Interior Designers Celebrate Practice Rights in Illinois
On Tuesday, October 4th, the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID-IL) and the Illinois Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA-IL), celebrated the passing of HB4715; a practice rights bill signed into law on June 10th, 2022 by Governor J.B. Pritzker. This legislation establishes a robust slate of practice rights for Interior Designers in Illinois and confirms that interior design work positively impacts lives in the built environment. Interior Designers who qualify, will be able to stamp and seal documents for permitting.
On Tuesday, October 4th, the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID-IL) and the Illinois Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA-IL), celebrated the passing of HB4715; a practice rights bill signed into law on June 10th, 2022 by Governor J.B. Pritzker. This legislation establishes a robust slate of practice rights for Interior Designers in Illinois and confirms that interior design work positively impacts lives in the built environment. Interior Designers who qualify, will be able to stamp and seal documents for permitting.
Legislators, chapter members and supporters were welcomed atop the Grand Stair of Chicago’s iconic Merchandise Mart at Marshall’s Landing, theMART’s center for socializing, gathering, and dining. Guests enjoyed spectacular views of the Chicago River as they toasted this historic piece of interior design legislation.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for Interior Designers in Illinois. We have been advocating for our rights and abilities for decades. As Registered Interior Designers, we possess the knowledge, education, practical experience, and nationally recognized examination to be the protectors of public health, safety, and welfare in the built environment. With the passing of HB4715, we are finally being acknowledged for our qualifications with the ability to independently sign and seal construction documents for permit. The interior design industry is an economic force within the United States and this profession is 75% female with over 80% small business owners. These new rights advance women’s economic empowerment and support equity and equality in the workforce. ASID-IL is incredibly grateful to everyone who helped pass this historic piece of legislation and we were honored to celebrate this achievement with the IIDA-IL Chapter, our Bill Sponsors, Legislators, Advocacy Partners, and design community.”
-Sarah Schwuchow, ASID, NCIDQ, WELL AP, RID
ASID Illinois Chapter President
See the gallery below for photos from the celebration!
Stay tuned for more updates on Interior Design legislation in Illinois. Thank you again for your support!
Announcing Practice Rights for Registered Interior Designers in Illinois!
Our Bill has become a Law!
Over the last year, you may have seen messages from our team asking for your support for interior design rights in Illinois. We are excited to announce that with your assistance, our bill has become a law!
On June 10th 2022, Governor J.B. Pritzker signed this into law this historic piece of legislation that establishes practice rights for Registered Interior Designers in Illinois and confirms that interior design work positively impacts lives in the built environment.
What does this mean?
Amends the Registered Interior Design Act in Illinois
Provides a Seal for Registered Interior Designers (RID)
RID’s can stamp their own design plans for non-structural construction
Acknowledges the crucial role Interior Designers play in protecting occupant health, safety, and welfare
Who lead the initiative?
Introduced and sponsored by Representative Margaret Croke (D) in the House of Representatives and by Senator Laura Fine (D) in the Senate
ASID IL and IIDA IL Chapter Leaders, Members, and Legislators
CIDQ (Council for Interior Design Qualification)
Who will regulate this Practice Act?
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
When will the new law take effect?
January 1st 2023
Stay tuned for more updates on Interior Design legislation in Illinois. Thank you again for your support!
Bianka Daehler: ASID Illinois At- Large Director
We are excited to announce that our Senior Interior Designer, Bianka Daehler has been nominated and voted in as the At-Large Director for the ASID Illinois Chapter.
We are excited to announce that our Senior Interior Designer, Bianka Daehler has been nominated and voted in as the At-Large Director for the American Society of Interior Designers Illinois Chapter.
Her two year term will begin on October 1st, 2022. Bianka began her journey as an ASID member while in school at the Illinois Institute of Art Chicago. As she progressed in her career, Bianka realized that she wanted to pursue a path toward NCIDQ certification and rejoined ASID, which provided resources and connections to others on the same journey.
Interior Design rights and legislation sparked Bianka’s interest in pursuing a path of leadership. Her goals are to enhance the design community by increasing the number of Registered Interior Designers, provide resources for those pursuing NCIDQ certification, and help advance the legislative rights of interior designers. She plans to connect and collaborate with other organizations to unify the expansive Chicago design community.
