Rottet Studio: Still Smokin’ SWERS.” —JOHN J

04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS

Compliments of Dan DeClercq and dog, DeClercq Ofﬁ ce Group

Global Industries, Inc.

It would be both correct and misleading to characterize Global Industries, Inc., Marlton, NJ, as a sales and distribution arm of Global. It is that, but it is also a separate company conceived and organized almost 40 years ago by Joel Appel, who remains the chairman of the company. FULL STORY ON PG.3

Pritzker Prize to Low-Proﬁ le Swiss Architect

Hilda, Hilda: Wherefore are thou Hilda?

About 250 industry veterans and pioneers turned up at the 6th Avenue Her- man Miller National Design Center to see if the legend, Hilda Longenotti, the grande dame of A&D, the doyenne of design sales, was actually going to retire after 54 years in the industry and almost 35 years with Herman Miller. FULL STORY ON PG.17

Mancini•Duffy: Strategic Hires

We know that many A&D ﬁ rms have had layoffs in recent months, some with cuts sufﬁ ciently substantial to push the vocabulary beyond even down-sizing, although perhaps falling short of restructuring. Others are still swamped with work, while still others are completing strategic additions. FULL STORY ON PG.19

Pratt Career Night Serves Up Cautious Optimism at HBF

Every spring, HBF and HBF Textiles hosts Pratt Institute Department of Interior Design Career Night in its Michael Vanderbyl designed, New

CITED: York Design Center showroom. This year was no different. “YOU KNOW CHILDREN FULL STORY ON PG.21 ARE GROWING UP WHEN THEY START ASKING QUESTIONS THAT HAVE AN- Rottet Studio: Still Smokin’ SWERS.” —JOHN J. PLOMP Here’s an idea. Lauren Rottet should raise a couple of million dollars and immediately grow her new ﬁ rm, Rottet Studio, to one of the top ten Giants; in the process, she could pick up a lot of the free-ﬂ oating talent that is now looking for work. FULL STORY PG.23 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 2 OF 34

THE INTERSECTION OF EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN AND ECO-EFFECTIVE DESIGN Are your facility designs sustainable? Do they reflect Evidence-based design best practices? Do you know how knowledge in one area can contribute to improvements in the other?

You will after attending this dynamic presentation where Bill Rostenberg will bridge the perceived gap between Evidence-Based and Sustainable Design. Both trends have had a significant impact on recent healthcare Architecture, but they are generally executed separately and in some instances are considered at odds with one another. Case studies and tools will be introduced that allow an analysis of strategies, indications of where the two topics conflict, and measured values of best practices to help provide structure through which design teams can effectively integrate them into the design process.

SPEAKER: Bill Rostenberg FAIA, FACHA, NCARB, Principal, Director of Research, Anshen + Allen

LOCATION: Teknion - 641 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor, NYC DATE: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 TIME: 5:30pm - 8:00pm Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before and after presentation COST: $15 Members | $25 Non-Members | $10 Students and Educators REGISTER ONLINE

CEUs: 0.1 CEU will be provided for this course. IIDA Professional and Associate Members are required to complete and report 1.0 CEU (10 hours) of Continuing Education prior to December 31, 2009. All Professional and Associate Members (active and inactive) including IIDA Fellows and Chapter Officers, must adhere to IIDA’s compliance requirements. 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 3 OF 34

companies Global Industries, Inc. by Brad Powell

Saul Feldberg, the founder of what associated companies, one of which is Recently, Global Industries blew a has become known as the Global located in our own backyard, if we can little fresh air and refreshment into Group of Companies, is a person of use such a phrase without offending Manhattan with its annual Spring some modesty and practicality, while our neighbors in New Jersey. It would Fling, and ofﬁ ceinsight took the occa- having an eye toward the far horizon. be both correct and misleading to sion to visit with three of its four most When asked why he picked the name characterize Global Industries, Inc., senior executives: Global, he said simply, the name Marlton, NJ, as a sales and distribu- >Joel Appel, Chairman Universal was taken. (See ofﬁ ceinsight tion arm of Global. It is that, but it is >Jon Soll, EVP, Operations 5.29.06, The Global Vision of Saul also a separate company conceived >Jon Abraham, EVP, Finance Feldberg.) and organized almost 40 years ago by (Alan Breslow, EVP, Sales & Market- Mr. Feldberg would never claim to Joel Appel, who remains the chair- ing, was unable to make it due to a have achieved his far reach single man of the company and has been its family emergency.) handedly, and recently we dug a bit primary business director during its We learned more about Global’s in- deeper to take a look at some of his successful rise. teresting and innovative organizational

GLOBAL NEW YORK 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 4 OF 34

companies structure, about the capabilities and marketing plans of Global Industries, and how it is being affected by the current economic times, and about the culture of this company whose proﬁ le is rising in this country’s contract furniture mid-market, reﬂ ecting the important changes in its business model over the past eight years.

OI: You have diversity in distribution channels. Tell me about them. You’re in Staples and the big box stores? JAp: Yes, but to a much less extent than some years ago. Our business has evolved in the past seven to eight years. Previously, we had a signiﬁ cant presence in Ofﬁ ce Depot and Staples; we were with both from the beginning in 1986.

OI: Your decision to pick up the su- perstores years ago turned out to be a good decision? JAp: We’re happy with that decision GLOBAL: RIDE GLOBAL: KATE because it allowed us to create the

SCALA

Designed for scalability.

1 Unmatched 2 /2” thin panel with ultimate planning ﬂexibility and strong visual appeal. Scala raises the bar in the mid-priced category. inscapesolutions.com 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 5 OF 34

companies

economies of scale that we have today, a very unusual structure and way of and we needed that to bring us to doing business. The Global organization where we are today in order to deliver is a multifaceted entity that operates more value to our commercial dealers. under a single umbrella brand. Much of the ownership is held by a single OI: How big are you in the US market? family, and if you look at it that way, you JAb: We are a private company, and have many, many aspects, including we are – and we like being – one of Global Industries, Global Upholstery, the best kept secrets in the contract fur- Global Wood, Evolve Furniture Group, niture industry. Still, it’s not immodest GLOBALcare, and more than 40 as- to say that we participate in all market sociated companies. When you put it all segments. We have more distribu- together, The Global Group Of Compa- tion centers and showrooms than any nies is a huge organization. other manufacturer; twenty distribution centers, each with a showroom, and an OI: It sounds a little involved. Maybe additional ten stand-alone showrooms. you can paint a picture for me. JAp: Thirty-eight years ago there was . . . industry estimates place us as one entity, Global Upholstery, which did the fi fth largest offi ce furniture manu- a very limited amount of business. It facturer in North America. was owned by Saul Feldberg, who I met in 1970 and formed a relationship with JS: We have thousands of end-users, in 1971. hundreds of dealers in the United States, and several thousand manu- OI:What were you doing then? facturing people in Canada as well as JAp: I was an independent manufactur- in our international manufacturing facili- er’s rep in the Philadelphia area. I had ties. We are a privately held company, a partner at the time who had called me but industry estimates place us as the about a couple chairs made in Toronto fi fth largest offi ce furniture manufac- by Global Upholstery. Their distribution turer in North America. in the United States was inconsistent JAp: We’ve always fl own under and they didn’t know where to go. We the radar. One of the reasons is that became their reps; they delivered their it is very diffi cult to characterize our product to us on the turnpike, and we organization in a few numbers; we have took it from there. Less truly is more. Introducing a fusion of intelligent, elegant design that also respects the environment. On the surface, HÅG Futu weighs only 35.3 pounds. It’s made of only 7 materials. It’s 97 percent recyclable. But it also packages remarkable functionality in a complex core. To find a completely new balance at work, contact izzy today.

HÅG by izzy izzydesign.com GLOBAL: CITI LOUNGE 866.499.9968 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 6 OF 34

companies

Eventually this evolved into a relationship and I went to Saul and I said, “Saul, let’s become partners. I will buy everything that comes into the United States and resell it and we’ll be partners in this business. That’s how it started. At that time, Saul had other representatives in the States, and I couldn’t afford to sell everybody so I formed relationships with what were then rep wholesalers; they bought from me.

OI: What time period was this? JAp: In the early ’70s. These reps had their own warehouses and they bought and inventoried product for resale. I set up my own distribution center in the New Jersey area because that’s where I lived. That center still exists and it serves New York down through GLOBAL: ACCORD GLOBAL: ASPEN Maryland. Soon, Saul dissolved his relationships with everyone in the States other than me and I took over the whole country. That was in ’72-’73. Not long after that I came up with an idea, a business plan that I presented to Saul. It contemplated moving beyond the reps with warehouses. I said, “Let me replicate what I’m doing in New Jersey, just dealing with Global.” We were growing and the rep wholesalers didn’t want to grow with us; they’d rather take the fi ve best products from us, the fi ve best from everybody else and so forth. One of these wholesalers in Miami did a million dollars a year, and Saul was concerned, but he eventually agreed. So I opened my fi rst independent Global warehouse in Miami and in the fi rst year we increased our business to more than $2 million.

