Tag Archives: Paula Kennedy CMKBD

January 18 at #KBtribechat – BIOPHILIA DESIGN IN THE BATHROOM

Hosted by Paula Kennedy CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC

Inspirational Speaker. Writer. Designer. Creativity Guru. Educator. Serial Entrepreneur.

Beyond basic hygiene, the bathroom is an important space where we execute self-care, escape from the world and nurture ourselves.  Within the category of wellness design, the concept of Biophilia takes us deeper into bringing the outdoors in and increasing our human connection with nature.

“Biophilic design is a concept used to increase occupant connectivity to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and place conditions.”

Biophilic design makes us happier and healthier by increasing our connection with the natural world, even indoors, whether we are at work or at home. It is said to promote productivity, too, which is why employers are sitting up and taking notice.

I have used Wellness and the Four Elements; earth, water, fire, air, (as well as wood and metal) to guide my discussion with clients as to how we can design bathroom spaces utilizing biophilia.  These spaces nurture our souls and keep us connected to the earth which supports our mental and physical wellbeing. 

  • Biophilic design creates healthy, happy built environments.
    • Decreased stress, enhanced creativity, and accelerated recovery from illness
  • Biophilia is not just about plants.
    • The use of patterns and fractals in design is commonly referred to as biomimicry.
  • Light is a part of our rhythm.
    • Lighting systems that either naturally or artificially changes throughout the day to mimic our circadian rhythm helps link people to the outdoor environment
  • Our minds and bodies appreciate the presence of water.
    • The presence of water in spaces lowered blood pressure, lowered heart rate, and memory restoration. 
  • We can feel nature in the air.
    • Studies show that airflow stimulation has been found to keep people awake, also naturally improving focus and performance.
  • Appealing to multiple senses makes more sense.
    • In order to most effectively reach people with biophilic design, it’s best to aim for multi-sensory stimuli.
  • Faking nature has some payback, too. “Biomimicry”
    • Elements that mimic nature are not without some benefit, too.

“IT DOESN’T HAVE TO LOOK LIKE A JUNGLE!”

Please keep the conversation on the bathroom so we can remain on topic.

Question 1: What are the benefits of biophilic design?

Question 2: What surfaces support biophilic design?

Question 3: What plumbing fixtures support biophilic design?

Question 4: How do we use light in biophilic design?

Question 5: What other materials support biophilic design?

Question 6: What shapes and textures support biophilic design?

Question 7: How are plants used to support biophilic design?

Question 8: What elements of biomimicry can be utilized in the bathroom?

Join this Twitter conversation

at 2pm ET on Wednesday 1/18

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets.

Other hashtags that apply to this conversation include #biophilia #bathroomdesign and #timelesskitchendesign.

Where you can find Paula online:

Paula Kennedy CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC

Timeless Kitchen Design

www.timelesskitchen.design/ 

Twitter @TimelessKitchDz

www.instagram.com/paulakennedyckd/ 

www.linkedin.com/in/paula-kennedy-cmkbd

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February 3rd at #KBtribechat: Integrating Technology in Kitchens and Baths

hosted by Paula Kennedy CMKBD, CAPS, CACC

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We are learning a lot about Home Integration, the Connected Home, Smart Homes and smart spaces. In the Kitchen and Bath Industry we work in unique spaces that are rich for many forms of technology, connectedness and integration. Currently, I am very frustrated with the technology I use and how I am constantly “tethered” to cords and outlets, in today’s day and age, why am I limited to the life of a battery!! I am not an expert at any of this but am hungry to learn more!

The word Integration means a coordination of processes, united, to have a sense of seamlessness. We want these features to seem like they were always there, a part of our life, easy, unassuming, freeing us up to focus on what is more important in our lives. True integration should be invisible. And Technology shouldn’t exist just to exist; it should be something that makes our lives easier . . . . to create a better quality of life. I can’t help but immediately think about Healthy Living and Accessible Living in the spaces we design every day.

A few of my favorite things I saw at #KBIS2016 this year are:
• Lenova AquaLogic faucet (Ozone anti-microbial  disinfectant)
http://www.irinoxusa.com/blast-chilling-shock-freezing-game-changer-modern-club-kitchen/
• Irinox Freddy & Zero (Wall appliance) (Purcell Murray)
• Blast chilling, shock freezing, low temp cook, thaw heat and hold, leaven and proof
http://www.irinoxusa.com/blast-chilling-shock-freezing-game-changer-modern-club-kitchen/
• Urban Cultivator (Herb growing indoor appliance)
http://www.urbancultivator.net/
• Delta’s Leak Detection, partnered with iDevices through an app to inform you of leaks in the home
http://www.deltafaucet.com/leakdetection

But this is such a broader topic! I attended the session at the NKBA Stage at KBIS to listen to Michael Wolf and a panel who had been part of the Smart Kitchen Summit in Seattle this last summer. Imagine these ideas coming to our homes in the future, and some in the not so distant future . . .

• Zuckerberg building a Robot Butler like Jarvis
• Amazon Echo – voice commands
• Hands free speech directions (in the kitchen, hands are messy, you are dicing onions! “Turn down the heat on burner #2”)
• Food talking to us! Not only what our inventory is, but about its contents, is it gluten free?
• Homeowners are already using services like Amazon Fresh, Blue Apron, Amazon Dash Replenishment
• (http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/204415/amazon-dash-replenishment-service-commences)
• Auto Order when inventory low.
• You posted a dinner party in your calendar and linked a menu, a week in advance Amazon prepares the shopping cart and sends you a message to order items!
• Become The Kitchen Hero, using technology to become a Super Chef
• Recharge your devices on the counter! It’s already here.
• Camera in the oven or over the cooktop, step away to let the dog in or go answer the front door and let your mobile app show you if the pot is boiling over.

I’ve been learning a lot from Eric Schimelpfenig as well, check out the article he wrote.

Read this article on Houzz about what a company in California, Intel Corp, is working on.

At #KBIS2016 this year the Virginia Tech Center for Design Research was at it again! Did you check out the futureHaus Kitchen last year? Did you see the futureHaus Bathroom this year?
• The vanity raised and lowered to height and needs of user
• The bathroom scale was hidden under glass tile in the floor, sensors digitally displayed up on the mirror

Paula’s KBtribechat Questions – 

Q1. What does Integrated or Smart mean to you in the Kitchen & Bath?

Q2. What are the products that you’ve discovered recently, even at KBIS that fit into this broad category?

Q3. Do you have any frustrations with this topic or only excitement?

Q4. Where are you getting educated to keep ahead of our clients?

Q5. Will this integration and technology change the design of the kitchen and bath, and how we design these spaces?

Join this Twitter Chat discussion

on Wednesday, February 3rd

from 2 to 3pm eastern time

by adding #KBtribechat to your tweets!

Here’s the transcript for this KBtribechat.

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