posted 07-11-2003 05:43 AM               

I will enter the contest with my little ol' design as soon as we decide what the content will be. Even though I am sure I will lose out to one of the "graphic designers" (I am just a lowly publications designer with a degree in journalism.)

posted 07-11-2003 06:11 AM               

A few more:
Operation Design
design 4 masses
design 4 all
livemodern
modern apostles
new modernists
habitat
modernation (modern nation)
livewell
HauSolutions

posted 07-11-2003 07:03 AM               

As for the message, what does everyone think of something like this:

Headline: "Now That You Have Some Modern Furniture, How About A Modern House To Put It In?"

Body copy:

(name of organization, as yet undecided) is a consortium of architects, residential designers, builders, developers and people like you, who are interested in modern houses and in seeing more of them built. We can help you to find an architect or residential designer for custom design, or for affordable modernist house plans. You can also locate a builder who can help you realize your dream of a modernist house.

Membership in __________ is free and open to anyone interested in modern housing. To join us in making affordable modernist houses available to people with average incomes, please visit the ________ website at: URL HERE"

That's as much as we need to say, at this point. The website can explain in greater detail. The purpose of the flyer (which should be on a single page) is to promote the website and get people to view it, so they can learn about what we're doing.

Now, about that name. I kind of like ModNet, too. One thing, though, about the choice of a name: it will have to be one that isn't already in use. I just did a domain name search and, unfortunately, modnet.com is already taken. This raises another question: are we going to use a free server for this, and, if not, are we going to split the cost of a paid one? Also, if we opt for a domain name, I guess we'll split the cost of registration, right? I tend to favor a domain name, since it's more professional, more credible, and since it's also more memorable and easier to use. But, ModNet is out, so we'll have to come up with something else. Modnet.org is also taken. However, modenet.info and modnet.biz are still available. Your thoughts?

Whitespike: Saving an image file with added text in PhotoPaint or Photoshop will also merge the text and background to one layer, so I guess, to answer your original question, what I did was "flatten" the image.

Christy's right; it is the best design that we're looking for, and who cares what tools we use to create it, right? As long as the final version is saved as a PDF that we can each print and distribute, I don't care who uses what, really.

Let's do this: over this weekend, if you have the time, let's all come up with our own designs. Then save them as PDFs and we'll post the results and vote on a winner sometime next week.

I like ModerNation and New Modernists. Livewell is okay, but it doesn't really sound specific enough. It could be a healthcare organization, for all most folks know. Modernation.com is taken already, though. Damn! They always grab up the good ones. Modernation.org is available, however. LiveModern....hmmm, has a nice conotation to it, and it's available as livemodern.com (also .org and .net). I wonder about how it will be perceived, though. I guess it's no less vague than ModerNation, really. LiveModern can certainly apply to housing, too.

Another idea: when we each distribute our flyers, we can mention to the store managers that we're interested in a coop sponsorship program, too. We can have a page, on the website, detailing this. Basically, it would work like this: we offer a free banner ad on the website in exchange for promotion of our project. This way, both parties benefit from free advertising, and sponsorship becomes more attractive to retailers who might otherwise chunk our flyers in the trash as soon as we leave the store.

Gary

posted 07-11-2003 08:05 AM               

By the way, like I said above, modnet.org isn't available. I forgot about that when I made this. Anyway, we can still use ModNet, if that's what we're agreed on. It will just have to be registered as either modnet.info or modnet.biz.

Gary

posted 07-11-2003 08:12 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by cnoise:
"The PDF format's strength is that is great for issuing copyrighted materials; the very thing you DON'T want people altering."

Gary this is what I was referring to.

---

You lost me, Cnoise. What about it?

Gary

posted 07-11-2003 08:25 AM               

How about ModernistNetwork.org

We could still informally refer to it as ModNet for short.

Or this one: People for the Ethical Treatment of Architecture.

posted 07-11-2003 09:31 AM               

LOL. I like the PETA joke.

posted 07-11-2003 01:53 PM               

Sorry, I've been offline for a couple of weeks. A very compelly thread here.

I think the idea of a network is a truly an interesting one. In essence, you want to organize a market, on the fly and on the cheap, and a network of some sorts (internet self-organizing is cheapest!) is necessary to realize the potential that we all know is at least latent.