Bianka currently serves as the Chicago Peer Group Leader, where she hosts monthly meet-ups for ASID designers and industry partners.
This is her last year studying for the NCIDQ exam. Upon passing the Prac exam this spring, Bianka will become NCIDQ Certified and Register with the State of Illinois.
ASID has so much to offer!
Interested in learning more about ASID? ASID members can get involved with committees and volunteer groups, attend peer group meetings, educational lectures and advocacy events, seek mentorship or become mentors, and learn leadership and professional development skills. We, as a design team, would not be where we are today without the support of the American Society of Interior Designers. We look forward to being able to give back in every way we can so we may continue to support the design community.
If you’re interested in becoming more involved in ASID, please reach out! Bianka@SarahJacquelynInteriors.com
Sarah Schwuchow is now a WELL Accredited Professional
Our Principal Interior Designer, Sarah Schwuchow, earned her WELL AP Certification. This certification shows Sarah’s commitment to design and create healthier spaces. Read on to find out more about this certification and how this credential impacts lives for the better!
Last month, our Principal Interior Designer, Sarah Schwuchow, earned her WELL AP credential. This shows SJI’s commitment to design and create healthier spaces. Read on to find out more about this certification and how this credential impacts lives for the better!
“Those who successfully pass the WELL AP exam and receive the WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP) credential are recognized for their expertise in the WELL Building Standard (WELL) and for demonstrating a commitment to advancing human health and wellness in buildings and communities around the world.”
-www.resources.wellcertified.com/faqs/what-is-a-well-ap/
Sarah has always been interested to understand how the environment can impact health and wellbeing. WELL is a commitment to advancing human health in buildings and communities, using evidence-based medical research by scientists, medical professionals, wellness teachers and architects.
As someone who has a family experience with cancers, auto immune diseases, and mental health disorders, it’s very important to Sarah to learn how SJI can make an impact in what we do as designers and how the spaces we design can impact our clients’ physical and mental wellbeing.
We are committed to doing our research and educating the public on the ways that environmental and biological factors play a role in our health and wellness.
“Becoming a WELL AP gives you the opportunity to become an ambassador for public health and design spaces that empower people to eat, sleep, work out, perform and feel their best.” -www.asid.org/learn/well
The WELL Building Standard focuses on 7 concepts for healthier buildings & spaces:
AIR
We spend 90% of our time indoors, therefore indoor air quality is vitally important. We need to consider off-gassing from building materials in our designs, such as VOC’s from paints.
Indoor air quality issues can diminish work productivity and lead to sick building syndrome (no disease or cause is identified but health effects are linked to time spent in the building). Pollution source avoidance, proper ventilation and air filtration are some of the most effective means of achieving higher indoor air quality.
WATER
Clean drinking water is vital for optimal health. 2/3 of our bodies are composed of water; it helps our bodies transport nutrients and waste, regulates our body temperature and serves as a shock absorber for the brain and spinal cord. Women should consume 2.7L and men should should consume 3.7L of water daily according to the Institute of Medicine.
Water contamination is major health issue. Almost 1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water worldwide and 2 million people die annually from access to safe drinking water. The Clean Water Act of 1974 in the US by the EPA provides standards for levels of contaminants allowed in our water such as lead, arsenic, mercury, glyphosate, atrazine and microbes. These limits are set based on the likelihood of causes health effects like cancer.
WELL seeks to help limit the presence of inorganic containments - like Lead and mercury in our drinking water which have been linked to developmental delays, learning disabilities, high blood pressure and kidney problems. Reverse Osmosis and Kinetic Degradation Fluxion filters can remove these dissolved metals. WELL also seeks to limit the presence of organic contaminates like Benzene and PCB’s which are linked to cancer, immune deficiencies and nervous system difficulties. Carbon filters are effective at removing these and other harmful chemical substances.
NOURISHMENT
Nutrition plays a major role in health maintenance, weight management, and chronic disease prevention. 2.7 Million people die annually worldwide due to insufficient fruit and vegetable intake. It’s a top 10 risk factor of global mortality. Low fruit and vegetable consumption can lead to higher rates of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, as well as breast and gastrointestinal cancers.
