Desert Design Magazine - Winter 2023

HUMAN HEALTH-CENTERED DESIGN

Welcome to 2023

Here's to a New Year, a fresh start and a world of possibilities. For this year I am focused on what will best serve this Chapter. I want to ensure we focus on all of our members, from the students and emerging professionals to our designers and industry partners. Each member has different needs and receives different benefits from being a part of ASID. Our goal is to be as diversified as possible, so we may be a champion for all our members and be able to serve their needs to the best of our ability.

Are you a student looking to make connections to prepare yourself after graduation? Are there ways we could better serve you so you can make the most of your time before graduation?

Are you an emerging professional needing mentorship, support, and guidance as you start your professional career in interior design?

Are you a designer looking for CEUs, opportunities to showcase your projects, or ways to engage with a new audience to grow your business?

Are you an industry partner wanting to drive designers into your showroom, attract them to your product, or promote your business within the industry?

These are the members that make up our chapter, and it is my mission to deliver programs, events and opportunities to meet each and every members’ needs.

With this in mind, what are the benefits you receive from being a member of the Arizona North Chapter of ASID? What would you like to see to feel you are getting the most out of your membership? How can we work to create a better community, inspire new connections, and impact design in our network? Your feedback presents us with the opportunity to tailor our programming to best serve you. Please share your ideas and feedback with us by emailing your suggestions to info@azn.asid.org.

We are looking forward to an amazing year,

LAURI HOWELL, Allied ASID Arizona North Chapter President-Elect

FEBRUARY

February 16th

Chapter Meeting at Solstice Stone 0.1 CEU

5:30 PM – 8 PM

15685 N Greenway Hayden Loop, Ste 115 / Scottsdale

February 24th

Student Career Day

9 AM – 5 PM

Helios Education Foundation 4747 N 32nd Street / Phoenix

MARCH

March 10th

Lunch + Learn at Pella

11:30 PM – 1 PM

15507 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste 120 / Scottsdale

March 16th

Chapter Meeting at Expressions

5:30 PM – 8 PM

7550 E Greenway Road / Scottsdale

APRIL

April 20th

Chapter Meeting at Scottsdale Design Center

5:30 PM – 8 PM

15125 N Hayden Rd / Scottsdale

April 28th

Crossing Palettes Fundraiser

6 PM – 10 PM

Location TBD

MAY

May 5th

Lunch + Learn at Acquabella Baths

11:30 AM – 1 PM

Location TBD

May 18th

Chapter Meeting at Summer Classics

5:30 PM – 8 PM

6340 N Scottsdale Rd / Scottsdale

2023– 2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President-Elect LAURI HOWELL

Allied ASID president-elect@azn.asid.org

Membership Director JULE FAZZ

Industry Partner Rep, membership@azn.asid.org

Jule loves to focus on today and her current inspirations. Her hobbies includes off-road racing, hiking, board games, and live music. Jule has worked in the design industry for over thirty years, and is looking forward to bringing her creativity to our team and meeting like-minded people in the Industry.

ASID ARIZONA NORTH CHAPTER

PO Box 36795

Phoenix AZ 85067 602.569.8916

Info@azn.asid.org

www.azn.asid.org

Editorial Staff

EDITOR

PAIGE LEWIS, Allied ASID

ASSISTANT EDITOR

JANET JACKSON, Allied ASID

Finance Director

WANDA FREDERICK ASID finance@azn.asid.org

Wanda is a woman on a mission. After a successful career in the aerospace and automotive industries, a transfer into the Valley in the late 90s generated an opportunity to follow her passion, change career paths, and establish Frederick Interiors in 2001.

Director at Large & Industry Partner Liaison

NICOLE BURKE Industry Partner Rep at-large@azn.asid.org

Nicole Burke is the A&D Representative at Solstice Stone, delivering innovative natural stone and tile solutions to her clients.  While earning her B.A. from NYU, Nicole spent a year abroad in Shanghai, China finding inspiration in its architectural traditions and modern innovations.

DESER T

Contact us at: aznmarketing@aol.com

• We have competitive rates for Digital Ads in both Full and Half Page Sizes.

Student Representative to the Board

CHAZZ MURILLO Student ASID studentrep@azn.asid.org

A certified woodworker and upholstery apprentice, Chazz has an AAS in interior design and is currently a student in the NAU interior design BS program. Advocating the importance of ASID to his classmates is a priority for him.

