Contract - January/February 2011 - (Page 39)

Reflecting on the studio’s formative years and their first clients, Orpilla points to significant change in the technology industry, from the dot-com explosion to the drastic downturn of the recent past. “Times are different now. We went from overbuilt to frugal, but now we are in a stage of creating truly thoughtful environments for the next generation of workers. Studio o+a is about developing strong concepts, not slick solutions.” As the technology industry and Silicon Valley reinvent themselves, Orpilla is discerning what today’s client wants and needs aesthetically and functionally. As for Alexander, she believes art is its own constant reinvention. Thus, it felt essential for studio o+a to be located in the heart of the most abundant art and design hub on the West Coast. “I believe inspiration happens greatly due to one’s environment,” she remarks, “and for our studio, that means new talent plus big inspiration.” Like Alexander and Orpilla, their staff possesses distinct attributes that create balance in the practice, which ultimately adds to its success. Denise Cherry, senior designer at studio o+a, appreciates the practice’s dedication to each of its clients. She believes every day brings a new challenge to create a design that serves the client best, not what serves the studio best. “There is such a variety of work styles and clients, so there is no pigeon hole. Replication is not what we do,” she states. Cherry also confirms Orpilla’s palpable energy and optimism, noting that he is open to any idea, meeting it in a warm and sincere way. No answer is absolutely wrong because it eventually will lead to the right answer—the solution is the key. As for Alexander, Cherry appreciates her cleverly cerebral insight and her sharp eye for finish and color. “It is exciting to work for them because they approach problems very differently,” she explains. “They play off each other’s styles beautifully. The length and strength of their relationship is evident in how they perfectly complement one another.” Their complementary work style also is recognized in their projects. In a recent corporate office build-out for Emergence Capital Partners in San Mateo, Calif., Alexander’s art met Orpilla’s modern edge with impressive results. Jason Green, general partner for the venture capital firm, recalls how Orpilla immediately understood their need for a space that was modern but offered solidity, as to not appear trendy. The entryway/lobby was central to the project, serving as a place to greet and entertain clients. “Verda designed an amazing sculpture of the San Francisco skyline as the focal point of the lobby. It brings a sense of the cuttingedge art world into the firm, which is incredibly refreshing, and it is a perfect introduction to Primo’s sophisticated design of the interior office space,” Green notes. To say that studio o+a has scored big-time in the world of big-name technology firms is right on the mark. In the past few years they have transformed corporate interiors for tech giants including Facebook, AOL, PayPal, and eBay. In regard to the recently completed Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., Orpilla believes that the DNA of the company is evident in the design. “Facebook has a youthful, energetic staff, so the open design and raw aesthetic of the building reflect that. They are even encouraged to write on the walls!” he www.contractdesign.com contract january/february 2011 39 http://www.contractdesign.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Contract - January/February 2011

Contract - January/February 2011
Contents
Editor’s Note
Industry
Exhibition: Orgatec
Corporate Philanthropy
The 32nd Annual Interiors Awards
Designers of the Year
Legend Award
Large Office
Education
Healthcare
Hotel
Retail
Restaurant
Showroom
Exhibit
Sports/Entertainment
Public Space
Historic Restoration
Adaptive Reuse
Environmental Design
Student/Conceptual
Designers Rate
Sources
Ad Index

Contract - January/February 2011