OI: That’s like $20 million today. JAp: We moved forward, opening warehouses where we didn’t have them and bought out the rep wholesalers. We didn’t push anybody out; we bought them out. GLOBAL: ZIRA 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 7 OF 34

companies

OI: And who ran your local opera- Saul and I were also develop- replaced our sales force with more tions at that point? ing products very fast and, with our dealer-orientated people. We began JAp: Each warehouse was set up as own distribution points for our own hiring specialists to call upon archi- an independent business, a profi t products, it was easy to get the new tects and designers, most of whom center for the manager, who had a products into the market. knew nothing about us. We elevated profi t sharing interest. the design, hiring a known product de- OI: Like a dealership? OI: Are you still a sales and distribu- signer, Zooey Chu, who has designed JAp: Oh no, not like a dealership. It tion organization in the US? for several companies in the contract was a new distribution concept that I JAp: Yes, we are a sales, marketing furniture industry such as Teknion and created, and it has never been suc- and distribution organization with Steelcase. He’s independent, but now cessfully replicated. virtually all of our products for North he only designs seating for Global. American distribution produced at our JS: And about six years go we . . . anybody in the world can facilities in the greater Toronto area. started creating freestanding show- manufacture furniture, anybody in rooms. All of our distribution centers the world can ship furniture, but OI: I get it. The Global family made had showrooms, but the image of the not many can get small quantities up its own form of organization. showrooms was very different back to the dealer within twenty-four JAp: Yes. It was management-by-expe- then, when we just packed in as much hours. rience at the time. And now we cover product as we could and waited for the US, Mexico and Puerto Rico and customers to come look at it. OI: How were you able to make it constitute a signifi cant portion of the But after the change of direction, we work? overall Global business. changed the look and feel of our show- JAp: I had an idea that anybody in rooms; more planning went into them the world can manufacture furni- OI: When you decided to shift the with better design. We upgraded our ture, anybody in the world can ship center of gravity away from the su- literature and our collateral materials, furniture, but not many can get perstores, how did that change your and our clientele started to change. small quantities to the dealer within business? At the same time, we began pen- twenty-four hours. And through the JAp: Well, in the beginning our sales etrating the contract market. partnership and friendship I’ve had were done by Willy Lowman types, with Saul Feldberg for over thirty- people selling chairs by the pound. OI: How did you do that? eight years, we have made it work. When we changed, we gradually JAp: By helping people furnish their facilities with good furniture, but under budget. Last year, for example, we did a project at the University of Pennsyl- vania, the largest project in Philadel- phia last year. Our pitch was, “We just want you to save money so that you can use it for medical purposes.” As it turned out we saved them several hundred thousand dollars on a multi-million dollar project. JAb: Money is not on the top of our priority list, unless it’s about saving it for others. The fi rst thing on our list is people and relationships. JAp: Saul and I grew up in an environment where we got to know our customers; we are very customer friendly, easy to do business with. We love our people; we take care of our people and our customers. GLOBAL: ALBA MEETING WITH SUPRA 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 8 OF 34

companies

OI: How many employees do you have both the Evolve side and on the Global in the US? side. Our goal is to drive more Global JS: About four hundred now in sales business, that’s the foundation that and marketing. Each of our distribution feeds everything else. centers has local customer service, rather than sending calls to a service Over the course of the last few center somewhere else. And our years, we have focused on building customer service people go out once our relationships with the A&D com- a week – and this is customer service, munity. REAP the Benefits of Exhibiting at NeoCon World’s Trade Fair. not sales – to visit the dealers and ask NeoCon® is the single-best business investment you if there is anything we can do better to OI: What is your relationship with the can make as a contract manufacturer! help them? A&D community? r Get Hundreds of Leads r Boost Your Sales JAp: It’s growing. We were relatively r Showcase Your Products OI: You are an open line, right? unknown in their world. But over the r Drive Business JS: Yes, for most of our products. But course of the last few years, we have ARE YOU ON BOARD? For more information, visit neocon.com or call our Evolve product line – our systems focused on building our relationships 312-527-7083 to secure your booth today! and workstations line – has a limited with the A&D community. dealer distribution. JAp: We also have a line comprising OI: What do you have to offer the products manufactured both in our design community? factories in Canada and from offshore JAp: We can save their clients money. suppliers called Offi ces to Go. Designers can come in under budget and satisfy their clients need for well OI: Who gets the Evolve system? designed, well built products. NEOCON.COM JAb: There has to be a good fi t. Evolve JS: Since the 2001 downturn, is sold through dealers who are com- there’s been an increased focus on mitted to doing business with us on blending, that is, combining where ap- THE MERCHANDISE MART CHICAGO THE MERCHANDISE

JUNE 15–17 JUNE

PRODUCED BY GLOBAL ATLANTA 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 9 OF 34

companies propriate, value-oriented products with ects with budget constraints and fi nd The second part, and this is very im- premium products to fi t within budgets. our products what is needed to keep portant, we have a very strong culture Our offerings help designers do this. within budget, often with products at Global. One of the few ways you can that are just right for back offi ce areas, get fi red is not to be nice to a cus- OI: You have a tag line, The Total Of- areas where there is not much public tomer and not to be nice to your fellow fi ce. What does that denote? or customer interface. workers. If you’re not a decent person, JS: As Joel said earlier, we started out you just can’t work here. with just seating. Later we added case . . . the value we bring to the table The third thing is that we are tough goods, then fi ling and storage, and then is always in style. competitors. We don’t quit, but we systems furniture. Now, we’re doing compete in a very nice way. Our deal- just about everything and can present a JAb: There are three things that you ers tell us all the time, “You guys are total offi ce solution, one stop shopping. should take away from this discussion. really nice to work with. After Septem- The fi rst is that the value we bring to ber 11th, when people couldn’t fi nd OI: What year did you introduce that the table is always in style. Particularly their checkbooks because everything idea? now, most executives are not interest- was gone, we were very, very support- JS: Case goods were added in the late ed in spending two hundred thousand ive of all of our customers in the area. 80’s, fi les, in the early 90’s and systems dollars to do their offi ces; their share- JS: And after 9/11, we were one eight years ago. When we added the holders won’t tolerate it. We also do a of the few manufacturers who could Evolve system, we completed the circle. lot of business with law fi rms, many of respond virtually over night. For We can add value on a number of whom are very bottom-line oriented. example, we got a call on Friday after levels for our dealers. Many of the The dealer can make a good profi t and 9/11 from a large NYC-based broker- dealers who carry Global have proj- the end user gets great value. age fi rm who was taking over a hotel

GLOBAL BOSTON 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 10 OF 34

companies downtown, six hundred rooms. They hospital in Philadelphia had a problem OI: How have you been received by needed desks and chairs for every with some chairs – not ours – and their the design community and the deal- room. The next Tuesday, we began safety division demanded that 200 erships who deal with them? delivering trailer loads of furniture. chairs be removed immediately and JS: Very favorably. They didn’t know replaced with new ones. we existed; we very quietly gained OI: Where did these six hundred “What kind of chairs and fabric do recognition. Recently, we did a very rooms of desks and chairs come from? you want,” we asked. They made their large law fi rm in Washington, DC; JS: We made them in our factories in selection and we delivered the chairs Gensler was the design fi rm involved. Canada over the weekend. at one o’clock the next day (Saturday), They didn’t know much about us, but JAp: When you have a great relation- with the fabric they selected. they do now. ship with your employees, they work JAb: I have a more recent story. Over When we brought them to our around the clock for you. one thousand stack chairs were needed showroom for the fi rst time – and this JS: Here is another example. We for the January inauguration, the next is a typical response – they were like, received a call from one of our local day, delivered on Saturday, assembled. “Wow, maybe you can do something dealers at 9:30 on a Friday morning. A We did it. for us.”

GLOBAL WASHINGTON DC 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 11 OF 34

companies

JAb: Studios Architecture has de- very familiar with Knoll, Herman Miller, There is an almost abnormal sense signed fi ve of our major market, down- Steelcase, and so on. They should of urgency at our place. Before you go town showcase showrooms, including know that Global can bring something home you fi nish what you have to do, Washington DC. extra to the table whether you’re in customer service or If a law fi rm needs fi fty private of- traffi c. OI: Tell me more about some of your fi ces, thirty-three workstations, sixty most recent efforts. chairs and ninety keyboard trays, they OI: How is the current recession af- JS: There are two areas that we have can come to us and get a beauti- fecting you? focused a lot of energy on. First, gov- ful package and save a tremendous JAb: The problems of the fi nancial ser- ernment and business, and we have amount of money. We think that’s a vices industry didn’t affect us much. done extremely well there. Business is powerful calling card. We don’t sell a great percentage of our growing exponentially. At the end of the day, we have the product to a single customer or small The design community is our biggest ability to offer something of consider- group of customers, so we don’t have focus for growth now, because we now able value at a very nice price. that risk. have ability to bring opportunities that can help add value to their clients. OI: What’s the decision-making pro- OI: What do you hope to do in the cess in your company? next fi ve years? OI: What exactly is it that you think JAb: Right here, you have two thirds of JAb: We want the A&D community to they should be aware of? our management team and our Chair- become more comfortable with what JS: We can start with our new prod- man. Every signifi cant decision that we we’re doing. Every day we fi ght a little ucts. When they need a nice $300 make is made together. Jon’s offi ce is harder and we’re hiring more A&D chair, they should think GLOBAL to my left about thirty feet, Alan’s [Alan people. We work as hard as we can Accord. Breslow – Executive Vice President to make dealing with Global a positive But the bigger issue is, we can add Sales & Marketing] offi ce is in between experience. value for them. We can give them fl ex- ours, and from seven o’clock in the ibility in their design while keeping on morning until well past dark we’re OI: I see you have the OFDA Manu- time and on budget. Design fi rms are working in the offi ce. facturer of the Year award prominent- ly exhibited? JS: Yes. That was for 2008, the second consecutive year, and we want to win it every year. We are constantly developing new products with better design as we increase the breadth and depth of our product offering. We have a strong commitment to continue to upgrade our showroom facilities. Others may be laying-off, but we are looking for talent.

