Good Future Design Alliance (GFDA)

The GFDA is excited to invite our community to join our friends at Fyrn for Design Futures: A CEU Course + Happy Hour at Fyrn Wednesday, January 15, 4-6PM   (San Francisco)   Join us in person for an informative afternoon as we explore purposeful design together. This CEU course, developed by the team at Fyrn, is titled Shaping a sustainable future through informed and empowered FF&E selection. In this one-hour CEU, you'll will explore the lifecycle of products, the factors that influence their durability and the material considerations at play.   Open to hospitality and residential interior designers, architects, students of design and all green-minded professionals.   The course is accredited by the IDCEC and the GBCI: IDCEC - International Design Continuing Education Council Inc. Designation: Health, Safety, Welfare Subject Code: 3. Interior Design Education / 1. Instruction   Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) 1 CE Hour Approved for: BASIC, ARC, LEED, LEED v4, LEED v4.1, WELL   Doors open at 3:30pm 1 hour CEU begins at 4pm Happy hour drinks to follow, 5-6PM Questions? Email: [email protected] Space is limited so please RSVP through Eventbrite today! https://lnkd.in/gAF9hBjF Can't make it to San Francisco? Contact the GFDA if you want us to bring this event to your market. Email our ED, Kathryn Soter, to inquire: [email protected]  Subject: Design Futures CEU inquiry. #sustainabledesign #sustainablesolutions #greenbuilding #furnituredesign #CEU

**New virtual session just added** Join us as we toast to the close of a very busy year at the GFDA, and a look ahead. The GFDA’s Executive Director, Kathryn Soter, will present exciting new initiatives for the organization as we enter 2025.   Healthy Homes and Climate Change are top of mind for our industry, so you’ll want to tune in and learn about our new tools and resources to help your business 🌿 green🌿 us there faster. RSVP through Eventbrite for this virtual event and a zoom link will be sent to you from the GFDA. Sign up now for Tomorrow, Tuesday 12/17 8:30AM Pacific Time (San Francisco) https://lnkd.in/gJQ__Nye

Ever wonder if you can do an "eco reno" affordably AND with style? Today you can find out how Jerri Hobdy of Meno Home did it as we introduce the 30 Day | $30K Design Challenge coming in early 2025. Register for our virtual event to get a sneak peek, via Eventbrite below. Today at Noon PST! MENO Home and the GFDA are teaming up to launch this "30 Day | 30K Design Challenge" to rally the design world to try out their best eco friendly resources and strategies, and have some fun doing it! Jerri will talk about her own renovation of a 1912 Craftsman bungalow and, together with our GFDA team, will tell you how the "challenge" will work, the tools, resources and more that we'll provide. Bring your questions, weigh in and get ready! https://lnkd.in/gphspW4d

Missed our Confab '24 in September? Well now you can catch the recordings on our YouTube channel @thegfda They're all there. Watch now!

Last week, the GFDA's ED, Kathryn Soter, moderated a panel at the Laguna Design Center interviewing three Laguna-based designers who all embrace a mindful and healthy approach to the built environment. It made for rich and interesting conversation and a bit of a twist on the typical 'waste and carbon reduction' talks, but one that is no less important in our profession. Richard T. Fleming, Neuro-Architect is about the most fun neuroscientist you’ll ever meet. As a Neuro-Architect, Richard created this specialty out of his early work designing hospitals. He observed and studied the effects of the physical environment on one’s psychological and physical health. He shared how understanding human behavior can inform design practices and lead to user-centered solutions. He also spoke about the growing Green and Blue Economies across sectors like healthcare and business.   Deana Duffek, is owner/principal designer of "Pure Design House" of Laguna Beach, a full-service design firm with a holistic approach. After the effects of mold toxicity in her own home, Deana’s focus took a profound turn. It was during her personal journey to wellness, where Deana became committed to incorporating a healthy approach to all her designs, including cleaner materials, and leveraging science-driven data to design spaces that are healthy for mind, body and soul. Deana remains undaunted and is energized to call our industry to a higher (cleaner!) standard. Deana also founded Design With Purpose™  a 501(C)3 non-profit where she and her team help a variety of nonprofits by pooling their design resources to help kids in need. (Bravo, Deana!)   Rory Foubister, with his cool British accent, is principal architect of his namesake architecture firm in Laguna Beach. His award-winning, full-service firm also focuses on experiences and emotions that thoughtful design can provide. Rory, also espouses a core tenet of the GFDA’s, in that that he believes the path to true sustainability is putting a heavy emphasis on collaboration and honest communication. . . every-step-of-the-way. . . with clients and everyone on the project team. Goals aligned! Fewer mistakes! Special thanks to Elliott Halem, Beth Denes and the Laguna-based team of Kravet (a GFDA corporate supporter 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼) who held a lovely reception afterward in their newly remodeled showroom. And to the LDC team, Shannon and Becky from Curated Connections, for running a superb event...with plenty food, bottled water in actual glass bottles (which they recycled afterward!) and lots of Orange County sunshine! 😎🌞 We can't wait to go back! 💚💚💚

