Promoting Wellness at Work - Yoga, Dogs & Active Feet.

 

Sometimes many small efforts manage to come together and turn into something much larger and far more impactful than originally intended or anticipated. This is how KSA Interiors discovered that we had tremendous influence as a company on how well our employees and team members live their lives through promoting wellness.

Wellness for us began as something we did not entirely realize we were doing, at least not in an organized fashion. It simply began with an awareness of how much harm a sedentary - sitting at your desk - lifestyle can cause. Slowly, awareness blossomed into a full-fledged effort to eat better, work better and live better.

This week on Tuesday, February 12th, KSA Interiors will be recognized by Sports Backers as an "Active RVA Certified" Employer.

We appreciate the accolade, but far more important is what this means for our team and how it impacts our daily lives.

In 2009 KSA's CEO Kim Schoenadel asked if there were any way we could bring exercise into the daily routine at KSA. We soon hired a Yoga instructor, Sonia Stoeckli from Spiritual Flow Yoga, to lead our team in an after-hours yoga session each Thursday. Bringing Sonia into the office spurred a revolution at KSA of various team members becoming champions for wellness in the workplace.

One of our former team members, Joanna Yates, took a deep interest in Yoga, becoming an instructor on her own and leading our team through "Yoga Breaks" intended to get us out from behind our desks.

Yoga, was soon followed by weekly wellness updates lead by Gillian Bowman, who took the lead in helping to internally promote healthy eating and daily habits. Afternoon walking groups soon formed, as did "Daily Health Checklist" competitions, and weekly Zumba classes held within our offices.

In our second year of the checklist competition, Gillian noted that many of our team have commented to her on the benefits of the program - whether it is related to better sleep, healthier eating, or the occasional better fitting pair of pants!

By 2013, we had not only incorporated an active healthy lifestyle into our corporate culture, we also incorporated it into the way we do business.  In January 2013 our workspace was renovated to change the way we collaborate, interact and work. Wellness and ergonomics were prime factors in developing our new work styles. Standing height work tables replaced conference tables, and sit-to-stand adjustable height desks replaced cockpit style cubicles. 

Sara Lasseter incorporated this aspect of wellness into the design solution she championed for our offices "We are always told the risk of living sedentary lives while being seated all day in the office. Having the flexibility to adjust the desk heights for periods of time not only changes my posture but I am often more apt to move and stretch while still being connected to my task".

 

Wellness of course does not stop with the challenge to improve our physical selves and environments. After reading several studies on the emotional and mental benefits found from inviting pets to the work environment, KSA embarked on a "Dog Days" program where we invite our furry pals to the office the first Friday of every month.

"We all look forward to Dog Days" states Heather Croy. "Whether it’s your dog or someone else’s, having them around creates a happy buzz around the studio".

The best component of our wellness program however is the way it galvanizes our team around supportive goals and camaraderie. Whether we are engaged in personal challenges to lose weight, training for a race, or engaging our competitive spirit, we have found that the shared experience with our co-workers sits at the root of our success.

KSA is proud to join the list of companies working to build a more healthful workplace, and hope our experience will encourage others to do the same. Here is to good health, and shared wellness with all our friends in the greater Richmond community.

Perhaps we will see some of you on one of our lunch time walks, or at the next Innsbrook Corporate 4 Miler? Feel free to join us as well in our Daily Health Checklist competition. You can contact us at info@ksainteriors.com for more info!

KSA Announces Multiple Promotions

KSA Interiors is pleased to announce several promotions for key members of the KSA team! Karen Burton, Melissa Moseley, and Sara Lasseter will each be expanding their leadership roles at KSA as Associates within the organization.

We are excited for the opportunities before each of them, and know that their talents and leadership will drive KSA's future success.

Please join us in congratulating Karen, Melissa, and Sara for their hard work and dedication!
  
You can read the entire release here:

2011 - A Year in Review at KSA Interiors

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

- Winston Churchill

At KSA we have lived by these principles for the last twenty nine years. As we aproach our thirtieth year of business we hope to reflect on the last year and the many ways we have been influenced by our community.

Leadership –

Defending the right to practice.

As 2011 has come to a close, the interior design industry in Virginia has been roiled by the proposal by Governor Robert F. McDonnell to deregulate “Certified Interior Designers”. KSA is a firm supporter of the interior designer’s right to practice and has taken the lead in the effort to educate the Virginia legislature on the importance of Certification in Virginia. Working with the Council for Certified Virginia Interior Designers (CCVID), as well as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), KSA has actively promoted the benefits to Certification in Virginia while dispelling common myths and stereotypes.

