“It’s the perfect apartment, we’ll take it! But that giant, hulking, built-in desk has to go.” 
Famous last words. After seven years in a barely-one-bedroom, 425 sf apartment (yes, like your 2-car garage) this summer my wife and I decided it was time to move. Long past tired of the problems we knew, it was time to try on some new problems in exchange for more space. What we found is at least twice as large. And waaaay better.
 
Tradeoff: the desk. 

Our needs are simple, but the right solution is never easy or cheap:   
Create a home office without it looking like a “home office.” Integrated with the space, not too commanding, and not looking like cheap office furniture. In a one-bedroom apartment, it has to be in the living room or dining area (never the bedroom, people! Ask psychology professor James Maas).     
Have enough flexible space so we can both work at the same time.  Co-existing with your spouse is one thing; co-working with your spouse is another. “Be quiet!” and “did you move my stapler” become fun new issues to navigate when sharing space and working on deadline.     
Make the most of the latest technology, but be flexible enough to incorporate what’s next. Don’t be seduced into buying furniture that is too specific (think big, bulky VDT monitors). At the same time, technology is the reason the furniture landscape keeps changing.       

So, what’s wrong with this desk?       
Placement. Located in a corner near the front door, the chair space for the desk is just big [...]

HOK recently completed new offices for Avon at 777 Third Avenue.  Settled into their new space- artwork hung and final painting complete- I had the pleasure of joining Avon in welcoming reporters for a little tour and chat as they presented the building for the first time. 
The space is crisp, pearlescent and beautiful all while tracking LEED-CI Gold. After the reporter’s questions, I had a chance to talk with a few Avon employees and they’re thrilled with the new digs! Don’t just take my word for it, here’s a roundup of what others had to say and share from the event:
Contract Magazine Online http://www.contractdesign.com/contract/news/Avon-Debuts-Sustaina-5953.shtml
Inhabitat New York City http://inhabitat.com/nyc/avons-new-leed-seeking-headquarters-showcase-the-companys-commitment-to-sustainability/
GreenBiz.com http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2011/09/14/pink-hats-build-gold-tower-inside-avons-new-leed-gold-hq?page=0%2C0
The Real Deal Online http://therealdeal.com/newyork/articles/avon-produces-opens-first-leed-certified-cosmetics-hq-in-manhattan-at-777-third-avenue-moving-from-1251-sixth-avenue
Getty Images http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/124955669/GettyImagesNews
World Interior Design Network http://www.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com/news/avon_opens_green_headquarters_in_manhattan_110916/
 

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We’ve been working with a client here in New York where the idea about how to ‘brand’ the lobby space has been a particularly tricky design challenge. Through our discussions, I got stuck on the idea of lettering that is classic, elegant, timeless. Recently, I wandered up 5th Avenue to check out how other companies represent themselves. Here’s what I found:

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The way a space communicates a basic message suggests a lot about the overall design.  Were the details well-considered, or were these last-minute items forgotten?  Is there a clear concept throughout the space?  Is the guest experience welcoming?  Will you be back?
The following are some noteworthy restroom signs I’ve captured over the past few weeks.

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The bigger, the better – right?  Over the last few years, I’ve noticed a very downtown, anti-trend here in New York for big headphones with the candy-colored old-skool plastic outer shell.  These are value-engineered noise-cancelling headphones like the kind the guys on the tarmac wear. Ubiquitous white in-ear buds, the iPhone staple, are not only too civilized, they also don’t do a very good job blocking out the noises around you.  And the Bose Noise Cancelling headphones…$300. Seriously?!
 But, seriously, what better way to signal “Do Not Disturb” than a big pair of headphones. Like my Gen-Y colleagues, I pull out the ear goggles when I need to shut it all out and get something done on deadline.  Originally purchased for cross-country business travel, I’ve got a dorky pair of Sennheiser over-ear headphones, and they’re great…
But I find myself a little skeptical of my own actions.  Are headphones the best compromise between the benefit of informal collaboration and the complete lack of privacy in the open plan environment?  Are there better, more subtle ways to focus on the task at hand and politely signal to your colleagues to come back later?  Sure, you can build out phone booths, focus rooms and huddle rooms to solve this problem.  But is that really the best approach – or is the cheapest and simplest solution actually the best? 
I want to know what you think.

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Here’s a little ‘construction dust’ for the Work+Place blog – progress photos of the new Russell Investments space here in New York.  They are moving in at the end of the month so things are moving along quickly.  More photos to come when the furniture is installed…

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