EXTENSION AND ENGAGEMENT WITH CONSTITUENCIES OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSITY

DESCRIPTION:

Extension and engagement are strong collaborative efforts linking a university with its communities through meaningful outreach and related activities.

Outreach is a one-way exchange of information, knowledge, or services that sparks possibility. Engagement, on the other hand, fosters a dynamic two-way interaction, nurturing mutual involvement and forging enduring relationships. Extension brings together the best outreach and engagement, deepening our commitment and relationship with the community.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Events

Whipsaw Sustainability Event - Tuesday, March 29, 2022 - Webinar on Sustainable Design, illustrating the current situation with product design and potential solutions and how to be more sustainable by utilizing the different methods and processes.

Networking and Outreach

Genpak - Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - Genpak is a food packaging company that produces microwave-safe containers, eco-friendly packaging, home delivery solutions, recyclable containers, and products used in hot and cold applications.

We analyzed their food containers and materials on a surface level and discussed beta testing their GenZero biodegradable PHA grab-and-go containers. The status is that the company is no longer pursuing this project.

Billy Baldwin Studios - Billy Baldwin Studio - Wednesday, October 19, 2022 - Billy Baldwin Studios is a high-end luxury handcrafted, made-to-order designer furniture. They reached out to us to find out more ways and how to be sustainable with their products. We built a relationship, and they have supported her students with beard products. We discussed direction on devising innovative ways to make their classic Slipper Chair friendlier to the environment. The status is that the company took and implemented some of the advice on this project.

Made4Me - Monday, March 25, 2024 - Made4Me is a nonprofit company that develops furniture and equipment for disabled children out of cardboard. They contacted us to see if we could connect and improve their products or system. We are in the process of connecting on our first project.

Furniture Industry - The development of our Eco Chair design for the sustainable Furniture Councils' 15th anniversary at High Point Market led to several Furniture manufacturers seeking assistance in reaching their sustainability efforts. We met with several companies to instruct them on our process from the Eco chair design and consulting on a variety of areas to address to become more sustainable. The following is a list of companies we have supported.

Verellen - Ben Rowley (Engineer) and Paul Delaisse (Director of Design) - Tuesday, May 3, 2022 - Assisted in Resources, Process, and Design.
Phillips Collection - Jason Phillips (Vice President) - Tuesday, May 17, 2022 - Assisted in Resources, Process, and Design.
Miles Tabbot - George Jordan (President) - Monday, May 15, 2023 - Assisted in Resources, Process, and Design.
Billy Baldwin Studios - Peter Grahame (President) - Tuesday, Aug 30, 2022 - Assisted in Resources, Process, and Design.
Sabai - Ryan Liverman - Tuesday, September 27, 2022, and Thursday, December 1, 2022 - Assisted in Resources, Process, and Design.

Magazine – Press Releases

Eco Chair:

CULP Press Release – Internal - Mar 31, 2022
DESIGNERS Today - March 31, 2022
furniture lighting & decor - March 29, 2022
Textile World - March 29, 2022

STUDENT IMPACT

Overview

In collaboration with Columbia Forest Products, we initiated the development of a competition centered around their PureBond plywood. The ensuing document provides an overview of the outcomes from this inaugural contest, which we pilot-tested with our students. We intend to expand this challenge to additional universities in subsequent years. The competition has had a profound impact on our students, enhancing their skills in sustainability and design while meeting external expectations set forth by the company, thereby offering a more realistic perspective. Overall, this endeavor has significantly contributed to the student's growth within a professional context.

Contest

Design Challenge:

Competition participants must create flat-pack university-based seated furniture using only Columbia Forest Products PureBond® plywood products. They must use only one sheet of standard dimension plywood and incorporate innovative joinery for tool-free assembly with minimum glue. The design must calculate and show a minimal amount of waste used (weigh out the waste amount).

Design Build Contest - Columbia Forest Products.docx

Page updated

Report abuse