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All architecture is shelter, all great architecture is the design of space that contains, cuddles, exalts or stimulates the person in that space. - Philip Johnson |
Welcome to The DesignMind eBrief, brought to you by our sponsors: |
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In this edition: March Community Snapshot
Is your office space green? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Member Spotlight Introducing DesignMind Thought-Leaders The design world is changing - constantly, and even for industry insiders it can be tough to keep up. DesignMind puts a stethoscope on the heartbeat of local design trends and latest technologies by bringing you industry thought leaders. These forward thinkers bring something new to the table. With innovative ideas, creative thinking and a passion for their industry - a thought leader doesn't settle with conformity but instead thinks outside the box. They are recognized and praised by their peers, constantly challenging industry norms and voicing their opinions - thought leaders are the driving force behind evolving industries.
Lisa Taylor is a colour analyst, forecaster and expert working with the NCS Colour Centre in South Africa. She has a centered understanding of the control of colour in design, architecture, research, marketing and manufacturing. read more
Sarah Calburn is an architect working in Johannesburg, with built and in-progress work spread out around the country. She is most interested in what she calls the 'mutually deforming' relationships between landscape and architecture, and takes a critical, conceptual approach to architectural design. She considers architecture an art, and one of our most potent human manifestations - therefore, extremely revealing of our contemporary psyches. read more
Hugh Fraser is the General Manager for Architectural Products in the PG group. This prominent DesignMind member, who can be seen featured in the March/April issue of the KBB Design Magazine, believes in the fundamental importance of glass in architecture. read more - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - PRESS RELEASE Road and pavement building has often been used as a benchmark of a civilization's advancement. Today, technology advancement has allowed manufacturers of road and paving products to produce pavers and pre-cast concrete products previously thought impossible. One such manufacturer is Bosun Brick, who owns and operates state-of-the-art German block making plants. The plants are produced by the Hess Group, who has given Bosun Brick exclusive rights to their machinery in Southern Africa. Read More
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - HELP US SHAPE DESIGNMIND This is your space, and as creative professionals, we'd love you to help shape it. We're looking for interesting content from you, the Members! Are you busy with, or do you have completed projects you're particularly proud of? Why not shout it out to the design world! Or, perhaps there are some thorny, controversial issues you'd like us to cover? Please mail us your thoughts - positive and negative, encouraging or outrageous to our team on info@designmind.co.za and we'll work on making this mail and the DesignMind website the premier design industry meeting place. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
You can post Jobs to the DesignMind Network for FREE... click here to see how! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DesignMind continues to grow and gain momentum as we surge into another new season. Autumn is definitely on its way and we hope the crisper morning air is an invigorating and inspiring shift for all our members as we enter this new seasonal cycle. We would like to thank you for your continued comments and contributions and encourage you all to continue this invaluable community exchange. There are now 348 blog posts on DesignMind, with 'Future feature wish list' evoking the most interest to date. There are now 465 Forums and 60 groups to join. There are also 71 videos to peruse, Justin Taylor having posted the majority of these. The DesignMind photographic gallery continues to grow, now boasting 3214 images with Elmo Swart still holding the reins having contributed the most. Lastly, make sure you don’t miss out by checking out the 82 events posted. Not yet a member? Join now and don't miss out on the benefits of connecting and collaborating with your colleagues in the DesignMind community. Registration is easy and membership is only a couple of clicks away. Nicole Hijbeek and the DesignMind team. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PROMOTION
While you draw the plans that other people use to build, we draw the plans that let you build your business. And the day that your business is ready to expand, the Absa Private Bank Practice Management account has the detailed banking blueprints you need. Here’s what it is. It’s a one-of-a-kind loan facility linked to a flexible transactional account. This holistic offering is designed to meet the unique financial and transactional needs of your architectural business. It also helps you to acquire assets, do your daily banking and manage your finances, which results in you having more time to run your business. We will streamline a convenient, ongoing line of credit into a number of loan accounts structured at preferential interest rates, which is then linked to a versatile transactional account. Yet it’s when you go into the details that the real benefits come out. A line of credit that ensures you don’t have to reapply every time you need credit or multiple loan accounts allowing you to divide your credit into different loan accounts with different repayment terms. There’s also a unique interest calculation that’s applied daily with interest charged only on the net outstanding balance. All of this is our way of helping to ensure that the plans you have for your business materialise. To find out more about the Absa Private Bank Practice Management Account click here or call 0860 00 33 00 to find your nearest Absa Private Bank Suite. Absa Private Bank Practice Management Account. Exceptional. Terms and conditions apply. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Is your office space – green? "I yield to no one in my admiration for the office as a social centre, but it's no place to get any work done." - Katherine Whitehorn.
Spaces vs. happy faces According to The Work Foundation , 73 percent of employees are not satisfied with the work environment at their current jobs. Furthermore, 51 percent of employees say they would leave their jobs because they are dissatisfied with their work environment. These figures indicate that employees are most likely to thrive in an improved workspace. Besides having a positive impact on the general productivity within an organisation, a healthy office environment will also greatly improve its image externally. Of course, open plan office space is much more economically viable than each worker and/or department having their own office, but a shortage of personal space at work can impact upon employee concentration levels, as well as increase their stress levels. This is the view of health guru, Dr Vinesh Oommen, who argues that ‘traditional design’ (creating private offices) is more effective. He cites the fact that having an office environment that promotes health and high productivity would be more beneficial to employers in the long run. Design for flexibility: Colour me productive Intense primary colours should be avoided because of their tendency to produce after-images, which lead to a loss of visual acuity. In general, pastels are preferred for large surfaces such as walls. Darker or richer colours may be used to achieve contrast, such as highlighting exits, safety warnings, or critical equipment controls. Tips on choosing the right colour for your work environment: Did you know? 41 percent of employees and job seekers say the office environment played a significant role in their decision to accept a position. Striking a balance What do you think about the way office parks are currently being designed in South Africa? Should more be done or is that an unrealistic expectation? Are the architects or the developers more to blame? Post your comments here and share your views.
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An organisation's success depends on the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of its employees - which is something the actual office environment they inhabit can have a significant impact on. From the architecture and design, to the choice of colours used in the workplace, it may be worth putting a little more attention into office aesthetics than you think.
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