IIDA Perspective - Spring/Summer 2012 - 47

David Ganong, IIDa, LEED ap ID+C, is an interior designer at the Boston office of global architecture, design, planning, and consulting firm Gensler. Within that office, Ganong’s studio focuses on the design of corporate spaces, including banks as well as accounting and law firms.

Lauren Rottet, fIIDa, faIa, founded her international firm, Rottet Studio, in 2008 after more than 25 years specializing in high-rise office, corporate-commercial, and hospitality design. Rottet is the first woman to be named a fellow by both the american Institute of architects and the International Interior Design association. She has also been inducted into the Interior Design Hall of fame.

Joey Shimoda, IIDa, aIa, founded Los angeles–based Shimoda Design Group in 2000 to bring quality design, innovation, and technical excellence to work of every scale. With a core staff of six, the multidisciplinary firm currently has ongoing projects in Dallas, Chicago, and L.a.

andrea Brandt, IIDa, LEED ap, is principal of Torchia architects in Chicago. founded more than 25 years ago, the firm’s team of 20 professionals provides architecture and interior-design services for financial institutions, corporations, law firms, and universities.

WHaT TRENDS HavE yOu NOTICED IN yOuR CLIENTS’ REquESTS? LR: Most of our clients are really up to speed on technology. they are learning not to lock themselves physically into their interior architecture. everyone is waiting to see how telepresence technology will evolve. JS: clients are more cautious about spending. they’re interested in talking to new designers about projects, but the issue of shopping for the best price is becoming annoyingly frequent. clients are also more willing to limit services— full services are not always desired. aB: clients are much more focused on their brand, their culture, and their work styles, and addressing the number of generations that are actually working in the workplace. Mobility is a big issue.

DO yOu TuRN DOWN WORK OuTSIDE yOuR aREaS Of ExpERTISE? DG: Gensler hasn’t taken on residential and healthcare work. traditionally, the firm has expanded into a new area because a previous client brought us there. in health care, there’s such a background and body of knowledge that’s required, we would have to go through some growth and hiring to get people who have that knowledge. LR: i won’t take projects where a client will put me in a box. i have to have the opportunity to do something i’m proud of. JS: At this point i would never turn down work that was of a new project type for my studio. the only reason we would is if we felt we could not service the project or the client in a positive way; that is, if the project or client feels wrong, then we won’t pursue it. aB: if a client asked us to build a senior housing facility, we would say, “You’re talking to the wrong firm.” there are major business opportunities in this industry, but the only way you can create opportunities is to hire a lead or merge with another firm and make yourself a conglomerate.

perspective

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IIDA Perspective - Spring/Summer 2012