Words Jim Larkin

www.bnodesign.com

www.mrarch.com

www.oppenoffice.com

www.shoparc.com

www.work.ac

 

 

Office Space

David Mann, MR Architecture and Design

Changing space has always been important. In the beginning, it would be perfect, then we’d outgrow it. And when things got cramped, it was bad for interviewing—we looked like a sweatshop. As soon as I felt like we weren’t hiring the people we needed to be, I’d consider moving.

 

Amale Andraos, Work A/C

After our last move, the level of energy was insane. Nobody would leave before 10—we had all this space, there was more sharing between designers. As architects, we’re supposed to believe that space impacts one’s psychology … and it does. The overhead is a real killer—it’s not easy, but it really energizes the office.

 

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, BNOdesign

When your office is a larger footprint, with a conference room, etc., you can attract larger projects. One reason we’re doing hotel work is that it looks like we can. We have the space, staff and publicity for larger projects.

 

Projects and Staffing

Chris Sharples, SHoP Architects

We try not to hire for a (specific) project. It’s important to have people who understand how we work. You can’t have someone who doesn’t understand start on a project, then expect them to perform.

 

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, BNOdesign

A 6-person design staff can produce 30 projects, because they’re usually in different phases. We try to stagger projects so they’re not all on the same schedule.

 

Chad Oppenheim, Oppenheim Architecture

Managing workload versus staff is the hardest thing. The smartest thing we’ve done is not to hire more people than we’ve needed at any one point.

 

David Mann, MR Architecture and Design

At times we felt we didn’t have enough people in the right places, but we’ve never let that be a factor. Even at the very beginning, I took on projects and ended up with what seemed like too much to handle, but I always got it done. That’s what we do now—get the work, then figure out how you do it. You can always hire outside consultants if you don’t have the expertise.

 

Publicity

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, BNOdesign

I’ve found that editors like to talk to designers more than a rep. It’s more informal, and easier for them to get what they’re looking for. Never underestimate the power of … knowing editors, photographing and sending your work. People keep clippings and names, so getting published and keeping editors happy makes a big difference

 

Chris Sharples, SHoP Architects

In general we’re not actually out and advertising. It’s working with top designers and good clients (that gets us work). Other architects, zoning attorneys—they also refer you.

 

Dan Wood, Work A/C

We’re lucky to work in New York—there’s so much press here, and social circles overlap a lot. We often meet people writing about architecture, so a lot happens on a social level. And we just hired an office manager who can handle a lot of (those calls).

 

Attitude

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz, BNOdesign

You just have to jump in with projects. We took on (our first hotel) even though I thought we couldn’t do it. In the end, it didn’t materialize, but we got great exposure, great connections, and we learned how to produce a hotel.

 

Chad Oppenheim, Oppenheim Architecture

We try to be daring and conservative at the same time. We take on big risks and projects, hundreds of millions of dollars, but treat things seriously and respectfully. That’s what gives clients comfort.

 

Amale Andraos, Work A/C

Our strategy: say ‘yes’ to everything. You just try to be careful. When you’re small, you can go under very fast. We’ve tried to keep close track of things.

 

David Mann, MR Architecture and Design

It’s hard for anyone else to really represent you out there. They’re not going to have the integrity or the voice that you have. It’s all about the direct relationships you build with your employees, your clients and the press. Word-of-mouth has been really important to our growth—nine-tenths of it.

 

David Mann, MR Architecture and Design

The smartest thing I’ve done is always feeling hungry, never settling in or feeling successful and thinking I can rest. I’m very tired sometimes (chuckle), but it keeps us growing.

 

The Firms

BNOdesign

Principal: Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz
Est.: 1992 – 1 person
Today: – 11 Moved: 3x
Current Big Project: Mondrian SoHo Hotel

 

MR Architecture and Design

Principal: David Mann
Est.: 1996 – 2 people
Today: 25 Moved: 4x
Current Big Project: Interiors of a new Greenwich Village Condo Building

 

Oppenheim Architecture

Principal: Chad Oppenheim
Est.: 1999 – 1 full-time, 1 moonlighter
Today: 35 Moved: 2x Current Big Project: One Hotel, Washington D.C.

 

SHoP Architects

Principals: Chris Sharples, Coren Sharples, William Sharples, Kimberly Holden, Gregg Pasquarelli
Est.: 1996 – 5 people
Today: 75
Moved: 2x
Current Big Project: East River Master Plan

 

Work A/C

Amale Andraos and Dan Wood
Est.: 2003 – 2 people Today: 15
Moved: 3x
Current Big Project: 5,500sq. ft. apartment renovation in Tribeca