OI: Marty Goor, an installer, told me that he likes the Evolve system because it’s very easy to install. JS: That’s true, and it is not an acci- dent. We spend a lot of time engineering our products to make sure that they work well, install easily and add value to the customer experience. Installation is something that some designers do not give much attention to. But ease of installation is important GLOBAL: DUFFERIN to their clients, and it’s something that 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 12 OF 34

companies may be very important to designers it? Punch in your code, push open, most innovative systems in the world, when they are faced with budget and and it unlocks. We’re hoping that e-fi le but if you don’t treat your customers time constraints. is something the A&D community will like family, better than family, you value as a new feature they can bring won’t be successful. OI: What’s your design process like? to their customers. It is an innovation in JS: And part of this is your relation- JS: It’s a collaborative effort. While we a product category that often is devoid ship with your dealers. As you know, in the States do not do any manufactur- of innovation. most dealerships carry many lines, ing, we have a vested interest in making Our factories are a great asset. When hundreds, and it’s diffi cult for them sure our customers are happy, and we bring dealers and designers to our to focus attention on any of their lines the manufacturing arms have a vested factories and they tour our training cen- except the lead lines. We encourage interest in our ability to sell as much ters, test labs, manufacturing facilities them to skinny it down, and we hope product as we possibly can. and our recycling plants, there is quite that we remain a valuable business For example, we are about to intro- a “wow” factor. When we track our partner. duce e-fi le; a keyless entry lock/security sales with those dealers post visit, we We want to be a strong second for system for some of our steel lateral fi ling always see a sharp upturn in sales. dealerships that are aligned with a systems. Great security. Want to lock JAb: But in the end, you can have major manufacturer. Our aspiration is it? Push the lock button. Want to open the best products in the world and the to be able to offer a dealership ‘total

GLOBAL ATLANTA 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 13 OF 34

companies offi ce’ solutions for anything that their major line cannot satisfy. We are able to add value through the choice of products, the prices of products, and our very quick delivery. Price is an important issue today. Whatever happens with this economic stimulus and whatever happens going forward in the fi nancial world, things are never going to be the same. At the very least, for the next couple of years people are going to be looking for tremendous value. That’s something that we are confi dent we can deliver, and we love doing it. JAb: Global has changed greatly in the past eight or nine years. That change has turned out very well for us. It has put us in a fabulous part of the market at a time when no one likes paying more than they have to for anything. Our plan turned out pretty well, but our timing was even better. Furniture will continue to be a very important part of what businesses need. But the ability to fi nance new furniture, whether to borrow or lease, particularly in large projects, is just something that has become very challenging. GLOBAL BOSTON

GLOBAL Showcase Showrooms are ceilings to mark work-area vignette. waiting room and reception furnish- in New York City, Washington DC, Products are grouped by function ings, dining options, a long term Atlanta, Boston & Chicago. These and type, allowing visitors to easily care patient room suite and various showrooms were created with STU- evaluate specifi c product options specialized products such as bariat- DIOS Architecture, which focused pri- and choices. A series of graphics ric seating and recliners. marily on the conceptual architecture featuring a circular repetition – a The EVOLVE FURNITURE GROUP of the spaces, while GLOBAL’s design play on the shape of the GLOBAL is also represented with a strong team developed the visual product corporate logo – is carried through statement of its green initiative in displays and visitor experience. ceiling elements and ‘circular systems furniture. The raw materi- The architectural design concepts screens’ of translucent amber glass, als used to make the EVOLVE prod- – conceived by Greg Keffer, Princi- custom circular wall tiles, the vignette uct are highlighted and displayed to pal, and Marnique Heath, Associ- lighting globes and the boardroom emphasize the sustainability of the ate Principal of STUDIOS – used ceiling circular lighting coves. products and the company’s com- oversized geometric architecture The size and confi guration of the mitment to the environment. and sweeping arced walls to help showrooms enable other GLOBAL According to the company, the defi ne the spaces while keeping divisions, including the extensive GLOBAL Showcase Showrooms are private areas more intimate. The healthcare offering from GLOBAL- designed to emphasize the cor- general showroom areas use custom care, to present their offerings. porate tagline “value is always in sheer panels suspended from high GLOBALcare typically highlights its style.” 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 14 OF 34

www.informedesign.umn.edu

www.in InformeDesign Needs Your Support! InformeDesign is launching an Annual Fundraising Drive to give you an opportunity to make a tax deductable gift today! Shortly, our founding sponsor, ASID, will no longer be able to provide the support needed to fulfill InformeDesign's operational mission.

InformeDesign needs your support! We suggest the following as your level of giving: Student $10 Educator/Researcher $25 Practitioner $50 Small firm $250-500 Large Firm $1000 + If you have benefited from evidence-based design, please support our mission! When you give, your name or firm’s name will be placed on our Champions of InformeDesign page!

http://instore.informedesign.comDonate to InformeDesign at: https://www.foundation.umn.edu/pls/dmsn/online_giving.frames_broker?owner=INFD

If you are interested in becoming a major sponsor of InformeDesign consider sponsorship at the Silver, Gold or Platinum levels.

Thank You! 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 15 OF 34

awards Pritzker Prize to Low-Proﬁ le Swiss Architect by John Morris Dixon, FAIA

The choice of Peter Zumthor for this year’s Pritzker Prize – often called the Nobel of architecture – is in synch with the current mood. We’ve moved into a period of scaled-down consumption, concern for sustainability, and fatigue with the exploits of star architects. And Zumthor represents those designers and manufacturers who deliberately limit the scale of their production to as- sure personal inspiration and attention to every detail. Zumthor will receive his $100,000 and bronze medal on May 29 in Bue- nos Aires, this year’s site of a peripa- tetic event whose location is deter- mined before the honoree is chosen. The offi cial Pritzker citation reads in part: “For 30 years, [Zumthor] has been based in the remote village of Haldenstein in the Swiss mountains, removed from the fl urry of activity of the international architectural scene. There, together with a small team, he develops buildings of great integrity –untouched by fad or fashion. Declin- ing a majority of the commissions that come his way, he only accepts a project if he feels a deep affi nity for FIELD CHAPEL its program, and from the moment of commitment, his devotion is complete, Metamorphic rock, perhaps granite, trunks so that they could easily be overseeing the project’s realization to but changed through tremendous removed, leaving their imprint in the the very last detail. His buildings… heat and pressure, compressing the concrete. How’s that for innovative [show]….us again and again that mod- mineral grains and arranging them in construction? esty in approach and boldness in over- alternating patterns.] The 65-year-old architect has had all result are not mutually exclusive. He has also completed some widely an unconventional career path. After Humility resides alongside strength.” admired works in Germany, including training as a cabinetmaker in his teen The prize-winner has built most the Field Chapel in the countryside. years, he studied design in Switzer- th of modest output in Switzerland. His Dedicated to a 15 -century saint, the land and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. In Thermal Baths in Vals (1996) are small structure was commissioned by his twenties, he was employed in the his best known works internationally, a farmer, who built it with the help of Preservation of Monuments depart- sometimes referred to as his master- friends and local craftsmen. The inte- ment of a Swiss canton, where he did piece. Undertaken by the town govern- rior was formed out of 112 tree trunks, architectural analyses of historic vil- ment to revive a declining activity, the around which concrete walls were laid lages while carrying out some restora- baths feature primeval-seeming forms up. A fi re that was kept smoldering tions. In 1979 – in his mid-thirties – he clad in locally quarried gneiss. [Ed.: inside for three weeks dried the tree established his own practice. Like the 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 16 OF 34

awards

1995 Pritzker laureate, Tadao Ando, he seems to have managed without the conventional professional degree in architecture. In recent years, the Swiss have been increasingly prominent on the international architectural scene. Eight years ago, the partners of Herzog & De Meuron, which has recently completed major museum projects in Minneapolis and San Francisco, was the fi rst Swiss winner of the Pritzker. The prominent and prolifi c Santiago Calatrava (his work too extravagant for a Pritzker?) has long maintained his main offi ce in Zurich, although he now has a New York base as well. However much the Zumthor choice seems to refl ect current concerns, history shows that Pritzker juries have chosen low-profi le architects every few years. In 1980, the second year of the program (after choosing Philip John- son the inaugural year), they honored FIELD CHAPEL INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE FIELD CHAPEL INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE Luis Barragan of Mexico, known for his small number of modest-scaled but aesthetically elegant works. Compa- rable winners since include Alvaro Siza of Portugal in 1992, Sverre Fenn of Norway in 1997, and Glenn Murcutt of Australia in 2002. And this is by no means the fi rst year Zumthor has garnered major international recognition. He got the Carlsberg Prize in 1998, the Mies van der Rohe Award for European Archi- tecture in 1999, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture from the University of Virginia in 2006. Last year he received two more prizes: the Arnold W. Brunner Memorial Prize in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Praemium Imperiale (which carried an award of c. $140,000) from the Japan Art Association. Zumthor’s self-discipline and commitment to principles, combined with amazing inventiveness where called for, have paid off in many varied ways for himself and for the world. ST. BENEDICT CHAPEL ST. BENEDICT CHAPEL INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 17 OF 34

people Hilda, Hilda: Wherefore are thou Hilda? by Brad Powell

About 250 industry veterans and sent video messages that were played pioneers turned up at the 6th Avenue during the quasi-formal part of the Herman Miller National Design Center evening. Both emphasized that Ms. to see if the legend, Hilda Longinotti, Longinotti will always be in the memory the grande dame of A&D, the doyenne of the company. I have news for you of design sales, was actually going to gentlemen, lest you forget, Ms. Longi- retire after 54 years in the industry and notti will surely be more than happy to almost 35 years with Herman Miller. refresh your recollections from time to True to form, Ms. Longinotti, who time, even without special request. practically invented A&D sales and Like the great marketing organiza- seduced or strong-armed practically tion it is, Herman Miller can seize an every top interior designer – of either opportunity. And, like the summer gender – in New York city into buy- progresses of Tudor England, Ms. ing Herman Miller, in fact is retiring. Longinotti will begin a 15 city tour to Her age in unknown, but, whatever, engage colleagues and clients alike

she hasn’t lost her sassy – and often with her story-telling. And what was GEORGE NELSON AND HILDA LONGINOTTI profane – manner of speech, nor mel- that Hilda? You want to end the tour in lowed into a modicum of reticence. Lake Como, Italy. Well, who could say mentalist, nor in fact, all sweetness Retired she may be, but, even no? and light. Rather, her strong beacon though she has left a well-trained As if to give a preview, Ms. Longinotti often cast a daunting light. I was sitting succession, she has “not abdicated” told a few stories at the event, just after in the Herman Miller showroom just a her role as queen, and if anyone wants the adulatory farewells by colleagues few weeks ago with Mark Schurman, to venture the sobriquet dowager that, however gracious and sincere, Herman Miller communications, being empress, they’d better look ﬁ rst to sounded like eulogies from those who briefed on upcoming product introduc- see whether she is wielding her cane. were not yet born when Ms. Longinotti tions. In waltzed Ms. Longinotti, just back from a tour of the new Bank of Herman Miller CEO, Brian Walker, and was earning her spurs. The real Hilda, America building guided by her old EVP North America Curt Pullen both however, was not a shrinking senti-

