05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS

CITED:“WE ARE MORE OFTEN TREACHEROUS THROUGH WEAKNESS THAN THROUGH CALCULATION.” — FRANÇOIS VI DE LA

ROCHEFOUCAULT

Wolf-Gordon Returns to Manhattan with New Chelsea Headquarters

Across the East River in New York City, after calling Long Island City, Queens home for nearly 30 years, textile company Wolf-Gordon is returning to Manhattan with a new corporate head-quarters at 333 Seventh Avenue in Chelsea. The new space, designed by Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (LTL Architects), is a gorgeous illustration of how a company can use its workspace to showcase its products in the products’ natural element.

FULL STORY ON PAGE 3…

Feeling and Function: Teknion at NeoCon 2017

With its Zones furniture collection last year, Teknion captured NeoCon’s top honor – Best of Competition – along with five other Best of NeoCon 2016 awards, by bringing together concepts of community, fluidity and wellbeing. This year the company’s new book, “Design Does Matter” examines the belief that the true measure of a space is how it makes us feel. That sense of providing people spaces with clear, true feelings is informing Teknion’s newest introductions. An interview with Steve Delfino, Teknion’s VP of Corporate Marketing & Product Management, provides a preview of what NeoCon attendees can expect to see at the show this year.

FULL STORY ON PAGE 12…

Concurrents – Environmental Psychology: Older and Tubbier

The workforce is getting more diverse physically. More people are choosing to stay in the workforce past usual retirement age, and an ever increasing percentage of the population weighs more than it should. The growing physical diversity among work-ers is worthy of note by workplace designers and should prompt a re-evaluation of office design practices similar to the one that followed the introduction of the Americans with Disabilities Act almost three decades ago. officeinsight columnist Sally Augustin discusses strategy in designing for older and heavier workers.

FULL STORY ON PAGE 17…

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LUSSO™

kimballoffice.com Work your way.

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a&d

Across the East River in New York City, after calling Long Is-land City, Queens home for nearly 30 years, textile company Wolf-Gordon is returning to Manhattan with a new corporate headquarters at 333 Seventh Avenue in Chelsea.

The new space, designed by Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (LTL Architects), is a gorgeous illustration of how a com-pany can use its workspace to showcase its products in the products’ natural element.

Wolf-Gordon Returns to Manhattan with new Chelsea Headquartersby Mallory Jindra

View from the town square into open office. Photography: Michael Moran

Entryway and reception

Open office

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a&dCompanies creating interior design

products, particularly office interior products, have an obvious advantage of being able to display their products naturally in an office environment. And we’ve all been to our share of showroom openings in the A&D and interiors products communities. But some manage to move beyond to the spectacular.

At its new Chelsea headquarters, Wolf-Gordon looked to LTL Architects for a spatial concept that would work within tough square footage con-straints, while providing employees and guests a space to interact with Wolf-Gordon products.

LTL Architects conceived of a slid-ing panel display system that forms a “town square” at the center of the office.

Town Square

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beautiful objects that work

Slide Collection Port chairs and Current sofa, stool and bench: all have seats wide

enough for varied postures and to hold tablets or bags. Curved backs offer

what designer David Mocarski calls an “embrace,” wrapping the user with support.

cumberlandfurniture.com 800.401.7877

CUMBERLAND

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a&d“The system suspends a series of

panels, which display over 40 Wolf-Gordon wallcovering and upholstery products and are easily updated with new product introductions,” accord-ing to the project description. “Its flexible design enables a more open, interactive setting or a “closed” version that separates the town square from surrounding work environments. The configuration can be customized for parties and receptions, casual work interactions and impromptu meetings, or training sessions, all based on how one arranges the sliding panels and furniture.”

Wolf-Gordon products are woven into every corner, pass-through, gath-ering space and enclosed room.

“For Wolf-Gordon’s new headquar-ters, we sought an architectural strat-egy that would present their staff with the products they collectively design and bring to market,” said Marc Tsuru-maki, principal at LTL Architects, in the

Panel Suspension

Phone booth with privacy drape

View across the town square to a meeting room

Studio Space

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a&d

project description. “These elements become the very means to organize and transform the space, inviting inter-action at every turn.”

Highlights of the space include:>”Each executive office, conference

room and communal space features a wallcovering applied to a single wall, treating it as a singular plane and vi-sual focal point. Wallcoverings were se-lected from the company’s renowned design collections by Laurinda Spear, Karim Rashid, Petra Blaisse, Boym Partners, Kevin Walz, Tsao & McKown and Tjep.”

>”Upholstery fabrics by Mae Engel-geer were used for the lounge and reception furniture, and Grethe Sø-rensen’s Millions of Colors was speci-fied for the boardroom and executive office chairs.”

Enclosed workspace

Enclosed workspace

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a&d

>”The seven panels of Wolf-Gordon’s 2013 Exquisite Wink project showcase original works on the theme of land-scape by beloved architects and artists including Michael Graves, Ali Tayar, Ben Katchor and Myles Karr, among others, and are showcased in various locations around the office.”

>”Wolf-Gordon collaborator and creative agency, karlssonwilker, inc. provided several contributions includ-ing a custom digital wallcovering for the reception area that is over-laid with Wolf-Gordon’s signature blue. Custom infographics offer wayfinding and add an extra nod of design caché to the space.”

>”Acoustical drapery lines the inside of glass office and conference room walls. The company’s acoustical fabrics have also been applied to acoustical panel substrates and stretch the length of the open office benching system, providing additional sound mitigation beneath open ceiling ductwork.”

The entryway features a reception with custom digital wallcovering.

Wooden wayfinding and room purpose symbols

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a&dMATERIALS

All Textiles and Wallcoverings: Wolf-Gordon

Paint: Scuffmaster ScrubTough and Solid Metal from Wolf-Gordon

Wink clear dry erase coating: Wolf-Gordon

Furniture: Haworth, Vitra, Bernhardt

Porcelain Tile: PorcelanosaCarpet Tile: InterfaceAppliances: GE n

Textile detail Textile detail

Receptacles

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TWood, metal, stone, glass, quartz, cement surfacing. www.tuohyfurniture.comTryg Tables

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I S L A N D C O L L E C T I O N

memosamples .com

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product design

Dual Lounge by Studio TK. Photo: courtesy of Studio TK

How does a company come off of a previous year of major product accolades at NeoCon?

With its Zones furniture collection, Teknion captured the show’s top honor – Best of Competition – along with five other Best of NeoCon 2016 awards. Zones is a collection of furniture bringing together concepts of community, fluidity and wellbeing. Comprehensive in nature, it’s composed of seating, tables, screens, easels, semi-private enclosures, lighting and accessory pieces.

We spoke with Steve Delfino, Teknion’s VP of Corpo-rate Marketing & Product Management, to see what the company has planned for this year at NeoCon following a spectacular year in 2016.

Each year many companies present their point of view, ideas and research by publishing them. Such publications tend to guide the company’s focus in that time period.

Teknion does so in the form of a book – a series of ideas meant to stimulate a loose industry dialogue about what’s

happening in workplace design.This year Teknion’s new book, “Design Does Matter,” will

feature a collection of nine authors who believe that the true measure of a space is how it makes us feel.

“It’s not just floor plans and plugging in enough worksta-tions,” said Mr. Delfino. “It’s about walking into a space and knowing immediately how you feel in it, whether that’s calm or energized or comfy and relaxed.”

One author writes about the longevity of an office through its phone booths and mailboxes, while another discusses how the design of an airport terminal can shape the work-place.

PearsonLloyd, Zones’ co-designers, discuss the idea that the primary role of furniture is to connect people. And Su-zanne Tick, leading up Teknion’s newly rebranded textiles company Luum, delves into the role of finishes, and how perfectly layering the materials and finishes in a space can create a specific feeling in that space.

Feeling and Function: Teknion at NeoCon 2017by Mallory Jindra

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product design

This sense of providing people spaces with furnishings that engender clear, true feelings is informing every-thing happening at Teknion.

