Contract Magazine - October 2019 - 32

PROFILE

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Designer
You
Should
Know
Atelier
Cho
Thompson

Founded by Christina Cho Yoo, AIA, IIDA,
and Ming Thompson, AIA, IIDA, Atelier Cho
Thompson is a San Francisco- and New Haven-
based multidisciplinary design and concept firm
that boasts a diverse portfolio of work spanning
architecture, interiors, graphics, brand strategy,
furniture, installations, and exhibitions. Recently
bestowed the IIDA's Anna Hernandez/Luna Textiles
Award, the two partners-who met while studying
at Harvard's Graduate School of Design-possess
an impressive ability to deliver holistic designs
through an integrated approach.

Celebrating natural textures
with a material palette that
includes walnut, steel, brass,
stone, and wool, Christina Cho
Yoo and Ming Thompson (top,
left) of Atelier Cho Thompson
designed a lobby for EQ Office
in Boston (above). For the
San Francisco location of
Spice Kit, the firm developed
infographics, interior signage,
and marketing materials
that suited the brand, as well
as a banquette backdrop
comprised of colorful bamboo
mats (top, right).

32

Your work encompasses a broad range of
disciplines, extending beyond the traditional
boundaries of architecture and interior design.
Can you share more about what this
multidisciplinary approach entails?
On many of our projects, our total approach allows
us to become a design partner for our clients and
to create and execute strong design concepts at
all scales. The logo and the building should work
together to build a vision. Transcending typical
boundaries, we've been told that we have set
ourselves apart from our competition because
we are more than service providers. We are allies
in aiding clients to maintain staying power in
the marketplace with a clear brand message
and experience. Most clients have neither the
bandwidth nor expertise to coordinate multiple
designers and consultants as they are tackling
many other things in their workday. They love
the one-stop shop approach and ability to talk
to a person who can speak skillfully across
disciplines in a single conversation.
What are some trends or cultural shifts in design
that interest you right now?
We love that clients are looking to shake things
up and, dare we say, "disrupt" the way spaces
are typically designed. The zeitgeist compels
our clients to start each project with the question:
"What is the future of the office? A school? A lobby?"

They see our experience working on different
typologies as an asset to addressing this trailblazing
question. Working on a range of typologies, from
homes to offices to schools to hospitality, we
approach all these projects with the same kind
of conceptual rigor and obsession with detail.
We believe that the future of design is one of hybrid
typologies. The way we work and live today has
changed radically-we work from coffee shops and
dining tables, and aspects of home, work, and play
have all become blended. Our best projects draw
upon a large cross-section of spaces.
What are some of the challenges that you see
facing designers today?
The design professions are in an important moment
of confronting and discussing equity and diversity.
There are too many outdated practices that are
roadblocks to creating an equal playing field, not
just for women but for all people who want to have
a healthy balance between work and life. In our own
firm, we are enacting policies that allow for better
balance by using technology like cloud-based servers
and company-issued laptops, and by creating clearly
stated policies for flexible work time.
What's next for Atelier Cho Thompson?
In our projects, we work to build community around
design, and this year we are embarking on new firm
initiatives to do that. In both San Francisco and New
Haven, we've set up storefront architecture offices
with windows to our neighborhood, and we're
opening a brick-and-mortar design store on the
street. We'll be selling a curated mix of objects from
makers across the world alongside our own product
line with partners from food, fashion, and lighting.
We're also setting up a monthly series of events
to bring design to the community: Through salons
on the crossover between design, food, politics, and
fine arts, we're hoping to generate new energy in our
two cities toward building great things together.

contractdesign.com

OCTOBER 2019
http://www.contractdesign.com
Contract Magazine - October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract Magazine - October 2019
