Honest Materiality

Featuring: Brian Haave

If anyone can speak to the significance of materiality and finishes within design it’s our Materials Librarian, Brian Haave, who is also the designer and creator of his own collection of lighting and furniture. Brian utilizes what he refers to as “honest materiality” in his approach to reinvent ordinary materials into modern art.

He has developed a variety of inventive techniques used to highlight the integrity of everyday materials. Instead of paint, Brian uses an acid washing chemical process that he created to naturally blacken metal materials. He also experiments with copper and gold leaf finishes to contrast the natural sheen of materials like copper and steel. To him, the most successful processes achieve a balance of straightforward and innovative design.

The process of selecting, re-defining and/or implementing finishes in art requires similar tact and thoughtfulness as an architect or designer must use when approaching interiors projects. The goal is to select finishes that are a visual representation of a brand and their culture. These finishes compliment and support architectural intent and are integral in telling the design story.

Brian’s most recent work is on display at a temporary exhibit in DC through the end of the year. For more information, please leave a comment!

20 Questions with Nicole Thomas

Title: Project Designer

Years in the Industry: 2

Been Loving Life at Form Since: Early this Summer but I knew it was true love when I was welcomed with open arms to the annual company crab fest before my first day at FORM.

Favorite Destination: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. There are so many different beaches on the island and everyone one of them are just as beautiful as the next. I highly recommend vacationing there, you will not be disappointed.

Hometown: Haymarket, VA

Currently Living In: Arlington, VA

Alma Mater: Radford University – Go Highlanders!

Couldn’t Live Without: My coco butter chapstick. It may sound crazy but I can’t go anywhere without it.

If you were a drink you’d be: Tito’s Vodka with Green Tea Ginger Ale and a squeeze of lime. A classic with a refreshing twist.

Hidden Talent: Back in my golden days, I used to dance competitively for a dance company and trained in every style including tap, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary; to name a few! I guess you could say, I “got moves like Jagger” 🙂

If you were a song, you’d be: Castaway by Zac Brown Band because it’s all about relaxing and having a good time.

Last Meal: Eggplant Parmesan. Pretty much anything covered in marinara sauce and mozzarella.

If you weren’t a designer, you’d be: A world traveler dedicated to finding the most beautiful beaches.

Favorite aspect of design: Collaborating with the client and developing a design that creates not only a functional space but also an enjoyable space for their particular needs. Every client and project is different and that’s what keeps us, designers, on our toes!

First thing you’d buy after winning the lottery: A massive beach house to enjoy with all of my family and friends.

Best spot in DC/VA that only the locals know: Citizen Burger Bar in Clarendon. It has locally produced ingredients, a huge selection of beer, a great atmosphere and massive burgers. What more could you ask for??

Salty or sweet: Both! I always smother my bacon with syrup, it’s a must.

Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter: Summer. Nothing’s better than warm weather, sand between your toes and live outdoor concerts.

The one piece of advice you’d share with someone getting into the industry: Enthusiasm is contagious. If you bring passion and excitement to a project, presentation or client meeting it is guaranteed to spread.

The first thing you do when you get to work: Fill of my FORM S’well bottle and read the motivational quote on my Momentum app homepage; it always starts my day off right.

Defining Pre-Lease Activity

By: Amy Hopper, Associate

As with most businesses, teamwork is essential to a project’s success and commercial real estate (CRE) is no exception. CRE brokers, landlords, architects and construction managers, to name a few, all add value to projects by providing their unique perspectives and expertise. In this post I will discuss the steps involved when selecting a building for a commercial interiors tenant project from both the broker and the Architect’s perspective.

BUILDING EVALUATION
One of the first steps a company takes when their lease is expiring is to engage a CRE broker for assistance in evaluating their future real estate options. This will help the tenant determine whether they will renew their lease, renovate in place, or relocate.

Among other things, a broker will research vacant spaces and report back to the tenant on:

• parking options
• access to public transportation
• presence of a fitness center
• local food options for employees
• average employee commutes

After touring potential spaces, FORM Architects might comment on:

• window line i.e. access to natural light and views
• column spacing
• existing restroom ADA compliance
• existing mechanical systems
• items for potential reuse i.e. light fixtures, furniture

TEST-FITTING
At this stage, the tenant now has a wealth of information about their potential spaces. What has yet to be determined is how their unique space requirements might fit into each of the vacant buildings and/or their existing space. This process is called “test-fitting” and is a service that FORM Architects provides. Landlords consider this service to be a marketing tool and will often pay FORM to create test fits for the potential tenant.

When comparing potential buildings, brokers are most interested in:

• Rentable square footage (RSF) per seat
• Demising wall location
• Building x-factors, such as amenity spaces, that effect the building core factor i.e. training room and/or conference center

FORM assesses:

• departmental adjacencies
• brand visibility at the elevator lobby
• opportunity for creativity

BUDGETING
In order for the tenant to make a final decision, the cost to build out each potential space is determined.

FORM creates pricing notes to compliment the test fit plans drawn.  Then we engage two to three General Contractor’s to put together budgets based on a test fit and pricing notes.

Brokers use the budgets from FORM to negotiate lease terms including a “tenant improvement allowance.”

Generally, these three steps (building evaluation, test fitting and budgeting) lead to the tenant signing a lease. By providing this high level summary of pre-lease activities, I hope to portray how the synergy between broker and Architect can be advantageous to the tenant.

Any questions?  Did I use any CRE lingo that you’d like me to explain?  Leave a comment and I’ll get back to you!