“We’re continuing along with our line of thinking with Zones,” said Mr. Delfino. “Zones is not a system – it’s a true collection of furniture. You can apply it to an existing office or create something new. We’re introducing a lot of planning options and more vari-ety. And we’re focusing on changing postures. There are several postures throughout the collection, and we’ve extended that movement even more with a lot of new seating.”

Zones Modular Seating will debut, along with a new form of systems called Expansion Neighborhoods [at press time, images were not yet available]. Expansion Neighborhoods will also focus on offering workers extended movement through a variety of postures.

“Expansion Neighborhoods is based on the concept of planning for a workplace as diverse and dynamic as a modern city,” reads the product

description. “With a unique beam framework and robust accessories pro-gram, Expansion Neighborhoods cre-ates workstations, collaborative spaces and mixed-use areas in which people can feel comfortable and empowered as they pursue individual and collective goals. Expansion Neighborhoods offers a highly active setting that allows people to move, to gather and to disperse when privacy and focus is desired.”

Studio TK, a brand now in its second year, will introduce five new products, all zeroing in on its core brand identity in social spaces.

The Dual Lounge, designed by Toan Nguyen for Studio TK, has an organic form and relaxed lean-back posture expressing comfort and flexibility. With Dual, Studio TK hopes to capture the flexibility and interconnectedness of typologies in the workplace, where people are shifting from moments of focus to social collaboration to respite, and more.

The name Dual comes from the “duality” of light and dark; the lounge’s base achieves transparency with a

partially opaque knit, while the top portion features a contrasting textile upholstery.

Luum will come off its inaugural year in 2016 by introducing Focus In, a col-lection of textiles meant to address the importance of adaptable products. Ad-vancements in technology are enabling people to be more mobile and more flexible, and their work environments, down to the textiles, must be able to support multiple functions.

“Multi-purpose environments that offer interchangeable work, meeting and social areas are now the norm. The aesthetic and performance quali-ties of products specified within these fluid spaces require an agility that sup-ports a range of activities.”

And as for anticipation and excite-ment Teknion has enjoyed over the past year?

“I’m really excited about people see-ing us as furniture designers again,” said Mr. Delfino. “It’s not just systems and case goods. It’s really about put-ting together places that make people feel good.” n

Zones collection by Teknion. Photo: courtesy of Teknion

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product design

Luum Textiles’ new Focus In collection, debuting this year at NeoCon. Photography: courtesy of Luum

Navigate, Focus In collection by Luum Navigate, Focus In collection by Luum

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product design

Knurl, Focus In collection by Luum

Technoplaid, Focus In collection by Luum

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J U N E 1 2 | 1 3 | 14 | 2 01 7E X P E R I E N C E C OM M E R C I A L DE S IG N F R OM E V E RY A N G L ETheMart, Chicago | NeoCon.com

North America’s most important design exposition

and conference for commercial interiors.

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concurrentsENVIRONMENTAL PSYCHOLOGYOlder and Tubbierby Sally Augustin, Ph.D.

The workforce is getting more diverse physically. More people are choosing to stay in the workforce past usual retirement age, and an ever in-creasing percentage of the population weighs more than it should. The grow-ing physical diversity among workers is worthy of note by workplace designers and should prompt a re-evaluation of office design practices similar to the one that followed the introduction of the Americans with Disabilities Act almost three decades ago.

On March 2, 2017, in a New York Times article titled, “Workers are Work-ing Longer – and Better,” John Hanc reported that “According to the Pew Research Center, in the year 2000, just under 13 percent of Americans 65 and over reported being employed full or part time. By May 2016, that figure had jumped to 18.8 percent…Over the

next five years, that number is expect-ed to increase to 32 percent…a 2015 study by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies found that 44 percent of those who retired later than planned said they continued to work because they chose to [they enjoyed their work, etc.].”

Hanc interviewed several people who shed light on the working longer phenomenon: “”The context of aging and work is changing,’ said Jacquelyn B. James, a psychologist and co-director of the Center on Aging and Work at Boston College. In addition to health and longevity, she said educa-tion is a factor. ‘This is one of the most educated generations in history…A lot of the jobs people are continuing in are fields in which you use the mind, not the body.’”

While working longer can be a

positive experience for some people, weighing too much is unlikely to be a good thing for any of us. In a 2016 ar-ticle for cnn.com, Carina Storrs reports that “In 2015, 30.4% of Americans 20 and older said they were obese [when asked about their weight by the Cen-ters for Disease Control and Preven-tion], up from 29.9% in 2014.” Storrs goes on: “Although the 2015 rate is not significantly higher than the previ-ous year’s, it represents a continuation of a trend that has been going on since at least 1997, when researchers began using the current survey and when only 19.4% of Americans said they were obese.”

Creating spaces that support the work of older workers and those who are heavier can require more empathy when designers are younger and trim.

Older workers who stay in the work-force may not have mobility issues, but their sensory equipment will definitely have changed since their youth. Older eyes tend to see the world as a darker place than younger ones do – they need more light, sometimes much more light, depending on the individu-al, to see as well as younger ones. As people age, more saturated colors are best, as it can start to become difficult to distinguish between less saturated ones as we get older. Also, many people don’t hear as well as they once did, so echoes and background noise levels become more important issues.

Some common sense is also in order when designing for a more age diverse population – sitting on the floor during meetings, for example, or standing throughout a video conference are only popular with a few groups of work-ers, and they aren’t older, pregnant or recovering from a skiing injury, for instance.

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concurrentsFor starters, bariatric furniture, wider

circulation spaces, and more spacious meeting and work areas can make work-ing life better for the heavier segments of the population. It is key, however, that people who are overweight not feel stigmatized by their size. Not only can that create a difficult social situation, it can also lead to stress that significantly impedes the performance of people with higher body mass index figures.

There have always been people who are physically different from “aver-age” in the workforce. The aging and

plumping workforces are increasing the diversity of active workers. Em-pathetic, common sense design can keep everyone working to his or her full potential. n

Sally Augustin, PhD, a cognitive sci-entist, is the editor of Research Design Connections (www.researchdesigncon-nections.com), a monthly subscription newsletter and free daily blog, where recent and classic research in the social, design, and physical sciences that can inform designers’ work are presented in straightforward language.

Readers learn about the latest re-search findings immediately, before they’re available elsewhere. Sally, who is a Fellow of the American Psycho-logical Association, is also the author of Place Advantage: Applied Psychol-ogy for Interior Architecture (Wiley, 2009) and, with Cindy Coleman, The Designer’s Guide to Doing Research: Applying Knowledge to Inform Design (Wiley, 2012). She is a principal at Design With Science (www.designwith-science.com) and can be reached at sallyaugustin@designwithscience.com.

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r-d connectionRESEARCH-DESIGN CONNECTIONVirtual Reality, Mood and Feeling Mentally Refreshedby Sally Augustin, Ph.D.

Schutte and her team have learned that time spent in virtual reality nature, compared to time spent in virtual real-ity urban spaces, can lead to better moods. Also, people who experience virtual reality nature believe that they are more refreshed mentally (in other words, that they are more cognitively

restored) after spending time there than the people placed in the virtual urban places. The researchers im-mersed users in 360-degree natural or urban interactive virtual environments and learned that “Virtual reality experi-ence of a natural environment com-pared to virtual reality experience of an urban environment resulted in higher levels of positive affect [mood] and a greater perception of restorativeness…Virtual reality technology may have the potential to enhance wellbeing.”

Schutte and colleagues’ insights may be particularly useful when virtual reality experiences are being developed to optimize workplace performance, etc. n

Nicola Schutte, Navjot Bhullar, Emma Stilinovic, and Katheryn Rich-ardson. 2017. “The Impact of Virtual Environments on Restorativeness and Affect.” Ecopsychology, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1-7.

Sally Augustin, PhD, a cognitive sci-entist, is the editor of Research Design Connections (www.researchdesigncon-nections.com), a monthly subscription newsletter and free daily blog, where recent and classic research in the social, design, and physical sciences that can inform designers’ work are presented in straightforward language. Readers learn about the latest re-search findings immediately, before they’re available elsewhere. Sally, who is a Fellow of the American Psycho-logical Association, is also the author of Place Advantage: Applied Psychol-ogy for Interior Architecture (Wiley, 2009) and, with Cindy Coleman, The Designer’s Guide to Doing Research: Applying Knowledge to Inform Design (Wiley, 2012). She is a principal at Design With Science (www.designwith-science.com) and can be reached at sallyaugustin@designwithscience.com.

