WASHINGTON - The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), in partnership with Interiors & Sources magazine, announces the inaugural year of the Bloom Awards and is calling for entries by September 15, 2008. An award dedicated to recognizing the achievements of sustainable products in interior commercial design, the new program will choose a product winner in five different categories: furniture, flooring, textiles, lighting, and innovative materials.
"ASID is constantly looking for new ways to become involved in the sustainable movement and this new program with Interiors & Sources is another venture I'm proud of," says Michael Alin, Hon. FASID, ASID executive director. "Green design is not a fad for our members, it's part of practicing responsible design. All of our members, whether it's students, designers or manufacturers, are in need of green materials and products and we're pleased to recognize the companies that are leading the way and allowing our members to create sustainable spaces."
Bloom Award submissions will be judged upon:
- The extent to which the product is environmentally innovative and aesthetically pleasing
- How the product promotes sustainability, including, but not limited to, energy savings, recycled content, recyclability, life cycle assessments and end-of-life management
- Materials selection within the manufacturing process (such as substitution of hazardous and toxic chemicals for those that are less harmful)
- Resource efficiency within the manufacturing process (particularly water and energy use)
- Recycling and waste management within the manufacturing process
- Recycling and waste management after the product has completed its life-cycle
"We are thrilled to partner with ASID on this exciting, new awards program because interior designers have been clamoring for more information on how to identify and select green products, and the Bloom Awards will distinguish the products that best exemplify sustainability, innovation and performance," says Robert Nieminen, editor of Interiors & Sources.
A distinguished panel of industry professionals made up of ASID professional members and Interiors & Sources editors will judge the entries. All entries must be submitted electronically by September 15, 2008. Product samples may be sent to:
ASID Headquarters
Attn. Korenna Cline
608 Massachusetts Ave. NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
The entry fee is $395 for the first product submitted; each additional product is $145 and the product must have been introduced to the marketplace after Dec. 31, 2006, to be eligible. Product concepts will not be accepted. Third-party sustainability certifications of product entries are not required, but will be taken into consideration during the judging process.
Visit www.interiorsandsources.com/bloomawards/rules.aspx for the complete list of entry criteria, eligibility and guidelines. For specific questions, please contact Allison Kundel at allison.kundel@stamats.com.
About ASID
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is a community of people-designers, industry representatives, educators and students-committed to interior design. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people's lives. Its more than 40,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 Chapters throughout the United States and Canada. For more information, go to www.asid.org.