Tag Archives: Green Building Focus

Styling in style

Posted on September 14, 2011 | 7 comments

Restful minimalism

Every downtown core deserves an upscale, well-designed salon. We finally have one in the form of Click, which recently opened at Pepper Place (2829 Second Avenue South). The converted warehouse space is open, airy, and minimalist. Products are tastefully to the side of the lobby; hair is cut by black-clad stylists facing freestanding mirrors, rather than walls; clutter and noise are minimal; the color palette and lighting are simple and soothing. The best thing about this place for your author: it’s a 4 minute bike ride from home.

TOMORROW!!

Speaking of bike rides, the Green Building Focus conference and expo will be held Thursday and Friday at Cahaba Grand Conference Center. The expo is free so anyone who is interested in green building and improving our environment, plan a visit.

[thanks to Green Building Focus for their logo]

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Greening Birmingham

Posted on August 24, 2010 | 4 comments

We’re at the Green Building Focus conference in Birmingham–come check out our booth! The vendor hall is free and open to the public at in the North Exhibition Hall of the BJCC starting 8:30 AM Wednesday and continuing Thursday.

Where do I go?

In the meantime I can’t help but illustrate how the lobby of the downtown Sheraton needs help. This lobby of the main hotel connected to the convention center has no visual focus. It’s a blur of beige tiles, brown paneling, more brown planters–and odd little angled reception desks hidden behind columns. This space is lacking in “visual hierarchy” , where elements and colors are carefully arranged in relation to one another to guide guests to the check-in, to the elevators, the ballrooms, etc.

In the 5 minutes I stood there, I saw at least 4 people looking bewildered, asking the bellman where to find elevators, wondering where to check in, etc.  This could be much, much easier with a change of materials, color, and orientation. OK, back to the conference! More on greening Birmingham shortly!

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