Boutique Design - May 2016 - 46

Blending the two firms' strengths helped CallisonRTKL do just that. A recent cruise ship
project challenged the firm to make the most of extreme size on a scale hospitality designers
aren't often asked to work on. So, in addition to a cruise ship specialist, they leveraged expertise
gleaned from residential and retail experience (think accessory brand Charming Charlie's New
York flagship) to create macro impact in a micro space.
The challenge, says Markham, is finding the balance between developing an extensive skill
set and wasting firepower. "We've been focusing on specific markets and project typologies that
we think are showing signs of growth, rather than blanketing the market," he says.
A quick look at recent projects and the current boards bears that out. Past work might run
the gamut from the sushi restaurant, Izumi, aboard the Quantum of the Seas cruise ship to the
L.A. Live entertainment complex and numerous stores for luxury retailer Nordstrom, but what's
coming up shows the firm's aim to chisel out territory in niches like boutique hotels, such as the
Kimpton Bellevue (slated to open in 2019) or the Lapita Parks Dubai Hotel (opening later this
year), as well as work on such mega-projects as the renovation of the 114-acre Northland Center
mall in Southfield, Michigan.
Keeping the back of house as collaborative and efficient as the design teams is key. "The
biggest challenges have been operational-blending our accounting systems, human resources
and marketing structures," says Markham.
Forging those capabilities in a dedicated part of the business is key to making it work. While no
projects announced since the merger were ready for publication at press time, the company plans
to unite the skill sets of team members from both firms on commissions of all sizes. "We need to
think beyond just architecture to have people coming together as a unit, whether that's on brand,
F&B or sustainability," says Markham.
Even for firms without head counts in four digits, having a diverse talent pool makes it easier
to swim rather than sink in a design world where each RFP can be a riff on a known theme or
something out of any box. 

4 The blend of rounded and squared
shapes in Charming Charlie
balance the wall decor. A cheery
palette would look just as much at
home in a hotel lobby.

CALLISONRTKL
EmployEEs:

2,000

ArEAs of ExpErtisE

Academic; Automotive; Civic and Cultural;
Commercial Office Buildings; Corporate
Workplace; Cruise Ships; Department Stores;
Financial Services; Government Workplace;
Healthcare; Hospitality; Luxury Retail; Mission
Critical; Mixed-Use; Residential; Shopping and
Entertainment Districts; Specialty Retail; Tall
Buildings; Transit
sErvicEs

Architecture; Brand Building; Change
Management; Commercial Interiors;
Commissioning; Energy Management;
Environmental Graphic Design; Health Facility
Planning; Health Facility Transitioning;
Healthcare Technologies; Historic Preservation;
Interior Architecture and Design; Landscape
Architecture; MEP Engineering; Operational
Excellence; Performance-Driven Design;
Planning and; Urban Design; Protective
Planning; Store Planning and Design; Strategic
Consulting; Technology Design
officEs

Abu Dhabi; Baltimore (Headquarters); Beijing;
Chicago; Dallas; Dubai; Hong Kong; Jeddah;
London; Los Angeles; Mexico City; Miami;
New York City; Seattle; Shanghai; Toronto;
Washington, D.C.

(c) c ALLISONRTKL .

4

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