What Gen Y Really Wants December 6, 2007

Trunk, P (2007, July 5). What Gen Y Really Wants. Retrieved December 5, 2007, from Time Web site: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1640395,00.html

Gen Yers don’t care whether we spend more time at work or home as long as what we are doing is meaningful and useful. We will move back in with our parents if it means we can hold out for a job we want. Where travel was once seen as a negative it now makes the employee well-rounded. Gen Yers want to work with their friends and are more willing to work on the weekends as long as they have flexibility during the week.

This is a great example of the new work-life balance that is emerging in the workplace. I think it also shows how we have the power to dictate what work environment we want to work in. Baby Boomers are retiring and many companies are in need of hard workers, we are in demand!

I like that companies are willing to work with Gen Yers to find a balance that will work with both sides to be the best. If a company is willing to spend money to invest in a career counselor, or mentor for a new employee their going to get a better retention rate and employees who have greater pride in their company.

When looking for your new job remember to not put your values aside, if it was meant to be, things will work out.

Kelly Stillman

High-Tech Dorms December 4, 2007

"High-tech dorms move to head of the class at colleges"

This article by John Cox evaluates a case study of some new dorms at Duke University and Case Western Reserve University, in North Carolina. He talks about their high-tech capabilities and wireless internet access.  Cox goes into detail about the bandwidth that these residence halls run on and how they are equipped everywhere including the sports practice fields. Further, these dorms are built under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project, which makes steps to reduce energy use and conserve resources.  Halls are equipped with low-flow toilets and sinks, double-paned windows and various other energy-efficient building methods.  With everything they incorporated they expect to see a 25% reduction in energy waste.

This article is actually very relevant to our project on csu dorms.  This example has informed me greatly on some easy and affordable measures you can  take to make buildings and structures more energy efficient.  Considering csu has several buildings already LEED certified, we would like to continue the trend and model our dorms after the new Duke residence halls.

Lighting November 26, 2007

Fielding, R. (2006).“Learning Lighting and Color”. DesignShare.com. Retrieved 14 Feb 2006 from http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/2d/7a/37.pdf

This article suggest that through lighting and color, a University can adapt to different learning styles within different majors; thus, creating a better product. People learn in various ways. Some are organized, some are messy; some need low lighting or bright lighting. This includes the use of full spectrum lights, natural lighting, crazy light fixtures, different lamps, and shading. Some universities need messy lab spaces, libraries with open spectrum lighting and lab rooms with messy radial lighting. He discusses the by creating “small learning communities” we can foster a sound identity with the school, even if it is a large school. Students with a school identity tend to do better overall. There are various methods to implement these processes into action. First, replacing the lighting in some areas and facilities to foster a certain theme, second we could monitor the behavior and actions of students affected by it overall. These practices could change school spirit and identity simply through unification, but if they don’t it could be a waste of money overall for the school.

Silence and space November 26, 2007

Lane, J. (2006). The Spirit of Silence: Making. Foxhole, Dartington: Green Books.

 In the Spirit of Silence, John Lane discusses how quiet and meditative spaces can not only produce good work on paper, but great emotional work as well. He delves into various old practices in Christian, Taoist, Buddhism and Hinduism, in which he discusses how calming neutral and brightly lit spaces can generate immense spirit and flow for work. He next delves into the works of famous poets and writers who cultivated their skills through complete silence in their rooms. He exposes the healing power of nature, as well as, how spaces should be created through nature and simplicity instead of consumption and power, as they usually are created. Implementing these steps has many pros because it creates a humble and healthy space to practice, as well as, create work. These spaces open the mind to peace and serenity as opposed to complications and the likes.

 In order to implement these strategies, serious considerations within different cultural traditions must be explored quite thoroughly. Bringing light and natural warmth seem to be of the utmost importance overall because they create peace. One must apply a simple color and space structure. This may be difficult to apply because some people do not like minimalist spaces; thus, they will not want to apply them. Also, because religion is a big part of creating these spaces, some people will not want to explore them at all. Lane demonstrates though that silence if implemented properly generates genius in some cases and thus is worth exploring.