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officenewswireFor complete releases, visit www.officeinsight.com/officenewswire.

PRODUCT INTROS>The Brentano design studio added Iliad, Mesa, and Graviata to the spring 2017 Ceramic collection. Targeted for residential, hospitality, and contract markets, they are de-signed to be “radiant and resil-ient.” Iliad features an Incase finish and acrylic backing, with an abrasion resistance of over 75,000 double rubs (Wyzen-beek, Cotton Duck). Mesa’s hand-woven look and intrigu-ing texture creates a distinctive design in a blend of thick linen and viscose chenille yarns. Graviata is a 54” jacquard vel-vet with a geometric motif and intricate (2-1/4” vertical and

¾” horizontal) repeat, offering a water repellant finish and passing 50,000 double rubs (Wyzenbeek, Cotton Duck). Read More

>Clarus Glassboards launched Adapt, designed to be com-patible with more than 40 furniture systems and to turn walls into a blank canvas. Adapt panels serve as dry erase surfaces with 150 stan-dard colors, customized colors, and ColorDrop for custom printing. A mounting system makes it simple to hang the provided hardware on top of Adapt panels to clip on Clarus Glass, for an instant upgrade to a space. Read More

>Concertex introduced a unified assortment of poly-urethanes with the Modern Geometry collection. In a methodical rhythm of lines, intersections and dimen-sional angles, the collection interprets the fundamentals of geometry into modern textiles. It includes two new silicone hybrids, Axiom and Pascal. Axiom’s small-scale, abstract motif balances Pascal’s large-scale plaid pattern. In addition, Quadrant – a three-dimensional, metallic faux leather with graffiti-free quali-ties – joins the assortment of strong, statement making designs. Read More

>Fil Doux Textiles and designer Clodagh collabo-rated to create the Nomad Collection of upholstery textiles and bed throws for hospitality spaces. It aims to provide a glimpse into the eco-philanthropic designer’s journeys across the world. “Experiences create no ex-cess baggage,” says Clodagh, who, having travelled to over 100 countries, employs the cavalcade of memories and nostalgia of the sounds, tastes, colors, shapes, light, touch and fragrances to pro-vide her with design inspira-tion. Read More

Brentano Ceramic Collection: Mesa, Graviata and Iliad

Clarus Glassboards: Adapt before (left) and after (right)

Concertex: Pascal, Quadrant and Axom

Fil Doux Textiles and Clodagh Nomad Collection

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officenewswire

>Formica Corp. launched new Formica® Specialty Collection products and Formica® Solid Surfacing designs. New to the Color-Core®2 line of color-through laminates are two patterns: White Twill and White Ash. New to the Specialty Mark-erboard line of durable, writable surfaces are three new magnetic surfaces, and a special product that magne-tizes any standard laminate or dry-erase markerboard. The Black Magnetic Chalkboard (pictured) offers an easy-to-clean and low maintenance surface for industries includ-ing education, office, retail, and restaurants. The Grid Points Magnetic Markerboard features a small gray dot grid pattern on a white surface and appears to be white from a distance while the gray dots

assist the user in drawing objects and writing in straight lines. The Projection Mag-netic Markerboard features a soft white color, with a non-reflective finish to reduce glare when used as a projec-tion screen. The Non-Décor Magnetic Board is a thin magnetic foil, sandwiched between layers of kraft paper, which magnetizes surfaces by adhering to the back of any standard laminate, dry-erase markerboard or chalkboard sheet. Read More

>J+J Flooring Group’s Invision brand launched three new carpet products: Craftwork, Embossed and Sketch. Revealing artistic nuanced details reminiscent of handcrafted expertise and elegance, each is designed to create stunning floor-

ing effects in commercial interior spaces. Craftwork, available in either broadloom or as a 24” x 24” modular, features textural organic pat-terning with 13 soft neutral colorways. Embossed is a dynamic 18” x 36” plank with 12 colorways of sweep-ing brushes of copper, russet and other metallic hues over hazy neutral backgrounds joined by steel blue, chrome and citrine. It pairs with its companion, Etched, for a total space solution. Sketch (pictured), with patterns and effects mirroring the delicate and intriguing creations from an artist’s sketch book, is a

24” x 24” modular with 10 colorways featuring organic and earth-toned hues. Read More

>KnollTextiles, in honor of its 70th anniversary and Florence Knoll’s founding vi-sion, launched the Signature Collection, featuring three archival inspired upholstery fabrics. Alter Ego, Feeling Plaid, and Little Devil are based on multiple archives dating back to 1947. Alter Ego and Feeling Plaid have wool content from domestic wool fiber that is spun and woven in the Northeast. Alter Ego is based on multiple archives including a 1947

Formica: Black Magnetic Chalkboard

J+J Flooring Group: Sketch

Knoll Textiles: Archive based upholsteries Alter Ego, Feeling Plaid and LIttle Devil shown with Vibe II polyurethane upholstery in front of Archer II wallcovering

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officenewswiretextural solid designed by Toni Prestini, Suzanne Huguenin’s Knoll Nylon Homespun (1965) and Executive Tweed (1968). Feeling Plaid is inspired by archival fabrics Bourette (1973) and Accord (1984). Little Devil is an interpretation of Marianne Strengell’s 1951 upholstery Devil. In addition, Vibe II polyurethane upholstery was launched with a fresh palette and enhanced performance attributes, while ten new col-ors were added to the popular upholstery/panel fabric Crossroad. KnollTextiles also continues to build the 24/7 line of made in the USA high performance woven polyeth-ylene wallcoverings with the launch of Archer II and Alloy. Read More

>Muuto and Maharam are partnering for the first time on a special collec-tion of furniture. The Muuto Maharam collection includes seven pieces of Muuto’s “New Nordic” furniture

reimagined through the ap-plication of Maharam textiles and leathers. The Outline sofa, Oslo sofa, Cover chair, Fiber arm and side chair, Visu lounge, and Five pouf are all included in the collection. The featured textiles include two new designs by Scholten & Baijings in collaboration with Maharam: the subtly patterned Tracery, and Pare, a lightweight wool blend with a faintly pointillist effect. Lift by Konstantin Grcic is an en-gineered spacer knit with an expansive stripe, while Mes-senger and Mode are two of Maharam’s most useful small-scale textures. Loam and Steep derive from Maharam’s inaugural leather collection, launched in October 2016. Read More

>SONNEMAN—A Way of Light unveiled Waveforms, a new collection of dramatic LED pendants for high-end spaces. These sculptural pendants designed by Robert Sonneman are available in

two contemporary shapes—a deep bell or broad dome. The Waveforms collection delivers a luminous interior surface that peeks through a rhythm of undulations, revealing the light. The pendants are available in several sizes and finishes, including satin black with a satin white interior or satin white with an apricot interior, as well as a sconce variation. Read More

>USAI Lighting is launching three new products – Col-orID_Complete, BeveLED Micro, and BeveLED Block – plus a technology col-laboration for healthcare applications. ColorID_Com-plete is a curated selection of lighting scenes that identify with a person’s dynamic light-ing needs. More than 170 color formulas developed in conjunction with a lead-ing research institution are

Muuto Maharam collection

SONNEMAN—A Way of Light: Waveforms

USAI Lighting: BeveLED Micro

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officenewswire

designed to support human lifestyle, health, work and rec-reation. BeveLED Micro is the smallest LED product offered by USAI Lighting, with a mere 1.25” aperture. It is available as a downlight, adjustable or wallwash in 2-, 4-, 6-, 8- and 12-light configurations. The BeveLED Block family now includes round shapes and pendants for both its square and round families. The new technology collaboration, with Curbell Medical Products, Inc., integrates personalized lighting technologies into Cur-bell Pillow Speakers for use in hospital rooms. This intelligent control offers patients one-touch, simple access to tun-able white light. Read More

