The Cambridge knOwhere location, with a panoramic view of the Charles River, accommodates more than 100 participants with full DesignShop^TM capabilities, and with added video conferencing facilities, and a retail section.  Located between Harvard and MIT, the Cambridge knOwhere Store is a model of variety, beauty, and functionality. The environmental elements themselves support the rapid management of information and knowledge by allowing users to rapidly bring technology to bear on individual and group settings without elaborate dismantling and reassembly and to build shared understanding on large porcelain and steel write-on walls.The environments can be reconfigured within minutes to support changes in modality that occur as individuals, teams and large groups cycle around the creative process.

The building of this center was a milestone for us in design work, showcasing the integration between processes, tools, and environment.  It represents the culmination of many years' work and thought in both the areas of design and process.  Design and construction elements were integrated, allowing for pre-fabrication of much of the substance of the armature off-site. The result was significant shortening of the construction process and a test of our rapid prototyping model.

Since design professionals influence people's lives and shape their behavior, their practice has to represent appropriate ethics. In the design and production processes, we consider the basic question of responsible ecological management:

• Is the source renewable?
• Is there negative impact on the environment in the acquisition or processing of raw material?
• Are the wastes and by-products of production toxic?
• How far does the material travel to its final destination and how much energy is used?
• How will maintenance impact the environment?
• Does production, installation or use of the material impact people's health negatively?

MG Taylor knOwhere Store, Palo Alto, CA
Athenaeum International, Erie, CO
Athenaeum International, Boulder, CO
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