Perform! November 16, 2007

Citation:  Consulting-Specifying Engineer.  (2003).  Understanding Workspace Improves Workplace Performance.  Retrieved October 30, 2007 from Consulting-Specifying Engineer.  Business Source Premier.

This article talks about how construction companies are now focusing on how efficient a place is as well as how it works on the inside, not just making sure the building stays up and everything looks somewhat pretty.  I would appreciate my workspace being constructed on the thought that it will work better for me and the people around me if everything runs smoothly.  I always thought that contractors always put that thought in mind when working on a new project, but apprently not.  One of the worst (and best) examples of when a contractor should have thought about efficiency would be my very own house.  Living with 50 girls of course would be difficult to design, but I’m sure making every room a different size didn’t even cross the contractor’s mind.  As I look around my own room, I think I would have appreciated if some guy realized that the logistics of making two girls live in a closet while their neighbors created a sitting area was a problem.

Energy Efficient Lighting November 16, 2007

Have you ever sit in a classroom with no natural sunlight, fluorescent lights, or even burnt out lights. According to the Energy Bureau of the United States, nearly 20 percent of energy consumed in education is simply from inadequate lighting. The experience can be quite devastating to the college experience. Sonoma State University in California recently conducted an audit of their current lighting situation around the school. They determined that not only could energy efficient lighting save them $269,000 doll1ars a year, but they would drastically cut emission rates as well. Their intention is to dedicate over $1 million dollars to lighting overhaul within the next years. By saving money on electrical and energy costs, they can invest in other departments, and on other projects. Although initially replacing and reinvigorating lighting across the CSU campus might be expensive, overall, they University stands to save money in the long run. This money could be set aside to fund the new Alumni and Visitor Center. These small improvements also encourage enrollment of prospective students who are environmentally conscious. Implementing these practices should not be very difficult because solar power and energy efficient bulbs are not difficult to install, but the initial costs could pose problems.

“Sonoma State University Lighting Study” Best Practices is written and produced by the Green Building

Research Center, at the University of California, Berkeley.

The Best Practices Competition showcases successful projects

on UC and CSU campuses to assist campuses in achieving energy

efficiency and sustainability goals. Funding for Best Practices is provided by the UC/CSU/IOU Energy Efficiency Partnership

Environmental Sustainability of Grass November 16, 2007

Duble, Richard L. "Kentucky Blue Grass." Plant Answers. 13 Nov. 2007 <http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/turf/publications/bluegrass.html>.

 

 

"Turf-Type Buffalo Grass." Todd Valley Farms. 13 Nov. 2007 <http://www.toddvalleyfarms.com/TurfTypeBuffalograss.htm>.

 

Today’s society has become very dependant on our natural resources that will literally diminish into thin air. Using our resources such as oil, and water in inefficient ways is becoming an issue that the government and its people know little about. From Global warming to the depletion of the water aquifers this is issue is one that needs to be critically addressed. Using absurd amounts water to irrigate our Kentucky blue grass that city ordinance’s often require us to have for aesthetic look only will eventually catch up to us.

In future buildings we need to begin recycling the water that is so valuable. There are many ways we can do this. These ways include doing things such as collecting run off water from rooftops, and requiring landscapes to be more environmentally sustainable. We can make our landscapes more climates adjusted by using rock formations, and natural grasses that do not require as much water as the Kentucky blue grass does. “As much as 2 inches of water per week are needed to keep bluegrass green and growing during summer months in the transition zone

(Duble)”. The alternative to blue grass would be buffalo grass, this grass grows indigenously to Colorado and “Buffalo grass thrives on 1/4 inch of water per week (Turf )”. As you can see the shift from Kentucky blue grass to buffalo grass for landscapes would be monumental in saving water for the communities. 