NOTEWORTHY>The 39th CIFF (China International Furniture Fair) in Guangzhou hosted 3,992 exhibitors attracting 191,950 visitors from all over the world, 13.7% more than the 2016 edition. The show, di-vided into two phases in order to meet the demands of the high exhibitor number requests

and in order to respond to the needs of the entire furniture sector, had the theme of Better Life, Better Work. The first phase (Mar. 18-21) witnessed the presentation of products for Home Furniture under the theme of “Quality Home, Qual-ity Life.” In the second phase of CIFF (Mar. 28-31), the Of-fice Furniture area particularly developed the “Smart Office and Green Workplace” trend. CIFM/interzum guangzhou proposed “The Ultimate Furni-ture Manufacturing Solution” in order to provide all furniture production solutions. The focus now moves on to the 40th edition of CIFF, Sep. 11-14 at Shanghai Honqiao. Read More

>IFMA and the Royal Institu-tion of Chartered Surveyors now offer a combined suite of credentials and profes-sional qualifications for facil-ity management in an online academy platform. They first launched the platform in December 2016, and in early April, IFMA centralized its professional credential train-ing — the foundational Facility Management Professional™ (FMP®), the targeted Sustain-ability Facility Professional® (SFP®) and the Facility Man-agement Learning System®, which supports learning for the Certified Facility Man-ager® (CFM®) certification —

on the academy. Now, RICS has added the final critical piece of the IFMA-RICS suite of credentials and professional qualifications to the platform: the internationally recog-nized AssocRICS and MRICS professional designations. The complete suite of credentials and professional qualifica-tions, available together at fm.training for the first time, creates a clearly defined career path in FM, providing support for professionals at any point in their career — from entry to advanced. Read More

>IIDA announced the win-ners of the IIDA/HD Product Design Competition, present-ed in partnership with Hospi-tality Design magazine. The competition, open to exhibi-tors at HD Expo 2017, honors innovation, functionality, and aesthetic advancements in product design for the hospi-tality industry. Awards were presented in 17 categories, and MDC was honored with the Eric Engstrom Best of Competition Award for its product, Zintra Acoustic Solu-tions. Read More

USAI Lighting: Color_ID Complete

39th CIFF seminars

IIDA HD Product Design Best of Competition Award: MDC, Zintra Acoustic Solutions

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 25 OF 37

officenewswire>Perkins+Will relocated its Austin, TX office to the new Pioneer Bank Building at 623 West 38th Street. The new office’s layout is a vibrant open plan and flexible space that allows for collaboration, idea-sharing, and team-building, with design features that reflect the office’s distinct Austin culture. The space is presently tracking for LEED Gold certification. “This new centralized location strength-ens our ability to serve clients and foster new relationships in Austin and Central Texas,” said Stephen Coulston, a principal in the Austin office of Perkins+Will. “The office accommodates the substan-tial growth we’ve experienced and affords us the opportunity to showcase Perkins+Will’s values through our own de-sign.” Read More

RE-SITED>Alahe Aldo joined Carrier Johnson + CULTURE as Director of Higher Educa-tion. She brings to the new post her extensive knowledge of campus planning as well as commercial and workplace architecture. With 30-plus years of experience in the

field, Ms. Aldo has worked extensively with campuses across the northeastern United States, including at Harvard University, MIT, and Boston College. Most notable have been live-learn resi-dence halls as well as flexible teaching spaces supporting emerging technology and pedagogical innovation. Read More

>Len Cerame joined FX-FOWLE as Principal, Studio Director-Interiors. Mr. Ce-rame has more than 25 years of experience managing and implementing global archi-tecture and interior design projects. His expertise spans workplace and retail design, as well as hospitality and public sectors. Before joining FXFOWLE, Len was Managing Principal for the NY Office of VOA (now Stantec). Previ-ously, he led his own firm, INARCH, and held studio director positions at SOM and Mancini Duffy. Significant projects under Len’s direc-tion include, WeWork, Google Creative Lab, INFOR Global Solutions, Bessemer Group, Crédit Agricole CIB, Saks Fifth Avenue, Apple, Cole Haan, DKNY, TOPSHOP TOPMAN, Tod’s, the Virgin Hotel, and the Knickerbocker Hotel, Times Square, among many others. Read More

>Sarah Devine joined AECOM as vice president of Corporate Workplace for its Buildings + Places practice, part of its Design and Con-sulting Services group. Ms. Devine will be responsible for partnering with corporate real estate professionals in the Los Angeles metro area to design and deliver innovative workspaces. She joins AECOM with 25 years of design, management and strategic planning experience creating solutions for complex corporate workplace environ-ments. She was most recently a practice and account leader at Rapt Studio, where she was responsible for establishing and expanding the firm’s Los Angeles practice. Her prior experience includes work with Epstein/ISI, HOK, and Leo A. Daly. Read More

>Ray Ehscheid joined IA In-terior Architects in the newly created role of Director of Client Services, focused primarily on the Financial Services and Retail sectors. Mr. Ehscheid has more than 25 years of experience in both of these sectors. Prior to join-ing IA, Ray was Senior Vice President, Design Services for Bank of America where, starting in 2005, he led Store

Design and Merchandis-ing for Bank of America’s Financial Center and ATM network. In 2014, Ray was also tapped to spearhead Workplace Strategy. Ray’s career has included leader-ship roles with global luxury and fashion retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Blooming-dales, and Reebok. He is a recognized thought leader on the subjects of retail and financial services design, and has been featured in a range of national and international publications. Read More

>Aneetha McLellan joined Kimball Health as a Direc-tor of Sales, Innovation and Design. Her most recent posi-tion was with DLR Group as Healthcare Leader. With more than 22 years of experience in the healthcare industry, Ms. McLellan fuses strategic thinking, clinical perspectives and overall facility design and planning to transcend the sta-

Alahe Aldo Len Cerame

Sarah Devine

Ray Ehscheid

Aneetha McLellan

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 26 OF 37

officenewswiretus quo in health and wellness settings. Her work on aca-demic medical centers, acute care medical centers, critical access hospitals, outpatient facilities, and specialty medi-cal office buildings throughout the U.S. and Canada fosters innovative design solutions that elevate the human experi-ence. Read More

>Sandy Yokeley joined Boss Design as the Director of Global Accounts for North America. From its manufac-turing base in High Point, NC, she will offer leader-ship across the organiza-tion, focusing on long-term strategic growth in global accounts, sales and brand development. Ms. Yokeley’s professional resume includes sales leadership at Coalesse, Davis Furniture, and for the past two years, she performed the role of Director of Sales at HighTower Group. Read More

PROJECTS>BuckleyGrayYeoman secured planning consent for a new build 51,000sf co-working office building in Shoreditch, London on be-half of The Office Group.

Designed to cater to the area’s renowned cluster of start-up businesses, Black and White 2 as the project is informally known, will provide purpose-built co-working space in one of the largest cross-laminated timber (CLT) buildings in London. The new building at 74 Rivington Street in Shoreditch will replace the existing Black and White Building, which has been operating as an Of-fice Group location after being given a light-touch refurbish-ment by BuckleyGrayYeoman in 2013. As a new building designed with an eye on the former industrial conversions in the Shoreditch area, 74 Rivington Street will build on the success of the Black and White Building, delivering characterful space purpose-built for co-working. It will be built using a struc-ture based on CLT panels and Glue-laminated beams, and will be one of the largest commercial new builds in the UK to take advantage of the construction method, which offers environmental benefits

through reduced carbon emissions and saves time on site thanks to off-site con-struction. The timber struc-ture will be visible through the glazed skin of the building, giving the building an added sense of depth. Read More