Per Greg's query, I've organized networks such as this in a previous life (see my "resume" site at http://www.marshallmayer.org, see references to NTEN, ebase, TechAtlas and NOSI, among other examples in a very vertical market like this one) and it seems to me that there are some principles that make these networks work. The movement of "producers" for affordable modernist housing (developers, builders, designers, etc.) that you want to organize will spread if the organizing of it is:

• transparent, meaning that anyone can understand its evolution, especially value creation;
• open, meaning that anyone can contribute to its evolution;
• fair, meaning that anyone can benefit from its evolution, in accordance to what they contribute;
• interoperable, meaning that systems (however they are defined, to serve the market) can be used with and learn from each other as they evolve, and
• licensed, meaning that anyone knows how to legally use the intellectual property created and shared during the building of the movement.

Once the principles are agreed to, they are put into practice. It seems to me that the internet is the medium to develop this network, augmented by public relations/viral/guerilla marketing strategies in other media (I love the idea of PDFs for download and distribution). After all, the internet itself was developed using very similar principles.

Finally, and I think there may be consensus on this point, the network has to be driven by the needs of consumers of modernist housing, of which we all know there are many but they are not organized in any way (many of which are subscribers to a couple of magazines, which is a great start). We don't want to organize a solution in search of a problem. Without organized consumers, there is no market, and the network will not take off. (A fax machine is a great "network" but needs lots and lots of consumers to be really useful.)

I agree that designers and builders and other "producers" are absolutely necessary to the network, but they are not sufficient by themselves to organize a market. Demand solves all problems in an emerging market, and consumer demand needs to be demonstrated in some way (sales would be nice) for producers to be interested in addressing the market, let alone produce for it. The more content for the network is oriented to the consumer, the more consumers will feel at home (and tell their friends).

As for next steps, none of this happens free or easy (it's not just a matter of putting up a website). More and more producers in this niche are investing heavily, and they won't take a network seriously if it is not properly financed and managed. I can say from direct experience that moving to quickly, without building consensus, is far more damaging in the long run (in terms of lost opportunities because damage control was the highest priority) than being deliberate and considerate, and proceding with integrity, even if it is slower.

I think a case in point is the name. While I would not veto modnet (except that you simply must have a .com and .org domain name for any effort, a .info domain name just introduces unnecessary confusion that will have to be compensated for with limited resources), I think a discussion about the criteria that would make good name should happen first. There are lots of ideas about names, but no consensus on the cireteria by which to judge them. Like how the name reflects the mission statement, the goals, the activities, and/or the values of the endeavor. Or who the name should primarily be attractive to (extending my comments above on consumers, a "network" is not a solution to them, because the problem is a lack of affordable options, so modnet has less meaning than other names might). It can become all very complicated, and there are (of course) consultants that specialize in this (which I don't think we need). But we do need to consider the name carefully, as it does say alot about our goals. And make sure the idea is vetted properly among the players that absolutely need to be at the table.

I'm interested in contributing to this cause. I have to run now, but am back after a while away from my computer. Glad to see the idea has progressed so far. Thanks for providing the leadership.

posted 07-11-2003 07:17 PM               

This is my first post here although I've been a lurker for quite a while. This cause is very exciting to me as I am one of the "potential customers" for an affordable, modernist home. I applaud your efforts!

I've been following this thread and just wanted to echo several points that marshallmayer brought up. Speaking from my experience (20 years in the Design/Advertising/Marketing field) the choosing of a name for your organization should be approached with great care and thought.

Even though this will not be a commercial venture, branding will play an extremely important role in how the organization is perceived. It will be the cornerstone for all that is to follow. Generating the proper "look and feel" of the organization will be instrumental in encouraging potential designers, developers, members, etc. It will allow them to realize that this is a serious, well-organized group of like-minded individuals with common, well-defined goals.

marshallmayer made some great comments that I don't need to reiterate. Although I will underscore one that I am very familiar with...it is my suggestion that whatever domain name is chosen, it must be available in either a .com or .org (preferably both). The other domain extensions that have been created simply have not reached their potential and possibly never will. They also present a communication obstacle (as marshallmayer mentioned) when you may have only a fraction of a second to capture the mindshare of a potential organization member.

".com" is king and I only suggest .org in this instance because what you are proposing is truly a candidate for a .org extension. Usually, I would try to acquire the .com for any .org that I purchase if not for the simple fact of brand protection.

