Commercial interiors manufacturers who are presenting unique solutions and products for facilities managers, interior designers and architects for workplace, education, and healthcare environments are recognized by winning Best of NeoCon 2022 Awards. The winners were announced June 13 at NeoCon, the hub for the commercial design community and trade show for new commercial interiors products held annually at theMART in Chicago. HALCON's HELM table (shown above) won the Best of Competition. Now in its 32nd year, the program annually attracts hundreds of groundbreaking product submissions from leading manufacturers in the commercial design industry, which are judged in an intensive multi-day, in-person evaluation by an esteemed jury of influential architects, interior designers, facility managers, specifiers, and enterprise clients. The Best of NeoCon is directed by Eileen McMorrow, editor of The McMorrow Reports.
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by Mike Mitchum (This article originally appeared in the May/June 2022 issue of FMJ) — Most of the time demolition projects are akin to watching paint dry, but bad things can happen very quickly if risk is not managed correctly. Management of change takes on an entirely new meaning on a project where the skyline is changing by the hour.
The safest and most cost-effective way to get a project through completion is to spend more time on planning upfront. Extra due diligence during the planning stage can also result in innovation. Different people in different industries, or even different departments, use relative terms for the closure process, also referred to as demolition. In general, there are two types of demolition contractors:
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As the surge in Covid-19 cases in the last quarter of 2021 delayed some companies’ return-to-the-office plans, the hybrid work model continues to gain traction. The 2022 State of the Workplace Data Report indicates increased demand for collaborative spaces, suggesting that today’s workplace must provide employees space and resources for interaction. Other key findings include:
Office use increased by 87% from Q1 2021 to Q1 2022, marking a significant change from the prior downward trend. The average number of collaborative spaces per floor increased by 45% in this same time period. Tuesday and Wednesdays are the busiest days at the office: Nearly 50% of weekly use of office spaces takes place on these days.
As workplace leaders navigate uncharted waters in the coming months, the findings of the State of the Workplace Report 2022 provide information to help make data-driven decisions about managing facilities and optimizing spaces.
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HMTX Industries debuted an innovative flooring product concept during NeoCon: SRP™ rigid core flooring, an alchemy of responsible beauty that will transform waste plastic bottles into innovative, responsible flooring. Approximately two waste plastic bottles (PET) are upcycled into each square foot of SRP flooring.
HMTX collaborated with Huntsman, a global manufacturer of differentiated chemicals and global leader in MDI-based polyurethanes, to create this groundbreaking solution in the flooring industry. Together with innovative chemistry, HMTX and Huntsman help alleviate the challenge of single-use plastics by integrating end-of-life waste plastic bottles into a fully recyclable, environmentally conscious solution.
HMTX will pursue multiple third-party certifications for SRP such as Declare labels, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Healthcare Product Declarations (HPDs), and FloorScore. The product is intended to enter the marketplace in 2023.
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Real estate and land use professionals can address the challenges associated with drought and limited freshwater availability by giving priority to water conservation, efficiency, and reuse, according to a report by the Urban Land Institute (ULI). By adopting these objectives, the report argues, real estate practitioners can save money and generate long-term value for communities and the environment.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the inadequate water situation extends across over half of the United States this year. The frequency, intensity, and duration of droughts are increasing, leading to myriad issues, including regional wildfires, and this pattern is expected to continue with climate change.
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The Gridd adaptive cabling distribution system enables a building to adapt to inevitable technology changes, remain highly functional and operational, and saves money at every stage of its life cycle. An original contributor to the circular economy, Gridd’s fluid, modular design enables moves, adds, and changes without the mess of traditional cabling methods. If a facility manager can avoid contributing to the waste stream, that’s also an added benefit to the company’s ESG commitment.
The Gridd Mobile App makes it even easier for FMs, IT teams, electricians, and maintenance personnel to make power and data cabling. Gridd Mobile provides augmented reality (AR), technical support, as-built drawings, how-to videos, original site pictures, and product information conveniently accessible on a smartphone or tablet.
Gridd Mobile allows facility techs to see exact power, voice, and data cabling locations through the floor in an instant, making systems’ changes quick and easy. Gridd Mobile improves the life of your facility, allowing future facility teams, even years from now, to make moves, adds, and changes to the same space with ease. When using Gridd Mobile, there is no knowledge lost between teams.
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The WBDG’s Building Commissioning section presents information about current approaches and processes as well as overcoming challenges and emerging issues. It also has been expanded to address Existing Buildings and Ongoing Commissioning.