>Joshua Zinder Architecture + Design (JZA+D) recently completed the U.S. head-quarters for life sciences-learning firm Red Nucleus. Carved out of the interior of a former tannery building in Yardley, PA that dates back to 1902, the building once used for treating leather now houses an innovative modern

workplace. JZA+D demol-ished the existing interior, ex-posing structural timbers and building mechanicals, which the firm incorporated into the new interior design to make the building’s history a part of the character of the new of-fices. Contemporary furnish-ings and casework mingle with original masonry walls and timber ceilings, while carpet tiles and splashes of bright red are illuminated by wall-length suspended lighting fixtures and plentiful natural daylight. To accommodate gather-ings of the whole company, JZA+D inserted a large-scale stadium bleacher area, with colorful cushions for informal seating. The space-saving bleacher-stair feature creates a dynamic spot for relaxing and breakout sessions, and also serves as a stairway to the mezzanine lounge/recre-ation room and workspaces, while taking advantage of the space underneath for use as a kitchenette. To make room for this feature, the architects removed part of the second floor that had been added to the building previously, restor-

Sandy Yokeley

BuckleyGrayYeoman: Black & White

JZA+D: Red Nucleus

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 27 OF 37

officenewswire

ing the space to its original, airy double-height condition. This opened up the space to benefit from its original, full-height windows, too. The spacious 68,000sf offices include a striking conference room, private offices, and an expansive open plan. Read More

>Wolf-Gordon returned its corporate headquarters to Manhattan, in a new office in Chelsea designed by Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis (LTL Architects). Working within the spatial constraints of Manhattan real estate and the directive to create a 21st century office for today’s work styles, LTL Architects con-

ceived a sliding panel display system that creates a “town square” at the center of the office. The custom, black-ened steel armature provides employees with a gallery-like setting that facilitates interac-tion with the design public while maintaining functioning work conditions. The system suspends a series of panels, which display more than 40 Wolf-Gordon wallcov-ering and upholstery products and are easily updated with new product introductions. Its flexible design enables a more open, interactive setting or a “closed” version that separates the town square from surrounding work envi-

ronments. The configuration can be customized for parties and receptions, casual work interactions and impromptu meetings, or training ses-sions, all based on how one arranges the sliding panels and furniture. The materials and aesthetic established in this central space are repeated through-out the office and in its design library. Wolf-Gordon’s Bilden-wood wood veneer in Silver Birch is used extensively on custom millwork for the reception desk, board room, library and wayfinding, as well as for a central corridor wall. Wolf-Gordon products are present throughout the space. Each executive office, confer-ence room and communal space features a wallcovering applied to a single wall, treat-ing it as a singular plane and visual focal point. Wallcover-ings were selected from the company’s renowned design collections by Laurinda Spear, Karim Rashid, Petra Blaisse, Boym Partners, Kevin Walz, Tsao & McKown and Tjep. Upholstery fabrics by Mae Engelgeer were used for the lounge and reception furni-

ture, and Grethe Sørensen’s Millions of Colors was specified for the board room and executive office chairs. Acoustical drapery lines the inside of glass office and conference room walls. The company’s acoustical fabrics have also been applied to acoustical panel substrates and stretch the length of the open office benching system, providing additional sound mitigation beneath open ceil-ing ductwork. Read More

EVENTS>Cooper Robertson is sharing its expertise in museum de-sign and architecture at two events this week, the annual conferences of the Ameri-can Alliance of Museums in St. Louis and the American Planning Association in NYC. At the Museums confer-ence on Sunday, May 7 and Wednesday, May 10, Scott Newman, partner at Cooper Robertson and head of the firm’s cultural practice, will speak on two panels related to his work on the expanded and transformed Gateway

JZA+D: Red Nucleus

Wolf-Gordon corporate headquarters in NYC by LTL Architects

Wolf-Gordon corporate headquarters

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 28 OF 37

officenewswire

Arch Museum in St. Louis, MO. At the APA conference on Monday, May 8, Cooper Robertson senior associate Erin Flynn, RA, LEED AP, will co-lead a guided tour of New York City’s Meatpacking District. The tour will include discussion of the Whitney Museum of American Art, designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collabo-ration with Cooper Robertson, and how the building’s plaza, lobby and terraces invite and foster interaction with the ad-jacent High Line and Hudson River parks. Read More

>Humanscale will take part in the inaugural edition of Tech+ at Metropolitan West on May 23 during NYCx-DESIGN. Organized by The

Architect’s Newspaper, it will showcase the most recent innovations helping designers create spaces for the future. Humanscale will showcase innovations from OfficeIQ, a sensor-based solution that promotes healthy activity in the workplace, to the Quick-Stand line of retrofittable sit/stand workstations. In addi-tion to the booth, Humanscale representative Jim Kidd will be giving a presentation titled OfficeIQ: Shaping the Future of Work and Well-Being at 3:00 p.m. on the main stage. Read More

>IFDA NY’s Cocktails, Conversation & Connections networking event today, May 8, is at Fine and Rare, 9 East 37th Street, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Participants will enjoy classic cocktails and live jazz in a rar-efied setting, including leather doors from a Masonic Temple, floors rescued from an old mill in Connecticut, an imposing stone fireplace, and historic ticket window from Grand Central Station. Read More

>IFI’s World Interiors Day (WID) is the global celebra-tion of Interiors and the diverse creatives who bring them to life. Festivities will

span the entire month of May leading up to the official IFI WID date on May 27. IFI is asking participants to share their WID 2017 plans online with the global com-munity. Activities include lectures, talks or discussions; exhibitions and art events; open-door programs; free workshops and practice day; walking tours; kid’s activities, and more. Read More

Cooper Robertson Partner Scott Newman to discuss the Gateway Arch Museum renovation and expansion

Humanscale Office IQ family

IFDA NY CCC at Fine and Rare

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 29 OF 37

businessRAYMOND JAMES BRIEF 5.3.17March BIFMA: Net North America Orders Booked +5%; Net North America Sales +6%

Analysts: Budd Bugatch, David Vargas, Bobby Griffin

>On May 1, after the market close, the Business and Institu-tional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) released its market statistics for March 2017. This month’s orders and sales statistics were derived from a sample of 52 companies, compared to the 50 companies in February’s report.

>Beginning with its April 2016 report, BIFMA broadened the scope of the survey to include North America companies versus the previous practice of U.S.-only products. The new reporting format also broadened the categories covered in the survey to include institutional furniture in verticals such as healthcare and education.

>The data given in this report are percentage changes only; under the old reporting prescription, BIFMA attempted to dollar-size orders and shipments. BIFMA is not yet able to provide a total market dollar estimate, though plans to be able to provide dollar-size information in the near future.

>According to the BIFMA report, March net North America orders booked increased 5% y/y. The two-year stack for order growth increased to +9% in March from +8% in February. Orders for companies with more than $150 million in annual

sales increased 6%, up from the +5% reported in February. Sequentially, net North America orders booked increased 20%.

>Further, the report suggested that March net North America sales (formerly called shipments) were +6%, up from the flat year-over-year sales reported in February. The two-year stack for net sales increased to +10% in March from +5% in Febru-ary. Net North America sales for companies with over $150 million in annual sales increased 6% y/y, also an improvement from the -1% reported in February. Sequentially, net North America sales increased 24%.

>Discussion of the report: The March y/y net North America sales growth was the best since the December 2016 report. We are more encouraged since the comparison was more difficult than the y/y comparison in the December report. There has been little change in the tone regarding the current business environment. Management teams from all of the office furniture companies under our coverage are optimistic regarding the positive trends in the macro economic data (we discuss some of these indicators herein) but note that business currently remains choppy. All of the office furniture manufacturers under our coverage have instituted price increases to help offset infla-tion in raw materials and labor costs. Order and shipment pat-terns in the office furniture business tend to be lumpy and we do not want to get too excited about one data point; however, we are encouraged that the order numbers reported in January and February now appear to be translating to shipments.

