9.19.08 | Washington, DC | American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) members are creating distraction-free environments that enable all children, including those with special needs, to learn and thrive. Designers ensure building layouts and appearances are simple to navigate and allow for easy transitions throughout a child’s day; for example, window placement, floor patterns, wall colors and room geometry are strategically integrated to facilitate learning. www.asid.org

9.19.08 | New York, NY | IIDA NY will hold its first annual Quilt Auction on October 16. The event will take place at Scandinavia House, Volvo Hall, 58 Park Avenue, NYC, 6:00 pm. The quilts were hand crafted by members of the New York A & D community to benefit Furnish-a-Future, a program which provides free furniture to formerly homeless families.  

9.18.08 | Chicago, IL | AIA Chicago's 53rd DESIGNIGHT will be held October 24 at the Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL. Members will gather to celebrate and recognize the work of local professionals at the DESIGNIGHT ceremony honoring excellence in Distinguished Building, Interior architecture, Divine Detail and Unbuilt Design. For more information or to purchase DESIGNIGHT tickets, contact Megan Bell at T:312.376.2725.

9.18.08 | New York, NY | Tobron Office Furniture, a Herman Miller dealer, received national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization: New York, a regional certifying partner of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women. Tobron was purchased by Amy Bearss in October, 2007.

9.12.08 | Washington, DC | The American Institute of Architects (AIA) strongly encourages the extension of the Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction, a federal incentive that provides a deduction of $1.80 per square foot for the design and construction of energy efficient commercial buildings. Set to expire at the end of the year, developers are reluctant to pursue commercial projects because of uncertainties over the extension. 

9.12.08 | New York, NY | A Women in Architecture Leadership Roundtable will be held on September 16, 6-8 pm, at the Bulthaup Showroom, 578 Broadway, Suite 306, NYC. Since women now make up over half of the graduates of Architecture Schools, Yvonne Szeto and Audrey Matlock will discuss two different career paths to becoming a design principal.

9.12.08 | Chicago, IL | The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) convened its annual Industry Roundtable in Chicago September 5-7, for a facilitated session to discuss issues facing all partners working in the profession of interior design. For information about IIDA or to participate in a future thought leadership session, contact the Headquarters office at T:888.799.4432.