Boutique Design - January/February 2009 - (Page 32)

DESIGNOLOGY Uprooting the Roots Firms Find Inspiration to Tackle Unfamiliar Projects B Y K E L LY H U S H I N I n most professional industries — design included — diversity is a welcomed word. It denotes risk taking. It conveys experience. It means expertise. But the interpretation of diversity and what it to let a down economy cramp their style — who welcome the idea of an expanded reach into new markets. The following designers understand how to draw from their areas of specialty to influence potential hospitality projects. Whether those projects get completed is TBD, but they are on the right track and give inspiration to anyone looking either to land their first hospitality project or to bulk up an already meaty portfolio. means in the design world can change at a moment’s notice. Suddenly the idea of diving into unchartered waters has become a red flag for some companies, the idea being: stick to what’s familiar, it’s a guaranteed paycheck. Then there are others who refuse Building on Established Bulk — CBT Celebrating its 40th anniversary, CBT in Boston is taking cues from its design and architecture work in urban planning, corporate, mixed-use and academic environments to plant roots in the hospitality design community. “Our work has been recognized for how distinctive it is for our clients and how functional it is as well,” said Lois Godell, principal and director of interior design. “We’ve seen this as an easy crossover into hospitality because it’s about first impression and branding as well as how people move through a space. Do they have what they need? Is it enjoyable to be in?” According to Kathy McMahon, the director of business development, CBT’s specialty is currently in large, mixed-use urban projects, from soup to nuts. On the interiors side, Godell said that the history of the firm has been in corporate design. “The shift in corporate has given us the ability to make that transition into hospitality,” she said. To start, the firm is doing work in South East Asia in both the residential and hospitality arenas. What really put CBT on the hospitality map was the Indigo Hotel. “We are making great strides in the development of that brand,” said McMahon. The firm’s history also includes work with the Four Seasons and the Ritz. CBT had a call the day of this interview from a potential client in Boston who was looking at a 100-key hotel and wants them to go full steam ahead with the architecture and interiors. But no contracts have been signed. “When you’re talking about these turbulent times, that’s what can happen,” said Godell when asked if the project could be pulled. At the same time, she remains optimistic and remembers that the firm has the ability to see projects through when those papers are signed. “There can be a day when you get a call like this and the project has the energy behind it to go full steam ahead and we’re fortunate to be able to do that.” Top: Kathy McMahon; Bottom Right: CBT’s architecture and interior design for a residential mixed-use property in Hartford, CT 32 • boutique DESIGN january/february 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boutique Design - January/February 2009

Boutique Design - January/February 2009
Contents
Boutique Buzz
Designer’s Eye
Ian Schrager on Edition, His Partnership with Marriott
Business Sense
Niche. Improvement. Escape. The State of the Industry: Now and the Future
Industry Research
Three Firms Fight On
Designology
The Do’s and Don’ts of Networking
Simeone Deary Design
Haute Suites
Shopping the Market: Tabletop
Shopping the Market: Seating
Jeffrey S. Degen, AIA On Reasons Why the Time is Right for Hotel Development
Wanda Jankowski Speaks to Karen Daroff about Bathroom Trends
Calendar/ Advertisers Index

Boutique Design - January/February 2009