Where do people go when they can’t afford furniture? In Chicago, there’s a remarkable organization called the Chicago Furniture Bank (CFB). And it helps individuals and families who are transitioning out of homeless. In their own words, “CFB breaks the cycle of furniture poverty by transforming an empty house into a home” through providing folks with high quality used furniture. In the Fall of 2022, DCI was lucky enough to …
Case Study: Building Durable Steel & Wood Beds for Fort Sam Houston
Over the years, DCI has worked on numerous projects with Fort Sam Houston—a joint Army and Air Force Base based in San Antonio. Recently, the Base approached us with a new request. They were looking for a solution to replace their antiquated Captain’s Beds. Design Update: Captains Beds They were interested in a fresh contemporary design that both centered the strength of steel while softening the cold institutional feel of …
Plywood Bed Decks vs Metal Bed Springs
Should you buy a plywood bed deck or metal bed springs for your residence hall beds? We get this question a lot. And the truth is, there are benefits to both. There are some popular misconceptions too. For example, most campuses stick to the same standard for compatibility, and that isn’t necessary. Why? Because, it’s not hard to convert from metal springs to a wood deck assembly while maintaining compatibility …
Why We Source Mattresses Made By Blind & Visually Impaired Workers
Eighty four years ago, in a small two-room shop in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a few members of the local Lions Club gathered to charter a new initiative. They were opening a manufacturing plant operated by the visually impaired. It started small, but it grew into something remarkable. Humble Beginnings The organization founded that day was called Winston-Salem Industries for the Blind. It would grow to become IFB Solutions, the largest employer …
Life or Death: Guardrails Are No Laughing Matter
“College students are our future. Why are we putting them in significant danger where they should feel safest?” -Clark Jacobs, Co-founder, Rail Against the Danger, TBI and stroke survivor. Broken arms. Cracked skulls. Strokes. Blunt force trauma. Brain bleeds. What do these injuries make you think of? Maybe football? Or a horrible car accident? Domestic abuse? Nope! It’s a little more mundane than that. Try slumbering college students tumbling …
Case Study: The Bruin Shelter for Homeless College Students
Every once in awhile you get the chance to contribute to something really important. As a company, we’re quick to respond to these moments because they they give special meaning to what we do. When UCLA student Louis Tse reached out to me and shared the story of his burgeoning Bruin Shelter for homeless college students (now called Students 4 Students), I knew it was one of those moments. You see, Louis …
Case Study: Fordham University
Summary: Fordham University maintains a strong commitment to sustainability, and that’s made them an ideal parter for DCI over the years. In 2014, DCI partnered with Fordham University to furnish their stunning new Law School and residence hall at Lincoln Center. Around the same time, DCI was responsible for recycling 300 sets of furniture at their Bronx-based Rose Hill campus. Project Name: Fordham University Project Location: Lincoln Center, Manhattan; Rose Hill, The Bronx Project Size: 430 Sets Building …
Case Study: New York University
NYU Dorm Furniture Summary: Advancing sustainability values in New York City and beyond is a big priority for NYU. DCI partnered with NYU to provide locally crafted, long lasting furniture built from FSC-certified wood that would endure for more than 25 years while forging innovative green reuse solutions. Case Study: Sustainable NYU Dorm Furniture Project Name: Brittany & Lipton Residence Halls Project Location: New York City, New York Project Size: 1200+ Building Type: Multi-Use Residence Halls Project Team: NYU, Matiz …