5.5.17 3.31.17 12.30.16 9.30.16 7.1.16 4.1.16 %frYrHi%fr50-DayMA

HMiller 33.3 31.6 34.2 28.6 30.0 30.4 -8.8% 4.5%

HNI 45.6 46.1 55.9 39.8 46.7 39.6 -20.0% -0.8%

Inscape 3.9 4.3 5.0 3.2 3.1 3.0 -25.7% -6.3%

Interface 19.6 19.1 18.6 16.7 15.4 18.2 -6.7% 3.3%

Kimball 18.0 16.5 17.6 12.9 11.4 11.4 -5.2% 5.2%

Knoll 23.8 23.8 27.9 22.9 24.2 21.9 -16.3% 0.6%

Leggett 53.8 50.3 48.9 45.6 50.8 48.5 -2.2% 4.4%

Mohawk 232.2 229.5 199.7 200.3 189.4 192.4 -3.7% 0.4%

Steelcase 17.0 16.8 17.9 13.9 13.6 14.9 -6.6% 2.0%

USG 29.5 31.8 28.9 25.9 27.2 25.1 -15.0% -6.6%

Virco 4.2 4.0 4.3 4.2 4.4 3.1 -14.0% 5.1%

SUM 480.7 473.6 458.8 413.9 416.4 408.6

DJIndust 21,007 20,663 19,763 18,308 17,949 17,793 -0.8% 1.4%

Industry Stock Prices

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 30 OF 37

business>The pace of job growth remains stable. We think ongoing improvements in employment in 2017 should benefit industry demand. Excluding the energy sector (though this is becom-ing less of a year-over-year headwind), corporations are still experiencing strong levels of profitability (based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis data), which should also benefit the industry, as long as the macro and geopolitical environments do not drastically deteriorate.

>CEO Confidence, according to Chief Executive Magazine, in-creased sequentially in March versus February, and increased on a year-over-year basis. The Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Index remains in expansion territory (above 50) and increased sequentially and y/y in 1Q17. Since office furniture is a non-revenue producing asset, CEO confidence is very important in determining the near-term strength in office furniture orders and sales. Commentary from the large office furniture manufacturers suggests that the demand environ-ment remains choppy and there are fewer multi-million dollar projects to be won.

>Projected office completions growth in 2017 also suggests a long-term positive for office furniture orders and shipments. The absolute level of office construction spending, on a trail-ing 12-month basis, is now above the 2008 peak, and trends continue to improve nicely (based on the Census Bureau data). March 2017 (the most recent month available) office con-struction spending (not seasonally adjusted) improved ~15% year-over-year and the trailing 12-month office construction spending trend improved 25% year-over-year in March. Trailing 12-month y/y growth in office construction spending has been positive since December 2013. The Architects’ Billing Index, which we believe leads nonresidential construction by 8-13 months, was 54.3 in March (most recent month available), above 50.0 – the line of demarcation between expansion and contraction - and above the 50.7 February reading. The rolling 12-month average was 51.1 in March.

>According to REIS, net office space absorption was positive by ~39 million in 2016 and is forecast to improve in 2017 (Reis is currently forecasting ~43 million square feet of net office space absorption in 2017, followed by ~34 million in 2018). Vacancy rates peaked in 1Q11 and have begun to tick lower, but they remain elevated when viewed historically. This should support continued office churn as corporations move and/or consolidate space, taking advantage of favorable lease rates and motivated landlords.

BUSINESS AFFAIRS>DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. announced the voting results from its annual and special meeting of sharehold-ers held on May 3. Shareholders voted and approved the following proposals: (1) the appointment of Deloitte LLP as the auditors of the corporation; (2 the election of the directors of the corporation; and (3) the approval of the Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan. All nominees for directors were elected: Wayne Boulais, Gregory F. Burke, Lawrence D. Fairholm, Richard Haray, Scott Jenkins, Denise Karkkainen, Christine McGinley, Steve Parry, Diana Propper de Callejon, and Mogens Smed. https://dirtt.net/company/news

>DIRTT Environmental Solutions Ltd. on May 3 issued its first-quarter 2017 earnings release (Canadian dollars in thou-sands except per share amounts):

3 Mos. Ended 3.31.17 3.31.16 %Ch.Revenue $65,059 $55,923 16.3%Gross profit $26,985 $24,066 12.1%SG&A $27,983 $23,146 20.9%Op. Inc./Loss -$998 $920 -Net Inc./Loss -$1,395 $368 -Net Inc./Loss $11.4 $7.0 62.6% per share -$0.02 $0.00 -

“We delivered solid topline growth in excess of 16%, despite the fact our first quarter is traditionally our weakest,” said DIRTT CEO Mogens Smed. “Our investment in sales and mar-keting initiatives, product development and ICE technology is only being surpassed by our Partners’ own investments as they further DIRTT’s reach in local markets. We’re confident this ac-celerating investment will drive growth as 2017 unfolds.

“We’re seeing strong momentum in all vertical markets, and in particular healthcare as 2017 begins to unfold. Our sales pipeline, not to be confused with backlog, is at an all-time high. We’re seeing a growing list of potential healthcare projects and we’re excited about the increasing group of innovative health-care providers in both North America and internationally who are turning to DIRTT for multiple projects.”

Commented DIRTT President Scott Jenkins, “There’s an increasing number of current and potential clients viewing DIRTT as the interior construction standard for multi-location projects. These companies, hospitals, schools and government entities recognize the value our technology-backed approach offers in delivering custom, flexible projects quickly and with cost certainty.”

Mr. Smed added that DIRTT is now focused on DIRTT Connext. The annual Partner and client-focused multi-day event, Jun. 10-14 in Chicago, shows registration for the event’s Partner-specific sales, marketing and learning day at 30% ahead of the

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 31 OF 37

businesssame time period in 2016. “As our largest annual sales and marketing investment, Connext generates significant momen-tum for us throughout the year,” said Mr. Smed. “Partners achieve a stronger understanding of where and how to identify high-potential business opportunities and then how to leverage those opportunities for the highest profitability.”

The increase in first-quarter revenue was achieved by a general increase in activity from small and medium-sized projects across a diverse range of industry segments including technol-ogy, which increased from 9% of total revenue in Q1 2016 to 13% in Q1 2017; and government, which increased from 6% in Q1 2016 to 16% of revenue in Q1 2017. In addition, the company recorded installations revenue in Q1 2017 of $2.7 million, compared with nil in Q1 2016.

The majority of DIRTT’s revenue is collected in U.S. dol-lars, whereas its reporting currency is Canadian dollars. As a result, it is exposed to fluctuations in the US dollar against the Canadian dollar, which could have a positive or negative impact on revenue. The recent weakening of the U.S. dollar, which de-creased from 1.3724 in Q1 2016 to 1.3238 in Q1 2017, had a negative impact on overall revenue in the period, as compared to the same quarter in the prior year.

Below is a breakdown of percentage revenue by sector for Q1 2017 versus Q1 2016:

Gross profit % declined by 150 basis points to 41.5% from 43.0%. This decrease was attributed primarily to changes in product/service revenue, greater volatility in the timing of monthly and quarterly production volumes, and an increase in installations revenue which typically brings a lower gross profit than DIRTT’s standard manufacturing process. Volatility in manufacturing volumes is evidenced by the decline from the record revenue levels achieved in both the third and fourth quarters of 2016 ($71.5 million and $78.3 million, respectively) to the seasonally lower results achieved in the first quarter of the current year.

Adjusted gross profit for Q1 2017 improved to $27.9 million from $24.8 million for Q1 2016, an increase of 12.4%. How-ever, adjusted gross profit % declined by 150 basis points to 42.9% from 44.4% for the same reasons discussed above with respect to gross profit.

The impact of the lower U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar average exchange rate contributed to partially offsetting the increased gross profit and adjusted gross profit in Q1 2017 compared with Q1 2016.

SG&A % increased by 160 basis points from 41.4% to 43.0% in Q1 2017 compared with Q1 2016. The increase in SG&A is reflective of DIRTT’s improved operating results in the period, as well as ongoing investment in long-term growth initiatives.

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 32 OF 37

businessThe most significant change was attributed directly to sales-related efforts as salaries and commissions increased by $2.9 million. These costs reflect the addition of personnel focused on generating and supporting higher business volumes, and commissions on the higher revenues attained in the period. Other increases in SG&A in Q1 2017 included depreciation and amortization expense of non-manufacturing-related assets of $0.7 million, travel and marketing costs of $0.5 million, profes-sional fees of $0.2 million, rent expense of $0.2 million, and $0.5 million in other operating expense items. These increases were offset by a decrease in stock-based compensation of $0.2 million. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense of non-manufacturing-related assets correlates with the in-crease in our investment in leasehold improvements along with software and product development.

