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New York IFDA Presents Green Design Seminar
July 03, 2008
The New York Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) recently presented "Great Design is Green Design" at the Miele Gallery in the Architects and Designers Building in New York City. This educational seminar was led by three leading industry specialists: Yetsuh Frank, director of programs and policies for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), New York Chapter; Maggie Wood, principal of Maggie Wood Design, a recognized expert in the field of green design; and Michael Ekstract, a founder and VP at Verdant magazine. The message from all three speakers was clear: We must do something, we can do something and, while the issue is complex, there are resources out there to help.
The IFDA and the three speakers were welcomed by Alan Carnevale, regional sales manager, New York Metro Area for Miele, a family-owned and operated business of high-end domestic appliances. "Miele has a long and well-regarded history of environmental stewardship, significantly driving down water and energy usage, making appliances easier to recycle and even reducing their packaging," said Carnevale. "We are proud to be part of this green event and hope others will be inspired to do more to help the planet."
"The sustainability movement is young but critically important," said Yetsuh Frank, who began the seminar with an explanation of LEED and its components. "The main issue is: Are we going to survive and if so, how are we going to survive? It's up to us." Frank took the audience through the LEED Green Building Rating System and the process of getting certified. He explained the five major categories of LEED: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy Atmosphere, Materials and Resources and Indoor Environmental Quality. Describing the 400-page LEED reference guide, Frank told the audience that while the subject is daunting, the USGBC of New York offers educational programs as well as research programs to help people in the New York region.
Maggie Wood, who consults and collaborates with architects, engineers and designers to ensure that their projects meet the highest level of green building standards, began her presentation with a quote from Winston Churchill. "We shape our buildings and then our buildings shape us," she quoted. "However," she continued, "as designers we like to design places that affect people but it is important to take this to a second level: health effects. It goes against the role of a designer to design spaces that people can live in without taking into consideration health and well-being." Wood told the audience that she believes that sustainability means that we should be able to continue to do what we do now, while allowing our children and the next generation to be able to do the same. She took the audience through a number of toxins that we live with daily, such as volatile organic components (VOCs), PFCs (stain repellents) and PBDEs (flame retardants).
Michael Ekstract told the audience that "despite dire warnings, I want to bring you back up: There are solutions and there are resources to learn and partner with." Larger firms are creating dedicated sustainability teams. Smaller firms can partner with green consultants and take advantage of the wealth of new resources and materials available. Individuals can become LEED accredited by the USGBC. In addition, design associations like IFDA, ASID, AIA and others are offering sustainability education. Product manufacturers are harnessing new technology to solve many problems and offer information and education. Industry trade magazines and websites provide extensive information as well. He provided a list of recyclable fabrics: bamboo, hemp, even fabrics made from seaweed. He recommended using non-toxic clay, reclaimed wood and durapalm. He advised the audience to make a difference and design for the environment: "There is a solution: you can be part of it."
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