Chapter Administrator

CHRISTINA KOLOKOTRONI info@azn.asid.org

Christina Kolokotroni has been a wonderful additional to our team, and we are fortunate to have her. She also works with other ASID chapters, bringing a broad range of experience. Christina brings a depth of knowledge and industry-specific skills to the role. If she can help you in any way, please feel free to contact her.

PROOFREADERS

JEWELL BLAIR, Allied ASID

BETH COCHRAN, Student ASID

CHRISTINA DICKENSON, ASID

MIRANDA GWILLIAM, Industry Partner Rep

DEB RITCHIE, Volunteer

ART DIRECTOR

LINDA LONGMIRE

ADVERTISING SALES

RICK EMRICH, Marketing Rep for ASID Arizona North Chapter 602.540.9281

Follow Us On

Our volunteer board relies on members to participate on various committees to create the programming and content that makes membership in ASID even more valuable.

Please contact: Christina at info@azn.asid.org and let her know your skills and interest and she will connect you with the board!

Submission information for next

Desert Design issue

Submit Date: May 15

MissDon’tThis Date!

Submit to: administrator@azn.asid.org

Topic: The Future of Design

- What's Next?

Are you interested in Advertising with Desert Design Magazine?

Color Mix 2022

We kicked off our new year with ColorMix in October. This event was an ASID collaboration of Alyshaan Fine Rugs (our Diamond Sponsor), Arizona Appliance and Home and Sherwin-Williams.

ASID kicked off the evening with a presentation by our President-Elect, Lauri Howell. Lauri shared with the audience that her focus this year is to create community among all of our members from designers and emerging professionals, to industry partners and students. In addition to providing engaging programming and two fun-filled fundraisers, the ASID calendar promises to offer a little bit of everything for our members this year.

Kim Walling of Arizona Appliance & Home provided the official welcome to this year’s ColorMix. Saeed and Sameer Aslam of Alyshaan introduced Laurie Clark who presented Terra by Sherwin-Williams. This color story and palette is composed of forty trend colors across four palettes, inspired by creating a balance of subtle hues and bejeweled tones that will be prevalent in 2023.

After the presentation, our generous hosts served cocktails and tasty treats that included delicious meats and cheeses, to chefs plating culinary creations on-site.

ASID also featured a volunteer drive during the event as we recognize that the participation of volunteers is critical to our sucess.

Please reach out to info@azn. asid.org to get involved. While our Board of Directors can have all of the best laid plans, they hit home that without continual support and engagement from membership, many beneficial programs will be lost.

It was a wonderful event and fun to see old friends and fresh faces at the Scottsdale Design Center. With over 300 in attendance, it felt like everyone was re-energized and ready to mix and mingle once again.

Thank you to our generous hosts Alyshaan Fine Rugs, Arizona Appliance & Home and SherwinWilliams. A very special thank you to our informative and entertaining presenter Laurie Clark of Sherwin-Williams.

Sunrise, sunset, repeat. For decades to come.

PELLA WINDOWS ARE RATED #1 BY PHOENIX HOMEOWNERS FOR HIGHEST QUALITY.*

VISIT YOUR LOCAL PELLA SHOWROOM: SCOTTSDALE | 15507 N. SCOTTSDALE RD., STE 120 WEBSITE: PELLASCOTTSDALE.COM 480-344-3280

GILBERT | 190 S. MCQUEEN RD., STE 101 WEBSITE: PELLAGILBERT.COM 480-355-3800

BY PELLA.

PERFECTED

*Based on a 2021 survey of leading window brands among homeowners. ©2022 Pella Corporation.

NOV Mix + Mingle

Mix & Mingle, our trademark event showcasing the 2022 ASID Design Excellence award winners, was held this year at the beautiful newly remodeled Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove showroom. We were pleased to celebrate our award winners and their projects. ASID partnered with our media partner, Modern Luxury, who celebrated our award winners in their November Interiors issue. In addition to featuring the first-place winners, our second- and third-place winners were also represented on a slide show that played throughout the showroom for all to enjoy.

This evening was a feast for all our senses, as we were treated to culinary delights provided by Sub-Zero Wolf’s in-house chefs. The cuisine was perfectly coordinated with the inspiring designs of our award winners. Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove generously provided fun gift bags for all attendees that included the latest issue of Modern Luxury

You can see all the photos for this and all our events on our Facebook page at ASID AZ North. We encourage you to follow us and check in on our social media pages often to see what is happening in our design community, with our designers and upcoming events.