I also agree that a grassroots, viral-based campaign is the way to go...not only from an economics point-of-view, but also because they do in fact work.

I have several ideas I can share and would be interested in helping out if needed. I speak from experience. I conceived, developed and currently publish an online magazine and community that receives over 16 million hits per month, has a readership of 20K+ members, is profitable and has corporate sponsorship involvement. This has been accomplished in just over 3 years using only word of mouth, internet search engine placement, targeted PR and viral devices such as stickers and postcards.

My expertise is in online branding strategies. I am the president of my own design/marketing firm and have done work for several Fortune 500 companies, small to medium size niche companies and many non-profits. My firm does traditional media but specializes in online projects. I have several web servers at my disposal and would be willing to donate space to host the organization's site. I would also be happy to present some logo designs once the name has been determined.

I just wanted to let you know that there are indeed others out here "like you" that may not have been vocal up to this point.

posted 07-11-2003 07:39 PM            

quote:

---

"The PDF format's strength is that is great for issuing copyrighted materials; the very thing you DON'T want people altering."

---

If people want to edit a PDF, they can.

Senninha has some good points too in terms of the overall impression you want to make.

posted 07-11-2003 08:04 PM               

The ideas everybody has been sharing are great, but how to organzie the message, distill it into a clear and lucid idea. If you are willing to organize, I am certianly willing to submit to your guidance.

People who want modern housing need a place to turn to - a network. In the same way those of us wanting to create modern housing need to be able to evidence to developers, builders, and lenders that there is significant demand for this kind of housing. The success of the first could provide the second.

posted 07-11-2003 09:17 PM               

The flyer is, of course, an offline vehicle for promoting our message, but it should be aimed at attracting people to the online presence, where the bulk of the details can be found. In this way, those who have come to the site via exposure to the flyer will be "pre-sold" on the idea, to some extent. Of course, we will also make use of online advertising, emailed press releases, etc. to attract people from various online sources, such as the Dwell boards, Metropolis Magazine's online publication, etc.

Gary

posted 07-12-2003 10:30 AM               

1. proposed an idea.
2. outlined what the purposes are.
3. asked for input on the specific goals.
4. asked for input on specific ways of acheiving those goals.

The result of this dialog is what we have now:

1. a clearer understanding of what the objective is; i.e., not developing modernist subdivisions ourselves, as some mistakenly thought, at first, but, rather, creating an economically feasible means of gathering the components of a market for modernist houses together into one focused enterprise that will link all those components together.

2. a means of attracting those necessary components (i.e., architects, designers, builders, developers and, especially, consumers) together.

I'm not being testy or anything; just wondering what it is you think I've missed here, Greg. This is a fairly simple, straightforward task. We know what we want to acheive: bringing all the elements of a market for modernist houses together so that the market can function as it should. We know what the elements of this market are composed of: architects, designers, builders, developers, and consumers. We know that the cheapest, most effective way to bring these elements together is via a website that can be economically constructed and maintained. We know that, like all successful online enterprises, it must be promoted both online and offline in order to attract all the elements necessary for its sucess. We know who the consumers who make up the primary market are: designers and other people who have an active interest in modern design. We know where and how to reach those people, and part of the mix of media that is necessary for this involves offline promotion in appropriate venues, such as modern furniture stores. Now, did I leave anything out, and, if so, what?

posted 07-12-2003 02:38 PM               

Thats all - I think the consumer experience has to be conceived before you go out and try to attract people to what they might think is nothing but a lame web site.

Don't you think we could organize a bit first. Somebody with more experience might set out an agenda for what must be created as a minimum to launch, agree on roles and responsibilities, then go through a series of trials with a mocked up web site to get an idea of what it will look like and what it will offer, sign up beta members from the board here to surf it and give honest feedback, try to build some relationships while this is going on so there will be some content when it goes online.

Or maybe I'm nuts?

posted 07-12-2003 03:19 PM               

Consumers joining gain acess to a network of entities that will facilitate their desire for a modern house, like builders, manufacturers, designers, lenders, etc (i know this has been said before). They also gain access to community via messageboard, or email newsletter for announcements, or both as they desire.

In exchange for joining they offer up data such as region, rough demographics, some key simple questions like when they want to get a modern house, how much they would like to spend, what size house, similar questions about furniture, and renovation materials - I am thinking the kind of data you need to go to a developer or a lender and say - SEE, there is a big market for this - you ought to be servicing this market.

