Healthcare
May 7, 2010
By Chris Hoyt
Here at Herman Miller, we’ve been studying the needs of healthcare professionals for over 40 years. It is our goal to create products that can reduce some of the stress and burdens that these professionals, such as nurses, face on a daily basis.
In addition to the healthcare research I do at Herman Miller, I’m familiar with these issues outside of work because my wife, Lindsay, has been a nurse for four years. Since we’re in the midst of National Nurses Week (May 6 through 12), I would like to share some insights about life in the nursing profession.
Nursing is often a thankless job that requires massive amounts of dedication, commitment, patience, and skill. While I work a standard Monday through Friday 8-5 job, my wife works any day of the week (including weekends), 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. I get major holidays off; she gets two of the four major holidays off, and it changes every year. I sit in front of a computer most of the day; she stands, walks, lifts, tucks, charts, cleans, dispenses meds, and starts IVs. And that’s not all. Besides these demanding physical tasks, nurses tackle the emotional challenges of dealing with sick patients and their families. They need to display quick and critical thinking from their library of knowledge to make life-saving decisions for their patients. They deal with the complexities of relationships and collaborate with multiple members of an interdisciplinary healthcare team. Ultimately, they focus on helping people heal.
At Herman Miller, we aim to alleviate their burden and simplify nurses’ tasks by providing them with easy access to supplies and ergonomic solutions in the healthcare environment. That allows nurses to direct 100% of their focus on the patient rather than dealing with insufficient equipment and processes.
This year’s theme for National Nurses Week is “Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow.” Thanks to my wife and all the nurses—retired and practicing—I can look forward to a healthier tomorrow.
Better World, Design
May 5, 2010
By Bill Holm
Here are 10 buildings that make you want to cheer—for their beauty as well as sustainability. And they are winners in American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2010 COTE Top Ten Green Projects. Check these out and learn about the best in green design solutions.
355 11th Street (Aidlin Darling Design) San Francisco: Reuse of a historic industrial building; Califoria’s first LEED Gold Building.
Homer Science & Student Life Center (Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects) Atherton, CA: Natural ventilation, daylighting, a green roof, solar panels, and a virtual dashboard that shows energy and water consumption in real time; LEED Platinum.
King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia: The country’s first LEED certified project and the world’s largest LEED Platinum project.
Kroon Hall, (Centerbrook Architects and Planners; Hopkins Architects), Yale University, New Haven, CT: Replaces a brownfield with a net zero energy building.
Manassas Park Elementary School + Pre-K (VMDO Architects, P.C.) Manassas Park, VA: The building is a teaching tool; its sustainable design is integrated with the curriculum.
Manitoba Hydro Place (Smith Carter Architects and Engineers; Kuwabara Payne Mckenna Blumberg Architects) Winnipeg, MB: A “living building” that dynamically responds to the local climate (b-r-r-r).
Omega Center for Sustainable Living (BNIM Architects) Rhinebeck, NY: Environmental education facility and a net zero energy system, featuring natural wastewater treatment.
Special No. 9 House (KieranTimberlake) New Orleans: Affordable housing with customizable, sustainable options for the devastated Lower Ninth ward.
Twelve West (ZGF Architects LLP) Portland, OR: ZGF’s office is a living lab of urban sustainability; expected to earn LEED Platinum.
Watsonville Water Resource Center (WRNS Studio LLP) Watsonville, CA: A functional, educational, and visual extension of the water recycling plant it supports.
Better World, What's Up
May 3, 2010
By John Kim
For 20 years, Herman Miller has advocated for the growth and inclusion of small and diverse businesses within its supply chain. And we’ve been a driving force for supporting Michigan businesses and our local economy.
So it’s appropriate that we’re sponsoring an exhibit this week at the 29th annual Michigan Minority Procurement Conference, “Rising Above A Dynamic Economy,” which will give us a chance to connect with some of the most accomplished minority business entrepreneurs in the state. It’s a great opportunity for Herman Miller to remain connected to what’s happening in the minority business community, to network and continue to build relationships with existing and potential suppliers, and to identify firms who can help bring new and innovative products to market for our customers.
The conference, held May 4 through 6, is hosted by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council at Cobo Conference and Exhibition Center in Detroit, Michigan. The show will feature presentations, professional development seminars, and networking events. Around 300 major corporations and 1,200 minority business enterprises are expected to convene.
We’re looking forward to continuing our tradition of advocating for inclusiveness and diversity, and supporting our community.