WELL incorporates strategies that can help people eat better, by encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption, discouraging artificial ingredients, storing foods properly, labeling foods for allergies and recognizing special diets, providing foods that are Federally Certified Organic, and Certified Human. Spaces are designed to provide employees with break areas and salad bars to encourage healthy eating and taking breaks from the work day.
LIGHT
Light is vitally important in the design of any space, not just visually but also physically. As humans, our bodies run on a 24 hour cycle called a circadian rhythm. Our bodies respond to external cues (zeitgebers) that align with physiological function in the solar cycle. Light is one of the most important zeitgebers, as it keeps our bodies’ internal clock synchronized. Exposure to light and different types of light affects our sleep and wake cycles. Between 50-70 Million US Adults have chronic sleep or wakefulness disorders. These disorders put us at a higher risk for diabetes, obesity, depression, heart attack, hypertension, and stroke.
All light, even indoor light, affects our bodies. Since we spend 90% of our time indoors, improper lighting can impact our phase cycles and cause issues for our sleep. We need exposure both to light and darkness to maintain healthy cycles. Glare is a major problem addressed by WELL, designing workstations that minimize glare from nearby windows. Well also address individuals right to light, where 75% of the occupied space must be located within 25 feet of a viewing window.
FITNESS
Fitness is defined as the ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without fatigue, and with ample energy to enjoy leisure-time pursuits and respond to emergencies. 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity 5 days a week is encouraged by the American College of Sports Medicine to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Lack of physical activity can increase the odds of having a stroke by 20-30% and shave off 3-5 years of life. Physical inactivity is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide accounting for 3-5 million deaths per year.
WELL seeks to provide opportunities for building occupants by providing spaces and access to fitness equipment, classes, and adjustable furnishings to encourage an active lifestyle. Designing spaces with a common staircases between 2-4 floors encourages people to take the stairs rather than an elevator. Treadmill desks, bicycle desks, and portable stepper machines under the desk are great solutions that WELL encourage. 60% of workstations must be an adjustable height standing desk. Standing burns 50 more calories per hour than sitting.
COMFORT
The comfort section of WELL covers physical, mental, thermal, acoustic, and olfactory comfort. Acoustic problems are the number one complaint among occupants. WELL uses mitigation strategies such as absorbing and reducing materials, masking systems, and construction techniques that can help create an environment that enables occupants to focus better.
Ergonomics of the space play a major role in our health and wellness. Musculoskeletal Disorders, such as back pain, affects 31 million Americans. WELL seeks to design spaces that can help these issues such as adjustable computer screens, desk height flexibility, and seat adjustability to create ergonomically-friendly workspaces.
MIND
Mental and Physical health are related. Exercise of the physical body releases serotonin which elevates mood and regulates sleep cycles. Anxiety triggers a physiological response on the body similar to the way a physical injury can. Stress is damning physiologically and psychologically. Global mental health disorders account for 8 million deaths each year. Life expectancy of those living with mental illness is 10 years shorter compared to those without mental illness. In the US, 21% of people are living with a mood disorder, such as depression. This affects 16 Million adults in the US alone.
Depression is linked to a higher risk of heart disease and immunosuppression. Chronic Stress and anxiety are responsible for the stress hormones that can result in metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal disorders, and skin conditions.
WELL seeks to provide strategies to help individuals mitigate stress and promote relaxation in addition to increasing awareness and education of mental health. This is done by creating access to a health and wellness library for building occupants, incorporating nature and light within spaces, creating policies on work-related travel and late night hours, offering workplace family support, and stress and addiction treatment.
“We’re not designing places to live. We’re designing how we live. Leading research demonstrates that the way our buildings are designed, constructed and maintained has a profound impact on how we live. When we design our buildings, we define how we sleep, what we eat and how we feel throughout the day. ASID is dedicated to leading the conversation on integrating health and wellness in the built environment.” -https://www.asid.org/learn/well
ASID Illinois President-Elect
I am excited to announce that I have been voted in as the President- Elect for the American Society of Interior Designers Illinois Chapter. My one year term as President-Elect will begin on October 1st, 2021 and I will serve as President for one year starting on October 1st, 2022.
I am excited to announce that I have been voted in as the President-Elect for the American Society of Interior Designers Illinois Chapter.
My one year term as President-Elect will begin on October 1st, 2021 and I will serve as President for one year starting on October 1st, 2022.
