FURNITURE PURCHASE

Library Administrator's Digest, Feb 2004

When it comes to furnishing the city's new main library, insistence on the bottom line sparked a new product line.

The macro-result: Columbus planners prompted two nationally renowned companies to form a partnership.

The micro-result: The Muscogee County Library Board's facilities committee unanimously recommended Wednesday the wood furniture designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects of New York and manufactured by the David Edward Co. of Baltimore.

Throughout the $50.4 million project's four-year history, Columbus planners have reminded the Stern firm to stay within budget.

A year-and-a-half-ago, a conflict arose when discussion about the library's furniture started.

"We're very interested in the full picture of the building," said Alex Lamis, the project's lead architect. "A lot of times, there's a divergence between the architect and the interior designer, but we want a unified vision for the library."

Library Director Claudya Muller, however, expressed concern about the price, durability and replacement availability of Stern's custom-made furniture Lamis had suggested. "Claudya raised good questions," Lamis said.

So the Stern firm sought a major manufacturer. Now the 2004 David Edward product line will be Stern's design - and the first library to install the cherry wood furniture will be right here in Columbus when the 100,000-square-foot facility opens in January 2005.

The 27 four-person tables and 13 two-person study carrels have data ports and electrical outlets for each seat. The tables and study carrels have linoleum insets the designers say provide a smoother writing surface than grainy wood.

The 156 chairs are double-doweled for extra durability. They have mortise tenons instead of screws to secure the slats, which are curved for lumbar support.

The package price - $220,525, including a four-year warranty - was the third most expensive among the quotes from eight companies presented. Stern's custom price was $275, 943.

Lamis told the committee the Stern-Edward combination is "the best of all worlds. It's appropriate for the building, it's durable, and it fits within your budget."

Muller asked the Stern designers to soften the sharp edges of the prototypes on display Wednesday in the W. C. Bradley Memorial Library conference room. Then she told them, "We appreciate your pleasing people who are very hard to please."

She paused and added with a laugh, "But I still want you to round those corners."

Columbus (GA) Ledger-Inquirer, December 2003