ASID Bragging Rights

I’d like to brag a little, not about me, but about an organization I’ve been an active member of for my entire professional career. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has been a big part of my life and is, in fact, responsible for getting me started in the green design movement.

In 1994, as its president-elect, ASID sent me as its representative to a meeting of a then-forming organization—the U.S. Green Building Council. I walked in not knowing what a green building was; I left knowing the way I practiced interior design had profoundly changed.

The other day the latest issue of ASID’s magazine, ICON, arrived and at first sight I fell in love with its new look. “The entire magazine has undergone a facelift,” according to national president Bruce Brigham. “The new cover design is thoughtful and each issue will tell a story…will try to make you think [about] serious…practice topics and the effectiveness of ASID interior design.”

So what’s inside? Lots of good stuff about products, programs, and, of course, creating opportunities in a down economy. But it was on page 38 that I hit pay dirt—the announcement that ASID has become the first founding partner of Mission Zero.org, a new internet community begun by Interface and “dedicated to facilitating the growth of sustainability and environmental advocacy.” Check it out. It’s resource rich and multi-faceted.

ASID has been a leading voice for sustainable design for many years, due largely to the work of the Sustainable Design Council and the ASID Foundation. Initiatives include the Green House exhibit at the National Building Museum, and, in partnership with USGBC, the REGREEN best practice guidelines for sustainable residential renovation projects.

ASID has also made ICON greener by using more expensive but more environmental responsible 30 percent recycled post-consumer FSC-certified fiber and vegetable-based low-VOC inks. It is produced using biogas technology by a publisher with a corporate commitment to sustainability. Making the magazine digitally available has reduced the number of printed and mailed copies.

I’ve always been proud to be an ASID member—today more than ever.