Want to be featured at next year’s Mix and Mingle? Make sure to enter your current project. The Design Excellence Awards are now open.

We appreciate Sub-Zero,Wolf and Cove for being such wonderful hosts for our Mix & Mingle celebration.

Tubage™ Bronze

DEC

Our Holiday Party this year was held at The Camby, a boutique hotel in the Biltmore Fashion District. We were delighted to have such a great turn out for this end-of-the-year event. The Camby was beautifully decorated for the holidays, and the ambiance added to the festivities. This year we were treated to table top Christmas trees with a decorating station for everyone to create their own one-of-a-kind tree to take home. For a fun twist, there were special prizes awarded to the winners of the categories: Judges Choice, People's Choice and Santa's Choice. In addition to a visit from Santa and one of his happy elves, attendees participated in a special social media treasure hunt to win raffle prizes provided by our industry partners. Our past President, Jennifer Biffer, ASID was also recognized for her outstanding service to the chapter last year, and provided with a lovely gift basket

ASID Holiday Party 2022

presented by the board of directors.

We would like to thank the following Industry Partners for their generous donations to this event.

• Salt Creek Furniturewww.saltcreekfurniture.com

• Joel Stevenson Arthttps://joelstevensonartist.com

• The Collectors Househttps://www.thecollectorshouse.biz

• Modern Luxuryhttps://mlscottsdale.com

• Lux Kitchen & Bathhttps://www.luxkbgallery.com

• Central Arizona Supplyhttps://www.centralazsupply.com

• Arizona Fireplaceshttps://arizonafireplaces.com

Celebrating with our designers, students and industry partners was a wonderful way to cap off a successful year.

Donuts & Dialogue

Our last Donuts and Dialogue event of 2022 was hosted by Waterworks at the Scottsdale Design District. Our speakers for this event were Eileen Burick of Burick Communication Design, and Miranda Gwilliam of Rug Worx. Both speakers are well versed in their own specialties with Eileen discussing how best to build your brand, and Miranda providing tips and tricks for expanding your social media presence and understanding your audience to turn posts into dollars.

The best takeaways from this presentation for our attendees were to be bold and original, don’t play by the rules, and to create a community. It was also stressed that to build your business, you need to focus on the long game. Your target buyer may not be looking to make a purchase today, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be ready in 6 months, a year or 5 years from now. How you continually market yourself to your demographic will determine whether they remember you when they are ready to move forward.

It was a successful morning between being able to see the new product lines Waterworks has to offer, enjoy the generous breakfast they provided, as well as learning how to utilize marketing and social media to expand your business. As an added benefit, a downloadable brochure was provided to attendees as a reference guide as they work on their brand.

For access to this brochure please contact us at info@azn.asid.org, and Christina would be more than happy to ensure you receive a copy.

Brass Finish

LIMITED RELEASE. CUSTOM MADEfor you.

Introducing the Designer Collection in Brass & Titanium by award-winning luxury designer Richard T. Anuszkiewicz.

Titanium Finish

ASID Media Sponsor Spotlight

So Inspiring!

This time of year is always so inspiring! We just finished the festive holidays and brought in 2023. With a new year brings a fresh slate and the opportunity to set intentions for yourself personally and professionally. Designers have long used mood boards to develop ideas for their clients projects and I love taking that concept and creating vision boards for my intentions in the new year. I look back at the previous year and am always so amazed with how many things happened that I had posted to my vision board. The idea of New Year’s resolutions just never seemed to work. Several years ago, I was talking with a few of my dear friends and they shared with me how important it is to to set intentions and manifest what you want in your life. So, I started manifesting goals by writing my intentions for the things that I wanted in my life for the coming year vs the idea of a resolution that would not even make it to the end of January.

So many things are happening in the world of design at this time of year. Maison&Objet in Paris brings designers, decorators, artisans and more to see all of the new products being unveiled. Soon we will be going to spring market in our local showrooms, the PDC in Los Angeles, the Las Vegas market, New York at the D&D, ADAC or High Point. (So many options)  I am lucky that I get to spend time with so many interior designers and see the beautiful homes they have created. Having been on many photo shoots with design teams and some of the best photographers in the business I want to encourage you to do your homework prior to the shoot. How you style your project for the shoot could make or break your opportunity for getting published. Study the magazines and notice what the photographer and stylists are doing to create the incredible shots.(follow them on social media) Create a shot list prior to the shoot and make sure you get the images you need. Send your photographer scout shots or walk the project with them prior to the shoot so everyone is prepared for lighting and where the sun is at throughout the day. Make sure you have prepared a list of accessories, vessels for florals, books, small objects, towels, glassware, even grocery items to elevate your photo shoot. Important projects that take 1-3 years to finish deserve an incredible photo shoot with images that can be used your social media, website and getting published.

