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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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 21^st 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.

Bringing the collective voice together.

What promises to be an unforgettable conference, the 2012 Midwest Great Lakes Regional event is fast-approaching!  Intereum is proud to be involved with this “UnConference” to help demonstrate the role and impact learning environments can have on education, especially with the great emphasis that’s being placed on the 21st Century classroom and student.  Just as quickly as technology can change and improve, it’s important to address the environment to keep it in a flexible, adaptable, and creatively engaging state of mind.

Kicking off the event, CEFPI has prepared the stage for speakers Curtis Johnson and Emily Pilloton.  Curtis Johnson is a managing partner with Education|Evolving and co-author of Disrupting Class. No stranger to education, Curtis had worked as a teacher for several years and then a community college president before becoming a managing partner with E|E.

With the excitement and energy generated from the first day, we’re lead into the second day of events with speaker Emily Pilloton, Founder and Executive Director of Studio H Instructor, and additionally an author of a book, Design Revolution.  Building up the conference in an un-traditional format, Emily will help shake up the norm and bring empowerment to the learning environments with design tools and techniques.

By now the audience is ready to get their hands dirty, we just know it! And this is where Intereum makes our grand entrance.  Provided in the Guthrie are tables, seating, and other education environment tools to begin working within the Mash Up session that have been provided by Intereum, a Premier Sponsor of the conference.  There are certainly going to be some questions on how classrooms can evolve to agile or flexible learning environments.   In this session, we’ll be able to visually address those pressing concerns and help bring the vision to life.  Enter Intereum’s drawing to win a Hokki Stool or a copy of The Third Teacher publication.

Hokki Stool by V/S

It can’t be stressed enough that this conference is something you don’t want to miss.  Check out CEFPI online to learn more about the schedule and while you’re there – get registered!  Intereum is excited to be participating so stay tuned for updates regarding some fun activities throughout the conference.

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!Click to view slideshow.

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.

Join us at Intereum’s facility for a Herman Miller event, Blueprint to Thrive. What’s in it for you – the Health and Safety Officer, Facility Manager, and A+D Designers – you might ask? Well grab a seat, we’ll tell you. 

Dr. Brock Walker will help you explore and understand the science of PostureFit(TM) and why the benefits are so vital to those that work seated for most of the day.  Through demonstrations, participants will see firsthand the benefits of proper seated posture in regards to personal health, and why it is important to have a work chair with customizable support for all four sections of the spine.  Bill Dowell, a certified professional ergonomist, will join the presentation to make sure you all stay comfortable.

There’s no science test to follow but rather a fabulous giveaway featuring a SAYL chair and brand new LED light – the 360 – that you can enter to win. And as an added bonus, you’ll be getting some goodies from the presentation just for being part of the captive audience!

For more information or to register for this event, send an email to Amy Clausen at Intereum. Remember, Intereum is a Herman Miller Certified Network Dealer, allowing us to offer you the best in product knowledge and service from start to finish.  We’ve got your back (pun intended)!