Awards

USGBC Silver Certification Orlando, Florida

Project of the Year 2009

Mary Dennis

Executive Director

School of Graceful Lifestyles™

& Intentional Environmental Designer™

www.gracefullifestyles.com

Project: 37,500 sq. ft.
IT Department

To Whom It May Concern:
We recently partnered with Graceful Lifestyles to design new expansion space for our corporate offices. Our intention was to provide an environment that was sustainable and was able to support the well being of our employees at the same time. We had been struggling for some time with over crowded conditions and spent lithe time focusing on recycling or other environmental opportunities. so we were ready for this change! They provided intenor design with a Feng Shul overlay that included space layouts for each department based on specific areas of the building, daylight harvesting and sensor lighting to reduce energy costs. intentional paint colors based on the departments need, soft seating and project areas that encourage our employees to collaborate in a less structured. more free flowing environment a meditation room and use of construction materials that are eco friendly to name a few.

Since our employees moved in last month, we have received a tremendously positive response in regards to how they feel about working in the space. 1 feel so happy to come to work "It feels good to work here,' We really appreciate the meditation room." '1 feel taken care of by the company 'I want to work in that building!' These are just a few of the comments we've received and, as a rtSult we have asked Graceful Lifestyles to create a design intent on the renovations of our existing space

Personally. I would want everyone to know that the workspaces Graceful Lifestyles has created for our company reflects professionalism and efficiency, wh.le at the same time addressing the employees well being. encouraging self care and collaboration. A magical combination'
Thank you Mary Dennis!

Due to Contractual Restraints corporate information withheld.

Julie, A Vice President of Facilities for Corporate America, graduated the Graceful Lifestyles 5 Day Feng Shui Intentional Design program in May 2007, and Corporate America became a Graceful Lifestyles ™ client, shortly thereafter. With Mary Dennis as their Designer, their desire was to introduce Feng Shui Intentional Environmental Design as a tool to manage their cultural shift, encouraging collaboration, productivity and well being. Our intention for this project was to enhance, influence and even change the culture of the company through the use of Intentional Environmental Design. ™

We are proud to announce that the ARDA award, (American Resort Development Association) was awarded to our client. Our Graceful Lifestyles Intentional Environmental Design was a success! In addition to receiving the ARDA award, this project also received Silver Certification, from the United States Green Building Council

Testimonial

Over the last 3 years, I have had the privilege of working with Graceful Lifestyles Designs, Inc. founder, Mary Dennis, to create an exciting new approach to design of our work space at our corporate offices. This innovative approach, referred to as Intentional Environmental Design, which is rooted in the ancient principals of Feng Shui, focuses on the Person- Place Connection. The intentions of the design start with understanding the business and personal goals of the occupant, department and/or senior leadership, which become the foundation. From this foundation, dedicated work space and common area space are planned in ways that reflect these goals through the use and placement of furnishings, fixtures and equipment, materials, colors, textures and accessories, as well as the placement of the occupant’s themselves. This is truly a holistic approach to integrating the occupant’s well being with the company’s focus on performance, retention and reduced absenteeism.

The response from our employees has been exceptional. In many cases, we have heard comments that in essence say, “We enjoy coming to work more than we do being home!” Results from surveys indicate our employee satisfaction and sense of well- being has increased, which we believe directly influences their work performance. Intentional Environmental Design performs as an evidence- based design, because the study of the person- place connection and its’ results prove to increase well- being and comfort in the work place.

We continue to develop this program and look forward to increasingly positive results in the future.

Thanks Mary Dennis!
Vice President of Facilities
Corporate America

ARDA Award
American Resort Development Association

ARDA is the American Resort Development Association (the biggest association for the timeshare industry). They have an awards program for various divisions such as; Advertising & Promotional Material, Resort Design, Management & Administration with many awards under each division. There are also 9 ACE awards in a category called ARDA Circle of Excellence Awards and our project won the ACE Innovator Award.

The description of the award is, “This award recognizes a company or individual that has developed a groundbreaking product, service or concept. This innovation must have been successfully implemented within the last 3 years. Narrative should discuss the nature of the innovation, the need for such innovation and the impact of its development on company operations, staff and the industry as a whole.”

		We started with new construction and had the ability to design an entrance that opened directly on to the department floor. Implementing the ancient principals of Feng Shui & Intentional Environmental Design we incorporated the water element to jump start communication and to refresh the spirit as one entered and exited. A granite type metal bronze wallpaper was used as a metal element to encourage clarity, focus & enhance creativity.
Project: IT Department Department Intentions Our intention for this project was to enhance, influence and even change the culture of our company through the use of intentional environmental design; a term that implies using the intentions or goals of the company and/or department occupying the space to drive the design process in supporting these intentions. More specifically, our intentions were: Support the company’s Green Initiative Create space that enhanced employee/customer satisfaction Design space to support the occupants’ business goals Increase attraction and retention Enhance productivity
		Low flexible walls allowed for daylight to filter thru the environment, adding to our green initiatives. Independent seating groups were placed in all areas of the bagua/an invisible grid of 9 energies to encourage spontaneous meetings.
An open floor plan encouraged a meandering chi/energy flow. The pathways invited collaboration and freedom to be creative. Mobile dual purpose stations were placed throughout the space to support impromptu meetings.
		Herman Miller Cradle to Cradle chairs and flexible tables lend to dual purpose cafeteria/conference areas, and easy stacking.
Fax and printing machines where set up as open work depots to encourage employees to leave their work stations and walk thru other areas of their departments. This simple placement invited impromptu conversations and project collaboration.
		A overall feeling of well being permeated the entire space. Productivity was up!!!

Mary Dennis, I hadn’t seen you lately to thank you again in person. You’ve done a wonderful job on our new work environment. I love the transition area near the elevators! The workspaces and collaborative areas are great and I’m sure that we will benefit from the “Green” environment. Thank you so much for all of your caring, smarts, and delivery of a great product! Best regards, Serena Information Technology, In Tune, In Touch, In Time Serena Senior Vice President Information Technology Corporate America, FL

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