HILDA LONGINOTTI AND MARSHMALLOW SOFA, EARLY AD HILDA LONGINOTTI AND MARSHMALLOW SOFA, STILL A WORK OF ART 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 18 OF 34

people

friend John Lijewski, now Senior VP George Nelson, one of whose designs Facilities and formerly a principal of for Herman Miller was the marshmal- Perkins + Will, NYC. low sofa. And there she was, modeling Storming in, Ms. Longinotti burst on the sofa in quite a gentile pose, but forth, “I said to him, ‘John! What the of course, by now we know better. #*&@^% is all of this Knoll doing At another point in her career, now here?’” at Miller, Ms. Longinotti received a nice “Don’t glare at me, Hilda,” I said. package from a designer. Using her “I didn’t do it.” Of course, I’ve always scissors to cut the surrounding string, been guilty by association with Ms. out fell a white fox coat, just as her Longinotti since that other A&D female then boss (and I use the term advised- sales pioneer, Addie Powell, worked at ly) walked by. “What the heck is that, Knoll, then practically across the street Hilda?” he asked. “Why, it’s a beauti- from Miller on 5th Avenue. ful white fox coat, a gift,” she replied. HILDA LONGINOTTI AND LATEST PROTEGE Among her stories related last “Send it back,” he ordered. JOHN NEWLAND VP A&D RELATIONS Thursday, Ms. Longinotti spoke of the Well, that must have been in her early to mid-’80s when Tom Mahoney, youth, because Ms. Longinotti followed had a problem with Herman Miller. then of GN, an Interiors Designer of orders. “If it had been a mink, that Not shy, Ms. Longinotti went to the the Year fi rm, used to walk by on the would have been a different story,” she fi rm one morning to try to smooth way to Knoll. “Why the #*&@^% are said. As she returned it, so her story his feathers. She was shown into the you going to Knoll, Tom?” she’d yell goes, “I called the architect and asked conference room, which had a carafe across the street. “Get over here, now!” why he sent me a white fur coat.” His of coffee and the fi xings, and started to Poor Mr. Mahoney, a very nice man, reply went something like this: “Well, pour herself a cup when Mr. Mancini said Ms. Longinotti, eventually took to I saw an ad in a magazine, and I had walked in. “Don’t bother,” he said. walking around the block to avoid her this image of you wearing it, and noth- “You won’t be here long enough to encouragement. ing else.” fi nish it.” Needless to say, Mr. Mancini Of course, Ms. Longinotti was quite I keep telling people that the indus- had the opportunity to become far the babe in her younger years, and try was different in the ’70s and early more acquainted with Herman Miller was featured in some of the Herman ’80s. and Ms. Longinotti than he could ever Miller ads. She began in the industry At one point, Ms. Longinotti learned have anticipated. working for the legendary designer that Ralph Mancini of Mancini Duffy I am trying to convince Ms. Longi- notti to take a tape recorder with her as she spreads her knowledge, and her tales, across the country. And while I’m at it, maybe I’ll talk to Larry Gaslow, the Aaron family, the Itkin brothers, Tony Cuccalo, Bart Wood, Tom Baer, Eva Maddox, Art Gen- sler, Margo Grant, Richard Carlson, Richard Connell, Carl Magnusson, Bob Beck, Beverly Russell, John Lijewski, Rosalie Edson, Jana Golden, George Johnson, Danny DeClerq, Jim Ford, Dennie Pimental, Pam Light, Gary Lee, Saul Feldberg, Joel Appel, Peter Otterstrom, Jack Kelley and others from the days of the wild, wild west of contract furniture who are still around. If they would open up, I think we could really put commercial interior design

HILDA LONGINOTTI AND PROTEGES LL COOL J AND HILDA LONGINOTTI on the map. 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 19 OF 34

companies Mancini•Duffy: Strategic Hires by Brad Powell

We know that many A&D fi rms have sociates. Mr. Montalbano has signifi - For the past 14 years, he has become had layoffs in recent months, some cant experience in broadcast, media, a leader in the intricacies of hi-tech with cuts suffi ciently substantial to entertainment, and advanced technol- healthcare and laboratory program- push the vocabulary beyond even ogy sectors, and Mr. Patey is an expert ming, planning and design. His down-sizing, although perhaps falling in hi-tech healthcare and will lead the experience and expertise will enable short of restructuring. Others are still fi rm’s healthcare practice. us to build on our signifi cant portfolio swamped with work, while still others “With over 13 years experience of healthcare projects and broaden our are completing strategic additions. and world class client relation- reach in that important market sector.” As Diane Barnes, HBF/HBF Textiles, ships,” said Anthony P. Schirripa, Clearly, then, we are dealing with North East Regional Manager, hosts AIA, Mancini•Duffy’s Chairman and people who either have business or the company’s sixth annual Career CEO, “Joe’s background enables us can be expected to bring in business, Night in cooperation with Pratt Insti- to broaden our reach into the worlds and in each case, they have practice tute and numerous A&D fi rms (see this of broadcast and studio architecture specialties on which to build. Mr. Mon- issue), we worry about job prospects and is another step in our efforts to talbano was formerly a partner and Di- for industry professionals. At the same diversify the practice. As a registered rector of Architecture at Janson Design time, most people realize that there are architect in New York and Massachu- Group with direct project leadership on always jobs for those – individuals and setts, he also brings strong technical large scale, technically complex proj- fi rms – who have something special to and project management skills to the ects with a commitment to integrated offer. fi rm.” project delivery and sustainability. His Mancini•Duffy just announced two Regarding Mr. Patey, Mr. Schirripa work has been featured in numerous senior hires, Joseph Montalbano, AIA, had a similar message. “John has over industry and general publications. LEED AP, and John Patey, AIA, both of thirty years of hands-on diversifi ed Mr. Patey was formerly a principal whom have been hired as Senior As- experience in the fi eld of architecture. at Perkins Eastman Architects & LSGS Architects, where, over his 13 year tenure, he worked on many large scale, technically complex medical institutions, as well as research laboratories for some of the foremost academic medical centers in the Northeast and Southeast regions of the country. He is a registered architect in New York, New Jersey and Illinois; is a member of ASHE (American Society for Healthcare Engineering); and he has been a presenter at the 2008 Laboratory Tradelines Conference and a speaker at the AIA New York Chapter Roundtable discussions. “At times like these,” said Steve Bleiweiss, Chief Marketing Offi cer for Mancini Duffy, when the economy is tight and fi rms are driven to take diffi cult steps such as staff layoffs, salary reductions, etc., it’s also important that we step back and consider making JOSEPH MONTALBANO JOHN PATEY carefully focused, strategic invest- 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 20 OF 34

companies ments that will help the fi rm grow and On the positive side, the full scope a cornucopia of important areas from prosper over the long run. That’s why of interior design has yet to begin to which to pick in order to gain some we viewed hiring Joe and John as im- be discovered, although the surface is special expertise. portant, proactive steps in continu- beginning to be scratched. Any interior In the meantime, we applaud the ing our efforts to further diversify the designer or architect who wants to insight of fi rms such as Mancini Duffy practice.” move beyond the fi ne arts or architec- that are willing to make bold strategic There are always jobs for those – tural roots of their formal education has moves to plan for better times ahead. individuals or fi rms – that have what people need. Design fi rms and their clients need people who can help THE WATER LAVES THE SHORE AS IT DID A THOUSAND YEARS AGO. – THOREAU them generate business and bring value to their customers. This means that we all have to lift our horizons. No business, whether it is a design fi rm or one of its clients, stands alone; every business is part of a greater system, which includes a value chain. At the very least, questions that should always be in our minds are, “Who are my client’s (or employer’s) customers, what does my client do for them, and how can I add value to that? It should be clear that the interior design profession, with its accordion- like expansion and contraction at the drop of an economic dime requires much more than a passion for good design. Look at any of the multiplying awards events in the industry and you will see that the product of the profession’s top fi rms is quite fungible. All of the projects look absolutely great (well, to the untrained eye); high design appearance is par for the course, not something special. Thus, if your only credential or value proposition is that your projects have been included in a trade magazine, you are not really bringing that much new to the table – excepting, of course, for those who can afford it and want to spend their money that way, the jaw-dropping offerings of, say Debra Lehman-Smith MODERN AMERICAN CLASSICS (www.lsm.com) or Lauren Rottet (See ALIA CHAIR, CAVEA TABLE, X BENCH the Paul Hastings reception by Studio CUMBERLANDFURNITURE.COM Rottet, this issue.) 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 21 OF 34

