This year Corporate Environments was a sponsor for this one of a kind gala and auction. The 16th annual Chairish the Future gala raised money by auctioning off children's play sets designed by local interior design firms, as well as chairs designed and painted by local artists, with all proceeds going to The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta. This organization works to improve the lives of people in our community by distributing essential home furnishings to individuals and families in need. Their clients include individuals and families moving out of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, and living with HIV/AIDS.

Before the Furniture Bank, many of these individuals and families had no furniture, and were forced to sleep and eat on the floor. Together we've helped make these families houses a home. Guest judges included honorary Chair Vern Yip, HGTV Host and Designer, Gordon Elkins of Elkins Partnership, and the Dean of Fashion and Interior Design at SCAD Atlanta, David Goodrowe.

Knoll Atlanta's 2010 Upstart group recently participated in Flower Power, a flower arranging class led by Corporate Enviroments' Showroom Manager, Cooper French.  Each year, some of Atlanta's top design firms choose a member of their team to represent their firm in Knoll's Upstart program.  Flower Power was held at the Knoll Atlanta showroom and is one of four events for the year.  Cooper is an inspirational designer and has hosted this fun event eight years in a row.

We would like to thank Knoll's 2010 Upstart participants for making this year's Flower Power the best yet, and we hope they are enjoying their beautiful arrangements!

 

The B.O.B. Forum Design Awards is the highest honor that IIDA Georgia can bestow upon a design team, in recognition of design excellence and promotion of creativity which strives continuously to push boundaries and exceed expectations. Held on February 18, 2010, the organization utilized different decades to provide a backdrop for the event. This year the B.O.B. awards commemorated the 1960’s, and guests were encouraged to dress reflective of this time if they choose. In addition, black and/or white dress is requested for this event.

Interior Design Professor, Shane Totten with Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), dropped into the showroom to meet with CE's Architectural and Design Representative, Laurel Hoover, for a tour to expose the Interior Design students to the role a dealership plays in the professional world.  Laurel organized speakers Ed Tadlock, Project Manager, Christy Nel, Designer, Leisa Shealy, ICE designer and Lisa Cheatham, Operations Manager to explain their support roles to architectural and design firms.

Corporate Environments, a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and our CE Sales Rep, Sandi Vaughn, hosted the January "Eye Opener Breakfast" at the Columbus Conference Center on Thursday, January 28^th. Since Corporate Environments is a Leader in LEED, through Modular Interior Construction, we partnered with a CPA, William Hood, who  presented cost savings through his dynamic and informative presentation "Show Me the Money"!

Last month the C.E. sales, design and management teams took a trip to the new 81,000 sq. ft. DIRTT assembly plant in Savannah, GA. Throughout the 2 day event our teams learned about every detail that goes into manufacturing the innovative DIRTT modular interiors.

DIRTT 'Doing It Right This Time', refers to creating responsive, sustainable and unique workspaces through DIRTT's Agile Architectural Solutions. Movable walls and access floors allow for complete self-expression and individual function providing a productive, long-term, flexible asset. DIRTT Walls are pre-engineered, pre-manufactured and horizontally support new and legacy furniture and storage. They virtually eliminate construction waste and any future renovation waste - no demolition, dumping, procuring and re-building. The results are dramatic and meaningful for the environment and your bottom-line.

We also used the opportunity to do team building workshops that strengthened the already tight bond between the design, management and sales forces, part of our ongoing efforts to ensure our company retains its position as one of the top furniture dealers in the Southeast.

 

For our 2nd year in a row, Corporate Environments was proud to help the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by sponsoring Team Drummond in the Cox Atlanta Bike Ride.

Georgia's Two-Day Cycling Tradition, Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride is a non-profit sporting event celebrating its 23rd year in the fight against multiple sclerosis benefiting the National MS Society-Georgia Chapter. Proceeds from the tour will help support various programs that aid thousands of Georgians with MS and their families in all 159 counties of Georgia. The Bike MS: Cox Atlanta Ride also joins thousands of cyclists nationwide in raising millions in an effort to fund research and local client programs. Good luck to Team Drummond on the 2010 ride.

In the spirit of the holidays, Corporate Environments gave 120 companies & organizations throughout the Architecture & Design community the opportunity to donate money to one of four charities including the Humane Society, American Cancer Society, the Boys & Girls Club, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  We thank those who responded for their participation in making the holidays merrier for this select group of charities.

T’was the week before Christmas when all through the land
Holiday Breakfast and Lunches were planned

The Breakfast on Tuesday was super,
so yummy, and swell
There were high hopes for lunch,
the next day would tell

What to our wondering eyes will appear?
Ham, turkey, salads, veggies, dessert and good cheer

"No, Dasher! no, Dancer! no, Prancer or Vixen!
No Comet! no Cupid! no, Donder or Blitzen!

Just friends at CE, the merriest band,
Will join in the fun, each woman and  man

The Library’s ready and calling to all
Noon’s the time, for the jolliest Lunchtime of all.

Corporate Environments has supported IFMA Atlanta’s Sustaining Patron Program for several years. This year’s Appreciation night was hosted by Brian Benedict at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta on Tuesday, December 1st.  Patti Miller invited David Heidlauf of AutoTrader.com as our guest. David is pictured here with C.E. Sales rep Patti Miller.

Team members Tony Nelson, Tracy Bennett, Jennifer MacFarlane, Carlton Poole, Yu-Kai Lin and Allison Jones all were a part of a bowling team to benefit a cure for breast cancer. Corporate Environments & J-MacFarlane Group sponsored the team and were amongst other charitable companies who had a blast for this great cause.

 

On September 17, 2009, Knoll Atlanta hosted the 3rd Annual IIDA Georgia Chapter's "Trash to Treasure" Art Auction. Both a silent and live auction took place with all proceeds going to the "Atlanta Beltline", an ambitious effort to convert a 22 mile unused railway surrounding the city into a vibrant urban greenspace.

(from left to right) John Cantrell of HOK, past IIDA president Fiona Grandowski of Collins Cooper Carusi, Kim Syndnor and C.E.'s very own Laurel Hoover

Corporate Environments took part in 2009 NeoCon festivities showcasing all that's new and fresh in the furniture industry. Pictured here is Laurel Hoover and colleagues test driving the Knoll Generation chair.

Corporate Environments recently held several sessions of an environmental workshop taught by Michelle Anderson of DIRTT. Michelle compared modular interior construction to conventional construction highlighting the financial and environmental impacts of each. We had a fantastic turnout for separate breakfast, lunch, and evening cocktail sessions. Thank you everyone who attended! We look forward to holding more workshops in the future.