For the last four years, Ken Kirk of SMED International, has been talking to Architects, developers, and building managers about the "Intelligent Building Concept". All the trade magazines talk about intelligent space, The keywords are flexibility, cost effective, and quickness. It's been said that the physical move only cost 25% of a relocation. The rest is in technology. The cost is about $1500 per person. He gave an example of a company with a 125% churn which cost about 8 million a year. He showed them how to reduce the cost to about 2 million.

One resent study listed the top ten problems in retention and finding employees. Number one was quality of leadership, 5 was quality of the environment, and money was only number 7. Many FM's are judged on cost per square foot. His company is driving the design density to 67 square feet per person which doesn't give you many points for number 5.

We need to reduce the need for that roll off dumpster. The landfills are filing up. Hauling all that sheet rock 150 miles isn't unusual. The business changes so fast that during new construction the hard wall location can be out of date before the paint dries.

In some cases if you designated your raised floor as a technology platform you could receive a faster tax write off. A technology platform would have quick disconnect for power and communications. Keeping the floor height below 4 inches might eliminate this area being classified as a plenum.

Everyone has the "right to light" or the ability to get to the natural light. Use reflective ceiling lights and task lighting and put your walled offices in the core area.

If you hang indirect lights from the ceiling, you reduce the noise transfer in the plenum and through the ductwork. Spend some money on noise reducing ceiling tile.

For your next construction project, plan on maximum density for data and power so it's there when you need to stuff 10 people into the copy room. Make it plug and play. Build redundancy by putting connections on 20 inch centers which would minimize the requirement to hire electricians and cablers during all your future moves. It might reduce the data/electrical charges to $65 - 75 per move.

Tilt up walls that are cabled like modular furniture really make changes fast. These walls are called unitized wall and since they are not permanent, you can write them off in 7 years. Good ones can be installed while other occupants continue to work. It can be installed 25% faster than dry wall construction.

Ken was an excellent speaker and you can contact him at kkirk@smednet.com

De Humphries made a great presentation to Veronica on her 40th

.

Ernie spoke on the Best Practices Recognition program that is spelled out in the November newsletter. Lets recognize members. It wont take long, and he will even take the information over the phone. If you know someone that had a good idea give him a call at 997-3936 or email at earnie.leake@exodus.net

Muy importante was the power lunch. Truly the plate was for two people with a brick-layer portion of chicken fried veal, asparagus and potatoes. Few people could eat the chocolate cheese cake desert and like me took it home. 

By J. R. Howard

Correction:  I printed and posted a story about rat dropping dust and washing your coke can lid.  It was a good story, but call it a short novel. It was a hoax.   Thanks to Bob Payne