events Pratt Career Night Serves Up Cautious Optimism at HBF by Jean Lin

Every spring, HBF and HBF Textiles hosts Pratt Institute Department of Interior Design Career Night in its Mi- chael Vanderbyl designed, New York Design Center showroom. Though this year was no different – Pratt students and faculty again gathered with top fi rms in the industry, with the lovely Diane Barnes, Northeast Regional Manager for HBF, in the role of hostess – there was an extra, larger-than-life guest in attendance. It kept cutting into conversations and I swear I saw it sneeze into the hummus. That pesky economic downturn was on everyone’s minds, and in everyone’s conversa- tion. How are students, faculty and industry professionals dealing with new DIANE GOLDSTEIN OF PERKINS EASTMAN SPEAKS WITH STUDENTS graduate recruitment in such a hazy economic climate? here because, if she is right, it will be a tic,” Said Carolyn BaRoss, LEED AP If Pratt Career Night is any indica- turning point in human history. principal at Perkins + Will, who works tion, everyone is dealing by staying Pratt Institute, based in Brooklyn, primarily in healthcare and says the optimistic, if cautiously so. In opening NY, offers both an undergraduate and sector has stayed relatively recession remarks, an overwhelmingly en- masters degree in interior design. proof. “We want to be realistic about couraging Maddy Burke, a principal Its interior design program is ranked how to move forward, but feel like we at Gensler, assured students that second, behind Cornell, in the country. can use the downturn as an opportu- “Even though it feels painful now, I Graduate and undergraduate pro- nity to make our practice stronger.” believe that because of what we have grams are architecturally oriented, with No one was tip-toeing around the learned as a result of this recession an emphasis on spatial design, rather fact of a sluggish building sector or the world and America will emerge a than fi nishes and embellishments. that fi rms across the country have better place.” Remember, you read it Professors Jon Otis and Whitney been cutting back staff and salaries. Parris-Lamb, and Interior Design When speaking to students, Diane Chair Anita Cooney were present to Storgion Goldsmith, associate at lend their support of HBF’s “Student Perkins Eastman, suggested exploring Stimulus Package,” which included other facets of the industry such as face time with principals and design- dealerships and manufacturers. “You ers from GSA-PBS, Perkins Eastman, want to stay fl exible until your dream Gensler, Cannon Design, Perkins & job comes around,” said Ms. Gold- Will, Mancini Duffy and Ted Moudis. smith. Let’s give some credit to the fi rms who This may not be possible for some participated, even if they were not of the evening’s student attendees. actively hiring, they stayed positive and Aslihan Ispiq, a Turkish student of Mr. fl exible, looked at resumes and gave Otis, expressed exasperation explain- students invaluable advice such as ing that she may be forced back to Ms. Burke’s. Turkey due to visa issues. “I was ANITA COONEY, WHITNEY PARRIS-LAMB AND JON OTIS “We are being cautiously optimis- originally planning on staying for two or 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 22 OF 34

events

three years, and then making a decision on whether to stay or go home. But now, I may not have a choice.” Whitney Parris-Lamb and Amanda Jesse’s situations are not quite so dire. The sharp and upbeat duo seemed realistic in their expectations of the night. “It’s important to be here,” said Ms. Jesse. “Not because we want to be hired on the spot, but because it’s a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, and learn about different fi rms and sectors of the industry.” “We both have part-time jobs at high-end residential fi rms,” said a light-hearted Ms. Parris-Lamb. “But our fi rst student loan payment is due in six months, and our student healthcare runs out in four.” There was a universal understand- ing among the some 40 students who milled about from station to station, as

well as the ﬁ rm representatives and MANCINI DUFFY STATION Pratt faculty, that things aren’t great right now. With that though, came a resounding sense of resilience and optimism. Pratt alum Ms. Burke assured in her opening remarks, “I have seen more ups ad downs than I may care to admit, and know that the pattern will repeat, and the profession will again thrive.”

NORM JANSA, SALES CONSULTANT, DIANE BARNES, NORTH- CAROLYN BAROSS OF PERKINS & WILL SPEAKS WITH STUDENTS EAST REGIONAL MANAGER, HBF 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 23 OF 34

companies

PAUL HASTINGS LA RECEPTION

Rottet Studio: Still Smokin’

Here’s an idea. Lauren Rottet should about 30 new retail bank branches raise a couple of million dollars and throughout the metro Phoenix area. immediately grow her new fi rm, Rottet O.K., we get it. Not all banks are in Studio, to one of the top ten Giants; trouble, and those that aren’t make in the process, she could pick up a really, really good customers. After lot of the free-fl oating talent that is all, said Willie Sutton, “that’s where now looking for work. Why, she could the money is.” (And, while consumer probably save a whole generation of mortgage loans are still in the 5-6% experienced interior designers. range (even if it is taxpayer money), at Ms. Rottet opened her fi rm in May, today’s Federal Discount Rate (.5%), 2008 after leaving DMJM Rottet (now, banks can get money for almost noth- AECOM) and now has six U.S. loca- ing.) tions, and it appears that they are not The MidFirst projects and several only busy, but are pulling in more that others in the Phoenix area are just part their share of awards. Last week, she of the cornucopia of good news that announced new awards and appoint- Ms. Rottet and her shining smile are ments at the Scottsdale offi ce. The able to bring to her colleagues and to fi rm’s new projects in the area are an industry starving for respect and LAUREN ROTTET offi ces for several prominent law fi rms sense of necessity. Major new design Paper City magazine’s Design Excel- and fi nancial companies, including awards for Rottet Studio include top lence Awards. MidFirst Bank Phoenix headquarters honors from the International Interior As previously noted, Rottet Studio at 3030 Camelback, MidFirst Private Design Association (IIDA) and the also has offi ces in Los Angeles, San Bank on Market Street in DC Ranch, American Institute of Architects (AIA) Francisco, New York, and Washington a high-end shopping and socializing Houston chapter, twin “Best of Year” D.C., and a consulting arm headed by destination, the MidFirst downtown fi nalists from Interior Design magazine, Stuart Laff, a top real estate expert branch at Renaissance Square, and and a sweep of the offi ce category in in the Western United States. Other 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 24 OF 34

companies

top names active in the Rottet architecture-and-design scene include: Richard Riviere, AIA, design principal and longtime Rottet colleague; the noted designer Kelie Mayfi eld; hospitality expert David Davis, AIA; and Scottsdale-based designer Angelique Nossa, IIDA LEED AP. “We’ve continued to experience a high level of activity with new commissions for buildings and interiors in the United States, Europe and Asia, and the honors for our design work are ap- preciated” says Ms. Rottet, who splits her time among the various offi ces. “But it is heartening to also be recognized for our corporate offi ce and real estate expertise – as well as our work for major law fi rms – here in Scottsdale and Phoenix.”

LAUREN ROTTET SERIES FOR DECCA: BENCH

LAUREN ROTTET SERIES FOR DECCA: FOLD

LAUREN ROTTET SERIES FOR DECCA: TABLE ROTTET STUDIO: MIDFIRST BANK EXTERIOR 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 25 OF 34

MATERIAL OF THE WEEK

MC# 6345-02 Flexible, durable heating textile suitable for use close to the body. This four layer system comprises a top face fabric, an insulation layer, a heating panel layer that is made from a conductive polymer, and a substrate. The heating ‘coils’ are printed on to the substrate giving the opportunity for easy customization and size range. The heat is generated by power pack that operates for seven hours continuous use. It has a quick, uniform heating cycle, is machine washable, and has a temperature regulator such that it cannot overheat. The textile is antibacterial and is suitable for use as an outer wearable surface. Applica- tions are for bedding, medical heat therapy, sports apparel and equipment and for workwear. Flexible, durable heating textile suitable for use close to the body. This four layer system comprises a top face fabric, an insulation layer, a heating panel layer that is made from a conductive polymer, and a substrate. The heating ‘coils’ are printed on to the substrate giving the opportunity for easy customization and size range. The heat is generated by power pack that operates for seven hours continuous use. It has a quick, uniform heating cycle, is machine washable, and has a temperature regulator such that it cannot overheat. The textile is antibacterial and is suitable for use as an outer wearable surface. Applications are for bedding, medical heat therapy, sports apparel and equipment and for workwear.

This column is published in collaboration with Material Con- neXion. For more information regarding the material pre- viewed, please contact Michael LaGreca at [email protected]. T: 212.842.2050.

PRODUCT INTRO high light transmittance and the ability to block the most >AGC Flat Glass North warming energy wavelengths. America introduced Ti-AC http://www.na.agc-fl atglass. 23 Low-E Glass. Part of com the Comfort Ti family, this newest product has a solar >RTT USA, Inc. unveiled heat gain coeffi cient of 0.23, RTT FlexTex, a web-based the lowest level available in a software for applying high-performance product on materials to products in a clear substrate. It is ideal for a virtual environment. commercial projects where Companies can save money energy effi ciency and glare and minimize their environ- control are priorities without mental footprint by reducing compromising aesthetics. or eliminating the manufac- It combines low refl ectivity, turing of materials samples light-absorbing properties, and demo swatches and AGC: TI-AC 23 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 26 OF 34

