Herman Miller, Maharam Collaborate to Help Designers Demystify Performance Textiles
A joint effort from Herman Miller and Maharam, healthcaretextiles.com is a new website that provides clear, fact-based information on textiles for healthcare environments. The site is designed to be a resource and learning tool to aid in the understanding and specification of textiles for healthcare environments.
“We believe the right performance textile can help caregivers do their work better, and that, in turn can translate into a better experience for the patient,” said Diane Turnwall, vice president of materials innovation, Herman Miller, Inc. “The site is designed to help designers make the best choice possible for their healthcare projects, both in terms of aesthetics and performance. To achieve that, the site presents clear, fact-based information to aid in decision-making.”
“Maharam has always strived to be an educational resource for our clients,” said Hillary Ellner, director of product management for Maharam. “We provide them with clear, up-to-date information stripped of ‘marketing-ese.’ We pay particularly close attention to healthcare, since new information is continually emerging, and it can be difficult at times to discern the truth amidst the claims. Since our philosophical approach and goals are so aligned on this issue, it made sense for us to combine our expertise and efforts with Herman Miller to create this site.”
Healthcaretextiles.com includes an extensive glossary that defines terms and phrases used in relation to healthcare textiles, as well as abstracts of white papers from reputable sources and links to the papers. The glossary provides straightforward definitions of terms related to healthcare textiles, in particular information about various antimicrobial finishes.
The site includes a wealth of information designers may not find in other resources. For example, test results for stains that pertain specifically to healthcare environments are included, information that is not readily available elsewhere.
“There is also the ability to browse and search textiles from the offerings of Herman Miller and Maharam, as well as selection from Momentum, Designtex, and Stinson that are part of the Nemschoff Performance Fabric program,” said Nicole Allis, portfolio lead, Nemschoff. “Each of these textiles is specifically designed to meet the stringent requirements of healthcare environments.”
As leaders in the healthcare market, each company brings credibility to the project and has taken great care to make sure the content is accurate, relevant, and up to date.
In addition, a group of independent experts consulted on the development of the site. These included a broad range of design professionals, as well as a select advisory group who contributed content and checked it for accuracy. These advisors included:
- Debra D. Harris, Ph.D., RAD Consultants, a consultant specializing in evidence-based research design, building performance, and occupant outcomes.
- Gang Sun, Ph.D., professor at the University of California–Davis, and researcher of materials and textile chemistry, and nanotechnologies.
- James Ewell, a member of the original team that founded GreenBlue and currently director of GreenBlue Chemicals program.
- Laura Guido-Clark, textile designer and experience consultant specializing in the colors, materials, and finishes of consumer products.
- Rosalyn Cama, president and principal interior designer of the evidence-based planning and design firm CAMA, Incorporated.
Developers geared the site to be a useful tool for interior designers, facility managers, dealers, and students of architecture and design.
“It’s really a resource for anyone seeking in-depth information on the application of textiles in healthcare environments,” said Turnwall. “We believe the site will be a highly useful and ongoing resource for these design professionals.”
