Fig Studio Adds Partner

Jenny Guggenheim owns Fig Studio. She's a Duck. She trained at the University of Oregon School of Architecture and Allied Arts and Parsons School of Design in New York City.

Before establishing Fig Studio, Jenny worked with GBD Architects, Inc. where she honed her commercial design skills and gained extensive knowledge related to sustainable building practices and strategies. Her LEED AP credentials and experience working on LEED Certified projects allow her to easily guide her clients toward environmentally responsible design choices.

Her husband Jeff recently completed the seven exams necessary to be a licensed architect after thousands of hours of "targeted work experience." When he was looking for a place to practice, Jenny said,“How about you join Fig?” In their initial newsletter, FIG. Studio Architecture + Interiors | Vol. 1, Jenny writes:

As a kickoff to this exciting new endeavor, Jeff and Jenny did what any sensible designers would do: attend the Salone Del Mobile in Milan, Italy. This annual event is the world’s largest furniture and design tradeshow. Surrounded by a dizzying array of beautiful, cutting edge and sometimes-ridiculous design, they found themselves charged to return to Portland and deliver on their inspiration from abroad.  

But first, they took a quick side trip to Marrakech for some additional inspiration, a little excitement and some relaxation. They bartered in the Souk for Bedouin metalwork and rugs, dodged snake charmers in the square and relaxed on their riad’s rooftop terrace while bathing in the hot Saharan sun.

On the way home they took a quick detour to Barcelona to meet friends and experience Gaudi’s architectural masterworks, The Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila and Parc Guell. Jeff and Jenny ate their weight in tapas at Quimet & Quimet, and enjoyed a day of bike riding on the Barcelona coastline.

Fig Studio is now ensconced in the Paramount Movie Studios building at NW 19th and Lovejoy. The Paramount Movie Studios building is also home of trade rep Heather Gee-Pape of Inform Interiors who carries many of her favorite furniture and lighting lines. In addition, Filling Spaces, owned by Deepali Kalia, moved to this location and installed the paperstone counter from Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery. Kalia carries many fine Indian bedding, fabrics and draperies.

Jenny Guggenheim was featured in the June-July issue of Gray Magazine of Pacific Northwest Design in which she offers "6 Color Tips From Jenny Guggenheim."

We hope Jenny and Jeff enjoy working together as much as Mike and I do.
 

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Time For Green Training

We read so much every day about new developments that are LEED certified.  Many designers and architects have taken many hours of training to achieve their certification to design the new buildings.
But what about the 130 million homes that were built before modern energy and building codes were established. Where does the consumer go for qualified advice to bring their home up to the new standards? Where does the interior designer, architect or contractor get the knowledge to add this element to their repertoire?

The Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI) offers bpi certificationto those taking bpi training in Residential & Commercial Energy Analysis, Building Performance Contracting, Solar Design a& Installation, Commercial Lighting and Assessment, Facility Energy Management, Indoor Air Quality, and Green Building Design.

In June 2012 the BPI will extend its certifications to energy auditor, retrofit installer, crew leader and quality control inspector. If you want to be involved in the energy upgrade industry, you might consider getting trained. The best part is the classes are offered by BPI and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

By becoming a bpi building analyst, you will be able help homeowners in those 130 million homes improve their comfort and safety and reduce their energy bills. I don’t need to tell you how the rising prices of energy have impacted the consumer’s wallet. Your knowledge will help homeowners qualify for utility incentive programs that range from tax credit, grants, loans and rebate programs.  Here’s a link to the many programs just in the State of Oregon. 

This is the time to grow a new business or add to your existing one

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Kid Safety Comes Before Skiing

 Part 6

Before leaving for a long weekend skiing Whistler in Canada, John needed to check in with his clients.  He needed to make sure that all the security concerns were being met in the new residences and condos where he’s hired as a consultant. One of his jobs as a LEED consultant is to make sure his buildings are healthy and safe for occupants. He makes sure that there are handrails in bathrooms, that windows have screens that can’t be moved by babies, that paints are used that emit low or no VOCs.  One of his recent jobs has been to make sure the kid safety and pet gates are installed and installed properly.

There have been some big changes in safety gates and one of his clients, Kidco Gate Shop., has redesigned their baby gates without squares or diamond mesh that can be climbed by precious little ones.  Kidco was one of the first to make metal safety gates for doorways and stairways.   Now, they offer self-closing gates.  Imagine, you're a young mother carrying one child with another in tow, trying to protect your children’s safety while wrestling with the old wooden gates at the top of the stairs. 

John has his reasons for liking his job.  When he was four, he fell against the stove that warmed his house. It burned his right arm below the elbow so badly that the scar was still visible in college. Today’s homes would likely use a hearth gate to avoid childhood accidents.

“John, will you be able to relax while we’re skiing?”

“Yes, Rachel. My clients are all happy.  Let’s hit the slopes!”

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