Deregulation creates barriers to business by selectively eliminating competition between design disciplines and establishes potential barriers to state and federal projects, as well as the permitting process. Interior designers face additional restrictions and discrimination in regards to scope of work, board membership within professional corporations, and interstate commerce.

Most importantly however, deregulation removes protections for the public. Interior designers play a key role in protecting the health, welfare, and safety of the inhabitants of interior space. Interior designers are the sole professional body focused on the relationship between human beings and interior spaces. People spend in excess of 90% of our time inside buildings. Interior designers are the ones charged with space planning, materials selection, and furniture, fixtures and equipment selection for commercial buildings. These choices directly impact people's abilities to function effectively, and to remain safe in the case of emergency. Wuite simply, interior designers have the greatest impact on the safety of building occupants in regards to interior content.

2012 will prove to be a very important year for KSA and the interior design industry as a whole. If you are interested in learning more about this issue, or are interested in how you can help, please contact KSA or your state representatives.

You can learn more about the facts of Interior Design regulation by following this link:

http://ksainteriors.blogspot.com/2011/12/leave-virginias-protection-for.html

Qualified Professionals

A number of KSA team members expanded upon their qualifications in 2011. Heather Croy and Erin Riggan passed the NCIDQ exam and joined Ruth Deibler in becoming CID's (Certified Interior Designers) in Virginia. KSA is proud of Erin, Heather, Ruth, and our many other Certified professionals.

Reinventing the design process – and how we serve our clients.

KSA spent much of 2011 reinventing how we deliver inspired design solutions to our clients. The first half of the year was devoted to building on the previous year’s corporate retreat where we investigated ways to place service to our clients at the core of our business. The end result was a mindset we like to refer to as “Best in the World”. Built around five keys to service, “Best in the World” is rooted in one primary insight – what is best for each of our clients is an entirely relative thing. Learn more about “Best in the World” by reading our e-book here:

Best in the World

http://www.slideshare.net/cgooddesign/best-in-the-world-e-book

The second half of 2012 was devoted to ways that we could improve our design process based on the lessons we have learned in developing the “Best in the World” mindset as well as in learning from the best practices of the design industry. The result was the KSA Way – a design methodology developed through the investigation of processes developed by KSA as well as design leaders such as IDEO, Apple, HOK, and others. Combining aspects of Design Psychology, Evidence Based Design and Design Thinking, KSA created a design methodology tailored to its needs and the practices of its clients. Learn more about the KSA Way design process by viewing a short presentation here:

The KSA Way

http://www.slideshare.net/cgooddesign/the-ksa-wayprocess-story

Wellness –

For the last several years KSA team members have had the great fortune of receiving yoga lessons taught by Sonja Stoeckli. Each Thursday afternoon Sonja visits KSA’s Richmond office to host classes for our team members. What began as an opportunity to release stress and promote fitness has become a movement within KSA. Our wellness initiative has expanded and grown to include not only yoga, but also a company-wide weekly wellness dialogue and the encouragement for a number of KSA staff members to become pre-dawn running partners, join their local gym, or even sign up for the 140.6 mile Ironman Triathlon.

Beyond KSA’s desire to promote wellness within our firm we were thrilled when Richmond was awarded the 2015 World Road Cycling Championships, and with the recent plans by the city to make cycling an integral part of our city’s framework. Cycling, like running, swimming, and many other wellness activities around the city not only promote individual wellness but they also engage and bond the community.

KSA looks forward to 2012 as we are excited by the opportunities that lie before us and our city in regards to promoting wellness across our hometown. If you are interested in how wellness can improve our local community, we recommend you visit our friends at Richmond Cycling Corps. A non-profit organization that provides leadership and personal development to Richmond’s urban youth through the sport of cycling.

http://www.richmondcyclingcorps.org/about/

http://www.spiritualflowyoga.com/default.aspx?PageId=8

Community –

Real World Design Week.

Over the course of two days in November, KSA played host to over a dozen aspiring interior designers currently enrolled at universities and colleges across the state. RealWorld DesignWeek represented an opportunity to share our passion for the design industry with the next generation of up and coming professionals. Students shadowed our design staff, attended CEU presentations, met with the firms leadership, business development and marketing staff, and asked lots and lots of questions. At KSA we have the highest level of respect for interior design education and are passionate about sharing our knowledge and insight with young designers.

Engaging Peers, Clients, and Friends.

KSA has continued its commitment to the design community by sponsoring events, hosting CEU’s and taking a leadership role in organizations such as ASID. KSA’s Mary Katherine Crouch joins a long line of KSA team members who have either served on the board of the Virginia Chapter of ASID, or who like Mary Katherine, have taken the helm as Chapter President.

