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Perspectives
With fall upon us and Thanksgiving a few weeks away, we feel that it is appropriate to extend a special thanks to all of you for helping make 2009 one of the most successful years in our company's history. We couldn't have done it without support from the design community, who warmly embraced our Allsteel product lines. But we would especially like to recognize the outstanding contributions by each and every one of our Team members. Each of them gives 200 percent day in and day out.
 With this issue of Smarter Times, we are please to introduce a brand new feature: A Smarter Profile. Taking a page from the Dewar's ads of the 1970's, we are profiling companies that have helped us along the way. Our inaugural Profile features Richmond headquartered evolve architects. We are excited about this new feature and trust you will be as well. If you would like to nominate a company (and don't be shy, you can nominate your own company) for a future Smarter Profiles, please send us an e-mail or give us a call. We'd love to hear from you.
Please make sure you read the update on Fort Lee and Logistics University, where we recently completed an installation for 1 million square feet! The new Mail Processing and Distribution Center in Richmond's East End is the area's best kept secret. Make sure you get the details about this 750,000 square foot facility.
In this issue, we are premiering an exciting product line new to Smarter Interiors: Starwall Movable Walls. We also have several great additions to our Smarter Team. Bob Byron and Marty Sparks recently joined our sales team and Rhonda Swingle joined our Customer Service Department. All three have extensive experience, know-how and a winning attitude. Please welcome them aboard.
Once again, thank you for all your support and encouragement over the years. We realize that these are very challenging times and therefore we feel especially blessed. On behalf of everyone at Smarter Interiors, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
Greg Campbell
Randy Alderson
Partners, Smarter Interiors
Meet Susan B. O'Kelly, CID
Senior Designer
Our Senior Designer Susan O'Kelly has over 20 years of experience in interior design and the contract furniture design. Versatility is one of her strong suits. In addition to contract furniture, Susan has experience in the healthcare industry. With a keen sense of awareness to her client's needs, she provides space planning, finishes, specifications and design solutions for any type of budgetary requirements.
Some of Susan's most recent clients are VCU, MCV, UVA, US Marine Corps, "A challenge is an opportunity to create rewarding results." US Air Navy Space Command, Ethyl Corp., Tredegar Corp. Verizon, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, WTVR-CBS 6 and several county school systems such as Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Spottsylvania and the City of Richmond.
Susan is a Certified Interior Designer (CID) and a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Interior Design. She is also holds the designation of NCIDQ
Capabilities Statement
Turn-key solutions for commercial & healthcare companies.
- New Furniture
Smarteriors represents a number of premier furniture manufacturers and we are an authorized AllSteel dealer.
- Used/Remanufactured
For our environmentally conscious clients or companies with budget restraints, Smarter Interiors offers a wide selection of recycled and refurbished furniture to fit the bill.
- Project Management Services
We can manage your project from inception through delivery and installation to make sure it stays on time, on target, on budget.
- Installation & Service
No matter how large or small your project, our experienced installation and service team can provide worry-free move management and furniture installation services.
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From the NewsRoom:
Large Mail Processing and Distribution Chooses Smarter Interiors to Furnish New 750,000 Square Foot Facility
 A major mail processing and distribution center recently selected Smarter Interiors to furnish its new 750,000 square foot facility. Located off Technology Boulevard on 60 plus acres in Richmond's East End, the new Processing and Distribution Center is in line with the organization's continuing effort to increase efficiency and productivity. Smarter Interiors will supply and install furniture for the new facility which includes offices, conference rooms, employee lounges, a cafeteria and outside spaces, customer service, and operations. Illinois headquartered Korte was the design build firm for this project. The new facility is a green as possible, which fits perfectly into today's trends to create sustainable spaces and facilities wherever possible.
According to Smarter Interiors principal, Randy Alderson, his firm was selected to design team lead by Nancy Powell could provide value very cost effectively. "The client wanted a stylish, contemporary look that would last over time,"states Alderson. "The Concensys® line from Allsteel fits the bill. It helps accommodate different interior styles, work styles, and personal preferences. And Allsteel offers the kind of style and durability that lasts through interior trends and frequent reconfiguration. Plus all products are backed by a lifetime warranty."