replacing them with virtual its selection of the next for Helene Curtis Industries, Product Innovation Awards samples. In addition to the generation of outstanding is an example of adaptive for the 14th consecu- software, RTT’s experts professionals in commercial reuse. DIRTT (Doing It Right tive year. Hunter Douglas provide guidance and train- real estate in its March/ This Time) manufactures companies captured 27 out ing to maximize cost savings April issue. Mr. Sadlon, who modular, agile wall systems of 41 awards and swept and facilitate the move from was promoted to Princi- for commercial offi ce space. fi ve out of the 12 categories a physical to virtual mate- pal in 2005, has over 16 DIRTT will premiere its including: Cellular Shades, rial process. http://materials. years of experience and in newest innovations, includ- Green Products, Shadings rttusa.com 2003 established the fi rm’s ing healthcare applications, & Sheers, Specialty Applica- international practice, which modular kitchens and aes- tions and Merchandising. has expanded to more than thetic options June 15-17. Hunter Douglas also won NOTEWORTHY 27 offi ces in 12 countries. http://www.dirtt.net/ the Green Products Catego- http:www.manciniduffy.com ry for products that demon- >Pirating has a long and >HNI Corporation was strate environmental stew- interesting history. For >AAA Business Supplies awarded the Ethics Inside ardship. Best Environmental example, Julius Caesar was & Interiors continues to 2009 certifi cation from Product in the category went captured by pirates on his strengthen its position in Ethisphere Institute. Ethics to the GlacierScreen solar way home from the siege Northern California. The Inside 2009 certifi cation is shading fabrics from Hunter of Miletus and held hos- offi ce products and furniture the only independent verifi - Douglas Contract. Created tage for about forty days. dealer, San Francisco, CA, cation of a company’s ethi- using manufacturing tech- Caesar insisted that his purchased the customer cal practices and compli- niques that avoid the use captors double their ransom list of About Paper Plus, its ance processes. To qualify of VOC-emitting substances demand (he was, after all, eighth acquisition. AAA also for certifi cation, organiza- to eliminate off-gassing, the an aristocrat) and promised opened a second showroom tions must have systems, fabrics also feature anti- to return and punish them. and distribution center processes and programs in microbial properties. http:// True to his word, Caesar in Concord, CA. In addi- place to reasonably prevent www.hunterdouglas.com returned after his release, tion, AAA hired Stephanie compliance failures and hunted the pirates down, Bonham as Vice President ethics breakdowns. Over >InformeDesign released and had them crucifi ed. of Furniture & Design. Previ- fi fty criteria were evaluated, new research summaries: ously, Ms Bonham owned including HNI’s organi- - Supportive Classrooms for >John Sadlon, principal her own furniture company, zational culture, compli- Children with Autism of Mancini Duffy, Manhat- La Fontana Furniture and ance programs, corporate Most parents and teachers tan, was named to the Design. http://www.aaasolu- governance systems, social (79.3%, 67%, respectively) “40 Under 40” list. Real tions.com/ responsibility initiatives, ranked acoustics as the Estate New York published environmental performance, most signifi cant architec- >DIRTT Environmental regulatory track record, and tural feature infl uencing the Solutions will move its U.S. third-party perceptions. behavior of autistic children headquarters to the pent- The Ethisphere Institute is and spatial sequencing as house suite in the Helene an international think-tank the second most signifi cant Curtis building, 325 North dedicated to best practices (13.19%, 20%, respec- Wells Street, Chicago, IL. in business ethics, corpo- tively). Lighting, colors and The 1914 building originally rate social responsibility, patterns, texture, and smell was the Chase and Sanborn anti-corruption and sustain- were ranked lower. Autistic Coffee Warehouse. Reno- ability. http://www.hnicorp. children in the classroom vated in 1985 by Booth/ com/ with additional soundproof- Hansen & Assoc., the ing demonstrated longer building, transformed from a >Hunter Douglas topped attention spans. small coffee warehouse into the Window Covering - Nature Posters in the the corporate headquarters Manufacturers Association Workplace JOHN SADLON 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 27 OF 34

This study examined the >Knoll Minneapolis intro- listed all three years. To ENVIRONMENT effect of landscape and duced M.A.D.E. (Mentor- view a complete list, visit abstract posters on anger ing A Designer to Evolve) http://www.ethisphere.org >Parsons Brinckerhoff and stress levels in an of- for next generation design- (PB) purchased green fi ce setting. The study con- ers. The fi ve month pro- >NeoCon advertising in power for its corporate cluded that the presence of gram was created to enable offi ceinsight is the way to headquarters in New York art posters in offi ces had a new designers to network go. Our new ad sales team City. The purchase of 3.1 signifi cant effect on anger with professionals, seeking Huckorilla - Huckleberry, million kilowatt-hours of and stress among male, but to expand their knowledge the Newfoundland puppy, electricity is made through not female subjects. of the workplace, sustain- and Clarence, the Gorilla - Community Energy Inc. - Prompting Pro-Environ- ability, product design, will be making their sales PB’s purchase of the RECs mental Behaviors through applications, and planning. rounds soon. Our advice: guarantees that carbon-free Design New designers are able to welcome them with a few energy generated by wind This study analyzed how participate in educational cookies, some bamboo grass farms is produced and fed trash cans designed using presentations, such as and a completed order, and into the national grid to off- different activation tech- Systems 101 Planning, you too will believe that life set the conventional power niques influenced littering Workplace Research, is beautiful. (email addie@ PB receives at its offi ces in behavior in Eindhoven, Textile Applications and offi ceinsight.com). Artwork Manhattan. PB will continue The Netherlands. Sustainability, and events and puppy from Donna Moll, to draw electricity from the To review other studies, hosted in the Knoll Min- [email protected] local power grid. http://www. visit: http://www.informede- neapolis Showroom. The pbworld.com/ sign.umn.edu program will end with a finale dinner that in- >Kimball International cludes the Principals from PROJECTS was named to the an- selected design firms and >University of North nual FDM 300, a list- all M.A.D.E. participants. Carolina Charlotte began ing of the 300 largest http://www.knoll.com construction of the Center woodworking compa- City Building in Charlotte, nies in North America. >Milliken & Company was NC. The 12-story, 143,000- The company’s ranking named one of the 2009 HUCKORILLA sq. ft. building will be the advanced from 20th in World’s Most Ethical Com- only UNC System class- 2008 to 16th in 2009. panies by the Ethisphere RE-SITED room building designed Kimball designs, manu- Institute. Milliken was >Dwayne Boyce was hired specifi cally to serve the factures, and markets cited for going beyond le- by Haworth as its Senior businesses, organizations furniture for the office gal minimums, introducing Architecture and Design and residents of an urban and hospitality industries innovative ideas to benefit Market Manager for the through Kimball Office, the public and forcing its Florida market. Mr. Boyce National Office Furniture, competitors to follow suit will market Haworth’s vari- and Kimball Hospitality. by consistently upping ous product lines and or- Company executive vice the ante for what it takes ganic workspace concepts president, Dan Miller, to be an ethical leader. to local design fi rms and credits the company’s Ethisphere, a think-tank will coordinate architecture ranking to its commitment dedicated to the creation, and design educational to excellence. Companies advancement and sharing and marketing programs. listed in the FDM 300 are of best practices, reviewed Mr. Boyce brings twenty qualified by the editors more than 10,000 compa- fi ve years of industry expe- through questionnaires nies in order to determine rience, having begun his and telephone interviews. the finalists. The WME career with Herman Miller. http://www.KimballOffice. rankings are published in http://www.haworth.com com Ethisphere Magazine’s Q1 issue. Milliken has been CENTER CITY 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 28 OF 34

center. The building and EVENTS ter, 242 41st Street, NYC. The goal is to reduce solid auditorium was designed 6:30 pm. Speakers include waste by, at least 50%. Sug- by architectural firm Kier- >ASID will offer off-site ex- Richard A. Cook and Pam gestions include packing nan Timberlake in part- periential learning courses Campbell, Cook + Fox; Josh lunches, using washable nership with Charlotte- at the ASID National Con- Dachs, Fisher Dachs and plates, reviewing documents based Gantt Huberman ference held at NeoCon, Harold Wolpert, Round- on line, and recycling or Architects. The facility will June 15-17. Attendees can about Theatre Company. composting. In preparation be adjacent to a city park, choose from the following: The series focus has been for Earth Day, HOK devel- and the two will be con- - The Chicago Spire, cur- on those who are currently oped an internal “Barefoot nected by an 18,000-sq. rently under construction, making positive and infl uen- Blog” to share ideas and ft. plaza. An underground will be the tallest building in tial strides in design. http:// progress, arranged speak- parking garage will be the Western Hemisphere, www.iidany.org/ ers, recommended videos, built beneath part of the housing 1,200 condomini- and scheduled fi eld trips to park. www.gantthuberman. ums on 150 fl oors. >CA Boon Design Show recycling facilities. HOK also com/ kierantimberlake. - The Blackstone Hotel, a will run June 26-28 at the is inviting its clients, part- com/ renovation of a 1910-built former Robinson’s fl agship ners and local communities Chicago landmark, holds department store. Located to join the fi rm in reducing >URS Corporation pro- a collection of more than at 9900 Wilshire Blvd., Los its waste for the day. http:// vided construction man- 1,400 contemporary works Angeles, CA, the show fl oor www.hok.com agement services for the of art. will be divided into zones recently completed Cen- - The Emerald and Eco- that group related products >KI and Pallas Textiles tennial Hills Library, Las Logic Lofts, a contemporary and services together by will host the fi rst Night of Vegas, NV. The company 12-story twin tower condo- discipline: international de- Universal Tastes, 5-7:30 has an ongoing contract minium, offers unobstructed sign manufacturers, national pm on April 30. Dan Cra- with the Las Vegas-Clark views of downtown and & limited production manu- mer and Paul James who County Library District for is the only condominium facturers, studio furniture, designed the industry’s fi rst construction management building of its size in Chi- modern parenting, modern universal seating collec- for two new libraries and cago to utilize wind turbines prefab, indoor/outdoor liv- tion, Arissa, will discuss the the modernization of 10 - The Joffrey Tower, a new ing, building accessories, importance of universality existing libraries. URS 40,000 sq. ft. glass and and surfaces & fi nishes. CA in design at the West Look services include project steel complex, features Boom’s signature feature, Studio, 17 North Elizabeth and construction man- state-of-the-art studios with the home tour, will spotlight Street, Chicago, IL. Other agement, cost estimat- high ceilings, climate confi ve residential projects each similar events will be held at ing, schedule analysis, trol, acoustic features and day that includes meeting locations across the country. quality assurance review, massive windows. the home’s architects and www.kihealthcare.com. value engineering, and For session and event times designers. Friday, June 17, construction reviews. The and to register, go to www. is reserved as a “Trade- >Knoll, Inc., presents, architect for the project neocon.com. Only Day,” for professionals George Nakasima and was JMA Architecture ASID conference-specifi c and their non-trade clients. Knoll, The Making of an Studios. The library will information can be found at http://www.caboomshow.com Object. The exhibition, on house a book and me- www.asid.org/foryou09 view April 30 - June 5 at dia management system >HOK employees will be The Design Center at Phila- and additional space has >IIDA NY will conclude its challenged to “Go Bare- delphia University, 4200 been built-out for future annual Pioneering Design foot” on Earth Day, April Henry Avenue, Philadelphia, expansion of the library. Lecture Series on May 13. 22. In an effort to reduce its PA, tells the story of the LVCCLD is seeking LEED Innovations in Theatre Craft, waste footprint, leaders from Nakashima Straight Chair, Silver Certification for the a behind the scenes look 24 HOK offi ces will conduct fi rst as a hand-made piece library. http://www.urscorp. at the Henry Miller The- waste audits at each offi ce crafted at Nakashima’s com atre and the Roundabout location to determine the workshop; next as part of Theatre Company, will take amount of waste produced the Knoll product line in the place at The times Cen- on a typical business day. 1940s and 50s; and fi nally, 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 29 OF 34

