the food supply, and much as countries such as India, Brazil, South Korea and Finland support their design industries already. The feds would themselves become model design clients but also promote design and innovation as ardently as they protect the homeland. More 
BusinessWeek Announces IDEA 2009 Winners
from BusinessWeek
Nokia’s flagship store in São Paulo was one of several retail environments selected for this year’s International Design Excellence Awards. It offers a technologically integrated customer experience. The translucent walls are lit by mood-evoking LEDs above a panorama of LCD screens that enable consumer interaction. Handsets can be used to navigate informational graphics on the screens. More
Building Codes and Regulations Impede Progress Toward Uber-green Buildings
from Building Design & Construction
A new report from the Cascadia Region Green Building Council and the International Living Buildings Institute finds existing codes and regulations significantly impede the approval and construction of cutting-edge “super” green buildings. The report includes recommendations to spur the creation of an integrated regulatory process that encompasses Living Building goals. More
Remodeling's Recovery Still Many Months Away
from Custom Home Online
The most recent Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) reported by the Remodeling Futures Program at Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies suggests the remodeling market could be bottoming out. According to the LIRA, improvement spending by homeowners will continue its downward trend through 2009 and into the first part of 2010, and annual declines will hover around 11 percent for the next several quarters. More
Design and Environmental Firms in Need of Project Management Training
from Interiors & Sources
Thirty-two percent of design and environmental firm leaders and HR managers report that project management training is their firms’ biggest training need, according to the latest “By the Numbers” poll, a monthly survey featured in The Zweig HR Letter. Nineteen percent of respondents point to marketing and business development and 16 percent say leadership training is their firms’ biggest training need. More
A Message from ASID
Summertime's Here and Internet Scams are on the Rise.
Please be very cautious of e-mail communications inquiring about specific design services and requesting detailed payment options and/or instructions. Several ASID members have received such e-mails. Subsequent communications often contain a lot of convincing detail, ask that you charge their credit card, make a payment and retain a portion as a deposit for your work. Please don't fall prey to this attempt to defraud you.
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Kitchen Design Trends
from the Examiner
Kitchen design trends are a reflection of changes in how we use our homes. As our families have become more mobile, and as entertaining has become a regular occurrence, the kitchen has evolved into a multi-purpose space combining function and style. Floor plans have become more open, and kitchens have merged with family rooms and dining rooms, forcing those areas to accommodate each other. The latest kitchen design trends reflect our need for a more livable, comfortable and flexible environment. More
Timing of Commercial Real Estate Recovery Pushed Back
from Multi-Housing News
A recent poll of commercial real estate investors, brokers and owners finds that sentiment regarding the timing of a recovery in commercial sales transactions has slipped. Only 10 percent of respondents are expecting to see a recovery in 2009, vs. 33 percent in similar survey conducted in May. In addition, the number expecting a recovery to wait until 2011 has increased from 25 percent to 33 percent. On the bright side, however, the number of respondents predicting the market will recover in 2010 has increased from 42 percent to 56 percent, with expectations for a Q2-Q3 uptick. More
Treetop Office: Eat Your Heart Out, Cubicle Warrior
from Inhabitat
One look at this office nestled amid the treetops and you might contemplate how to change your life in order to have a workspace with such an incredible view. Peter Frazier, a customer experience consultant, decided after years of working at an office and gaining over 50 pounds that he needed to make a change in his life - so he built this incredible office in the woods. Set amongst the trees above Chuckanut Bay in Bellingham, Wash., his lofted cube serves as a workspace and guest room, and it has a green roof on top too. More
High-End Homes Frozen Out of Budding Housing Market
from Nation's Building News
Housing is fast dividing into two markets: Sales of low- and moderately priced homes are picking up and values have stopped falling in some parts of the nation. But on the upper end, sales remain mired in a deep slump and price declines are expected to accelerate.
Sales of existing homes priced over $750,000 accounted for 2.3 percent of all sales in the first quarter of this year, compared to 4.4% of the housing market in 2007, according to the National Association of Realtors®. As these households watch their home equity evaporate, they are more reluctant to spend on housing upgrades or other items.
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE:
More ways to be LEED efficient and accumulate points
Prime quality Duro-design Cork and Bamboo flooring are environmentally friendly renewable resources as they are harvested with minimum impact on nature. They not only contribute to add beauty, design and value to your trendy projects.
They contribute to:
LEED 2.0 MR Credit 6
LEED 2.0 EQ Credit 4.01
The only Cork and Bamboo flooring available in 54 colors! More info
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE:
StonePeak's New Mosaics Design 5
 StonePeak's New Mosaic Design 5 is a 1"x2" brick pattern, mesh-mounted on 12"x12" sheets. Design 5 is available in four of StonePeak's collections including Parkland, Ville, Vulcani and American. More info
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE:
BRADLEY’S VESSEL® SINKS ADD RESTROOM ELEGANCE
Bradley’s Vessel® Sink Series enhances the look of upscale commercial restrooms, while offering an extremely durable and flexible plumbing solution. Defined by its elegant and streamlined appearance, the Vessel Sink Series adds to Bradley's ‘decorative high-end commercial’ plumbing fixtures. A range of colors, design choices and multi-height flexibility allow custom applications. More info
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PRODUCT SHOWCASE:
ECO™ by Cosentino
ECO™ by Cosentino announces it has been awarded silver level Cradle to Cradle Certification and has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council for contributing towards five to nine credits in the LEED certification system. ECO™ by Cosentino is an innovative new line of eco-friendly countertop and surfacing material composed of 75% recycled material. For more information visit www.ecobycosentino.com
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DuroDesign Inc.
