Chair's Message - June 2022

Chairs MESSAGE CAROLYN AMES NOBLE, ASID, WELL AP, WELL FACULTY, USGBC MEMBER CHAIR, ASID BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A Message from Carolyn Ames Noble, ASID, WELL AP, WELL Faculty, USGBC Member
Chair, ASID Board OF Directors

Climate, Health, and Equity

June 2022
 
Greetings ASID Colleagues,
 
There is a groundswell of climate action across the ASID community. This past Spring, we saw a wave of Chapter-led Earth Day celebrations, and a new National Committee for Climate, Health, and Equity (CoCHE) is underway with several innovative initiatives. Our industry partners have taken note, bringing to the table best-in-class products and ethical labor practices.
 
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 committed the United States to sustainability, declaring it a national policy “to create and maintain conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.”
 

ASID’s CoCHE

David_Cordell
 
David Cordell
ASID, LEED AP, WELL AP,
Sr. Technical Coordinator,
Associate Principal,
Perkins & Will,
Chair of ASID’s CoCHE
Ken_Wilson
 
Ken Wilson
FAIA, FIIDA, ASID LEED Fellow,
Design Principal,
Perkins & Will
Board Liaison
Jon_Strassner
 
Jon Strassner
LEED AP
VP of Industry Partnership,
ASID
Staff lead
 
David Cordell, Chair of ASID’s Committee for Climate, Health, and Equity (CoCHE) formed the committee with Ken Wilson and ASID staff liaison, Jon Strassner.
 
The work of this vibrant committee includes many voices, backgrounds, and skills. I'd also like to recognize all the individuals that make up this exceptional committee.
  • Linda Sorento
  • Jane Abernethy
  • Alex Muller
  • Jenn Chen
  • Lisa Tucker
   
The four major goals of the committee include:
  1. Advocacy and Impact
  2. ASID as a Learning Hub for Climate, Health, and Equity
  3. Reframing Design Excellence around Sustainability
  4. Communications
Cordell informed me that the committee aspires to build upon the ASID Climate Health and Equity Statement by issuing the Principles of Design Excellence for interiors, a framework intended to educate, drive, and champion eco-conscientious design and specification across the discipline.
 
ASID is proud to work with Industry Partners representing all categories of sustainable materials.
 
On a recent visit to the headquarters of ASID National Industry Partner, Cosentino HQ in Almeria, Spain, I learned firsthand just how far our Industry Partners are going to support climate, health, and equity.
 
Luis Hens del Campo, Circular Economy Manager, Cosentino, informed me of the company’s sustainable goals: “Both the circular economy and the decarbonization of the business are the two main pillars of the Cosentino Group's commitment to environmental sustainability.” The company realizes these goals by achieving the Dekton’s zero-waste strategy, the use of 100% renewable electrical energy in their manufacturing process, and the recent construction of the company’s own photovoltaic installation, a 20 MW facility.
 
Our Chapters continue to be central to educating and embracing sustainable interior design practices.
 

Chapter Involvement

The Central CA/NV chapter celebrated Earth Day with a keynote presentation from Kenyatta Lewis, Executive Director Supplier Diversity and Procurement, MGM Studios, and each attendee was able to build their own terrarium as a way to consider the greater ecosystem.
people making terrarium
The New England Chapter held a symposium, Designing with Sustainability in Mind, on April 29. Through a series of experts and panels, key topics focused on the lifecycle of construction, furnishing, protection, recycling, and refurbishing. Regional resources who are implementing sustainable practices were presented.
people listing to presenter
The NY Metro Chapter, in collaboration with NY IIDA City Center, and Rebecca Best, of Sustainability, Material Bank, held a special event entitled Taking the Climate Pledge, An Evening with Metropolis Magazine, on April 26th. Attendees learned that interior designers play an instrumental role in the building industry's fight against climate change, and keynote speaker Avinash Rajagopal, Editor, Metropolis, guided designers through initiatives we can take to reduce carbon emissions and make a positive impact through our work.
people taking a photo with presenter
 
It is exactly this type of collaboration that excites me the most, when the design community assembles together to take action!
 

Taking Action

 
So, how can we as designers take action every day? The first step need not be a seismic shift, yet it can be the path to one. Experts suggest:
  • Ask questions of your suppliers and partners. 
  • Educate your client on the importance of sustainable design.
  • Specify manufacturers who champion material transparency through reporting such as Declare labels.
Strassner comments, "You don’t have to change the world overnight, just try to focus on a couple of things to make a difference!”
 
Register for GATHER 2022, the National Conference by ASID in Miami, FL for continued robust discussion across the ASID community, and a cumulative presentation from members of CoCHE on “Design's Role in Climate Change, Health, and Equity.”
 
Attending NeoCon June 13 – 15? The Design Impacts Lives Hub will display our ASID Climate, Health, and Equity policy, and we’re encouraging as many members and visitors as possible to sign the Interior Design Pledge for Positive Impact.
 
Thank you to each of you who considers it your mission to design a space that is conscientious for people and the planet.
 
See you in Chicago!
 
Warmest regards,
Carolyn
 
kksigbw_1789089.jpg
 
Carolyn Ames Noble 
ASID, WELL AP, WELL Faculty, USGBC Member
Principal, Interior & Product Design, Ames Design Collective