8.18.14 | San Francisco, CA | IA Interior Architects is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The Summer 2014 issue of the firm’s newsletter, IAQuarterly, includes a message from Executive Directors David Bourke and Tom Powers; announcement of a new blog called dIAmeter; a feature on  the new American Medical Association headquarters in Chicago; an interview with Kirk Stewart, designer of the award-winning Leica store in Los Angeles; and a profile of Julio Braga, IIDA, LEED AP, the new President of IIDA’s International Board of Directors.

IA, 30 Years Later: A message from our Executive Directors

2014 marks IA’s 30th year, a milestone we’re honored to celebrate. We can look back and see how much we’ve grown, the work we’ve completed, and recall the many terrific individuals - both clients and IA employees - that we’ve been fortunate to meet. We are also proud of the fact that we’ve stayed true to our roots as the first global firm exclusively dedicated to interiors.

Innovation, flexibility, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a steadfast focus on interiors have strengthened IA, and moving forward, we continue to value these attributes. We are investing in new technologies and expanding into new markets. We added a Houston office this year and have been working on a broader array of project types including high-end retail, healthcare, and manufacturing facilities. In addition, we are in the process of reviewing our brand with the goal of aligning our mission, vision, and values with our integrated approach and vision for the future of IA.

We are also reminded that reaching a milestone such as this didn’t come without the support of others - our clients and colleagues, industry organizations, the media, and so many more. It was very gratifying when we surveyed our staff about how we should celebrate this year and the response was to reciprocate within our communities through a series of special projects. Each of the projects—ranging from volunteering with Habitat for Humanity to local animal shelters to DIFFA—have distinct significance to the respective team as a way to give back to the community.

At IA we believe in our clients, staff, and the value of design. We are passionate about the power of the workplace and are confident that we will really make a difference. Here’s to the next 30 years.

With sincere gratitude,

David Bourke and Tom Powers, Executive Directors

dIAmeter: IA launches a new blog

The firm has launched dIAmeter, http://interiorarchitects.com/blog, a blog featuring proprietary articles and information about life and work at IA Interior Architects, insights into commercial real estate, and thought leadership pieces on the ever-evolving work environment.

Among the first articles to launch the website: a series by David Mourning detailing the history of IA, his early days as an architect in San Francisco, and the accumulated experiences that led to the creation of IA Interior Architects. The firm’s awards earned since January 2014 - close to half a dozen - will also be announced on the blog. As we continue posting to dIAmeter, you can expect to see white papers and project reviews from the Design Roundtable and Workplace Strategies groups, as well as other knowledge leaders.

To develop the most authentic voice for IA, associates across the firm are invited to contribute their own topics and content for inclusion. Diane Rogers, based in our San Francisco office, has contributed thoughtful articles on the growing importance of meditative space in corporate environments. Guy Messick’s Revit series covers technology.

We look forward to sharing more and hope you will check back often and post your thoughts in the comments sections. Comments and questions can also be sent directly to Emily Hooper, IA’s social media specialist, at [email protected].
 
Many Minds, One Design: A high performance, purpose-built headquarters for the American Medical Association
By John Hopkins, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Associate
Photography by Paul Morgan

Last Fall, the American Medical Association (AMA) moved into its new headquarters. Occupying 10 floors (and totaling 300,000 square feet) atop the landmark Chicago skyscraper at 330 N. Wabash—designed by renowned architect Mies van der Rohe—the AMA’s new home is a high-performance workplace and showcase of the 166-year-old organization’s heritage and future.

One of several interesting aspects of the AMA story is the evolution to a more modern, open, collaborative workplace - all while meeting the specific needs of the diverse workforce. Approximately 1,100 people occupy the space, with a large percentage having academic research and business backgrounds. With these demographics, the professionals were accustomed to more traditional workplace environments. Yet the new design involved a greater than 20 percent reduction in the total office footprint from the association’s previous offices. For employees, that translated to significant changes to their decades-old work environment: smaller workstations with lower partitions, a 75 percent reduction in file cabinet space, and the elimination of 50 percent of personal printers, and 40 percent of departmental network printers.

Gloss white floors, warm wood walls, illuminated glass, and a dramatic video wall help to create an inviting and bright reception area.

However, the project should not be construed as one where staff had to sacrifice. This was about right-sizing, accommodating for more "we" space, less "me" space. Moreover, one of the key differentiators with this project is the fact that it was purpose-built. That is, rather than designing standardized support space on each floorplate, each department had a custom plan designed to suit specific support needs. As an established organization the leadership team recognized the need to engage emerging professionals in the decision-making process. After all, they would be the ones using this space for the next 20 years. The result is a workplace with shared access to windows to enjoy the views and daylight, collaboration spaces of different sizes and configurations, and a sense of activity and energy while balancing the needs for quiet focus.

To ensure that everyone’s diverse needs were being met, IA engaged the client in a participatory design process. A group of 15 AMA representatives - ranging from junior staff to senior leaders - played an active role throughout the planning and design process. During weekly design meetings, they joined the project team to collaborate on decisions ranging from the overall configuration of the space to specific details about materials and systems.

The 47th floor conference center hosts everything from sponsored events to employee meetings to the occasional exercise class.

This process led to creating a large variety of workstation types to accommodate unique storage, display, and ergonomic needs. Designed into each office floor are several customizable elements, including built-in shelving displays that allow employee teams and departments to brand the space with their own mementos and cultural icons. And, as the case may be, they can be active participants in the design over the long-term and change these elements as needed or desired. The goal was to create a place that can stand the test of time while also giving employees a sense of ownership and connection.

