ASID To Host Design Seminars on Trends, Obesity, Hospitality, and Heathy Homes

Furniture World Magazine

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) announces its roster of seminars at the first-ever Neocon® Xpress L.A., August 22-23, at The Los Angeles Convention Center. NeoCon Xpress will showcase the most fresh, innovative ideas and designs in the contract furnishing industry straight from the NeoCon® World’s Trade Fair. The ASID forum “Super-sized: Obesity, Spatial Environments and Interior Design;” will feature a discussion on how interior design characteristics can hinder or promote healthy habits and wellness. Other highlights of the ASID programs include “Changing Rooms: Trends Driving Home and Commercial Design,” a highly visual presentation on design in the United States and internationally; and “The Healthy Home,” a presentation on how to eliminate the stress from our personal environments. The full list of not-to-miss sessions that ASID will host on-site includes: Wednesday, August 22 10 a.m. – noon Super-sized: Obesity, Spatial Environments and Interior Design Faith Sheridan, ASID Suzanne Phillips Pugh, VP Business Development, Marketing and Creative Services, Spevco, Inc. America is living large¾literally. Commercial and residential designers alike are grappling with the impact of obesity on workplace, health care, home, hospitality and entertainment environments. This forum presents a framework for discussion of how interior design characteristics hinder and promote healthy habits and wellness. 3 p.m. Changing Rooms: Trends Driving Home and Commercial Design Paul Taylor, Editorial Director, Trends Publishing International Population dynamics, lifestyle changes, environmental issues and computer technology are just some of the factors under consideration when it comes to designing today’s residential and commercial environments. In this fast-paced, highly visual presentation, Paul Taylor will pinpoint the main market factors that are driving these changes, and identify four key zones around which people are organizing their lives. Participants will gain a unique perspective on design in the United States and internationally in a presentation that is both educational and entertaining. Thursday, August 23 10:30 a.m. Hospitality Comes Home Skip Sroka, ASID, Sroka Design, Inc. When it comes to homes, trends suggest consumers are increasingly looking for a luxurious and hassle-free life. Ten years ago, people wanted their hotels to be as comfortable as their homes; now they want their homes to be as luxurious at the hotels they frequent. As more and more clients ask designers to bring the luxury of high-end hotels into the home, designers in both markets would do well to examine the interrelated connection between residential and hospitality design. 3 p.m. Aging in Style Leslie Shankman-Cohn, ASID, Eclectic Interiors An overwhelming majority of us want to remain in our homes for as long as possible. However, prolonged independent living must be balanced with the growing popularity of luxury, resort-style living and the need for age-appropriate environments that correspond to the abilities of seniors at all levels of care. Whether clients are in their family home, in a downsized smaller home, or in an assisted living facility, designers must understand how people’s needs change as they age and how to manipulate the physical environment to compensate for life transitions. 1:30 p.m. A Healthy Home Barbara J. Huelat, ASID, IIDA, AAHID, Huelat Parimucha Ltd. The time has come for those of us who believe that environments impact our bodies, minds and spirits. Good health and good design start at home. This presentation provides practical advice on the elements of good lighting, balanced color and how to eliminate the stress from personal environments. Barbara Huelat will discuss various rooms, their unique stressors and recommendations for healthy solutions. For general information about NeoCon Xpress, visit www.merchandisemart.com. About ASID ASID is a community of people—designers, industry representatives, educators and students—committed to interior design. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. Its more than 38,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more about ASID, visit www.asid.org.