Adjusted SG&A % increased by 190 basis points from 34.4% to 36.3% in Q1 2017 compared with Q1 2016. Adjusted SG&A expenses increased by $4.3 million, or 22.5%, for Q1 2017 compared with Q1 2016. The reason for the increase is the same as discussed above with respect to SG&A, excluding the impact from increased non-cash depreciation and amortization of non-manufacturing-related assets and decreased stock-based compensation expense incurred in the period.

The impact of the lower U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar aver-age exchange rate contributed to partially offsetting the overall increase in SG&A and adjusted SG&A expenses across the or-ganization for Q1 2017, as certain of these SG&A expenditures are denominated in U.S. dollars.

Outlook

DIRTT’s growth strategy consists of five key initiatives: (1) increase penetration of existing markets by providing contin-ued support and increased investment in programs to support existing DPs throughout North America; (2) expand into new geographies, such as the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, United Kingdom and Europe, by capitalizing on recent and continued investment alongside new international DPs; (3) penetrate new vertical markets such as the healthcare, educa-tion and residential sectors; (4) continue investment in ICE and innovative construction solutions such as Leaf™, the Enzo™ Approach, residential interiors and timber frame construction; and (5) partner with industry leaders to monetize innovative solutions - a recent example of which is the integration of ICE with SAP’s enterprise resource planning system completed in January 2017.

DIRTT believes that its solutions and the resulting more ef-ficient and cost-effective construction experience are a superior alternative to conventional construction across all sectors of the construction industry, and that a continued increase in

global construction activity can result in an ongoing growth in revenue. The company plans to invest additional resources in a variety of initiatives, including the continued development of ICE and new DIRTT solutions and test projects. This is expect-ed to lead to continued growth in the healthcare, education, government, corporate, and residential sectors of the construc-tion industry. The company’s product development team has been, and is expected to continue to be, expanded to address industry-specific challenges and opportunities.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2017, DIRTT had $90.2 million in cash and cash equivalents compared with $93.6 million at December 31, 2016; and access to an undrawn US$18.0 million revolving credit facility.

The full text of DIRTT’s 1Q17 earnings release, including all tables, may be accessed at www.dirtt.net/company/investor. A replay of the company’s May 4 conference call will be avail-able at 1.855.859.2056 (passcode 14653038) until midnight Eastern Time Thursday, May 11, or at http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/akb2p4kw. Additional information may be found in DIRTT’s condensed consolidated financial statements available at www.sedar.com and www.dirtt.net/company/investor.

>Kimball International, Inc. on May 3 released its third-quar-ter fiscal year 2017 results (dollars in thousands except EPS):

3 Mos. Ended 3.31.17 3.31.16 %Ch.Net Sales $153,068 $150,038 2.0%Gross Profit $51,052 $45,819 11.4%SG&A $40,106 $38,763 3.5%Op. Inc. $10,946 $4,295 154.9%Adj. Op. Inc. $10,946 $7,056 55.1%Net Inc. $7,231 $2,757 162.3%Adj. Net Inc. $7,231 $4,445 62.7%EPS (dil.) $0.19 $0.07 171.4%Adj. EPS (dil.) $0.19 $0.12 58.3%

9 Mos. Ended 3.31.17 3.31.16 %Ch.Net Sales $497,951 $470,426 5.9%Gross Profit $165,497 $150,169 10.2%SG&A $126,061 $120,170 4.9%Op. Inc. $41,268 $24,038 71.7%Net Inc. $26,946 $14,881 81.1%EPS (dil.) $0.71 $0.39 82.1%

(Adjusted figures above exclude prior year restructuring charges.)

“The third quarter is typically the seasonally low period for the office furniture industry, but we were pleased with the relatively strong quarter,” said Kimball International Chairman and CEO Bob Schneider. “To have achieved a 7.2% operating income in a third quarter is very encouraging at this point in our

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 33 OF 37

businessturnaround efforts. The significant increase in our net income, despite the seasonally low sales level, is testament to our efforts the last couple years to right-size our cost structure. Our em-ployees have focused on controlling costs through productivity gains and cost savings initiatives, including the broad-based savings we are experiencing from the consolidation of our metal fabrication production from Idaho into Indiana facilities. We’ve also focused on coming to market with new and innovative products, which are resonating well with customers. Sales of new office furniture products introduced in the last three years were up a strong 21% over the third quarter last year.”

Third quarter gross profit as a percent of net sales improved 290 basis points over the prior year third quarter, with the increase attributed to lean initiatives, including benefits from the company’s restructuring plan and lower employee benefit costs, and also to higher pricing, including both price increases as well as more favorable pricing on select new products.

Selling and administrative expenses in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 increased 40 basis points as a percent of net sales and increased 3% in absolute dollars compared to the prior year third quarter. This increase was primarily driven by increases in incentive compensation as a result of higher earn-ings levels.

As a result of completing restructuring activities during the first quarter, including the sale of the Post Falls, Idaho facility and land, no restructuring costs were incurred during 3Q17. Pre-tax restructuring expenses in the prior year third quarter were $2.8 million.

Operating cash flow for the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 was $17.6 million compared to operating cash flow of $24.5 million in the third quarter of the prior year, a decrease of $6.9 mil-lion. The decrease was primarily driven by a lower amount of working capital converted to cash as compared to the prior year quarter, only partially offset by the improved earnings during the current year quarter.

The company’s balance in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments was $84.5 million at March 31, 2017, com-pared to June 30, 2016 cash and cash equivalents of $47.6 million. The increase was primarily driven by current year profitability, proceeds from the sale of the Post Falls building and land in August 2016, and improved conversion of working capital balances to cash, and was partially offset by the return of capital to share owners in the form of share repurchases and dividends totaling $13.1 million during the first nine months of fiscal year 2017. During the current year third quarter, the company did not repurchase shares.

Results by End Market Vertical (dollars in millions):

NET SALES

3 Mos. Ended 3.31.17 3.31.16 %Ch.Commercial $48.7 $48.4 0.6%Education $13.5 $13.0 3.8%Finance $17.3 $14.0 23.6%Government $18.4 $17.2 7.0%Healthcare $19.4 $24.5 -20.8%Hospitality $35.8 $32.9 8.8%Total $153.1 $150.0 2.1%

9 Mos. Ended 3.31.17 3.31.16 %Ch.Commercial $151.6 $150.5 0.7%Education $54.7 $49.0 11.6%Finance $50.8 $47.0 8.1%Government $57.4 $56.5 1.6%Healthcare $66.9 $62.3 7.4%Hospitality $116.6 $105.1 10.9%Total $498.0 $470.4 5.9%

ORDERS

3 Mos. Ended 3.31.17 3.31.16 %Ch.Commercial $54.7 $47.3 15.6%Education $19.4 $15.1 28.5%Finance $15.0 $11.4 31.6%Government $24.3 $17.0 42.9%Healthcare $20.6 $23.1 -10.8%Hospitality $32.4 $34.5 -6.1%Total $166.4 $148.4 12.1%

9 Mos. Ended 3.31.17 3.31.16 %Ch.Commercial $162.6 $158.3 2.7%Education $53.0 $48.5 9.3%Finance $52.7 $46.8 12.6%Government $62.7 $56.2 11.6%Healthcare $68.9 $67.1 2.7%Hospitality $109.7 $105.6 3.9%Total $509.6 $482.5 5.6%

The increase in sales during the quarter was primarily driven by the finance vertical and the hospitality vertical, partially offset by a decline in the healthcare vertical. An increased focus on strategic accounts and assisting financial institutions with re-freshing their facilities contributed to the significant increase in sales in the finance vertical. The improvement in the hospitality vertical was primarily driven by non-custom business and to a lesser extent by custom business. Uncertainty surrounding the Affordable Care Act impacted sentiment in the healthcare mar-ket which the company believes is causing a delay in spending in the healthcare vertical. Office furniture sales, which includes all verticals except hospitality, were flat compared to the prior year third quarter.

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 34 OF 37

technologySales from new office furniture products introduced in the last three years increased 21% over the prior year third quarter. New product sales approximated 29% of total office furniture sales in the current year third quarter compared to 25% in the prior year third quarter.