as a modern production admission and the LFI In- at Herman Miller. The expanded showroom. piece reintroduced to the novation Awards exhibition is organized by - Valli & Valli USA, fi fth fl oor Knoll catalog in 2008. The - Complimentary entry into the Muskegon Museum of annex, designed by Yoshimi opening reception takes the New Attendee Orienta- Art (MMA) in collaboration Kono and featuring high-end place Wednesday April 29, tion with The Henry Ford, Dear- hardware and bath accesso- 2009 from 5:30- 8 p.m. - Access to the Lighting born, MI. Inspiration for the ries by architects, including http://www.knoll.com Education Forum & Lounge exhibition came from the Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry, http://www.lightfair.com/ recent book, Herman Miller: and Favio Novembre. the Purpose of Design, by - Cavendish Grey, 7th >Material ConneXion will John R. Berry, who agreed fl oor, known for its antique collaborate with Mate- to be the exhibition’s guest reclaimed and re-editon rial ConneXion Milano to curator. The exhibition stone and wood fl ooring present Sustain + Innovate displays will be arranged to and recently partnered with at Salone Internazionale present viewers with four Alkusari Stone. http://www. del Mobile, Milan, Italy, case studies, stories chosen adbuilding.com/ April 22-27. Sustain + to embody four different ac- KNOLL STRAIGHT CHAIR Innovate will feature more tive characteristics of good >The Platinum Circle than 100 materials and design. The exhibition uses Award honorees will be >LIGHTFAIR International products and will focus on drawings, models, proto- recognized on May 14 will offer a new format for 12 key areas where material types, photographs, oral his- at the Hospitality Design the Lighting Education developments have made tories, and original designed Exposition & Conference. In Forum as part of the 2009 an impact: eco-effective- objects to showcase the cre- its 22nd year and spon- trade show & conference. ness, fi ber reinforcement, ation and evolution of many sored by Hospitality Design LIGHTFAIR takes place May security, sound absorption, masterpieces of 20th and magazine, the awards honor 5-7 and LIGHTFAIR INSTI- foam alternatives, advances 21st century design by such achievement within the TUTE takes place May 3-4 in molding, translucency, artists as Gilbert Rohde, Ray hospitality design industry at the Jacob K. Javits Con- functional and decorative & Charles Eames, George through concept develop- vention Center, 655 West surfaces, advances in leath- Nelson, Alexander Girard, ment and/or design execu- 34th Street, NYC. Attendees ers, heat and the biopo- Robert Probst, Steve Fryk- tion. The ceremony takes will have the opportunity to lymer revolution. Material holm, Bill Stumpf and Don place at The Venetian Hotel network, attend interactive ConneXion also will launch Chadwick, and others. http:// Ballroom, 3355 Las Vegas presentations and panel the third volume of Materials www.hermanmiller.com Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV, discussions and collect Matter with an overview of from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The information about each fea- the latest trends in materials >Opening Night, in its fourth award recipients are: Brad tured educational program. and 100 materials recently edition, is May 18, 6-9 pm. Friedmutter, Friedmutter In addition, the LFI Student added to its Materials Li- Four new showrooms will Group (Las Vegas); James Outreach Program offers brary. http://www.material- debut at the Architects & Looney, Looney & Associ- educational and volunteer connexion.com/ Designers Building, 150 East ates (Dallas/Chicago) and opportunities. The Forum is 58th St., NYC, in addition Pierre Yves-Rochon, PYR held on the LFI show fl oor, >The Muskegon Museum of to a building-wide evening Design (Paris/Chicago). Booth #681. Special advan- Art has created a traveling of parties and events in 40 Steve Wynn, a previous tages include: design exhibition, Good De- showrooms. The new show- Platinum Circle honoree, will - Free Student Registration sign: Stories from Herman rooms include receive the 2009 Manfred for the LFI exhibit hall plus Miller. The exhibition, which - Clive Christian NY, 5th Steinfeld Humanitarian one free seminar, fi rst runs in Muskegon, fl oor, known for its bespoke Award. http://www.hdexpo. and a 50% discount on all August 20-November 8, will wood cabinetry, paneling and com/ Daylighting & LIGHTFAIR subsequently tour as many furniture. Institute courses as 15 cities into 2013. The - Davis & Warshow - Kitchen >Public Art + Architecture - A reduced Student Full exhibition explores the col- and Bath Center, 4th fl oor, New York opened at the Pass for $100 that includes laborative problem-solving featuring fi xtures and furnish- Center for Architecture 546 eight seminars, exhibit hall design process employed ings in its newly design and LaGuardia Place, NYC. The 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 30 OF 34

exhibition features photo- WE STAND CORRECTED “’If you want interest- whole drift of Ms. Mann’s graphs by Francis Dzikowski ing stories,” she said, ‘it’s comments, that is, the from the new Jean Parker >A friend who owns a deal- unbelievable how many “interesting stories,” and Phifer book Public Art New ership wrote: ultimate profit centers not the details of her own York. On view through May “One part of your article can arise when it’s a cash experiences. That is to 9, the images represent the on Maxine Mann in the business.’The goings on at say, dealerships are where wide variety of works of pub- 3.16.09 issue might, to 4:00 am seemed to go well the rubber meets the road lic art in the ﬁ ve boroughs some, suggest that dealers beyond the usual service and there are indeed many of New York City, illustrating are associated with broth- that is part of the standard interesting tales to tell as that public art consists not els and sleaze. Maybe you business model. Some they deal with the particular only of monumental sculp- didn’t mean it that way, things are almost unmen- people and circumstances ture in outdoor plazas but and certainly most dealers I tionable,’ said Ms. Mann, of their business. Some of also decorative sidewalks, know are truly hard working ‘brothels being run out of my information, however, sculpted facades, and entrepreneurs who do good some of the lesser areas, does derive from stories evocative lighting. The Cen- for our industry. Please and so on.’ Those of you told to me about dealership ter for Architecture will host explain.” who have worked closely experiences in the ‘70s, a related panel, also titled The writer was referring to with a dealership of any sort better known as the days of Public Art + Architecture this passage, in which Ms. can probably relate.” the “Wild West” in contract New York, on Monday, April Mann relates some of her We will explain: Our com- furniture sales. 20, 6:00-8:00pm. http:// experiences managing gas ment in the final sentence www.aiany.org/calendar/ stations, part of the oil com- was intended to refer to the pany distribution chain:

www.offi ceinsight.com © 2009 offi cesite, inc. Bradford J. Powell Jean Lin 24 East Avenue (#1299) brad@offi ceinsight.com jean@offi ceinsight.com New Canaan, CT 06840 T 203 966 5008 T 203 912 7423 F 203 972 6512 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 31 OF 34

business

RAYMOND JAMES BRIEF: 03 16 09 RAYMOND JAMES BRIEF: 03 16 09 Knoll: Solid 1Q09 Beat; Orders KNL: Lowering Estimates, Reafﬁ rm Weakening Outperform Analyst(s): Budd Bugatch Analyst(s): Budd Bugatch

>Before Thursday’s market open, Knoll reported 1Q09 GAAP >We reafﬁ rm our Outperform rating on Knoll despite lowering EPS of $0.21. Excluding $0.08 of restructuring, adjusted estimates following the company’s better-than-expected 1Q09 EPS were $0.29, ahead of our $0.23 estimate and the $0.20 EPS release and management’s conference call. Our $9 target consensus. Total sales fell 20.6% to $212.6 million, below our price is unchanged, representing 12x our FY09 EPS estimate $219.6 million estimate; consensus had been $216 million. of $0.75 and approximating the midpoint of our current and Management had not provided speciﬁ c sales or EPS guidance. out-year calculated intrinsic value.

>On a GAAP basis, operating EPS beat our model by $0.03 >Our positive view of Knoll stems from its attractive rela- as higher gross margin (+$0.12) was offset partially by higher tive and absolute valuation and continued strong execution, SG&A ratio [$(0.08)] and lower sales [$(0.01)]. Gross margin evident in the 1Q09 beat. KNL trades at 9.9x our NTM EPS was 35.2%, up 144 basis points year-over-year and better than estimate of $0.62 (a discount to its historic median of 15x) and our 31.2% guess, beneﬁ tting from favorable currency and cost remains the cheapest stock among peers despite industry- cutting/sourcing initiatives. leading margins and consistent execution.

