For design professionals seeking continuing education and those hungry for new ideas, the NeoCon East schedule of seminars and educational events covers everything from office collaborations to smarter renovations. In addition to the inspiring 2013 keynote presentations from Michael Graves and Suzanne Tick, the two-day lineup is packed full of fresh content, featuring over 30 CEUs presented by top interior designers, architects, manufacturers and workplace specialists, many of which hail from the Baltimore - Washington Metropolitan area. Leading local projects will also take center stage as the conference program offers an insider’s look at the 330,000 build-to-suit headquarters of media organization NPR, the classrooms of the new Baltimore Design School and more. Another highlighted program at this year’s show features a discussion about the new George W. Bush Presidential Center. The 11th annual edition will take place at the Baltimore Convention Center from October 16-17, 2013. Here is a sampling of seminars not to be missed:  

THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM: MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING

Wednesday, October 16, 9:30 – 10:30 AM

The collapse of the American dream of home ownership has been widely discussed over the past few years. The silver lining to this collapse is the explosion of the multi-family residential market and the opportunities it provides designers. Hear about the latest trends in this realm, from the residences themselves to the clubhouses, courtyards, pool decks and more that present fabulous opportunities. Learn how to recognize designing for the tenant as different from designing as a marketing tool, and see how to use this type of project to distinguish yourself from the competition. We’ll discuss different developer brands and their budget implications. Refresh your skills to integrate interior and exterior spaces by seeing how to coordinate early on with the architectural design. You’ll be motivated to get that next multi-family project rolling so you can create truly inspired spaces. [Intermediate] [RES]

Speakers: Lou Ghitman is a principal and director of interior design at Design Collective, Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland. • Dawn Sangley is an associate and senior designer at Design Collective, Inc. in Baltimore Maryland. • Brain Reetz is a senior associate and director of landscape architecture for Design Collective, Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland.

WHY DO HOSPITALS HAVE TO LOOK LIKE HOSPITALS?

Wednesday, October 16, 9:30 – 10:30 AM

As designers, we engage all of our senses, sight, smell, touch and sound, when designing a hospitality environment. Why can’t we do that for hospitals as well? In designing the San Antonio Military Medical Center, we used all of our senses to design with patients and their families in mind. During this presentation, we will explore how an award winning design firm changed the way a military hospital could look and feel. Centered on a patient vs. hospital framework, attendees will discover how RTKL created not just a replica of an existing hospital, but a unique complement to the former structure. [Basic] [HC] [HSW]

Speaker: Lori Mukoyama is a principal at RTKL in Chicago, Illinois

MICHAEL GRAVES KEYNOTE

Wednesday, October 16, 11:00 AM

The renowned American architect and product designer will speak about the foundation of his design philosophy and how a personal healthcare tragedy focused his attention on improving healthcare experiences by design. Graves will present recent projects that range from military housing for returning wounded warriors, to a revolutionary transport chair for the acute care hospital, to performance textiles for all healthcare environments.

Speaker: Michael Graves

Sponsor: Stinson

NPR: AN INSIDE-OUT APPROACH TO DESIGNING THE HEADQUARTERS OF AN EVOLVING MEDIA ORGANIZATION

Wednesday, October 16, 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Hear about the new home of NPR and the daunting challenges the team encountered designing for an ever-changing media organization. See how the team used an inside-out approach where the client’s business informed the design. Listen as the team describes how a well-known, evolving brand influenced the work environment. The discussion will include how the interior environment informed the exterior, and how collaboration was achieved at a high level. Learn to establish a consistent set of design goals for a project, and how this can help navigate a client’s evolving business and changing leadership. See how a strong, well-known brand can influence the design of its work environment. [Basic] [OF]

Speakers: Sean Wayne, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP, is principal, director of interior design for Hickok Cole Architects in Washington, D.C. • Jessica Maples, IIDA, LEED AP, is a senior associate for Hickok Cole Architects in Washington, D.C.

RIGHT-SIZING THE GOVERNMENT WORKPLACE

Wednesday, October 16, 1:00 – 2:00 PM

In 2012 GSA embarked on a project to implement desk sharing and/or hoteling for approximately 50% of the people in the Chicago regional office. See how the team reconfigured existing furniture to create a mobile, flexible space. There were no construction costs, no design consultant costs and minimal furniture reconfiguration costs. Learn about the bare-bones approach to the project, and what fruit came of it. You’ll leave with an understanding of the way to increase space density and reduce the overall footprint of an office space. See how to right-size in a way that produces a more collaborative, flexible, and sustainable space. Discussion includes the steps that will get you that critical 100% employee buy-in through voluntary participation. [Basic] [GSA] [OF] [INST]

Speaker: Ronnie Bent is a Region 5 workplace executive for the General Services Administration in Chicago, Illinois.