Then the Network gains not only access to interested people, but a tool for bringing important parts of the development cycle into the network. I think the members must be prompted to update this data, perhaps yearly, or 6 months in order to stay members. So the data would become a living tool to help grow the market.

I am not sure what a non-consumer membership should consist of - do you treat manufacturers, banks, designers differently, or do you just simply have individual members, and then paid advertising? Do you not have advertising at all and just let the members point the way to the marketplace for other members? Or do you maintain a directory of businesses and let the membership rate them based on their experience.

posted 07-12-2003 08:22 PM               

I think you're assuming that I'm saying, "yeah, let's make up some flyers and a website and see if anybody responds!" This is not at all what I'm proposing. So far, we don't even have any ideas for the flyer, let alone the website. I just asked for them, and I'm the only one who has mocked up anything for the flyer yet, that I'm aware of. Meanwhile, we've already discussed who will do the web design, though we haven't concluded anything on that, yet. I guess what I'm attempting to do here on the Dwell board is to gather support for this project, first (okay, got that) and to channel that into positive action. The action is the part we're still working on, and that action also includes any planning of the nature you've described. I don't want this to degenerate into just another discussion topic on the Dwell boards, and that is why it is imperative that we don't allow this to become another case of analysis paralysis, in which we talk the topic to death, to the point at which no action is ever taken. If we're going to do this, then we need to do what was already discussed, i.e., each of us needs to generate some ideas, not just for the flyer, but for the website, as well. Then we will have something concrete that we can all look at, evaluate, and base descisions upon. If we just talk about it, nothing will ever get done, and no descisions will ever be reached. By each of us doing a website and flyer mockup, we can not only generate some good ideas and decide which are best, but we can also see which of us is the best choice for handling these particular design tasks. By the way, your suggestions for organization are all very good ones. Thanks.

No, like I said, we don't need to spend any money on printing for the flyer. This can be done on our own desktop printers, those of us who have printers that can do acceptable output. But, if anyone wants to spend their own money having them printed up, that's fine. It isn't necessary, though. The real key to this is that, each of us has access to our own unique local areas, and there are venues in each that would be good places to place the flyers. That way, we can get a wide distribution, and without the considerable cost of direct mailings.

I fully agree about associating with Dwell, and with Dwell expanding their website to accomodate it. With their small staff, though, I think they'd be somewhat challenged to do so, and, as Allison has said here before, their primary mission is the magazine. But, yes, it would be a great idea.

Yes, part of the website needs to include a consumer survey, such as you've outlined. Definitely. Also, we should have a similar survey for the producers in this market, as well. A survey for builders and developers can yield data on what will work and what won't, as far as developing subdivisions goes, and so. There could be separate links to each survey. In fact, we can have three classes of membership: 1)consumers, 2)architects/designers, 3)builders/developers, and maybe a forth, for realtors. Each would have their own separate sections of the website, and the message boards could be similarly arranged, with areas for posts from each group, and common areas where all can mingle.

Periodic updates of members' data would be very beneficial, yes. That should also be a function to be included.

In the interests of making the marketplace as accessible to all as possible, I think it is critical to avoid any membership dues or fees of any kind. If we start putting up roadblocks that create resistance, we will diminish the total number of members. As for advertising, here, also, I think it needs to be free. If all parties can advertise free of charge, we will have a much greater use of the site, as a whole, and more advertising, both from producers and consumers, and this will benefit all. Keep in mind, the website and the organization are not intended as a profit center, but as a vehicle for promoting businesses and facilitating exchange between them and their customers. If access is equal for all, and no one is priced out of access, then we will see more positive results. Also, if realtors and bankers favoring modernist housing want to advertise, that's great. But, if this is going to be a free site, we don't require any advertising revenue to maintain it. Since all the members' advertising benefits each other directly, if it is free, it helps facilitate the purpose of connecting producers and consumers. Another factor is that, some people will get a negative impression of the site if it becomes blantantly commercial. Though it does serves commercial interests, it shouldn't become a commercial interest in and of itself.

Having a directory will definitely be a part of the website, too, and having a consumer rating system for each member producer would be a great idea, as well.