Orders received during the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 increased 12% from the prior year third quarter, with increases in all vertical markets, except healthcare and hospitality which had very strong orders in the prior year quarter. Excluding the hospitality vertical, orders received by office furniture verticals increased 18% compared to the prior year third quarter. One of Kimball’s brands implemented a price increase effective Apr. 1, which the company believes had the effect of pulling some orders forward into the current year third quarter. Excluding the estimated effect of the price increase, consolidated orders in-creased approximately 7% instead of 12% and orders received by the office verticals increased approximately 12% instead of 18%.

The full text of Kimball’s 3Q17 earnings release, including all tables, and a webcast replay of the company’s May 4 confer-ence call, including a PDF file with supplementary data, may be accessed at www.ir.kimball.com.

TECHNOLOGY>Carrier Johnson + CULTURE is expanding its high-tech capabilities with a number of new initiatives. Overseen by newly appointed Digital Practice Manager Casey Mahon, these initiatives include:

-Virtual reality. Mr. Mahon has been incorporating virtual reality systems, or VR, to improve design processes and make better presentations. The result? Clients can see what they’re going to get, and design teams can be more efficient.

-Digital fabrication. The firm’s designers are expanding digital fabrication beyond 3-D printing for creating hand-sized models. Now the firm is turning to computer-numeric-controlled (CNC) machining, allowing them to prototype full-scale components for building interiors.

-BIM capabilities. The firm has been a leader in the use of Building Information Modeling, a cost-effective approach which helps create the 3-D models for VR use as well as detailed databases of their project materials, specifications, and opera-tion data.

-Mixed-reality. By blending real-world objects with digital content, architects can work better and faster with construc-tion teams, where information flow is often difficult especially in key stages of the building process. Mixed-reality is used for the project documentation — a high-tech replacement for blue-prints of yore.

-Internet-of-things. By connecting building elements to each other using sensors, actuators and the Internet, buildings with IoT can have automatic actions and monitoring capabilities that make them more efficient, user-friendly, and sustainable.

In addition, Mr. Mahon’s team is also introducing ways to analyze and simulate building performance, yet another way to make sure that the building works well and as intended. The tools can also be used after the facility opens, as part of conducting post-occupancy surveys. Read More

Carrier Johnson + CULTURE virtual reality

Carrier Johnson + CULTURE digital tools

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 35 OF 37

technology>Cerami & Associates, Inc.’s new Cerami Immersive™ helps architects and facility owners to “experience the invis-ible,” according to CEO Victoria Cerami. A tool for designing high-performance environments, Cerami Immersive™ uses visualization tools, design modeling software and advanced audio systems, Cerami Immersive™ helps owners “hear” the potential acoustics of their building layouts before they happen. “We’re able to walk you through the real sound environment of your project through various design options which are vital to the success of your building,” explained Ms. Cerami. Simula-tions show clients how to improve the designs of:

-Interior environments and workplaces.

-Facade designs.

-Large, multipurpose venues

-Mechanical systems that create unwanted noise.

-Environmental and outdoor noises that impact operations.

The firm reports that since launching the Cerami Immersive™ services, it has seen clients able to make significant financial decisions in the range of $10 million following a single simula-tion meeting. Read More

>Trendway Corp. launched a newly designed company website, Trendway.com. The new website provides a refreshed look for the brand with inspired photography, a more intuitive user experience and mobile responsiveness. It’s been five years since Trendway last made major changes to its website and nearly a decade since the last rebuild. “User experience guided the design of our new site, which allows customers and part-ners to find inspiration in fewer clicks,” said Trendway Director of Marketing Nancy Stryker.

The new website offers improved navigation, including intuitive menus that lead visitors to large images of showrooms and products. For interior design-minded visitors, a robust design resource section offers image, symbol, document, and video search capabilities. Holland, MI-based Trendway worked with Kmotion Design Inc., a Grand Rapids-based design & digital marketing company, to build the new website. Read More

Cerami & Associates Cerami Immersive™

Trendway new website

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 36 OF 37

JOB SITETo place ads or to get a price quote contact Bob Beck bob@officeinsight.comT 972 293 9186

Find all our ads all the time at www.officeinsight.com/careers.

Sales Representative - Louisiana

Momentum Group, a leading supplier of contract textiles, is growing and seeking a new Sales Representative in Louisiana.

Qualifications:

> Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and

> Knowledge of the Contract Industry is a

> 2-3 years of selling textiles or other dealer sales experi-ence

> Excellent presentation skills > Must be computer > Recent college graduates encouraged to apply

> IIDA and/or NEWH mem-bership or affiliation

> Candidate must live in Louisiana

Please apply online at: https://workforcenow.adp.com

Market Manager - Los Angeles

Teknion is a leading international designer, manufacturer and marketer of office furniture. We create furniture that connects people, technology and spaces. Our approach is one of innovation; our products perform independently and combine in virtually endless configurations to fit the needs of the world’s evolving economies and work cultures.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Studio TK Market Manager based in LA.

This position is responsible for promoting and selling Studio TK products including Studio, Textiles and B&B, to the A&D community, dealers and end users within a given geography. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to; establishing and/or maintaining business partnership with architectural and design firms, dealers and end-users, making sales calls and presentations, and ultimately gaining market share and increasing Teknion’s sales volume for the mentioned products in a given territory.

Education and Experience:

> Bachelor’s degree (B. A.) or 5-7 years related experi-ence and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

> Strong relationships with design firms in given market

> Demonstrated effective negotiation and closing techniques

> Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal commu-nication skills

> Advanced selling skills

Qualified applicants can apply at https://workforcenow.adp

Equal Opportunity Employer

Minority/Female/Veteran/Disabled

VEVRAA Federal Contractor

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity

05.08.17 GIVING VOICE TO THOSE WHO CREATE WORKPLACE DESIGN & FURNISHINGS PAGE 37 OF 37

JOB SITETo place ads or to get a price quote contact Bob Beck bob@officeinsight.comT 972 293 9186

Find all our ads all the time at www.officeinsight.com/careers.

PO Box 967Cedar Hill, TX 75106

Robert Beckbob@officeinsight.comT 972 293 9186

Mallory Jindramallory@officeinsight.comT 219 263 9006

www.officeinsight.com© 2017 officeinsight,LLC

Bradford J. Powell, Hon. FASIDbrad@officeinsight.com T 203 966 5008

District Sales Manager - New York City

OFS Brands, a leading supplier of contract furniture, is growing and seeking a new Sales Representative in New York City.

Position Purpose:

To provide best in class service to the contract furniture market including: Corporate clients, government and Higher Eductation vertical markets, Office furniture dealers, designers, and CRE influencers with a focus on product/industry knowledge, introduction of new product, knowledge of new technologies and innovation as it pertains to furniture solutions and the sales and specification process. Build brand awareness and market trust in OFSB while working within expense guidelines.

Qualifications:

> Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

> Knowledge of the Contract Industry.

> 2-3 years of selling office furniture or other related sales experience.

> Excellent presentation skills required.

> Must be computer profi-cient.

> IIDA and/or NEWH membership or affiliation desired.

> Candidate must live in the NYC metro area

Send your resumé to nyshowroom@ofsbrands.com

Health Care Sales Specialist - New York City

OFS Brands, a leading supplier of contract furniture in the healthcare segment with the Carolina Brand. We are growing and seeking a new Sales Representative in New York City to specialize in Healthcare market sales.

Position Purpose:

To provide best in class service to the healthcare market including: healthcare

provider clients, Office furniture dealers and healthcare designers with a focus on product/industry knowledge, introduction of new product, knowledge of new technologies and innovation as it pertains to healthcare furniture solutions and the sales and specification process. Build brand awareness and market trust in OFS Brands while

working within expense guidelines.

Qualifications:

> Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

> Knowledge of the health-care industry.

> 2-3 years of selling furniture or other related products to the healthcare market.

> Excellent presentation skills required.

> Must be computer profi-cient.

> Candidate must live in the NYC metro area

Send your resumé to nyshowroom@ofsbrands.com