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Delos introduces the Azure Collection thoughtfully crafted with ECONYL® nylon. Made entirely out of waste, ECONYL® is a 100% recycled nylon that empowers designers to create beautiful new products without depleting the Earth’s precious resources. The collection showcases the familiar sight of water ripples on the coast, inspired by nature and Blue Mind theory.
Designing with ECONYL® substantially reduces the waste stream while harnessing spent energy in lieu of oil, lessening the carbon impact of nylon by up to 90 percent compared with petroleum-based alternatives. For every 10,000 tons of ECONYL® raw material, 70,000 barrels of crude oil are saved, avoiding 65,100 tons of equivalent CO2 emissions.
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Collin County Community College’s 339,000-square-foot Wylie campus accommodates 7,500 students pursuing degrees in everything from STEM and business to hospitality and fine arts. Located north of Dallas, Texas, the bustling hub is characterized by modern architecture and colorful interiors. The Wylie campus is where people want to spend time and where they feel at home.
“We created spaces for students to learn, but also spaces for them to socialize,” said Mary McRae, Ph.D., Wylie's campus provost. “We know that research shows that if students are more engaged on campus, they’ll stay, and they’ll come back. That’s what we’re hoping to achieve.”
The anchor of these spaces is comfortable lounge seating. KI’s Sway chairs with a 360-degree swivel create a cozy zone where students can relax between classes. Spacious areas near towering windows are filled in with KI's inviting MyWay and MyPlace lounge seating.
“Especially in the larger spaces, you really need something where the scale of the seating looks appropriate to the space,” said McRae. “So that was really helpful when we worked with KI.”
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Both SIOR and CoreNet Global aim to advance the commercial real estate industry through professional development, innovative research and publications, and networking opportunities. SIOR currently requires membership applicants to complete three mandatory course topics and three elective course topics for a total of six courses. CoreNet Global currently requires candidates for the Master of Corporate Real Estate (MCR) designation to complete six seminars, including a Capstone seminar.
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With the rise in popularity of flexible workspaces, 9to5 Seating launched Dash, a multi-purpose chair with designed-in ergonomics to serve a variety of users during long or multi-shift workdays. Dash features design elements that are not common in multi-purpose chairs. The flex back supports wellbeing with multiple flex zones for comfort for every user. The waterfall edge allows for healthy circulation, and the perforated back delivers breathability.
Dash is customizable so that it can fit various use and spacing needs. Bases include four-leg or sled in two frame finishes or with glides or casters. Models also include four-leg, sled, light task and bar or task stools, with arms or without. Dash comes in all-plastic in 12 colors or with an upholstered seat. Dash achieved BIFMA LEVEL 1 and GREENGUARD GOLD certifications and are built with 60% recycled material.
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With a multitude of readers participating from FMLink and The McMorrow Reports, the Professional Facility Management Institute (ProFMI) is about to release the 2022 FM Training Outlook Survey results. Its questions considered the need for FM training and credentials from both management and staff points of view.
Facilities managers were asked how the “Great Resignation” impacted the FM profession and how employers attract and retain top talent to help meet their organization’s strategic goals. Respondents indicate that 66% of FM managers and staff have left or have considered leaving their job in the past year.
It also reveals the top 3 ways for organizations to retain facility professionals:
- Increase compensation or benefits.
- Provide opportunities for professional development or training.
- Offer opportunities for internal advancement.
FM training has value. Eighty-six percent of FM employers say there's a gap between the knowledge and skills their team has and what they need to excel. They believe training can make an impact, with 74% of FM employers saying that FM training and credentials result in better job performance. Further, 57% of FM employers are planning to implement FM training this year.
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Wooster Products is the industry leader in anti-slip stair treads and walkway products. They have been manufacturing anti-slip products for new construction, renovation and OEM applications since 1921 from their Wooster, OH facility. Long respected for quality and innovation, their products include cast iron (Ferrogrit®), cast aluminum (Alumogrit®), extruded aluminum (Spectra, Supergrit®, Stairmaster®, and Flexmaster®), pressure sensitive adhesive tape (Flex-Tred®), and coatings (WP-70, Walk-A-Sured®, and Safe-Stride®), as well as photoluminescent nosings and treads (NITEGLOW®).
Their work is featured in commercial, industrial, and residential settings worldwide. Wooster Products can provide anti-slip solutions for any project; stadiums, office buildings, apartments, restaurants, sidewalks, transit stations, trucks, trailers, boats, planes, and more.
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