White Elephants and Habitat for Humanity.

KSA’s design staff donated hundreds of hours of volunteer work to the Virginia Chapter ASID White Elephant Sale, raising over $30,000 for Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity. Over 300 people attended the event which featured modern furnishings, art, jewelry and other fine items. The newly renovated Hippodrome Theater played host to the event and set an appropriate tone for all those who support the mission of Habitat and the revitalization of Richmond communities.

Photo Credit: Chris Anderson Photography

Photo Credit: Chris Anderson Photography

Giving –

Ft. Lee Holiday Helper.

For the last several years KSA has participated in the Ft. Lee Holiday Helper program, a wonderful way to thank and give back to our troops. The soldiers are able to browse and select gifts for their children from a wide variety of donations from the community: plush toys, electronics, jewelry, games, clothing, books, and a wide variety of other items. "Elf" volunteers help the soldiers navigate through the gifts and answer any questions they may have about items. Volunteers can also offer their services as a holiday "wrapper". All the gifts may be gift-wrapped and tagged, so they can go directly under the tree! It is a very fulfilling way to serve those who serve us.

Toys for Tots.

In keeping with tradition KSA combines its annual corporate holiday party with a drive to collect toys for the Marine Toys for Tots program. Selecting gifts to represent our team members is a fun way to say thanks and share interesting personal stories. Even better it provides us a great opportunity to donate to a great cause. If you are interested in getting your team more involved with the marine Toys for Tots Foundation, visit the website today!

http://www.toysfortots.org/

http://www.richmondhabitat.org/

KSA on change:

 I am an Army Brat.  By the time I started high school at 14, I had already attended 6 schools, lived in 9 towns and settled into 13 houses.  I’m also an ISTJ personality type that doesn’t like change according to Myers-Briggs.  You can imagine how that could be a challenge.  Thankfully, my years as an Army kid taught me how to roll with it and come out stronger on the other side. This is my tried and true strategy.

Accept the new reality.  For many, the gut reaction to change is fight or flight – either resisting with everything they have or running away from the situation and pretending it isn’t going to happen.  News Flash – change is inevitable.  Whether a new gray hair pops up on your head or new technology renders your current skills obsolete – change happens every single day.    The sooner you can accept that, the easier it is to move forward.  

Embrace it!  Now it’s time to figure out how you want to live and who you want to be in this new world of yours.  This is an opportunity to shake things up!  A health issue could be the motivation to take better care of yourself; a rough economy might prompt you to streamline your business or learn new skills to make yourself more marketable.  Formalizing key goals will help to propel you forward.

Make a plan.  As Winston Churchill said, "He who fails to plan is planning to fail."   I’m a planner by nature so I do this as a matter of course in everything - projects, shopping, flossing, whatever – I’m a firm believer.  But, if the idea of mapping out goals and actions overwhelms you, take heart – there are plenty of resources online and in your local bookstore to help enhance your planning skills.  A little investment in time figuring out what methods resonate best with you will reap many future successes.

Execute the plan.  You can develop the greatest plan in the world but it’s not doing you any good unless you take action and follow it.  Otherwise you’re not only spinning your wheels but also (if you’re like me) worrying about it.  So do yourself a favor and work your plan!  You should also be prepared to modify your plan down the line because, as we know, change is inevitable.

Following these steps has helped me through countless transitions, big and small, and has made me more resilient and willing to take chances.  It has given me the confidence to know that I can persevere no matter what happens that is outside of my control. 

Change is on its way.  Are you ready for it?  We’d love to hear what works for you!

Heather Sullivan Croy, CID, ASID, LEED AP

KSA Recognizes Cameron Stiles for 25 Years of Service.

Cameron C. Stiles, CID, FASID, LEED AP has been recognized by KSA Interiors for 25 years of dedicated service.

Kim Schoenadel, CEO and President of KSA shares some thoughts on Cameron's history of service.

I like to tell people, “Cameron Stiles has been with me at KSA Interiors longer than I have been married.” In December this year, I will have been married 25 years. That is a long time. It is also a testament to the steadfast nature of Cameron’s commitment to the profession and the dedication she has brought to KSA Interiors. Here are the things that Cameron Stiles does better than anyone else I have ever met in our profession.

• Cameron takes care of KSA clients in a way that has kept them coming back to KSA Interiors for years. I will never forget mentioning to one of our clients that she could contact me if she ever had any questions. She said, “Why wouldn’t I just ask Cameron?” Good point!