We're agreed, then, that we do need to always continue the dialog about the project, even once it is up and running. We also need to get something tangible together as sson as possible, so we can evaluate it, improve upon it, and get the best version of it before launching the website. The flyer, then, while important, should take a back seat to the website. I want to make that perfectly clear to everyone. Website first, promotion second. So, if everyone who is going to contribute web design skills, or who wants to do so, will put together a sample, using some of the features we've mentioned here (message boards, surveys, etc.) we can then have a look at them and see who has the best version. Whoever that turns out to be is elected to do the final design, and once it's online, we can all participate in maintaining and promoting it. So, if you don't have the skills or talents, don't worry; someone else will. The important thing is to DO something now, instead of jawing on and on about mission statements and TPS reports.

Gary

[This message has been edited by GaryR50 (edited 07-12-2003).]

posted 07-12-2003 11:52 PM               

By the way, Greg, though it's a different sort of organization, I founded The Rea Surname DNA Project (http://garyr50.tripod.com/Rea_Surname_DNA_Project.htm) last August, and it has since grown to an organization with members across the U.S., Canada and Australia. So, I have a bit of experience in organizing people in cooperative online ventures, myself.

Gary

posted 07-13-2003 10:16 AM               

I hope Marshall will respond soon with some words of wisdom we can apply. Keep in mind, also, that there is no urgency to this matter. It is one that, like my DNA project, will take months to develop, once it's started. So, not everything necessarily needs to be put together right out of the starting gate. But, we can get a start on at least roughing out some graphic concepts and listing the features we want to include.

posted 07-14-2003 09:07 AM               

I think a lot of good progress has been made, before and after my post. My point was that it was looking like a call for consensus was being closed last Friday afternoon, and I did not think we were quite there yet. My main concern is that we get all the players to the table to be part of the discussion (if only lurkers) before any critical decisions are made. Again, getting this buyin (based on Greg's "value proposition") is essential from the key players before proceeding too far. A key missing voice is Dwell, for example.

Perhaps a way to proceed is articulating all of the possible categories of participants, and then seeing if someone from each constituency has weighed in on the discussion. If not, is there someone we can recruit to weigh in, not to represent their consitituency, per se, but to simply hear their voice, concerns, applauds, whatever. I think getting that feedback now would be in the best interest of getting what we all aggree is a worthy cause off the ground.

So, my list of affordable modernist housing constituencies to include in this effort would include:

* consumers
* designers
* architects
* builders
* contractors
* realtors
* bankers
* developers
* planners (or whatver you call the folks that approve building permits)
* stock planners
* manufacturers (I'm thinking prefab)
* media (print, electronic, and internet)
* sales representatives for any modernist housing product
* representatives from trade associations of any of the above
(ovbiously, any individual can be in more than one category, but there must be a primary role.)

Did I leave any obvious ones out? Once we agree on the list of what roles should be included, we can see who matches up from the discussion so far, and find folks from constituencies that are not "represented." And for those that are speaking up for a role, we need to share information on what our respective self-interests are in developing this network. In the interests of transparency to build trust. this step might be a good objective for this week, and next if we can't finish it.

Once there are active participants from most of the key constituencies, then an agenda can be hashed out (pretty simple, but it must be followed -- again, transparency), including many of the items that Greg lists. Again, many of the ideas that have been expressed are great, but they need to be fleshed out and vetted.

I'm not a huge process fan, but some process needs to be followed that gets us where we all aspire to go. These are my humble suggestions this morning...

Marshall

posted 07-14-2003 10:03 AM               

In response to the original question from Gary, please sign me up! I have always hesitated to sign onto the "not-so-big" network for the reasons that I want to design dwellings of our time and not, in any way, based on historically traditional motifs and types.

Last fall I published a pamphlet called Seattle Case Study Homes in response to the growing need for better "plan books." I think they are, in part, the reason why our country is being littered with such awful residential developments. The booklet was a collaboration and we did it with almost no money, but we did generate some interest and gave a good lecture at the UW in Seattle. I think there is a huge market for modern houses that most bankers/developers/builders don't see.

Also, if anyone has any ideas about how to get my pamphlet, (Seattle Case Study Homes) under the noses of the right developers, please let me know.

posted 07-14-2003 10:23 AM               

In the list of people it seems everything falls into 3 broad catagories:

consumers: people looking for modern houses or furniture, or services oriented to such.

producers: manufacturers, builders, contractors, etc

services: designers, realestate agents, banks, etc

posted 07-14-2003 10:38 AM               

Blake, glad to have you aboard! Rest assured, we're NOT talking about the sort of houses Ms. Susanka is promoting, but, rather, the types of houses shown in Dwell, and in your Seattle Case Study Homes book (which is excellent, by the way).

