#DesignStandsTogether: Positive Stories + Good News ✨
“Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.” – Henry David Thoreau
From Novità Communications:
We may be apart, but we have never felt closer. Committed to flattening the news curve, we are excited to bring you another week of positive stories – with quick links to more details below!
Keeping the good vibes flowing, on April 7th, Novità will launch our “Be Well” series on our IGTV and YouTube channel. The new series will feature quick 6-8 minute lessons on health & wellness, running the gamut from meditation, gut health, managing anxiety, cooking, ergonomic tips and more – all led by experts and specialists within our network and communities.
#DesignStandsTogether
Helping Hands
Salone del Mobile Secures Half a Million Masks for Italy
Thanks to the mobilization of the entire Chinese design sector, VNU Exhibitions Asia, Federlegno Arredo, and Salone del Mobile.Milano, a collective 545,000 medical masks are set to be delivered to the Italian Red Cross, where they will then be distributed amongst health facilities. [Press release here]
Stylex Makes & Donates Masks to Local NJ Hospitals
New Jersey-based, commercial furniture manufacturer Stylex is producing washable, protective masks for COVID-19 healthcare workers. A handful of the company’s skilled seamstresses and craftspeople are making the masks, which will be donated to local hospitals as long as there is a need. Stylex co-CEO Bruce Golden has been leading the charge, setting up deliveries and personally bringing masks to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. [See officenewswire post here]
Renowned Italian Architect Massimo Iosa Ghini Develops COVID-19 Mask
Bologna, Italy-based Architect Massimo Iosa Ghini has created a conceptual design for a new protective mask in the fight against the Coronavirus. The mask is immediately available to be produced. Remarks Iosa Ghini, “Designers have a responsibility to share solutions with the world. At this critical moment in time, I wanted to use my creativity to help try and assist in the efforts to help people.” The mask is easy to use, adjustable, and more importantly, can be worn repeatedly. The design’s transparent form allows for human connection to be maintained.
Bright Spots
The Next Generation of Diverse Design: ASID Celebrates Design Luminaries
ASID has honored the next generation of diverse design luminaries with its annual Ones to Watch program. This initiative recognizes rising design talent from underrepresented groups – including racial and ethnic minority groups, LGBTQIA, and persons with disabilities – who demonstrate notable leadership and rising talent. As ASID continually recognizes the power of design on our mental and physical health, learn more here about all of the Society’s most recent accolades and their respective winners that are driving the industry forward.
Healthy Living
Ceramics of Italy Educates on the Health & Hygiene Benefits of Ceramic Tile
With health and hygiene a top priority, it’s important for designers and consumers to understand the benefits and risks of the materials they choose to put into their projects and homes. Ceramics of Italy, the trademark for Italian manufacturers of ceramic tile, has created a video series called “A Safe Choice” educating people about the health benefits of ceramic tile. Some Italian manufacturers are even producing tiles with integrated anti-microbial technology for added protection. Panaria Group, for example, has partnered up with Microban® to produce porcelain tiles with built-in silver ions that eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria on the surface.
Duravit’s HygieneGlaze 2.0 Aids In Fighting Germs + Championing Hygiene
Duravit’s HygieneGlaze 2.0 sets an unprecedented standard of cleanliness for toilets and urinals. Baked into Duravit’s ceramic during firing, HygieneGlaze 2.0 is proven to kill 90% of bacteria after six hours and 99.999% (an unequaled level across the bathroom industry) of bacteria after 24 hours. Studies are showing viruses like COVID-19 might spread through feces, making hygiene all that more crucial. Materials and material science, in partnership with leading disinfectants (list of recommended disinfectants from the CDC here), can aid in the fight against rapid spread. HygieneGlaze 2.0 is available across a host of the Duravit’s toilet solutions.
True Residential: Large Capacity, Commercial Refrigeration Now Available to Homeowners During COVID-19
True Residential, a luxury home refrigeration brand with commercial DNA, has unveiled an unprecedented initiative in response to client demand during the COVID-19 crisis. For the duration of this crisis, True Residential is offering homeowners and clients the ability to purchase large capacity commercial refrigeration models from its commercial arm at the lowest competitive price possible. Families – especially those sheltering with immunocompromised, or at risk family members (or even a full-house of kids home from college) – are searching for any possible way to lower their exposure at grocery stores. Orders are processed within 1-2 days and delivery can be expected within 3-10 days depending on location. [Learn more here & purchase here]
Mood-Boosting Design
Outdoor Oasis: Room & Board’s New Collection Features Energizing Colors
With science-backed benefits of spending time outside — from increased happiness, reduced inflammation, more energy, improved memory and proven stress relief, the outdoors are more important than ever. Room & Board Business Interiors’ new collection of outdoor furniture has everything you need to soak up some vital Vitamin D in style. [View the new collection here]
HBF Textiles Biomorphic Patterns Evoke a Sense of Ocean Calm
The measurable health and wellness benefits of biomorphic textile and fabric design were recently examined in a piece on biophilic design. “Fabrics that have biomorphic patterns for example rounded and irregular shapes that evoke plant life and other living forms” can be physiologically and psychologically beneficial. HBF Textiles’ Curious Crowd Collection fits the bill for mood-boosting, biophilic design: the entire collection references ocean life and biomorphic patterns. Inspired by colorful jellyfish and sea slugs, this line is complete with indoor/outdoor fabrics for getting essential Vitamin D, bleach-cleanable patterns for enhanced hygiene, soft knits for comfort, and a color palette of energizing and relaxing hues. [View the collection here]