We’re still smiling 🥰 by all the great feedback we got from our Green Design Visionaries conference last month. What makes us happiest is when true insights are gained and shared as a result of cross-discipline conversations which are at the heart of the GFDA’s mission. Thank you reFern for both contributing to and sharing these important insights from our conference— below. Until next time! 💚

**GFDA recommends this event!** The Circular Economy with Jim Gurulé. Hosted by The NKBA–National Kitchen & Bath Association's NKBA Northern California Chapter and Vadara Quartz Surfaces, in their Hayward, CA showroom. Did you know October is Kitchen & Bath Month?  What better way to get into the green home design groove than by attending this NKBA event to learn circular design principles for Kitchen and Bath design? GFDA Member, Jim Gurulé, has worked with kitchen renovation specialists at all levels, including manufacturers, designers, contractors, and architects. Designers, you can also earn 1 CEU Credit and learn how you can create new revenue streams, meet government regulations, and enhance your reputation as a leader in sustainable design. Now we’re cooking!  🍳 Thursday October 17, 5:30PM-8PM Location: Vadara - Hayward gallery 21050 Forbes Avenue Hayward, CA, 94545 Tickets through Eventbrite, and https://lnkd.in/gcXwbN7n

For those of you who weren't in attendance at our Green Design Visionaries conference, I'd like to share a resource from our partners at mebl | Transforming Furniture. They've offered a free download of their new Circular Design Glossary, produced in conjunction with the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC). Finally, you can learn what Life Cycle Assessments, Embedded Impacts and Non-Toxic Inputs are! Scan the QR code or copy the link below and get your copy today for the complete guide sustainable Furniture & Furnishings terminology. It's your first step into the 'circular future.' https://lnkd.in/dsPbq3fA

Hey, all you construction, Reuse and design professionals, take note! The Bay Area Deconstruction Working Group [BADWG] is having an informative meeting of the minds this Wednesday: September 25, 2024 10AM -12Noon - via Zoom Since BADWG’s last meetings, deconstruction activities in the Bay Area have been increasing. As the supply of reclaimed products and materials increases, another barrier to closing the loop on circular construction practices is becoming urgent: generating demand to reuse these salvaged materials.   One of the most critical barriers to scaling building material reuse is the lack of infrastructure. Facilities and resources to manage, store, and transport salvaged materials, like storage space, tools, material handling equipment, and hauling services, can be challenging to secure and utilize.   Learn more about this important topic by attending the first of the four fall virtual meetings hosted by StopWaste.org on Wednesday 9/25. The aim of these sessions is to inform how participants can standardize and scale the practices of designing and building with salvaged materials. You’ll hear from Zero Waste experts across the region, including James Slattery of SF Environment who spoke at the our own Green Design Visionaries Confab ’24 on September 12. If you care about growing Reuse, register here below for the 2 hr zoom meeting. Not to miss! https://lnkd.in/gqaXu8Af There are more sessions coming up in 10/24, 11/21 and 12/12, too.

Join our Let the Plants Talk! panel for an enriching discussion on integrating natural elements into architectural practices. 🌳 Featuring Experts, Karen Curtiss, Red Dot Studios, Josiah Clark, Habitat Potential Jeff King, Jeff King & Co. Fine Home Construction 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM 📍 Location: Confab 24’, Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture, San Francisco Our panelists will explore innovative ways to incorporate green spaces into living environments, emphasizing sustainable architecture and the critical role of soil protection. Learn how these integrated approaches not only enhance aesthetic value but also contribute significantly to ecological health and human well-being. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see how we can live better by aligning more closely with nature! Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gyX4bdyn #Confab24 #SustainableArchitecture #GreenDesign #LandscapeArchitecture