I am looking forward to seeing all of you in the coming months at ASID events or out and about in the design community.

IP Pinpoint

BURICK COMMUNICATION DESIGN

Burick Communication Design is excited to be the ASID Marketing & Branding Partner for 2023. They are excited for the opportunity to provide visual branding and marketing creative for the chapter’s communications and events!

With a life-long passion for interior design, architecture and the process of residential and commercial construction, Eileen Burick combines a love of industry people, products and places with an expert sense of how to effectively market and promote companies in the space — for amazing results.

At the helm, Eileen works along-side her husband and business partner, Bob Burick. As a team, they integrate a seasoned cadre of marketing experts, visual creatives and web designers who have spent their whole careers helping companies like yours stand out from the crowd with marketing and branding — designed to sell.

Earning awards for outstanding work with our clients, we’ve delivered stellar results for global, national and local B2B companies, interior design firms, industry partners, luxury products and trade showrooms.   Visit our website at www.burick.com and contact Eileen at eileen@burick.com to learn more.

JANET PRISET SANDINO FINE ART CONSULTING

Janet has been in the Valley for over thirty-five years, having worked for two art galleries, ART-TALK Newspaper and Steinway Pianos. Her extensive experience and education have helped her tremendously in the art world today. For the last four years she has been an independent art consultant working with residential, commercial and hospitality clients. She collaborates with interior designers, architects and developers to source all genres of artwork, including painting, sculpture, fountains, glassworks, photography, giclees on metal/ acrylic, and bespoke commissions.

Many designers don’t have the time to source artwork, especially when there’s a specific need – Janet will research, select and curate artwork along with framing and installation. Her time is devoted to finding the best artwork, with great pricing, for all her clients with impeccable taste and quality. Janet’s end goal is to always please her clients by finding the perfect work of art!

NEW MEMBERSHIPS

NEW INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Architectural Surfaces

Mary Hillmer

480.210.3570

mary.hillmer@arcsurfaces.com

Local

Design Trade Service

Betsy Wittenberg

828.505.9464

bwittenberg@designtradeservice. com

National

Lux Kitchen & Bath Gallery

William Young ryan@luxkbgallery.com

480.427.3815

Local

Arizona Floors & Home

Robert Borgerson

steve@arizonafloorsonline.com

623.440.3777

Local

NEW MEMBERS

• Pauline Thomas, Allied ASID

• Morganne Underwood, Allied ASID

• Donna Morgan, Allied ASID

• Dawn Miksta, Associate ASID

NEW STUDENT MEMBERS

• Rajeanne Allman, Student ASID

• Samantha Rubio, Student ASID

• Anna Troup, Student ASID

• Leila Hosseinizadeh, Student ASID

• Cohen Rush, Student ASID

• Donna Morgan, Allied ASID

• Kaylin Colby, Student ASID

• Maryn Maldonado, Student ASID

• Symone Grubbs, Student ASID

• Aris Garcia, Student ASID

• Kaitlyn Baumgartner, Student ASID

• Teana Wagner, Student ASID

• Melody London, Student ASID

• Abigail Dela Cruz, Student ASID

• Sydney Kaufman, Student ASID

• Zaina Usmani, Student ASID

• Kaitlyn Steig, Student ASID

• Catalina Keyne-Polley, Student ASID

• Rachel Dang, Student ASID

• Rachel Rivera, Student ASID

ADVANCEMENTS

• Marissa Sandoval, Allied ASID

• Chloe McQueen, Allied ASID

• Sheri Gilmore, ASID

To find out exactly what MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS include go to our website:

www.azn.asid.org

FIND A PRO DIRECTORY & FIND AN IP DIRECTORY at asid.org

Life and Luxury, Connected

Enhance the everyday with the brilliance of a Dacor kitchen. From the fine-tuned technology to keep food at its freshest, to the handcrafted details of our knurled range knob, every sensation, every interaction, every touch is an inspiration.

