Contract - January/February 2011 - (Page 40)

designers of the year notes. The Facebook facility also was the first commercial project completed under Palo Alto’s Green Building Ordinance, making extensive use of existing architectural features, recycling millwork, and repurposing industrial components for postindustrial use. Alexander remarks, “Our clients are very interested in sustainability, so that approach is always built into our work. We believe reusing and repurposing facilitates the creative process.” When eBay acquired PayPal in 1998, the company essentially was merged into the eBay fold and not given its own corporate brand. Kathleen Kelley, ASID, senior manager of workplace design at eBay in San Jose, Calif., had heard about studio o+a’s work in the technology industry for years and knew their approach and design aesthetic would be an ideal fit for the new corporate headquarters. “Being a designer myself, the process felt incredibly creative and fluid. Of course, because this is a large corporate setting, there were many opinions and some political components to consider, but that never daunted Primo and his team. They were fun and fearless,” Kelley says. Trent Herren, vice president of strategic initiative for AOL in Palo Alto, Calif., wholeheartedly agrees with Kelley after working with Orpilla and Alexander for the past year to create a dynamic design for its recently completed 75,000-sq.-ft., three-story headquarters. Herren and six people on AOL’s design team collaborated with studio o+a to help drive a complete culture change, which was realized mainly in the evolution of their workspace. Orpilla recalls, “They wanted to hit ‘reset’ and redefine who they are now as opposed to who they were.” Openness and smooth circulation were essential, balanced by an appropriate number of intimate areas for small meetings. Herren says, “This was the first time we as a company had done anything like this, so we offered our thoughts but mainly deferred to Primo and the team at studio o+a. They’re the experts and brought a huge range of options. Their patience was extraordinary— just the like the results.” Herren also notes that Orpilla approached the project as a passion, not a job. Orpilla confirms this, explaining, “It’s true. I love what I do. Design is tinkering and knowing how things go together. It’s relaxing Square, San Francisco, 2011 (above). Primo Orpilla and son Apollo (left). (Photos by Jasper Sanidad). and a joy for me.” So it makes sense that when he is not working, he is building things with the couple’s seven-year-old son, Apolo. They have constructed chicken coops for six chickens at their home in Orinda, Calif., as well as numerous models. “He is also a great paper shredder,” laughs Alexander. “And he is one of our best critics.” It seems Alexander and Orpilla are their own top critics, collaborators, colleagues, and creators. They say that they “take turns being stubborn” and that no decision is ever one-sided. “Neither of us is always right. There is no upper-hand,” says Alexander. Orpilla laughs in agreement, but concedes that it is not such a bad thing when Alexander is in charge. “I work in circles, so I’m not the most efficient person in the world. Verda is always bettering herself, so she betters me, which I completely embrace. I know I would be a very different person if we hadn’t met.” Apparently working in circles (and being reined in) has not hindered the couple’s success personally or professionally. Studio o+a, as well as Alexander and Orpilla’s adoration for each other and the life they have created, continues to flourish. “We feel like the studio is starting to make a difference and that our ideas have influence,” Alexander says. “We wrote our own rulebook on how to build our dream, and the experience has been nothing short of amazing.” 40 contract january/february 2011 www.contractdesign.com 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