• She knows every code or code resource to ensure our projects are compliant. As the “go to” person at KSA Interiors for code guidance, Cameron can quickly provide you the code sections that need to be referenced. Trust me, this is really important as reading through code books equates to reading the complete manual for your car, your computer, etc. I think you get the picture.

• Cameron has gone above and beyond in her involvement in organizations impacting the profession of interior design. She currently serves on the APELSCIDLA Board that examines, licenses and regulates 35,000+ Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects in Virginia. Cameron has been recognized as a Fellow in ASID, the American Society of Interior Designers and she is also deeply involved with CIDA, the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.

Cameron Stiles is a proven leader. Having that kind of leadership is invaluable. I am glad she has been with us for 25 years. Here’s to 25 more!

Sara Lowery Anderson of KSA Interiors honored with 2011 Rising Star Award!

KSA Interiors would like to congratulate Sara Lowery Anderson for her recent award from the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Virginia Chapter.

On March 10th, the sixth annual SMPS Virginia Conference was held in Charlottesville, VA. Sara was awarded the 2011 Rising Star Award – which honors a current member of SMPSVA who has worked in the marketing profession in the A/E/C industry for less than five years, demonstrates a commitment to the field of marketing professional services, and has shown an aptitude for leadership through involvement in and contributions to the Chapter.

Sara has been the Marketing Coordinator for KSA Interiors since the spring of 2009. In her role, she is responsible for the coordination of marketing collateral and proposals, strategic teaming communication, business development, market research, and more. To enhance public awareness of KSA’s professional services, team, and culture, Sara has been a key player in driving the initiative for an online presence for her firm. Currently, she manages the company Blog, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn accounts as well as email marketing and website development efforts.

“Sara Anderson joined SMPS Virginia in April 2010, immersing herself in our chapter’s culture and initiatives,” said SMPSVA president LaTonya Whitaker of H & A Architects & Engineers. “Her remarkable social media efforts have engaged the SMPS community while greatly influencing our chapter brand. She is an integral part of our success and embodies the title of rising star. I couldn’t think of a better candidate to fulfill this role, and look forward to her future involvement.”

As the organization’s educational Brownbag Coordinator for the Richmond, VA region, Sara strives to educate members of SMPSVA about trends relevant to the A/E/ C industry, as well as “outside the box” ideas for fellow professionals to incorporate in their daily marketing efforts.

Anderson expressed, “This year would not have been the same had I not become a member of SMPSVA.  The professionals I have had the opportunity to meet and work with and the events I have attended have been invaluable. They have provided me the insight to bring forward thinking ideas to my firm.”

SMPS Virginia is the definitive resource for the marketing of professional architecture, engineering, and construction services for the built and natural environment in the Commonwealth. The Chapter currently has more than 80 members from firms across Virginia. For more information, visit http://www.smpsva.org/ and join the conversation through their various social media networks.

To learn more about KSA Interiors and SMPS Virginia, contact Sara at sanderson@ksainteriors.com today!

Cameron Stiles honored with Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award!

Cameron Stiles, CID, FASID, LEED AP and Principal with KSA Interiors in Richmond, VA has been honored with the Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

Cameron has been involved with CIDA leadership in a variety of capacities for 13 years. Currently serving her second term on CIDA’s Accreditation Commission, she also chaired the Commission in 2008 and 2009. A member of CIDA’s Site Visitor Committee, a working group that successfully developed a new system for site visitor training, Cameron assisted in the planning and delivery of three consecutive site visitor training sessions from 2006-2008. Additionally in 2008, Cameron served on CIDA’s Accreditation Process Task Force which developed the accreditation framework (process, procedure, and support services) that led to the effective and seamless implementation of Professional Standards in 2009.

CIDA established the Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award as a legacy to former Director Keith Hooks whose 20+ years of volunteer leadership immeasurably impacted thousands of students in CIDA-accredited programs. “Cameron Stiles’ many contributions to CIDA are substantial and worthy of this highest honor,” states Robert Wright, Board Chair. “Her commitment to strengthening CIDA accreditation is clear, and the quality of her volunteer leadership (is) exceptional. The Board is very pleased to recognize her achievements with this award.”

As a principal at KSA Interiors, Cameron embraces relationships with her clients and associates to mentor and inspire design innovation. Through her involvement on advisory boards and as a guest lecturer with Virginia Commonwealth University, her alma mater, Cameron continues to shape the careers of young design students and emerging practitioners.