Irvine | Chicago | New York dacor.com

ARCHITECTURAL SURFACES EXPRESSIONS

ARCHITECTURAL SURFACES EXPRESSIONS

Anational company with the soul of a family business, Architectural Surfaces is a leading importer and distributor of natural stone, engineered stone and tile for residential and commercial applications. The strength of our global sourcing and national presence allows us to offer a deep inventory of the finest quality materials delivered when and where you need them, while our local roots ensure a commitment to knowledge and relationships that run deeper than any transaction.

From the fabricators who rely on the consistent quality of our products, to the architects and designers who trust us to treat their clients as our own, to the homeowners they send to our showrooms and stone yards, our goal is the same: an effortless customer experience for each and every one.

In addition to our beautiful collection of PentalQuartz and stone slabs including granite, quartzite and marble, we’re excited to announce that we’re now offering Ceramic Matrix tile from our Scottsdale showroom! This dynamic tile collection is driven by current fashion trends and understands the inherent connection between fashion and interior design. Because we appreciate the importance of a statement, our extensive collection of products are sourced through our trusted partners across the globe. Every material’s path to your project ensures more than a statement piece – it’s an entire story in itself.

Visit our Scottsdale showroom M-F 7:30-4:30 or browse our extensive collection at arcsurfaces.com. Our A&D sales team, MJ Hillmer and Mike Lopez are ready to help you find the perfect material for your project!

Kristina Bedoe is the showroom manager of Expressions Home Gallery, powered by Reece, in Scottsdale. She has been in the home furnishing industry for over 18 years. Kristina began her career in the lighting industry and has loved it ever since! She has been very fortunate to expand her knowledge to include plumbing and appliances.

Expressions Home Gallery, powered by Reece, has perfected the home customization experience. The showroom lets you explore an assortment of quality bath and kitchen brands, while expert consultants provide the right amount of guidance at every step. The home customization experience should bring the customer’s dream design to life and be a pleasant and fulfilling process along the way. Visit the Scottsdale showroom to discover all of the ways Expressions Home Gallery works for you.

GALLERIA KITCHEN AND BATH

The idea of a one-stop showroom and design center for kitchen and bath installations began more than thirteen years ago when Maan Abdeljaber was the co-founder of A2Z professional remodeling and contracting firm in West Texas. Maan had a vision to give customers unlimited choices for materials and designs that can fit any budget, size and scope. Currently the two showrooms in El Paso, Texas (est. 2019) and Scottsdale, AZ (est. 2022) offer high-end cabinetry lines, countertops, tile, hardware, sinks, fixtures and the expertise of professional designers that demonstrate creativity and unique approaches to the most challenging layouts.

Maan’s extensive knowledge of the industry, his background in professional remodeling and the eagerness to develop his dreams pushed him to gather a team of professionals that are contributing to growth and expansion. Having completed more than one thousand projects in his career, Maan Abdeljaber has established himself as a top tier businessman in this industry.

Diane Sariento started with Maan in 2016 under his previous venture and is currently the Regional Manager of both Galleria KB stores. Her formal education in law may not directly relate to design, but her experience and education have been crucial to establishing the business model and contract review process.

Anahi Aguilar holds a bachelor’s degree in interior design and started as a Lead Designer in the El Paso showroom. She recently relocated to Scottsdale and is the General Manager.

Kendall McMahon with an Associate’s degree in interior design serves as our Lead Designer in El Paso. Along with her knowledge, she bring’s a passion and courage that is reflected in her work.

Maan and his team welcome you to Galleria Kitchen & Bath

MODERNO PORCELAIN WORKS

GALLERIA KITCHEN AND BATH MODERNO PORCELAIN WORKS

Moderno Porcelain Works is the only company in North America that specializes in the fabrication and installation of ultra-luxe large format porcelain (5’ x 10’) panels in residential and commercial markets. Using state-of-the-art fabrication machines and a proprietary installation process, Moderno creates endless possibilities in the industry including eye-catching kitchen countertops, flooring, interior and exterior wall cladding, fireplace surrounds, outdoor living and more. Moderno’s vertically integrated business model is designed to maximize the company’s value proposition to homeowners, builders and contractors by collaborating with industry-leading manufacturers and displaying the material and its applications at more than a dozen showrooms across the United States, the latest in Phoenix.

With the right methods, porcelain is a game changer in design. It is versatile and durable in nearly every application, but there has been a lack of knowledge in its fabrication. That is why Moderno was launched, which is exclusively dedicated to the fabrication and installation of large format porcelain.

