Show Business: 6 Highlights of the ASID Show
On Tuesday, Design NJ staffers headed over to the ASID Show (we’re a media sponsor!). We didn’t have far to travel because this year’s show took place at Bell Works in Holmdel, just a stone’s throw from our Red Bank offices. It was a great day; here’s a look at some of our favorite things about the show.
1. The venue was impressive.
Bell Works was designed by renowned architect/industrial designer Eero Saarinen and built in the early 1960s. Five decades (and lots of financial and political red tape) later, the building was transformed by architect Alexander Gorlin, FAIA (more about him in a bit) into a piece of architectural art. Much more than an office building, this is a destination with shops, a banquet hall and a host of on-site events. Bell Works’ Creative Director, Paola Zamudio, Founder and Head Designer of NPZ Style + Decor worked closely with Alex on the details and design efforts.
It’s just breathtaking.
Photo courtesy of Bell Works
The main atrium is huge.
Photo courtesy of Bell Works
You guys, there’s even a roof deck.
All in a day’s work for the lucky folks with offices here. Photo courtesy of Bell Works
2. We caught up with old friends …
Editor in Chief Ren Miller congratulated Baki Ildiz of Creative Touch on winning the ASID Industry Partner Merit Award for Outstanding Service to the New Jersey Chapter.
…. coordinated with them beautifully …
Associate Editor Meg Fox and designer Yelena Gerts of House of Style & Design complemented each other.
… and talked about trends in the industry.
DNJ staffer Jill Ciccone (right) and designer Laurie Burke-Boice of LD Burke Designs discussed social media strategies.
3. The conferences were captivating.
I didn’t know much about Florence Knoll. Kimberly Smith, senior director of workplace strategy at Knoll, gave a fascinating presentation about Florence’s extraordinary life.
Left: Florence wanted to be an architect/designer. Her school yearbook noted she could just stay home because “she decorates any room she’s in.” She showed them! Right: Kimberly Smith.
Meg attended the session on aging-in-place kitchen design presented by Beth Miscia and Kimberly Little, trade specifier representatives from Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove. Meg was struck by the statistic that the number of Americans age 50 or older is expected to increase by 132 million by 2030 — and the vast majority of us want to be able to age in place.
Miscia and Little had all kinds of suggestions for making life easier and safer in the kitchen.
4. The keynote address was fantastic.
Alexander Gorlin spoke about the inspiration for and the challenges involved in the renovations that transformed Bell Labs into Bell Works.
Meg and I had the opportunity to speak with him after the presentation.
5. The show floor featured all sorts of interesting products.
Hansgrohe displayed its Axor Collection.
Very cool.
The Robert Allen Duralee Group showed off some new fabric patterns (and gave us swag bags!).
Thanks, Louise Jacobi and Lorraine Weinstein!
6. Our booth was busy as long-time readers stopped by for a chat and newly minted design students signed up to subscribe.
Ren manned the booth for a while.
The Design NJ team had a wonderful, productive day and we’re looking forward to next year’s show!