Engaging CEU Courses – Sign Up Today!
May 17, 2012
Before things heat up with the summer calendar, be sure to check out two upcoming CEU offerings from Intereum and Herman Miller and reserve your spot. Registration is open!
Healthcare Trends and Facility Issues presented by Kathy Okland
Date: June 26, 2012
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Seven the Steakhouse
700 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
REGISTER HERE and please indicate the number of attendees, provide name(s) and contact information.
Your Carbon Footprint: How to Step More Lightly presented by Thaddeus Owen
Date: July 26, 2012
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 AM
Location: Rock Island Room at The Depot
225 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55401 Map
REGISTER HERE!
A Little Art, Science, and Red Thread
May 11, 2012
One of Herman Miller’s core driving forces in creating innovative and beautiful products, especially in seating, is to be a company that responds to the needs of people. This problem solving, person-centered research and product development have been the fundamental focus of Herman Miller for over 60 years and they have come to master it by anticipating the questions that we are unlikely to ask.
Through the evolution of the art and science of seating, all the way from the Eames Molded Plywood Chair in 1946 to the SAYL Chair in 2010, the designers and creators of these chairs have always ignited their passion to create the most ergonomic and comfortable seating. Take a look at the photo gallery below of work chairs to see how the art and science of seating has been introduced and created in their products over the years and all the while maintaining the red thread that runs through it: Health-positive benefits. For more in-depth information, check out this interactive seating PDF from Herman Miller.
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- SAYL Chair encourages movement and with its unframed design, it provides a full range of movement.
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- The Embody Chair is agile, providing many health-positive benefits to sitting.
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- Aeron is a body dynamic support chair and made its debut introducint PostureFit and Pellicle.
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- Equa 2 Work Chair is responsive to body’s movement.
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- Celle Work Chair is noted for the superior comfort it provides by being a flex map supporting the body.
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- Mirra Work Chair introduced the passive adjustability which provides comfort as if the chair is a shadow of the sitter.
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- Ergon 3 Chair was designed to fit to the person, task, and allow postural change.
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- Advanced art and science stems from Herman Miller’s human-centered design and research.
And speaking of design, Herman Miller recently launched the Herman Miller Collection in early May, and most exciting, they just opened the NYC Pop Up Shop of authentic modern design. From 1946 to 2012, it’s very clear that the passion lives on.
Even More Reason to Like Intereum
May 4, 2012
In honor of our 100th blog post in March, Intereum held a Facebook product promotion that gave our wonderful fans an opportunity to snatch up their very own Herman Miller loot. Some of the products featured in the giveaway included some spectacular items from the HermanMiller Collection. Pictured above is the Leaf Light in an “it’s all mine” embrace from Kristina and a comfy rocker shot of Jennifer in the Eames Molded Plastic Rocker.
Make sure you’re in position to be a part of our next product giveaway and to stay in the loop of other newsworthy bits – like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
New UltraTouch Denim in DIRTT Walls
April 26, 2012
Houston Peschl, Operations Manager of DIRTT, couldn’t sit back anymore knowing that all of the fiberglass in DIRTT’s post project waste would end up sitting indefinitely in a landfill. Knowledge and use of a product that could not be recycled did not settle well with Houston or DIRTT’s sustainable initiative in design. He knew DIRTT could do better and had to do better.
The mission started and he looked high and low for an alternative to fiberglass. Finally, he found Bonded Logic, the producers of UltraTouch Denim Insulation. This win-win material is not only cheaper (more than 40%) than the alternative, but it also uses 80% post-consumer recycled material (mostly your old jeans!) which clearly is 100% cotton fiber and a rapidly renewable resource.
Production and install of UltraTouch Denim. Thanks DIRTT for the pic!
It turns out that the denim even outperforms the fiberglass insulation in acoustical properties, flame spread, and off-gassing; there are no harmful chemicals or irritants. What a bonus for not only the end users but the DIRTTbags installing the stuff too! To add to the list of amazing attributes that this product has, any scraps of denim left over from projects can be sent back to Bonded Logic for reuse, so there is literally a big fat ZERO in their waste stream! Oh yea and by the way – using UltraTouch in a project can contribute to its overall LEED credits.