>Below the operating line, lower interest expense (+$0.02/ >During 1Q, the company’s gross margin performance was share) and higher other income (+$0.02/share) drove the particularly impressive, improving 144 basis points despite a remainder of the beat, offset partially by slightly higher tax rate. 20.6% sales decline. On the conference call, CFO McCabe not- Excluding charges, operating income was $23 million (10.8% ed that pricing was fl at year-over-year, commodity infl ation was of sales), down from $31.9 million (11.9% of sales) last year a drag (we estimate ~$2 million), and the weakening Canadian but above our $20.7 million (9.4% of sales) forecast. dollar benefi ted gross margin by ~$5 million. Applying a 45% contribution margin (RJ estimate) to the sales decline yields a >Backlog declined 19.9% to $163.8 million, implying orders $25 million hit from fi xed cost deleverage. Net-net, this implies plunged 38% year-over-year (against 3% growth in 1Q08) from the company derived a $6-7 million benefi t from cost-cutting, $281.5 million to $174.7 million. In comparison, 4Q08 orders sourcing, and continuous improvement initiatives. decreased 9% against 12% growth in 4Q07. >While Knoll demurred to quantify specifi c sales and EPS >Knoll ended 1Q09 with $12.3 million in cash. Net borrow- guidance, we estimate orders declined 38%, and CEO Cogan ings increased $24 million primarily to fund working capital, noted that deeper than 1Q declines in sales are expected. He which the company expects to reduce going forward. also noted that he now expects industry sales in the range of >Refl ecting the uncertain economic environment, manage- $7 to $8 billion (down 30% to 35%); worse than his previous ment again deferred to quantify forward sales or EPS guidance. forecast of $8 to $9 billion. Weakness remains broad-based Knoll continues to execute well despite substantial and growing across geographies and segments, with international sales economic headwinds. We will have additional commentary fol- worse due to negative exchange. lowing management’s 10:00 a.m. (ET) conference call. >We are lowering our FY09 EPS estimate from $0.96 to $0.75. This incorporates sales of -32.8%; gross margin of 32.9%, and SG&A ratio of 25.4%. With this comment, we also refresh our NTM EPS/Cash fl ow sensitivity analyses. We estimate each 1% variation in sales growth drives a ~$0.05 EPS variance. 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 32 OF 34

business

BUSINESS AFFAIRS of 2009 was in large part due to decreased spending in con- junction with lower sales volumes. In particular, decreased >Knoll, Inc., on Apr. 16 announced its ﬁ rst quarter 2009 sales and incentive compensation accounted for approxi- results (dollars in millions except EPS): mately $3.0 million of the reduction in operating expenses.

3 Mos. Ended 3/31/09 3/31/08 %Ch. Cash used in operations during the fi rst quarter 2009 was Net Sales $212.6 $267.8 (20.6%) $14.8 million, compared with cash provided by operations Gross Profit $74.8 $90.3 (17.2%) of $6.2 million the year before. Capital expenditures for the Oper. Exp. $51.8 $58.4 (11.3%) period totaled $5.1 million compared to $2.4 million in the Oper. Profit $16.8 $31.9 (47.3%) comparable period for 2008. The company had net borrow- Adj. Op. Profit $23.0 $31.9 (27.9%) ings during the fi rst quarter of 2009 of $24.0 million primar- Net Income $9.5 $17.3 (45.1%) ily to fund working capital compared to net borrowings of EPS (dil.) $0.21 $0.36 (41.7%) $4.7 million during 2008. It also paid a quarterly dividend of Adj. EPS $0.29 $0.36 (19.4%) $5.4 million, or $0.12 per share, in the fi rst quarter of 2009 compared to $5.7 million, or $0.12 per share, in the fi rst Non-GAAP adjusted results included add-backs of restruc- quarter of 2008. turing charges totaling $6.2 million for operating profi t and $0.08 for EPS. “Our cash requirements are generally higher in the fi rst quarter as we pay accrued performance related compensa- “Our industry is clearly in the midst of a very rapid decline tion to our associates, which reduces our accrued liabili- in customer demand,” stated Andrew Cogan, CEO. “The ties,” said Barry McCabe, CFO. “Looking ahead with the decline is pretty broad-based, across geographies and cus- reduced demand, we are focusing on programs to substan- tomer segments. As opposed to the last time our industry ex- tially reduce our working capital requirements in accounts perienced a cyclical downturn, which was spread over three receivable and inventories which will free up cash to reduce years, it looks to us that this time the decline will be more our debt. Maintaining a strong balance sheet with ample rapid and pronounced. All one has to do is look at measures liquidity is a high priority as we face these current economic of business confi dence, corporate profi tability, and service uncertainties.” sector employment to see the impact that this is taking on offi ce space absorption and general industry demand. Mr. McCabe reported that the company had $12.3 million in cash at the end of the quarter, plus $135.3 million available “We have taken and continue to take actions to lower our under a revolver. “We are in compliance with all our debt costs and protect our industry leading levels of profi tability. covenants and our leverage ratio is 2.24 to 1,” he added. Our disciplined management of our cost structure, together with our strategy of diversifying our sources of revenue Looking Forward to NeoCon into high design content businesses, has helped buffer our “Our goal is to come out of this downturn as stronger com- results, yet there is no doubt that we will see sequential and pany than we were when he entered it, just like we did the deeper declines in sales as we work through some of the last time around,” said Mr. Cogan. He emphasized that Knoll larger projects still in our backlog.” is moving forward “with one of the most ambitious product development programs in the history of our company” and Backlog of unfi lled orders at March 31, 2009 was $163.8 that this June’s NeoCon show will be “one of the most im- million, a decrease of $40.6 million, or 19.9% compared to portant NeoCons in at least the past decade for Knoll.” unfi lled orders of $204.4 million at March 31, 2008. Gross margin increased to 35.2% from 33.7% in the same One new product launched will be the new Generation by quarter of 2008. The increase from the fi rst quarter of Knoll work chair, which Mr. Cogan predicted “will forever 2008 largely resulted from favorable movements in foreign change user expectations about what a chair should do and exchange, but the company also noted benefi ts from cost feel like.” The company “is very intent” he said, in expand- cutting measures initiated during the second quarter of ing its presence in categories such as seating, storage, and 2008 as well as continuous improvement in its factories and accessories “in ways that we can generate higher margins global sourcing efforts. with products that inspire clients to invest in their facilities and with products that deliver great value and true innova- The decrease in operating expenses during the fi rst quarter tion and performance.” 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 33 OF 34

business

A replay of the webcast, which includes presentation slides, To participate by phone, please dial 1-800-315-2944 (U.S. & can be accessed at the Investor Relations section of the Canada). International callers should dial 1-847-413-2929. Knoll corporate website. http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix. Please call ten minutes prior to start time. The passcode is zhtml?c=66169&p=irol-irhom 24297438.

>USG Corp. will hold a conference call and webcast to A replay of the webcast will be available on the USG web site discuss ﬁ rst quarter 2009 results on Tuesday, Apr. 21, at until Friday, May 1, 2009. A telephone replay of the call will 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. This call and webcast can be ac- also be available. The replay dial-in number is 1-888-843-8996 cessed at USG’s web site at http://investor.usg.com. (1-630-652-3044 for international callers), and the passcode is 24297438. The telephonic replay will be available until Friday, May 1, 2009.

Industry Stock Prices %fr50- 4.17.09 12.26.08 9.26.08 6.27.08 3.28.08 12.28.07 9.28.07 %frYrHi DayMA ChromC 0.6 0.4 1.7 3.3 4.7 4.9 4.7 -87.5% 76.7% CompX 5.4 5.2 5.8 5.2 9.3 14.8 19.6 -34.8% -0.5% HMiller 13.0 13.9 25.1 25.2 24.5 28.8 27.1 -57.5% 21.9% HNI 13.7 14.7 25.6 18.4 27.7 35.7 36 -60.1% 32.1% Inscape 2.32.333.53.53.53.7-48.9%8.7% Interface 3.8 5.3 11.9 12.9 14.3 17.5 18.1 -74.2% 38.9% Kimball 6.7 8.2 11.2 8.6 10.8 14 11.4 -47.1% 5.7% Knoll 6.9 8.6 15.2 12.4 11.6 16.6 17.7 -63.3% 7.1% Leggett 15.0 14.7 22.3 17.2 14.9 18.7 19.2 -39.0% 18.8% Mohawk 36.8 35.7 69.9 64.8 71.5 75.5 81.3 -54.2% 37.6% OffDepot 2.1 2.6 5.8 11 11.1 14.4 20.6 -85.3% 59.4% Staples 20.8 16.9 23.1 24 11.4 22.6 21.5 -21.7% 18.0% Steelcase 4.3 6 10.4 9.9 3.1 15.3 18 -66.6% -7.3% 20-20 Tech 1.4 1.8 3.4 5 6.1 6.4 6.6 N/A% N/A% UntdStat 33.5 33.3 49.4 36.6 47.7 47.4 55.5 -37.5% 30.2% USG 11.4 8.8 28.7 30.1 35.2 36.6 37.6 -90.2% 53.4% Virco 3.5 1.9 3.6 4.7 5.4 5.9 7.8 -32.8% 54.8% SUM 181.2 180.1 315.9 292.9 335.5 378.6 406.4 -38.4% - DJIndust 8,131 8,629 11,143 11,346 12,216 13,339 13,895 - - 04.20.09 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 34 OF 34

technology

TECHNOLOGY components including valves, water heaters, breakers, heat exchangers, hot water pumps, and HVAC systems. http:// >Drawbase Software, Randolph, NJ, enables users to www.drawbase.com reduce carbon footprint while improving effi ciency. With the current emphasis on green initiatives and corporate >Haworth’s help desk received some help of its own social responsibility, the Drawbase Software suite of work- from knowledge-based software provider RightAnswers. place management applications can help users satisfy both Featured in an Apr. 10 article by Manufacturing Business demands by enabling companies to utilize space, assets Technology, the RightAnswers solution not only provides and building infrastructure more effi ciently and effectively, a consistent methodology for resolving user issues but it while supporting their social responsibility objectives. The also saves Haworth 10 to 15 minutes per call, allowing help applications provide the users with information manage- desk personnel to answer more calls each day. http://www. ment capabilities which allow them to identify areas of pos- mbtmag.com/article/CA6650967.html?industryid=47314 sible effi ciency upgrades through the monitoring of various

Soduko: Fill in the empty cells so that every row, column and cube contains a digit from 1-9, without duplication. (Level: Medium)

659 37 5 14 936 8 6 9 318 1 4 5 64 918 43 526