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Housing America part 4: The ambiguous role of design

Lucy Wallwork Construction & Building Materials

One architect I heard speak at an event last year described those working in her profession as "agents of expensiveness." It can certainly seem that way. One sector that doesn't come to mind when we think of architectural flair is that of public housing. There certainly has not been much cash to flash about recently. But it has not always been that way, and some are making steps to raise our expectations of the design of affordable and public housing. Can design really save the day?

Does DIY harm interior designers?

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

There's plenty of good news in the 2019 Houzz State of the Industry report. Among all the statistics provided in the report, though, one data point in particular caught my eye. When asked about their business challenges in 2018, 21 percent of interior designers — far more than any other group of professionals — cited "Increased popularity of DIY." In fact, it tied for No. 4 among a list of 14 possible business challenges. That made me wonder, are interior designers disproportionately disadvantaged by DIY consumers?

Safety tips for real estate professionals meeting with buyers or showing…

Terri Williams Facilities & Grounds

In 2018, 67 percent of real estate professionals experienced a situation that made them fear for their personal safety or the safety of their personal information, according to the 2018 Member Safety Report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). In fact, 28 percent of respondents reported that they feel unsafe every few months. According to Mark Leetch, senior risk control consultant at CBIZ Inc., this is a very real problem. "Realtors face the exposure of sexual assault, robbery, and even being murdered," he says.

Large new logistics center to boost San Bernardino’s cargo capabilities

Matt Falcus Distribution & Warehousing

One of California’s most successful cargo airports is set to benefit from major development and investment to further cement its position as one of Southern California’s primary freight centers. The Eastgate Air Cargo Logistics Center will be built on 101 acres of vacant land at San Bernardino International Airport, with plans for a 658,000-square-foot distribution center and parking for up to 16 aircraft outside. Last year, Mark Gibbs, director of aviation at the airport, said, "There’s tremendous opportunity here for air cargo and logistics companies to realize significant efficiencies and lower expansion costs." It seems this has now come true.

The future of interior design sourcing

Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Like many other industries and professions, interior design is becoming increasingly digitized. From conception and rendering, to project management, to how designers communicate with their teams and their clients, basic processes and procedures are transferring to digital platforms. One of the areas most affected by this transformation is sourcing and purchasing. What began as a gradual shift towards e-commerce at the beginning of the decade has exploded into a robust online universe of interior design products and services. E-commerce has pulled back the curtain on interior design sourcing.

Housing’s delicate balance

Michael J. Berens Construction & Building Materials

With home sales continuing to fall, things don’t look good at the moment for the housing industry. Nonetheless, builders and realtors remain optimistic that the tide is beginning to turn in their favor. A number of factors, such as declining mortgage rates and home prices, rising inventories of homes for sale, and strong consumer confidence in the economy, may lure more buyers into the market this spring. Much depends, however, on whether the economy begins to slow down, as some experts predict, and whether current homeowners view this as an optimal time to sell.

The real way social media helps interior design businesses

Catherine Iste Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

Marketing isn't the only thing Pinterest and Instagram can help designers do. The ease of posting amazing images, inspiring design boards and our portfolios makes both sites great tools for sharing more about our work, approach and style. On the flip side, both sites can wreak havoc on our productivity, self-esteem and may not directly help our marketing. There is more to these impactful platforms, and it is time to better understand and take advantage of the real ways social media helps our design businesses.

How the IoT powers predictive maintenance in manufacturing

Joseph Zulick Manufacturing

For far too often maintenance has been treated as expendable. Now, however, the internet of things (IoT) has brought along technology in a useful package to help maintain factories. New sensor technology can measure pressure, distance, temperature, and much more in a smaller package and from greater distances. No longer are you required to modify a machine or tool. You can now use external laser technology to measure quality and keep track of machine maintenance. If you want to know if the machine is deviating outside of its temperature range, you’ll know. If you need to track power usage, you can even see the readout from a beach in Florida.

Business groups react to national-emergency declaration for border wall

Seth Sandronsky Civil & Government

Sixteen states, roughly one of three in the U.S., are suing to block President Trump's decision to bypass Congress and declare a national emergency to access billions of federal dollars to fund a southern border wall with Mexico. Where do business groups stand on this matter? Garrick Taylor is senior vice president of government relations and communications for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "The decision is a bad one," according to him. "It sets a terrible precedent and it once again punts to the courts a matter that should be legislated and negotiated with the executive branch."

The future of hotel designing

Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & Fixtures

No one knows what trends will shape hotel design a decade from now. One thing seems certain, though. Hotel interiors will interact with guests in new ways and offer environments that will cater not only to their desire for rest and relaxation but also to their overall health and well-being. They will do this by combining the latest technological innovations and biological science with centuries-old traditions of providing excellent service and guest care.

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