Kahn Interior Design: a Materials Library Case Study

Special Thanks to

Christine A. Trupiano, ASIDLEED Accredited ProfessionalSenior AssociateManager of Interior Designwww.albertkahn.com

VRA Toronto Conference 03/19/2009

E. SimmonsLawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI

LTU: Albert Kahn Library

LTU: Albert Kahn Library

Albert Kahn: “Architect of Detroit”

Firm established in Detroit, 1895

Used reinforced concrete vs. wood for factory walls, roof, supports.“Industrialist Architect”

Projects:Ford Rouge River PlantFisher Building, Detroit

Photo courtesy of the Bentley Historical Library

Kahn Building, Detroit

Built 1931‘New Center Building’2nd Ave. Detroit

Renamed 1988‘Kahn Building’

Home of Kahn Associates

Photo Courtesy ofAndrew Jameson

Kahn Building Foyer, Detroit

Original Art Decosurfaces, fixtures

Mixed tenants

Kahn firm occupies multiplefloors

6th Floor: Interiors Materials LibraryTwo bays

Open entry to floor circulation

Subtle signage

Standard office partitions

Adjacent to central elevators,Interiors work group

Adjustable Height Shelves4’ shelves (inexpensive)

3’ wide aisles (to code)

Designated *most difficult area to manage*

Binders A-Z by manufacturer

Collection purgedevery 5-6 months

Large Worktable

Carpet Bay: Periodicals

Availability “hidden”within stacks

Titles of specific interest to Interiors architecture staff

2 years of coverageensures currency

Carpet Bay: Table Anchor

Large, central work table anchors bay.

Used for collection browsing ANDvendor presentations:- informal- standing room only- <15 min.

Carpet Bay: Cutting Surface

User amenity

Cutting surface proximity to collection

Tools at ready

Evidence of more clear bin samples below

Zero wasted storage space

Carpet Bay: More Work SurfacesA place for tools(scissors, cutters, phone, etc)

Open shelves below

Color coded label by :- Type- Manufacturer

Divider-mounted shelvingfor three specificmanufacturers.

Label System

Color indicatesType

Vertical on RS of label for section

CAPS for category/typeinformation

Label System in Context

Color indicatesType

Hand-done updates

Anomalies=pragmatism at work

Carpet Bay: Pull DrawersStandard row dividers

Index card section separators

Anti-slippage shelf-liner in bottom

Manufacturer’s labels

Like with like

Flexibly sized

Textile Bay: Manufacturer’s Binders

Discreet basic divisionCSI numbers on labelsi.e. “9” (Division 09 Finishes)

Some binders arehand numbered inmarker

Textile Bay: Reference Books

Small section of shelving with books. Not within easy view

Books can be searched on the company intranet

Organized with a classificationsystem and easy-read labels

Textile Bay4’ adjustable shelves (inexpensive)

3’ wide aisles (to code but nothing extra)

Electrical Binders A-Z by manufacturer, with CSI

Flooring , Tile, Wall Coverings, Laminates, Fabrics, Glass, Ceramics, Solid Surfaces, Ceilings

3 1/2’ consult tables at end of shelf rows

Textile Bay: Sliding Racks

Ingenious way to store AND access samples

Boards slide easily on tracks mounted to countertop and ceiling recess

Nesting boards =space-saving solution

Textile Bay: Pull Drawers

More laminates flexibility

Vertical and stacked

Multiple sizes

Labeled index cards

Like with like

Textile Bay: Pull Drawers

Using originalboxes instead of more fancy/costlydividers.

Why reinvent the wheel?

Lighting ConsiderationsTrack lights

Bright pot lights

Full daylightingspectrum tubes

Track/Task Lighting

Specific task lighting

Natural Lighting

Perimeter hallway with entry to both bays

Adjacent to large office windows withadjustable blinds

Why this library works for 10+ years…Physical co-locationby type

Use of CSI, if desired

Left-Right/Top-BottomOrientation

Manufacturer,Alphabetic (A-Z)

Appropriate lighting for design accuracy

Cost-sensitive fixtures

Logical, flexibleapproach

Limited user group (<12 FTE) invests time to manage collection

Visually stimulatingfor design professionals

EASY color & word label system

Multiple storage options: binders,bins, drawers, kits, boxes, racks….no dogma

User amenities: work surfaces, tools

References

Ascasibar et. al., "http://www.si.umich.edu/umarch/architects/kahn.html." UMich Architecture. School of Information Team. 11 Mar 2009 <http://www.si.umich.edu/umarch/architects/kahn.html>.

Harris, Blaine., Carpet Bay/Textile Bay Viseo Layout Drawings. Lawrence Technological University, 2004.

Jameson, Andrew. "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Center_Building." http://en.wikipedia.org. 24 October 2008, at 22:19.11 Mar 2009 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Center_Building>.

Johnson, Robert W., Ed., and Construction Specifications Institute. MasterFormat 2004 Edition. Virginia: Construction Specifications Institute, 2004.

Special Thanks to

Christine A. Trupiano, ASIDLEED Accredited ProfessionalSenior AssociateManager of Interior Designwww.albertkahn.com