Trung Le and the Paradigm Shift in Education Design
April 19, 2012
At Intereum, we believe that furniture and the physical environment have a transformative effect on learners. Having served the education market for over 28 years, we’ve become a go-to resource for clients in the K-12 and Higher Education markets. As a Herman Miller Certified Dealer, we recognize that quality products are derived from extensive research, problem solving, and with a commitment to human-centered designs.
Seven years ago, Intereum formed a partnership with V/S, which like Herman Miller, is a research-driven company that delivers quality, ergonomically-fit, and suitable education furniture for 21st Century learners in K-12 and Higher Education environments. With their extensive knowledge of the industry and trends, V/S partnered with Cannon Design to publish the book The Third Teacher, a cabinet of wonders on how design can transform the ecology of learning.
“It is time to change the conversation about learning. It is time to transform our understanding of teaching and learning. It is time for a holistic consideration that creates a new ecology of living, growing and learning for our children.” – Cannon Design
Photo courtesy of Cannon Design Architecture
In support of the research and its impact on education as a whole, Intereum and V/S are cosponsors for a learning presentation featuring Trung Le. As a key leader in education for Cannon Design, an ‘Ideas Based Architectural Practice’ recognized worldwide for their design excellence and technological innovation, Le has become an award-winning speaker, consultant, and collaborator on The Third Teacher publication.
Trung Le, who is most recognized for his advocacy and work with educational design, has opened the doors to meaningful conversations about changing the education landscape to better serve the 21st Century learners. His experience and design philosophy for emboldening student inquiry and imagination have given way to how change through design can foster growth with students.
Photo courtesy of www.thethirdteacher.com
8 Chapters, 79 Ideas: What started as a research project, turned into a published book, works as a design tool, and now serves as the motivation for a architectural groups near and far. To experience the conversation, visit the TED Talk featuring Trung Le.
Trung Le – TEDxReset Talk 2011 from TEDxReset on Vimeo.
Getting to Know Intereum: Sue, Our Most Valuable Resource
April 13, 2012
This next showcase of Intereum’s talent is someone who just about anyone here wouldn’t know what to do without. Her name is Sue and she is our admirable resource librarian. Sue brings a breath of fresh air to the office with her calm demeanor, vast knowledge of the industry, and passion for art and design. And that’s just the start of it.
There are many characteristics and traits that make her our rock-solid support and an invaluable resource to our sales and design teams. Much of Sue’s career has been in one way or another related to the furniture side of business and after a six month blink-of-the-eye retirement from it all, she found herself back working with furniture, but this time as Intereum’s resource librarian! Sue is always staying up-to-date on the latest and greatest design trends and offerings from our vendors, and she stays busy training the interns on the endless responsibilities of the library.
Take a closeup on Sue and you’ll discover her love for travel, adventure, and people around the world. It’s hard to think of a corner on this earth she hasn’t been to, but somehow her list keeps growing and growing. In just a few weeks she’s leaving to bike from Amsterdam to Bruges, Belgium!
Amsterdam to Bruges photo courtesy of Google Maps.
What she loves about traveling is seeing how people live, work, socialize, and appreciating what brings them great pride in their country. When asked how her adventures have impacted her work, she indicates that while it hasn’t been a day-to-day thing, “it is helpful to expand the view of the world even if your world doesn’t get bigger. To understand who is out there, what they have done to change the world. Traveling gives better views of the world and where everyone fits in”. What an inspiration! Sue couldn’t be a better fit for Intereum, and with all of the knowledge and passion she has to share, we sure are fortunate to have such a great resource for our Intereum team and customers.
Around the world with Sue in a few snapshots, enjoy!
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MASS Design Group: Building to Heal Communities
April 6, 2012
Our world is becoming smaller and smaller each and every day. With borders shrinking between countries, the ease of travel, and the flow of technology, people, cultures, and societies are becoming more connected. What happens in remote corners of the earth now has a global impact. And unequivocally, our society is our world.