 The switch from Kentucky blue grass to buffalo grass would be expensive but would most likely pay off in the water usage saved by the efficiency of the buffalo grass. Many people do not like the idea of the buffalo grass due to its lack of color and rough texture, however, the Kentucky blue grass was not indigenous to Colorado and will continue to take up our diminishing water aquifers if we do not take a proactive approach. In the LAVA (Liberal Arts Village of Academia) we intend on utilizing the water efficient buffalo grass, and use recycled water run off to sustain it.

Rethinking the Office Environment – Jason Sheffied November 16, 2007

The environment of the work place is what defines the overall feeling of a business. It can make or break a business, and is often the reason a client, customer, or employee will stay with the business. Through the article “Rethinking the Office Environment” we get a look at what several businesses are doing to do just that. Some of the main idea’s that is really coming through are things like collaboration with co-workers, having a place to get away during breaks, and a over all warm environment.  As Jay Brand says,
"There are a lot of good reasons to have informal interaction areas."
Studies show that this helps in overall morale and efficiency. As the article says, “To stimulate interaction among co-workers and let the business profit from the creative flow of ideas and high morale.”

I think that how they are doing this is proven in the output of the business. It is a hard one to argue against. Companies like Zune who have an area where they can have shows for the employee’s, or a lunchtime dj contest speak volumes about the values and environment of the office.

When thinking how is this possible for your average business I think we start to see of the potential problems. One, the question is this for everyone? I think yes, but it needs to be tailored to the spirit of the business. Second how do we integrate people from all walks? I think this is done in looking at the greater good. We may not please everyone, but if the goal is to create a better work place I think most people will join in that.

MacMillan, Douglas. “Rethinking the Office Environment” 15 October, 2007
click here

Green Dana – Jason Sheffield November 16, 2007

In Ann Arbor, Michigan the University of Michigan finds it home of 40,000 plus students and has been established as a University since 1817. The Dana Building was first built in 1903 and been in need of a new renovation. In the 90’s the university started its plans to renovate this old building. Using many of the students from the Natural Resources and Environment School UM set a 25 million dollar project into motion. With two major goals: "to create a comfortable place to learn and work and to demonstrate state-of-the-art green design." They accomplished this to the T. Everything from waterless urinals and composting toilets, to massive windows that provide majority of the light needed. This building was changed from top to bottom.
Click here to see the inside to the building
Through this renovation it can be seen that it is possible for an extremely old building to change, for the footprint of that building to be reduced. They put it best, "The renovation resulted in a building where environmental principles are not only taught, but also upheld and demonstrated to the community."

Maybe CSU should look at this and instead of building a 100 million dollar sport complex and a select few will use, they should renovate 4 of our building on the oval.

Case Studies Database provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s.  S.T Dana Building Renovation, University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment  23 October. 2007
click here

Intel’s New Office November 16, 2007

Kharif, O. (2007, October 16). Intel’s New Office. Business
Week Online, Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database. 

Jeremie Roberts 

The giant chip manufacturer is in the process of completely
remodeling their work environment to create a good working environment. They where a leading contributor in the ’70 with
the cubicle and they plan to be a leading contrbuitor in the new
workplace. They are chaning gears from a company where every employee has
a desk. To a company where most people
who do not need a desk will not have one assigned to them. Instead they plan to create lounges with a Starbucks,
coffee joint/ café feel to them. These lounges will be on a first come first
get basis. No assigned seating.  Intel
plans to create different spaces all within the lounge to accommodate any need
a worker might need. They will have tables for workers who need to use laptops
and get work done. They will create
glass booths for anyone who needs a completely quiet area to work. As well they will create an area that has a
more social emphasis within it. Where employees of all levels will be able to
communicate and interact regularly.  All
of these I think will be good for the company and good for the employees in
terms of a better environment to work in. It will add more flexibility to the workers who no longer have a
desk. They will not feel the need that
they must go to a desk to get something done. The only thing that worries me is having enough space to accommodate all
the workers. As long as there is enough
space I think it will create a much better working environment for those within
the Intel Corporation.