Design 21: Social Design Network

Hello Kate, Here's a link to the Arctic Seed Vault and there seems to be a connection: http://www.croptrust.org/main/arctic.php?itemid=211

Wow! I have read a bit about the MASDAR Initiative, and after visiting the link, it's obvious the average American does not comprehend what is truly happening. Too busy with work schedules and ignoring the global impact of modern science and technology. IPODS and HDTV...that's what Americans are talking about! While man's most incredulous and fantastical scientific creations go unnoticed.

TBN aired a movie about a month ago during its cult week. Filmed in the 40's, it dramatically told of the re-birth of a once violent and war-torn society. The sophistication of the story and its premise of a future world government was outstanding. The progression to space travel at the peril of losing their affinity for Earth was also a theme. No longer did they need the earth, the land and its creatures for food and survival. It was one of the best movies I've ever seen! The backdrops, spacecraft, architecture and interiors were so very similar to our tomorrow...minimal, clean and hi-tech, and lots of flat screen tv phones and voice control.

Lastly...did you happen to see the 60 minutes program about the new weapon, a neurological heat /stun gun? This RAY GUN...yes, a ray gun! sends the power of heat towards the enemy, and its so hot one must run away from it or risk burning the top layer of skin. I truly believe the entire interview wa...

Hello Kate, I recently watched a news program featuring a seed vault in the Arctic! Organized and founded by one lone man...surrounded by ice to preserve the seeds. Our present reality is now a futuristic movie...mimicking the science fiction I loved watching in the 70's. "A New Earth", indeed is surely evolving into what...? Fifty years from now, will those same seeds be worth more than gold?

BIDS is an interior design and architecture networking organization and will be presenting two educational programs at the upcoming ASID Interiors '08 Conference in New Orleans, March 13-16.

BIDS Featured Guest Speakers:

James R. Washington, Jr., NOMA, AIA;

Principal of Hewitt-Washington & Associates, a New Orleans architecture firm and participants or the Neighborhoods Rebuilding Plan, and designated rebuilding consultants for Disctrict 6.

Jack Travis, FAIA, NOMA; JTA Studio in Bronx New York.

Renown educator and consultant on global architecture and design diversity. As an environmental designer, Travis is ever concerned with the dynamics of how people use space. He easily compares and contrasts the marketplace in an African city to a large mall in a major metropolitan area anywhere in the United States. His contention is that there are cultural differences in other typologies, such as residential, commercial, and spiritual worship that we have yet to recognize and respond to through design. Participants will have their eyes opened by insightful case studies of Black cultural influence on design and sustainability.

For more information about these events, contact Alicia Valair directly at 702-408-5099. BIDS' primary goal is to join forces as designers and architects and make a difference in our communities!

Visit the Main website : www.blackinteriordesigners.com

Visit the BIDS Forum: www.blackinteriordesigners.ning.com

Black Interior Designer Showcase (BIDS) website officially launched September 10, 2007. Its goal is to become a "visible" platform to expose and introduce, to disadvantaged youth, the fields of interior design and architecture. BIDS was also proud to be designated a field agent and team member of Bill Cosby's grass-root initiative and distribute the book, "Come On People"

We aspire to gain national visibility as we broaden our efforts to establish BIDS as a viable network of professionals who seek increased minority inclusion into the fields of architecture and interior design. The response to our efforts have been tremendous and we're thrilled to co-partner educational forums at this year's American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Interiors '08 Conference to be held this March in New Orleans.

BIDS designers were interviewed for an upcoming Essence Magazine article which has a circulation of 8 million readers. BIDS is positioned to become the premier resource for consumers when searching for a black interior designer, architect, builder and contractor.

We are also very proud to participate as a partner with ASID, the largest membership of interior designers in the world and by asking for our participation, they are proactively supporting our goals. We will feature as special guests: Jack Travis, FAIA, NOMAC and James Washington, AIA, NOMA, of Hewitt-Washington & Associates. Hewitt-Washington & Associates are designated the Overall Planning Consultant...

Black Interior Designer Showcase (BIDS) and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Co-Presents Diversity Focused Educational Sessions at Interiors ’08 Conference

LAS VEGAS, N.V. (February 9, 2008) – Black Interior Designer Showcase (BIDS) is co-partnering with ASID to present educational programs during its Interiors ’08 Conference in New Orleans. Two sessions are scheduled, a pre-conference panel discussion titled, “Bridging the Gaps: Diversity in Interior Design” with local New Orleans architect, James Washington Jr., AIA, NOMA and a presentation by re-known architect and educator, Jack Travis, FAIA, NOMA, who will present case studies of “Culturally Expressive Environmental Design.”

Black Interior Designer Showcase (BIDS) website (www.blackinteriordesigners.com) launched September 10, 2007. Its mission is to provide an online networking resource for black interior designers, students, architects and other industry professionals. “The response to our efforts has been tremendous and we're thrilled to co-partner educational events at this year's Interiors '08 Conference. ASID has the largest membership of interior designers in the world and by asking for our participation, it is proactively supporting our goals.” said Alicia Valair, Allied Member ASID, Founder and Publisher of BIDS.

The Pre-conference panel discussion is scheduled Thursday, March 13 from 3:00 -5:00. James Washington, AIA, NOMA, of Hewitt-Washington & Associates w...