Moderno’s innovative technology and proprietary installing methods have improved the use of porcelain applications. During The Moderno Way process, expert craftsmen use proprietary equipment and patent-pending techniques to fabricate and install durable porcelain. The in-house craftsmen can fabricate and install large porcelain shower walls, bathroom vanities, kitchen countertops, flooring, interior and exterior wall cladding, fireplace surrounds, outdoor living and more.

For more information, call 480.847.2333 or visit Moderno’s website at www.modernoworks.com. For the latest porcelain inspiration and projects follow Moderno Porcelain Works on Instagram and like them on Facebook

Shifting to Human Health-Centered Design H

BETH COCHRAN, WELL AP Student ASID

umans are innately programmed to be sensitive to their environments. It’s core to our survival and how we determine whether a place is one we want to seek out or flee.

And as any interior designer knows, an environment’s visual and felt cues can also trigger specific responses in our sympathetic nervous system. We can almost instantly sense whether a place is stressinducing or calming, welcoming or uninviting, a threat or healing, nourishing and joyful. And this has tremendous implications on human health.

In fact, much research has shown that the physical environment can have a greater impact on health and well-being than lifestyle and genetics. But this extends well beyond the visual aesthetics of a space. Healthy material selection, sound, thermal comfort, culture, and air quality, to name a few, have become integral components of spaces designed for human health and well-being.

Considering indoor pollutant levels can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels and that we spend 90% of our time indoors, prioritizing human health in interior design has become imperative––and it’s something many designers have started to incorporate into their programming.

Interior design’s role in human health

We’ve long perceived the impact the built environment has on humans and our wellbeing––evidenced by the notable movements throughout the history of architecture and design that spurred us to reevaluate the way in which environments are created. From the Arts and Crafts movement to the introduction of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), and more recently, the development of health-centered certification programs such as WELL, Fitwel, and Living Building Challenge, there’s no doubt human health and the buildings we occupy are inextricably linked.

“We’re crafting mini worlds for people to live and work in and I think that has a certain responsibility to it and we need to rise to that,” said Gala Magriñá, WELL AP, designer and principal of Gala Magriñá Design. “Our spaces are another pillar of wellness that hasn’t been recognized in the same way that exercise and food have. Once we start creating intentional spaces for people to live and work in, I think it will have a very profound impact on the world.”

Indeed, interior design goes far beyond simply creating beautiful spaces. It shapes the way humans engage with and respond to the world around them.

“There’s an opportunity for us to go deeper,” Magriñá said. “To create more than these beautiful spaces for people and really tap into the energy, and the nurturing and well-being this space can provide.”

Angie Scott, Ph.D., a director and Community Concept Lead for the WELL Building Standard at the International WELL Building Institute, agreed that it’s important for designers to understand the full breadth of well-being and how they can positively imprint spaces to contribute to overall wellness.

“Understanding how we are impacted physiologically, psychologically, spiritually, and socially in our spaces is something that is very important for us to then be able to design spaces around that for people,” she said.

While many designers intuitively pick up on the needs of their clients and the space, certification programs like LEED, WELL, Fitwell and Living Building Challenge aim to provide frameworks to go deeper and achieve environments that are healthy, safe, sustainable, and equitable.

A look inside healthy building standards

The WELL Building Standard (WELL) was introduced in 2014 and has become a global benchmark for promoting health and well-being in buildings. It is administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) and is the first standard focused exclusively on the impact buildings––and nearly everything in them––have on human comfort, health and well-being. Think of it as a roadmap for creating and certifying that spaces enhance, rather than detract from, human health and well-being.

In 2020, after years of collecting data, the IWBI launched WELL v2 which expanded from seven to 10 major impact areas called WELL Concepts and room for innovations as well as new beta features:

• Air

• Water

• Nourishment

• Light

• Movement

• Thermal comfort

• Sound

• Materials

• Mind

• Community

Cabinetry. Reimagined.

Most recently, WELL also introduced an equity rating to advance inclusion in the built environment and ensure all individuals not only feel safer, but welcome, seen and heard.