BALTIMORE DESIGN SCHOOL – A CASE STUDY

Wednesday, October 16, 2:30 – 3:30 PM

Newly opened in August 2013, The Baltimore Design School is a Baltimore City Public School serving middle and high school students with a focus on the design arts of Fashion, Architecture, and Graphic Design. With perspective as both the architect and a founding board member of the school, hear from an authority who will present the design for Baltimore Design School’s new $26.85 million, 110,000-square foot facility created from an abandoned factory building in Baltimore’s Station North Arts and Entertainment District. The school demonstrates the power of design through exposed systems and best practices for historic renovation, adaptive reuse, educational design, and sustainable design. The interior aesthetic is that of an open industrial loft where existing walls and structure that remain are cleaned and sealed and left exposed to view. Also hear about the unique public-private financing plan that has allowed the school system to benefit from the creation of a major new school building without substantial up-front capital, the school’s role in community revitalization, and the unique design-based curriculum. [Intermediate] [INST] [FC/R] [HSW] 

Speaker: Steve Ziger, AIA is a founding partner of Ziger/Snead Architects of Baltimore.

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION FOR INTERIORS UPDATED FOR 2013

Wednesday, October 16, 2:30 – 3:30 PM

Sharpen your construction administration skills so you’re ready for the next corporate interior architecture project. From the preconstruction phase through completion, gain an understanding of the common challenges project managers face, and get an overview of the teamwork that is required from the project manager and the general contractor to ensure a successful project. Our updated discussion includes the top seven construction administration risk management issues. We’ll cover contractual issues, field inspections, construction forms and the basic construction administration process. Leave with a clear understanding of the CA process and the ability to decipher all the difficult-but-necessary forms. [Advanced] [FC/R] [FM]

Speaker: Kevin Sneed, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, is a partner and senior director of architecture at OTJ Architects in Washington, D.C.

PRESERVATION AND INTERIOR DESIGN

October 17, 8:00 – 9:00 AM 

Canada and America have suffered from inappropriate changes to, and the massive obliteration of their built environment. Throughout the 20th century, changes have been made in the name of progress, but with a lack of knowledge and appreciation for some historic treasures. Changes have to happen—but we have a responsibility to save the best examples of our tangible history by making appropriate decisions about that will, at least, do no harm. Get an experienced perspective on the issues that surround preservation projects. Become sensitive to the challenges of renovating historic structures. Learn the language of preservation and adaptive re-use. Leave with the necessary tools to successfully pursue a historic preservation process. [Intermediate] [RES]

Speaker: Arlene Wright Vanderlinde, ASID, is owner and principal designer at Wright Design Associates in Rochester, New York.

NO OFFICE? NO PROBLEM! AN INSIDE LOOK AT COWORKING

Thursday, October 17, 9:30 – 10:30 AM

Get up close and personal with coworking, a global trend in emerging workplaces for mobile and non-conventional workers. You’ll understand coworking through a visual tour of more than ten different work environments. Experience the day in the life perspective of actual coworkers spanning more than three generations. Hear several insiders’ views of coworking, from the Millennial experience to the Baby Boomer perspective. We’ll cover valuable insights into coworking demographics, design criteria, and innovative furnishings solutions. Leave with a sense of what it takes to successfully offer this type of design to clients. [Intermediate] [OF] [FC/R]

Speaker: Cheryl Duvall, IIDA, is president and workplace strategist for Avance LLC in Ellicott City, Maryland.

SUZANNE TICK KEYNOTE

Thursday, October 17, 11:00 AM

The award winning textile designer, weaver, originator, and Principal of Suzanne Tick Inc. presents “Life’s Work”, a glimpse into the art and commercial work that happens at Suzanne Tick’s home studio. By unfolding the design activities of the day, themes of dualities emerge which drive her unique business model: balancing work and life, art and commerce, craft and technology, contemplation and collaboration. Join Suzanne for this exclusive look into a day in the life, her design process, and her life’s work.

Speaker: Suzanne Tick

Sponsor: Teknion

LIVING IN THE LIGHTING LAB: TESTING INNOVATIVE LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEMS IN THE WORKPLACE

Thursday, October 17, 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Get the results of a study showing energy consumption and its effect on behavior within the sustainable workplace environment. See the link between lighting and the open workplace. Discuss various lighting technologies including task tuning, variable load shedding and daylight harvesting. Understand the link between the built environment of lighting and human perception. Learn how various lighting strategies can be combined to create a unique solution for a work environment. [Intermediate] [LT] [ENV] [HSW]

Speakers: Haley Russell, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, is an interior designer at Perkins+Will in Washington, D.C. • David Cordell, ASID, IIDA, LEED ID+C, is a technical coordinator and interior designer at Perkins+Will in Washington, D. C. • Jon Penndorf, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a project manager at Perkins+Will in Washington, D.C.

For a complete list of programming, please visit NeoConEast.com.