Photo courtesy of Herman Miller, Better World Report
Herman Miller’s former CEO, Max DePree, shed light on this topic when he said, “We can not live our lives isolated from the needs of society”. At the core of Herman Miller’s values lay the dimensions of the Better World program: To build a better world around you through environmental advocacy, inclusiveness and diversity, health and well-being, and community service. In this spirit, Herman Miller announced a partnership with the MASS Design Group in October 2011, a company who’s breadth of design spans from the brick they lay to the hearts they touch. This alliance brings both organization’s philosophy of human-centered designs to center stage by using space to contribute to better health. MASS Design Group’s formed friendship will be supported by Herman Miller’s employee volunteer program in which they’ll provide resources and employee support to Haiti and Rwanda.
So what exactly does MASS Design Group do? Put simply, they design buildings to heal communities. But even while being put simply, this is no simple task.
Photo courtesy of MASS Design Group
Photo courtesy of MASS Design Group
Photo courtesy of MASS Design Group
Photo courtesy of MASS Design Group
Their vision of a healthy community doesn’t end at laying the last brick in their buildings, it’s a process that is outlined by three sectors. It is through appropriate design, local investment, and innovation that makes healing communities possible. MASS has been so effective at this that organizations and people around the world are standing in awe and being inspired by the design group’s heart, passion, vision and beauty. It’s also no wonder why MASS is the 2012 Contract Designer of the Year. Congratulations and thank you for all you have done and continue to do!
Take a look at this video and learn more about MASS, it’s worth the watch!
Attention all college students: Pick up a camera, put your creative cap on, and answer the question posed by Herman Miller, “What makes your campus green?”. Submit a video capturing your answer and the chance to win up to $2,500 could be yours!
This is Herman Miller’s third annual Student Video Contest and with spring in the air and Earth Day around the corner, we hope you can become inspired. Take a peek at last year’s winners to catch the vibe. All entries need to be submitted no later than April 6, 2012, 5:00 PM Eastern. Official contest rules can be found here.
Making Dreams a Reality
March 22, 2012
Somewhere between our innovative, quality products and our highly skilled staff are hundreds of more reasons why Intereum stands out against other furniture suppliers and dealers in the Twin Cities. Our Custom Shop is included in that long list!
Staffed by some great guys that will take on any challenge that comes their way and who would know their way around a shop with their eyes closed (not highly recommended, but the case is there!). The crew will take on custom projects big or small, from one-of-a-kind reception desks to cutting and fitting a void in a panel to access power. No matter your wish or dream, rest assured that this team will figure out how to make it become a reality.
Check out some of their work! You’ll notice that they are so good that looking at some of these pictures their work is seamless against the rest of the product!
Above reception station has a custom curved work surface and a custom front lower panel to match the curve of the work surface.
The station above has a custom cut in the surface where our crew made a custom light drawer to view X-Rays.
Above, a custom piece is cut to fit a panel wall snug to a heater.
Above is another custom storage piece where nurses would put containers for testing. The storage openings create access to send and receive from either side without having to walk around the work areas.
If you have any custom needs or ideas feel free to contact us. We’d love to explore solutions with you!
With weather as beautiful as we have been having this time of year, the itch to get outside and enjoy nature becomes greater and greater with each sunshine filled day! The chatter of patio happy hours and starting the ol’ charcoal grill up again is filling the air and the evening schedules. So, instead of taking the dirty-spider-weebed patio furniture out of storage again this year, why don’t you take a look at the beautifully iconic Eames Aluminum Chairs.
Originally, these pieces were designed to be used out doors, but with lines, comfort and structure like this it was only a short amount of time before the outdoors were brought into the living room and office! The outdoor Eames Aluminum Chairs were designed not only to make up for the lack of beautiful and high quality patio furniture, but it was actually designed specifically for a house owned by industrialist J. Irwin Miller in 1958, whose architect was none other than Eero Saarinen! Herman Miller’s own textile designer Alexander Girard was the interior designer on the project and brought a stunning and brilliant array of color, texture, and folk art into the home. What a collaboration..Eames, Saarinen, and Girard (brilliant)!!
J. Irwin Miller house
J. Irwin Miller House. Eames Aluminum Outdoor/Indoor Furniture
Shortly after being introduced to the world the chairs began being produced using many different types of textiles including the most iconic of them all being leather. Finally, after more than 50 years the chairs are being created for their original design intent again. It’s not hard to imagine these beauts out doors on anyones patio! If you are interested in learning more or ordering some new patio furniture please contact us at Intereum! We’d love to help!
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