The Living Building Challenge (LBC), which was introduced in 2006 by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), is a green building certification program and sustainable design framework. The program addresses buildings, landscapes and infrastructure projects of all scales, and it is structured around seven petals:

• Place

• Water

• Energy

• Health and happiness

• Materials

• Equity

• Beauty

WWW.ESTRELLACABINETRY.COM

Fitwel, originally created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the General

Services Administration (GSA), is a commercial building rating system that provides guidelines on designing and operating healthier buildings. It includes 55+ evidence-based policy and design strategies that address various health behaviors and risks. These strategies aim to impact Fitwel’s “Health Impact Categories” which include:

• Impacts community health

• Reduces morbidity & absenteeism

• Supports social equity for vulnerable populations

• Instills feelings of well-being

• Provides healthy food options

• Promotes occupant safety

• Increases physical activity

Each of these frameworks and systems include strategies for achieving the various standards. While many will require collaboration with architects, contractors, facilities managers and even human resources (for commercial spaces), interior designers have an integral role in incorporating many of the strategies. Broadly, some of these include: source elimination or reduction; active and passive building design; material specification; sound and light design; and operation strategies and human behavior interventions.

The impacts of materials and overcoming barriers

It’s no coincidence that there is overlap between each of these systems and standards. Access to clean air and water, nourishment, nature, physical activity, and beautiful surroundings are all core to human health. But this is nothing new to interior designers. Many have been incorporating biophilic design, ergonomics and optimal lighting into their programming for decades.

But how closely are we examining the materials going into these environments? And not just from a sustainability standpoint, but from a human health standpoint. What toxins could we unknowingly be introducing into our spaces?

At Gabby, we’ve been turning our passion for design and superb quality into original, luxury home furnishings for generations. With showrooms that feature both our Gabby and Summer Classics Brands, we continually innovate to bring you beautiful living, indoors and out. — COMING SOON —

There are more than 85,000 chemicals registered on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) inventory of substances that fall under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and more are introduced every year. While some chemicals and materials have contributed positive and necessary qualities to the built environment, life expectancy, health and living conditions, many come with tradeoffs. These chemicals are making their way into common materials like adhesives, caulking, fabrics, furnishings, floor and wall coverings, and the list goes on. And over the course of a material’s lifecycle, chemicals can leach and off-gas, ending up in indoor air, dust and the human body. In fact, the CDC conducted two studies, one in 2009 in which they discovered 219 chemicals in the human body, and a follow up in 2015 that found an additional 46 chemicals in the samples collected. These are entering the system through three avenues: ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption. Some of these toxicants are known carcinogens, mutagens (instigating changes in the DNA of cells), and endocrine disruptors. While some have been banned, others are still in use in everyday materials. Some chemicals to be on the lookout for include:

• Diisocyanates –– found in polyurethane products like upholstery and certain types of commercial paints

• Phthalates –– found in plasticizers used in PVC and other plastics

• Toxic metals –– used in wire insulation, solder, dyes, and pigments, and may be present in older construction

• VOCs –– found in some paint, adhesives, insulation, and carpet, among other products

• Flame retardants such as PBDEs –– found in fabrics

• Urea-formaldehyde –– used in particleboard, plywood, or fiberboard

• Chromated copper arsenic (CCA) –– used as an anti-rot treatment for wood

Unearthing the chemical or ingredient makeup of certain products and materials can be a challenge, but many vendors and manufacturers have shifted toward transparency. Charlie Cichetti, LEED Fellow + WELL AP, and CEO and co-founder of Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) in

Alyshaan Fine Rugs Arizona Appliance & Home Arizona Custom Garage Doors

Cafe Paris Ceterra Accents & Interiors Closet & Storage Concepts

Italian Design Concepts

Humans are innately programmed to be sensitive to their environments

Atlanta, suggests having a conversation with vendors to suss out their commitment to health and sustainability.

“If you’re talking to a vendor, provider or business, you might get the pandemic question out of the way first,” he said. Ask, ‘How did the pandemic affect your product or your supply chain or how you produce what you produce?’. Be curious if any healthy attributes came out as a result of the pandemic. From there, ask if their facilities are LEED certified or if they’re familiar with programs like LEED, WELL and Fitwel. It’s ok to ask if they can point out where they feel they support a healthy building or a green building project.”

As you’re specifying materials, you can check to see if the product has a Declare label or Healthy Product Declaration (HPD). Both disclose the ingredient composition of a product or building material and more brands are starting to provide them.

Of course, major movements are rarely without challenges. Beyond sourcing healthy materials, the other most common challenge––and opportunity––is educating clients and getting them on board.

“There is a lack of understanding especially when we get into the residential sector around what well-being really is for the most part,” said Dr. Scott. “But when you can bring it to their level of understanding, meaning how it can directly impact their health, that switches a light on for people. The programming phase is a perfect time to educate the clients. It’s the perfect time to understand what health issues they may have or what they’re concerned with and what goals they have for the project.”