The Skyline Lounge, a 1,749-square-foot café and lunchroom, incorporates a water wall, rock garden, comfortable seating, and a breathtaking view of Chicago.

Now that the employees are settled in, all are enjoying the benefits of this participatory design process. "I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the overwhelmingly positive response to the space," says Bob Davis, senior vice president, Human Resources & Corporate Services. "Employees love the café, they love the collaborative rooms, and they love the overall look and feel of the office."

John Hopkins is based in IA’s Chicago office. He can be reached at [email protected].
 
Picture Perfect: A few questions for Kirk Stewart, designer of the award-winning Leica store in Los Angeles
Photography by Art Gray

The global flagship for Leica, the renowned camera manufacturer, is creating a buzz extending beyond the photography world. Earlier this year, it was featured in Interior Design and the magazine chose to host a design industry party there two months later. More recently, it was recognized with an IIDA Calibre Award and as a finalist for International Store of the Year by Retail Week in the UK. We spoke with lead designer Kirk Stewart to gain his perspective.

What makes this project especially unique?

You might say it’s what we didn’t do that makes it unique. Our objective was to communicate the Leica brand - one that’s been around for 100 years - in an authentic, genuine way. We didn’t overcomplicate the design with too many layers or materials. Rather, like the Leica camera itself, we focused on craftsmanship, careful details, simplicity, and elegance. We worked with the client to create something timeless, beautiful, and accessible, and I believe we achieved all three.

How does this design enhance the LA retail scene?

One of the challenges we have here is our reliance on cars. In many parts of Los Angeles, we don’t have significant pedestrian traffic like other cities that gets people into stores. Quite often people speed by in their cars to their final destinations and miss amazing places along the way. This is certainly the reality on Beverly Boulevard at that particular intersection, where Leica is located. So we introduced features that could be seen from the street that may entice people to slow down and appreciate something more urbane. There’s the giant camera sculpture by Liao Yibai. And the central staircase lights up and grabs attention, particularly at dusk and through the evening.

These two features also help to shape the experience once people are inside. The sculpture is just the first of several tributes to the art of photography. The gallery, library, and video presentation room make it clear that this is also a place where people can learn. It’s not just a store where you buy a camera. It’s about making Leica accessible - whether you’re dabbling in photography or a seasoned professional.

From a retail design perspective, what do you think is particularly innovative here?

When you walk through the space, you never get the sense that you are being sold a camera. Rather, you are getting an education. You won’t see registers or get the typical retail feel where you are guided in to buy, pay, and then move along to the next store. We’ve heard that some people have come in, only to leave nine hours later! I guess that can happen when the staff and customers have a shared passion for photography, places to hang out and read books, and the space overall functions more like a gallery than a store. The products will sell if the experience is well planned.

To learn more about this project, please see this article on IA’s blog: http://interiorarchitects.com/blog/accolades-develop-for-leica-store-los-angeles. Kirk Stewart can be reached at [email protected].
 
Leading the Way: Julio Braga, IIDA, LEED AP named President of IIDA’s International Board of Directors

Last month during the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Annual Meeting, held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, Julio Braga, IIDA, LEED AP was inducted as the association’s 2014-2015 president. He is IA’s Design Principal based in New York.

"We are delighted that Julio has been selected to lead IIDA on a global level. He is well suited to this position given his background and design experience at IA throughout the world, and he will be a great ambassador for the design community," said David Bourke, Executive Director, IA Interior Architects.

"Julio’s international experience and unwavering commitment to commercial interior design make him an ideal candidate to lead IIDA into its next 20 years," said Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA, LEED AP, IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO, noting the association’s 20th anniversary this year.

Braga says one of the reasons he is honored to have this role is because of IIDA’s commitment to expanding its reach and influence in global markets through forums and other opportunities for sharing best practices.

"Bringing more clients into the IIDA fold is an important initiative that we will advance in the coming year. Our goal is to learn more about their business needs and demonstrate the many ways design adds value," said Braga.

In Braga’s more than 25 years in the profession, he has earned numerous accolades, including an IFMA Design Excellence Award for his design of IA’s offices in New York, and in 2009, Interior Design magazine’s Best of Year award for the Bancolombia Headquarters in Medellín, Colombia, which also earned him the CoreNet Northern California Chapter Innovation Award, IIDA NY Chapter Lester Dundes Award, and the IIDA Global Design Excellence Award.

To learn more, visit www.iida.org.

IA Links

Are you interested in reading more about IA projects? Here are a few of the latest articles, and be sure to follow IA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for the most current links.

Interiors & Sources covered Motorola Mobility’s Sunnyvale, CA office in its May issue. It includes comments from Steve Monaco, Motorola Mobility’s director of real estate design and construction for the Americas and EMEA: www.interiorsandsources.com/article-details/articleid/17342/title/photo-essay-the-office-space-with-an-urban-face.aspx

Boston.com shared a peek at Hubspot’s new office in East Cambridge: www.boston.com/business/technology/innoeco/2014/01/pics_from_hubspots_office_expa.html

Interior Design featured the Red Hat Headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina. The extensive article includes insights from IA’s Julio Braga and Kristen Streeter, as well as our colleagues at Red Hat: Craig Youst, senior director of global workplace solutions, and Louise Dixon Chapman, global senior manager for workplace planning: www.interiordesign.net/projects/detail/2297-hats-off-red-hat-re-commits-to-raleigh

The complete issue of IA’s Summer 2014 issue of IAQuarterly, including many more photos, may be accessed at www.interiorarchitects.com/announce/2014/IAQ-summer