ASID Launches New "Green" Design Web Resource

Furniture World Magazine

Due to the increased focus on using sustainable and renewable resources in residential and commercial design, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has added a new section to its Web site dedicated to sustainable or "green" design. Sponsored by Interface, the URL for the "Sustainable Design Information Center" is www.asid.org/green.asp. The launch coincides with the premier environmental conference, EnvironDesign® 7, taking place in Washington, D.C. "As the oldest and largest professional association of interior designers in the world, ASID has a tremendous responsibility to educate its members, other professionals designing the built environment and the public on sustainable design," said ASID President H. Don Bowden, FASID, AIA. "This new Web page is a great resource for interior designers so they can successfully incorporate green design practices and products in their projects. By putting green principles to work, interior designers can do their part to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The Sustainable Design Information Center provides visitors with a variety of resources to add to their sustainable design knowledge: green design tips for both commercial and residential interiors; definitions of common green design terms; helpful links to a wealth of other green design-related Web sites; biographies of members of the ASID Sustainable Design Council; a message board to stimulate on-line discussions on green design and to provide timely responses to queries on the subject; and more. Additional information will be added on a regular basis. The ASID Sustainable Design Council drove the development of this Web resource, which serves as one strategy in a comprehensive plan to educate interior designers and others on the vitality of sustainable design. Members of the council are Penny Bonda, FASID, chair; Kirsten Childs, ASID; Trudy Dujardin, ASID; Lucinda Jennings, ASID; Victoria Schomer, ASID; Jan Stensland, ASID; and Bernadette Upton, ASID. "Making the decision to incorporate environmental considerations in design is an ethical choice as well as one that is good for business," Bonda said. "Not too long from now, green design will be an expected component in project solutions. We hope the sustainable design section on www.asid.org will help facilitate that process." ASID is the largest professional association representing the interests of interior designers. Its mission is to advance the interior design profession through knowledge generation and sharing, advocacy of interior designers' right to practice, professional and public education, and expansion of interior design markets. The Society supports its more than 33,500 members - comprised of practicing interior designers from all design specialties, design students and industry representatives - through a variety of programs and services and a network of 48 local chapters throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information on ASID, visit www.asid.org.