“Steve Jobs once said, ‘People don’t know what they want until you show it to them.’ I think we have a little bit of that going on here,” said Cichetti. “It’s going to require implementing some of these healthy features, telling the story around it, letting someone experience it. Don’t just tell them the benefits. Let them experience the benefits of a healthier space.”

Interior designers play a powerful role in shaping human health, but making sure we’re creating spaces that positively impact all aspects of wellbeing––physical, mental, emotional and social––is going to require peeling back the layers on the way things have always been done. It’s going to require accountability, getting curious, challenging assumptions, learning new tools and asking questions––and who better to take on this role than interior designers?

• BRONZE •

• COPPER •

Sub Zero Wolf

Kelly Dobbins 480-536-5631

kelly.dobbins@subzero.com

• COPPER •

Geoworld Gallery

Kira Florence 520 884-4867 kira@geoworldusa.com

• COPPER •

Architectural Surfaces

Kate Turner 480 210-3570 kate@arcsurfaces.com

• COPPER •

Monterrey Tile

Jeffrey Bennett 480 507-3356 jeffrey.b@monterreytile.com

• COPPER •

Student Scholarships

Arizona Fireplaces

Jackie Carro 480 495-8924 jc@marketingideals.co

• COPPER •

Estrella Cabinetry

Laura Eagan 623 535-7655 Laura@estrellacabinetry.com

• COPPER •

Pella Windows and Doors

Adam Homer 602 339-0474 homerad@pellamw.com

• COPPER •

Villagio Tile & Stone

Doug Adamson 480 422-6700 doug@vtile.com

Our Sponsors are exclusively featured in

Galleria Kitchen & Bath

Anahi Aguilar 480 210-3570 anahi@galleriakb.com

The Arizona North ASID Chapter is excited to offer three scholarships for our ASID students this year. Each scholarship awards $1000 to an ASID Student Member currently enrolled in an Arizona-based interior design academic program. Our Scholarship Program opens on January 17th and we will be accepting applications through February 11th

The three scholarships being offered this year are:

Leaders in Design: ASID values leaders and fosters leadership in the association and design community. This scholarship is for students to share when their leadership experience helped to make a difference or created a positive outcome for a challenging situation.

Shining Star in Design:

This scholarship is designed for students to highlight an experience that has most positively influenced their life. From ASID involvement, to local community work, to any awards, publications or accomplishments received. Applicants are encouraged to share their notable achievements, and what the impact of this was for them.

Volunteers in Design:

Many of our leaders are created and their skills honed through volunteerism. Students will describe a time when they felt their volunteer efforts helped demonstrate a strong impact on their community, and how their contribution made a difference.

We are excited to announce the winners of each scholarship at our Student Career Day on February 24th and look forward to sharing the winners in the Spring/Summer issue.

Student Career Day

Our Student Career Day this year will be on February 24th at the Helios building in the heart of Phoenix. Starting at 9 AM, students will have the opportunity to listen to industry speakers and learn how to begin their professional career after graduation. There will also be the opportunity to have a professional headshot taken for $40 per person and partake in a portfolio review held by experienced designers who will guide students to present their work in the best light possible. Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all who attend, with a mingle hour being hosted at 4 PM, providing students and ASID members the chance to connect with one another. We encourage all students to attend this beneficial event, and for our members and industry partners to join us for our networking hour. All attendees must be registered, as Helios is a secure facility, and walk ins are not permitted. For more information on this event, or to register, please visit our website at: https://azn. asid.org/events/student-career-enrichment-day

CALLING ALL STUDENTS! CareerEnrichment Day

WHEN: Friday, February 24, 2023, 9:00am - 5:00pm

WHERE:

Helios Education Foundation 4747 N 32nd Street Phoenix, AZ 85018

WHAT: Join us for presentations, panel discussions, portfolio review, professional headshots, and networking opportunities to help prepare for life after Design School

PLUS:

Social Mixer with Industry Professionals

ADMISSION: Open to All Students with RSVP by February 17th

RSVP ONLINE @ WWW.AZN.ASID.ORG by February 17, 2023

ASID Contact: Christina — Chapter Administrator Email: info@azn.asid.org

HOSTED BY:

Join our trade program for preferred pricing.

As experts in customized storage solutions, we partner with the trade to design and install systems that match their needs.

With carefully-curated premium nishes, accents, and accessories, plus white glove installation, we have become the trade partner of choice.