For nearly thirty years, Cameron has selflessly donated her time and energy to raising the standards of the interior design profession by championing excellence in design and serving on several ASID leadership councils. In 2008, she was inducted into the ASID College of Fellows for her unsurpassed service to their organization, her dedication to the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), her award-winning design projects, and her coveted mentoring abilities.

Over 130 interior design educators and practitioners currently volunteer for CIDA. Only one Keith Hooks Volunteer Excellence Award is presented annually.

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation is an independent, non-profit, accrediting organization responsible for setting standards and evaluating degree granting interior design programs. Learn more at http://www.accredit-id.org/.

Celebrating the 2010 Interior Design Excellence Awards!

The Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the Virginia /
West Virginia Chapter of the International Interior Designer Association (IIDA) hosted the 2010 Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) gala event on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, Virginia. 
 

Photo by Chris Anderson

In the months leading up to this event, the KSA Interiors team was hard at work, with the many other volunteers and sponsors, preparing the Bollywood themed decorations including colorful paper flowers, custom cupcake stands to serve as table centerpieces with delicious cupcakes from from a local shop called Two Sweet, festive "bling" for the sponsored "Bling Booth" complete with bangles, bindis, and temporary henna tattoos, and much more.  The RVA Hoop Lovers also made an appearance at the Awards gala, positioned throughout the space to perform hoop dancing to bollywood themed music playing in the auditorium and corridors.

   

Congratulations to all of the awardees including the six students awarded for their entries at this year's event.  Lisa Tucker, professor at Virginia Tech and current ASID VA Chapter President, was recognized for supporting her students to enter the competition. There was a record number of student entries this year and ASID / IIDA hopes to see this continue!

 

Photo by Al Wekelo

KSA Interiors received the First Place award in the Government Contract category for the interior design of the Farmville – Prince Edward Community Library in Farmville, Virginia.  This new community library was designed to provide a creative children’s area, comfortable and sophisticated adult spaces, and community meeting areas within the library environment. The design solution takes advantage of views to the adjacent lake and the connection of nature is brought in with large amounts of natural light and the use of natural materials. The children’s area has design elements reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. The judges commented on the environment and how it encourages imagination and creativity for all ages, “What a library should be!”  A First place in the Government Category for the design of the Farmville-Prince Edward Community Library in Farmville, VA was awarded to Lorri Finn (CID, IIDA, LEED AP), Mary Katherine Crouch(ASID, LEED AP), Sara Lasseter (CID, ASID, SEGD, LEED AP), and Joanna Yates (Associate Member IIDA, LEED AP) with KSA Interiors in Glen Allen, VA. Architecture by The Design Collaborative.

Photo by Philip Beaurline

In the Institutional Contract category, KSA also received a First Place award for the interior design of the Midlothian Campus Phase II Building at John Tyler Community College in Midlothian, VA.  This award was accepted by Lorri Finn (CID, IIDA, LEED AP), Brandy Collins (Allied Member ASID), Sara Lasseter (CID, ASID, SEGD, LEED AP), and Joanna Yates (Associate Member IIDA, LEED AP) with KSA Interiors. Architecture for this project was done by Burt Hill Architects.  This entry in the Institutional Category was for a 60,000 square foot education facility containing a variety of laboratories, a student library, student lounge, and campus bookstore for a local community college. The judges commented on the materials and furnishings that provided a more comfortable setting as well as the inspiring color palette.

Photo by Christopher Good

KSA Interiors received an award in the Custom category for the Signage and Wayfinding Graphics Package for the new MWV Foundry Park Headquarters in Richmond, Virginia.  For this project, the design team was asked to create the signage and wayfinding package for the new headquarters building. Utilizing the design concept of the “fold” in package design, the designers created super graphics for the stairs that folded around the walls as well as a fold element as part of the room signage. The barcode concept was used in the garage to support the floor numbering. Custom signage was also developed for key destination areas in the building and was named to support the site location, Iron Works (for the gym), Riverside Café, and Foundry Perk. The judges commented on how well the signage package supported the color scheme and design package for the facility. An Honorable mention in the Custom Category for the design of the signage package for the MWV Headquarters building in Richmond, VA was awarded to Christopher Good (CID, ASID, LEED AP), Sara Lasseter (CID, ASID, SEGD, LEED AP), and Erin Riggan (Allied Member ASID, LEED AP) with KSA Interiors in Glen Allen, VA.

We would like to thank all of the Sponsors and Volunteers once more for their invaluable assistance in making this year's IDEA Awards gala a spectacular event!  We look foward to seeing you there next year!!

For more details and posts about the awards, visit the KSA Interiors Facebook Page.
**(You can link to the ASID Virginia and IIDA Facebook Pages from this link as well!)