My goal as President-Elect is to bring a new and fresh perspective to the Chapter and the Illinois design community. ASID has been such an influential part of my career and I feel that it is my responsibility to give back and help others. I want to connect with our community to demonstrate the value of ASID membership and its impact on personal and professional development.
I hope to inspire our students, engage our emerging professionals, provide value to our professional members, and recognize our industry partners. I will strive for an inclusive community, highlight our members' diverse backgrounds, and motivate others to pursue paths of leadership.
We will create a community that shares, uplifts, and supports one another, ultimately increasing the awareness of our profession. As the Board of Directors, we will collaborate and communicate effectively to support the President's goals and endeavors. We will commit to improving our Chapter and ensure value for all of our members.
Serving as an ASID Illinois President has always been one of my goals.
Becoming an ASID Illinois Chapter President is a goal that I have had since I was a student member. I remember thinking to myself, what an honor it would be to one day serve on the ASID Illinois Board of Directors. Fast forward ten years later, I’ve achieved that goal as I’ve been serving as the Communications Director for the last year and I excited to start my term in October as President-Elect.
Joining as ASID was one of the most influential parts of my college experience.
I joined as a student member in 2010 after enrolling at the Illinois Institute of Art- Chicago. I was honored to serve as the Student Chapter President for FY11-FY12. With 6 Chapter officers and 22 additional members, our year was an incredible success, winning two ASID National Awards.
This leadership position was critical in forming my character, skill set, goals, and ultimate career success. I owe so much gratitude to ASID and I have strived over the last 10 years to give back and volunteer my time to help design students and my peers.
It is a personal mission of mine to help designers pass the NCIDQ exam and become Registered Interior Designers.
In 2019, I created the NCIDQ Committee for ASID Illinois. The purpose of the committee is to provide supplementary educational support and mentorship for NCIDQ candidates. As the Committee Chair, I lead weekly study sessions for the Spring 2019 testing season for 5 NCIDQ exam candidates. The participants of this study group were able to ask questions, learn new study techniques and benefit from the synergy of working with other design professionals.
After 8 weeks of intense test preparation, I am so proud to say we had a 100% pass rate for the exams each of these candidates took. This ASID Illinois NCIDQ study group has evolved into a partnership with IIDA and is now part of ASID Illinois’ regular offerings each testing season.
ASID has so much to offer!
ASID members can get involved with committees and volunteer groups, attend peer group meetings, educational lectures, and advocacy events, seek mentorship or become mentors, and learn leadership and professional development skills. I would not be where I am today without the support of the American Society of Interior Designers. I look forward to being able to give back every way I can, so that I can continue to support this community.
If you are a designer, student, or industry partner interested in becoming more involved in ASID, please reach out! I would love to have you attend a peer group with me or participate in a committee next year! Sarah@SarahJacquelynInteriors.com
ASID Illinois' Rising Star, 2019: Sarah Schwuchow
Congratulations to our Owner and Principal Interior Designer, Sarah Schwuchow, who was named as the American Society of Interior Designers Illinois Chapter’s Rising Star for 2019!
Congratulations to our Owner and Principal Interior Designer, Sarah Schwuchow, who was named as the American Society of Interior Designers Illinois Chapter’s Rising Star for 2019!
The ASID Rising Star Award recognizes an emerging professional who has shown dedication to ASID, the interior design industry, and volunteer efforts & contributions to the design community.
Sarah joined ASID as a student member while attending the Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago in 2011 and was elected Student Chapter President the following year. Under her energetic leadership, the Student Chapter earned two nationally recognized awards: ASID Student Chapter of the Year, 2012 and ASID Community Service and Fundraising Project of the Year, 2012.
Sarah passed the NCIDQ exam in 2018 and is a Registered Interior Designer in Illinois. Later that year, she founded a committee through ASID Illinois to provide educational programming and study skills to design professionals taking the interior design certification exam (NCIDQ). She has enjoyed serving as a mentor to many design students and other emerging professionals. She also became a CIDQ Ambassador in January of this year.
Sarah will begin serving as the ASID Illinois Director of Communications this October, overseeing all communication functions of the Illinois Chapter. She is dedicated to the mission and values of ASID and firmly believes that design impacts lives and is passionate about educating the general public on the profession of Interior Design.