I wonder if we need to delegate tasks, as far as contacting the remaining constituencies goes? I feel confident I can get in touch with some of them, myself, but there may be others here who have the ear of some I would have difficulty in attracting to our project. As for who, exactly, to contact in each constituency, we need to do some further research in order to establish just who, among these constituents, is most likely to view the project favorably, and thus, most likely to participate. For example, where realtors are concerned, finding a few who handle modernist properties already would be fairly easy, I would think. Finding contractors and builders with experience in modernist houses shouldn't be difficult, either. However, finding bankers who are amenable to modernism might prove somewhat more difficult, as their role is usaully behind the scenes and rarely given mention. Maybe Blake can be of help, in that regard.

Rous, excellent suggestion. KRDB's input would be highly valuable. There seems to be a wide consensus in favor of developing a mission statement first, so let's do that, then. Afterward, we can individually begin approaching the people we need to recruit, such as KRDB, et al.

Greg, you've summed up the list quite well, and the three divisions, Consumers, Producers and Services, as well.

My own particular interests are two-fold: I am a residential designer and, like Greg, I seek a market for my modernist stock plans among consumers who are seeking modernist houses. I also seek to build design-build relationships between myself and builders, with stock plans being supplied by me for small modernist housing additions.

Gary

[This message has been edited by GaryR50 (edited 07-14-2003).]

posted 07-14-2003 11:12 AM               

Here is something that I would like to see come out of this organization. It might be good if the organization had local reps for different areas of the country. I know personally, when I see the majority of modern houses designed for warm weather climates, it makes it seem like a nice modern design would never work here (Indianapolis). What I am thinking is that a local rep here in Indianapolis could concentrate on builders, architects, and planners in this area, and also know how the local climate and zoning restrictions would impact modern home design. That way, instead of just being able to get information from a national network, I could also get info that is specific to my location. Right now if you want to build a new house for less than $200K in Indianapolis, you have to go with a stock plan from one of the big builders in a subdivision. To build a modern home would require a ton of research and more money, and most young home buyers like me don’t have the extra money or the time to do all of the research. By having a local rep, at least some of the research would already be done. I know it is a little early to be thinking about a local chapter of a national organization which does not even exist yet, but I think it would be worth keeping in mind as this whole thing comes together.

posted 07-14-2003 01:59 PM               

DJM, we're a mix, here. Some of us are architects and designers (I'm a residential designer, myself), while others are consumers, and nearly all are Dwell subscribers or readers. You've got a few good ideas, there. The concept of live/work facilities, which are both residences and offices/studios is becoming popular in some urban areas, and modernist architects are becoming involved in some of these projects. This could become a part of this network concept. The network doesn't have to be confined strictly to single-family residential projects. In fact, as those producers who do live/work projects, or urban lofts, etc. join us, they will be adding that range of expertise to the organization.

Gary

posted 07-14-2003 03:24 PM               

My copy of the Seattle Case Home Studies arrived today -- fantastic. Blake-ARCH, what a great publication and additioin to the field, and the price was amazing.

Per Rous' point, on the paucity of people in the thread (or board), maybe what we need is some good old fashioned community organizing. Communicate with our colleagues about this thread and get them to join in the conversation. Maybe produce a "manifesto" (sorry, I can't think of a better word) that not only explains the problem and our solution but is a call to action. The kind of short prose that can be easily passed around on the net and stoke some conversational fires.

I did one for NOSI (the Nonprofit Open Source Initiative) that might serve as a model (see it at http://marshallmayer.org/nosi.html). We used it to get all of our relevant constituencies involved in the formation of the organization. It eventually became our mission statement, after some really good imput.

One place to recruit from is other topics on this Dwell board. I see that Rous has posted a link in one of the other topics to come over here. Great idea.

There might be a couple of other constituencies we try to recruit from: furniture designers (like Edgar!) and furnishures (affordable, modernist, of course) and writers. I can get in touch with a few folks, but maybe we do need to work on a mission statement/manifesto first. So that we, at least the ones that are here now, are on the same page (I think we are close) before we intentionally widen the circle.

I could work on something tomorrow, drawing from the thread.