According to Nancy Powell, senior director for design with Smarter Interiors, what made Concensys stand out from the competition was its overall value. "With welded steel frames, high-pressure laminate work surfaces, and metal panel connectors, top caps and kick plates, Concensys is tough enough to withstand years of use, reconfiguration, and re-use,"states Powell.
The Smarter Interiors' team is providing furniture specification services, project management, installation management and coordination.
"This was one of the smoothest projects I have ever had the pleasure to be part of,"said Alderson. "We developed a great relationship with the client and we thoroughly enjoyed working together."
When it came time for installation, kudos went to Smarter Interiors' installation team for on-time delivery. Headed by Rodney Herbert, the installation team anticipated field problems that could hinder installation and they worked to resolve them in advance. Installation required more than 13 trailers of product over a period of three weeks for on-time, on budget delivery.
Smarter Interiors completed the initial installation in September and they anticipate move in to the new facility to be completed this month.
Case Study:
Smarter Interiors Completes 1 Million Square Feet Installation at New Army Logistics University at Fort Lee
Project Overview
Industry: Government
Opportunity: Furnish 1 million square feet of space with products that meet stringent federal requirements while accommodating future growth.
Workstations: 465 from Reach and Terrace
Offices: 90 private offices furnished with Menu desks from Gunlocke; seating: #19 Chair
Library: 2 floors of Get Set tables & Global seating.
Cafeteria Seating: Merge tables & Relate seating;
Classrooms: 175 lectures from Gunlocke's Converge line
Other Products: 600 clocks & wastebaskets from Ability One. Arcadia lounge table & armchairs
Colors: Metallic blues and warm grays. Smarter Interiors and furniture manufacturer Allsteel were selected in late January of this year to furnish the Army Logistics University (ALU) at Fort Lee, a $136-million complex which spans more than 1 million total square feet. ALU will be the center for Army logistics training and it is the second of many Fort Lee projects mandated by the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure law. ALU houses three military colleges: the Army Logistics Management College, the Logistics Leader College and the Technical Logistics College.
The transition to the ALU will mean a change of an average daily student population of 350 to 2,300, with the number of faculty and staff also to grow from 172 to nearly 500. The university campus includes a new, four-story educational building with 207 classrooms; a logistics research library that will be open to the general public; a simulation training center; and some eateries, among other onsite resources and centers.
Smarter Interiors was selected to furnish over a million square feet that spans three buildings.
The Military Recruits Smarter Interiors and Allsteel to Bring Made in America Green Products That Stand the Test of Time
 According to Smarter Interiors Principal Randy Alderson, the Reach™product line from Allsteel was primarily the reason they were awarded the business. "The Army Corp of Engineers, [who made the award] needed furniture solutions that met the military's need for extensive data storage and electrical routing capabilities, with a contemporary design that could withstand the test of time," states Alderson. "The Reach product offered maximum storage options in a small footprint. Plus the walls of the versatile Terrace panel system can be lowered to maximize light."
The client also liked that Terrace tiles were easy to remove which allows for quick reconfiguration. Reach is an excellent solution for companies who typically store a lot of documents or require improved space efficiency, such as the government.
 Nancy Powell, Smarter Interiors' senior director for design, lead the design that worked closely with the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE). "The real challenge came once we won the project," states Powell. "All of the original designs had to be revamped and we had to work virtually around the clock to redesign the spaces in a very short window," states Powell.
In selecting colors, the Smarter Interiors' design team worked with ACOE. "Gray was the primary color we had to work with," states Powell. "We were able to vary the color scheme with blue accents and textured fabrics."
Reasons for Success
 "This was one of the most challenging projects Smarter Interiors and I have ever been part of," said Alderson. "The delivery andinstallation logistics were horrendous. There was one loading dock and multiple vendors and subcontractors with the same tight deadlines, all vying for the same delivery and installation time."
The installation took eight (8) weeks and required 65, 53-foot tractor trailers. According to Smarter Interiors' Rodney Herbert, who heads the installation team, "if the tractor trailers were laid end to end, they would stretch for more than a mile." Thanks to Herbert and his team, which average over 30 installers a day, the project finished on schedule.
Changes in Latitudes:
Robert Byron Project Designer/CADD Specialist
 Bob Byron recently joined Smarter Interiors as a Project Designer and CADD Specialist, bringing with him over 20 years of commercial interiors’ experience. A Syracuse, New York native, Bob graduated from the State University of New York, Potsdam, with a BA in Fine Arts/Design. After graduating, he spent four years designing and manufacturing fine wood cabinetry for one of the largest custom cabinet manufactures in New York.
After moving to Virginia, Bob went to work for American Furniture and Fixture Company, where he designed and managed a myriad of interior projects for banks and financial institutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Prior to joining Smarter Interiors, Bob was with K & B Office Systems (Ashland, VA) where he served as director of interior design and sales for the commercial division.
Some of Bob’s projects of note include: The White House, the U.S. State Department, U.S. Library of Congress, the Army Quartermasters’ Museum and a host of others. When a project calls for custom designed furniture and finishes, you can count on Bob to deliver the best.
Rhonda Swingle
Manager, Customer Service and Installation Scheduling
 We recently welcomed Rhonda Swingle to our Smarter Interiors Team as manager of customer service and installation scheduling, bringing with her over 25 years of commercial furniture and office management experience. Rhonda schedules the installation for all of our projects, from their inception through the delivery, installation and follow up-making sure we are on time, on target.
Her previous experience includes Open Plan Systems, The Supply Room/Mega and Interwork, where her duties included office manager, warehouse, installation scheduling, purchasing, assisting the sales department and all accounting duties.
Rhonda prides herself on her organizational skills and giving "120 percent each and every day". For any question you might have about scheduling or installation, please give Rhonda a call at extension 203.
A Smarter Profile
evolve architecture
HOME: The heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia
YEAR ESTABLISHED: In 1990 as The Planning Partnership
PROFESSION: Architecture and Interior Design
PRINCIPALS:
RoseMarie Bundy, CID, IIDA
E. Randolph Blankenship, AIA, NCARB, LEED, AP
Wilton Deyerle, AIA, LEED, AP
Thomas C. Duke, CID, IIDA, LEED, AP
Christian Enochs, CID, LEED, AP
WHAT THEY DO:
Interior Architecture:
Space Programming, Space Planning, Interior Design
Furnishings Specification, Move Coordination
Architecture
Master Planning, Economic Feasibility, Architectural Design
Construction Management,
Comparative Building Evaluation
 | | (l to r) Wilton Deyerle:, Rosemarie Bundy, Tom Duke, Christian Enochs, Randy Blankenship |
CORPORATE PHILSOPHY: We believe in hard work and always providing unsurpassed service and creativity to our clients. Our collaborative approach, combined with a wealth of knowledge and experience, enables our design team to be innovative while always keeping the best interest of our clients first and foremost.
MOST MEANINGFUL ACHIEVEMENT OVER LAST TWO DECADES:
Having the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people including clients, vendors, and contractors. Many of our business relationships have turned into long term friendships…what a bonus!
PROFILE: Client-focused, Knowledgeable, Experienced, Creative, Innovative, Engaging
SMARTER INTERIORS: We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with Smarter Interiors over the years on several projects. We can always count on Randy and Greg to do a terrific job for our clients in taking care of all of their furnishing needs. They take care of all of the details and make certain that everything goes smoothly and according to schedule.
Innovations
Introducing Our Newest Jewel: Starwall Moveable Walls
 We are pleased to welcome Starwall Moveable Walls to Smarter Interiors. With costs comparable to dry wall, Starwall offers flexibility and a contemporary, dynamic look with an unlimited insertion of materials to include glass, lights, Venetian glass, frames and more.
There are unlimited modulations and color options and they can be installed in half the time of traditional dry wall. To find out more, contact Smarter Interiors at 804.358.7979.
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