This year, the society had a record amount of entries ranging from West Palm down to Miami & the Keys and across the state up to Collier & Hendry County.

The winning project was PK Studios’ own office building in Naples. While we wrote about the building last year, here’s a brief recap of the project:

The layout of the building was designed as a tangible portfolio for our clients to see a variety of designs and our integration of architecture and interior design.  The first floor is more refined in terms of finishes and layout as it serves clients and administrative staff. The second floor has an industrial quality to it in terms of finishes and a spatial program that serves our daily needs well.

“It was both a challenge and great fun designing our own building and future design spaces” says Denise Couture Cowell, the interior design project manager, “we had so many ideas and concepts.  We also wanted to be as green as possible, and we reused and repurposed many items from our previous office space.  In the end, we’re very proud of our accomplishment and feel the interiors perform nicely and speak to our clients of our values, ingenuity and attention to detail.”

For more, visit the ASID Florida South Chapter’s website and the Fall 2011 edition of Professional Design, a publication by the chapter.

For some time, she has volunteered in the chapter as the Community Design Ambassador, working to build peer and industry partner involvement in Lee and Collier Counties.

She’s been very successful coordinating a monthly continuing education lecture series and various other events, like the HeartWalk fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

Her new board position expands her responsibilities to include tasks such as planning Industry Partner Evening Events and overseeing Community Design Ambassadors for the entire chapter. The local chapter reaches from Lee and Collier over to Dade, Broward, West Palm Beach and Monroe counties.

Denise, who is originally from Fort Lauderdale, looks forward to working with members and industry partners of both Florida coasts. As a board member and a licensed Interior Designer, Denise also plans to be actively involved with ASID and IDAF in keeping Florida’s laws for Interior Design regulation.

Additional links and information:

• ASID Florida South Chapter is the second-largest chapter of ASID in the United States.
• American Society of Interior Designers
• IDAF, the Interior Design Associations Foundation

The projects recognized by our peers this year were:

• Conditioned Air Warehouse & Office (Built Excellence for Restorations & Additions)
• Advanced Medical Center (Built Excellence for Interior Design)
• Attainable & Sustainable: Community Design for Bayshore CRA (Merit in Unbuilt Design)
• Collier County Kayak Launch (Award of Honor for Architectural Graphics)

Over our firm’s lifetime, this brings the design award total to 35! We’re proud of our achievements and thankful to the clients who continue to provide us the opportunity to design such outstanding projects.

What follows is brief information about each award-winning project. Check back in the coming weeks for more detailed profiles of all of these projects (We’ll be sure to link from this post, as well).

Conditioned Air Warehouse & Office

When a prominent local business wanted to expand their operations, an existing warehouse was a natural fit. The solution involved the purchase of an abandoned industrial metal building, and preserving a large warehouse volume inside, while creating a two-story office component at the street façade. The primary goal was to transform the existing building from what was functionally and aesthetically a factory facility into a corporate headquarters and work space.

The jury noted that “this renovation project attempts, with minimal intervention, to re-invent what was an unmemorable “butler” building into a corporate headquarters for an air conditioning company. The bringing in of light through new clearstory windows improves dramatically interior spaces that are nicely detailed with honest use of material components.”

Photo courtesy of Conditioned Air

Advanced Medical Center

This two-story design for a medical office building kept the client’s vision of promoting good health and being environmentally conscious.

The well-being of the patients, staff and product life cycle were major considerations. Large, open volumes are accentuated by the angled reveals, ceilings, and walls. Large windows allow ample natural light to flow into the patient treatment rooms without compromising individuals’ privacy.

Warm, coordinating colors and materials are carried throughout the entire facility to help relax patients and encourage open interactivity between departments. Partitions between spaces are treated with different shapes and textures to ensure each space incorporates a unique identity.

The design award jury commented that “this project exhibits a clarity of concept that is usually difficult to achieve in medical facilities. Simple execution of volumes with a color palette that is coordinated and appealing to potential patients, in a simple and understated solution.”

Attainable & Sustainable

This is a community design that would create a realistic, efficient, economical, and environmentally sensitive neighborhood in what is now a blighted 2.3-square-mile area close to Downtown Naples. Much of the Bayshore CRA district is encompassed in this design’s scope.

On a macro scale, the project analyzed existing uses and problems, proposes projects and land uses that would enhance the community, and provides potential property buyers with information regarding sustainability and design solutions.

On a micro scale, four case studies for residential lots in the community were developed as a “kit of parts” for potential homeowners.

The design award jury noted that this was a “thorough analysis of the parts desirable in an eco-friendly development as a strategy.”

Collier County Kayak Launch

This design for a Collier County kayak pavilion is one of the many “dots” along a future two-mile ecological and trail corridor. Connecting the dots between adjacent properties and linking future projects along the proposed Gordon River Greenway was the purpose of this design.

Graphics were critical in this project to clearly communicate a sense of style and overall feeling.

The award jury felt that “the submission did an exemplary job of explaning the project as a linear experience and was very clear and consistent with the graphics, limiting the color palette and information in an organized and easy to understand manner. The building design of the architectural components was consistent with the presentation.”

This building is the first LEED project in Lehigh Acres and is the fifth in Lee County with such a distinction.  The client, Hope Healthcare Services is very pleased with the project and plans to use many of the solutions developed during the design process as new standards for their future projects.

Both PK Studios interior designers on this project are LEED Certified (Denise Couture Cowell, ASID, CAPS, LEED AP and Judith DaRocha, LEED AP) who met the design challenges that a hospice can provide in both aesthetics and materials.  Much of the furniture, fabrics, accessories and even artwork selected are environmentally sensitive, contributing to the overall health and well-being of the building’s guests and staff.  Learn more about LEED and the U.S. Green Building Council at http://www.usgbc.org

According to the magazine, these awards are meant to recognize projects that are “distinguished by outstanding form to suit function, which legendary architect and interior designer Frank Lloyd Wright once declared ‘should be one, joined in a spiritual union.’”

Over 40 submissions made their way to the offices of Gulfshore Business, so we are honored to be selected as one of the six finalists, with the award for Best Interior!

Our very own office building on Goodlette-Frank Road took the prize, for which we were (among other things) the architect, interior designer, and contractor.

Completed in late 2008, the new office of PK Studios was the first project in the long history of our firm that involved every discipline and talent we had on staff, as well as many of our talented consultants.

We also faced many challenges–one of the most significant was how to make a design statement while adhering to the strict design standards imposed by the City of Naples and our new office park home.

The end result fits well with the architecture of its surroundings, and we capitalized fully on the freedom that we did have–particularly when it came to the interior design components.

The jury had this to say about our interiors: “The uniqueness, texture and attention to detail of each space give the individual a desire to explore and to create.”

Indeed, every detail in the space was meticulously thought out, designed, and implemented into reality.

Spaces like the War Room (pictured below) took months of careful consideration in everything from the 800-pound drill-bit table that centers the room, to the four “upside-down-world” bicycle-chain doors that are designed to move in tandem.

Or the playful cladding of the elevator shaft in glass, turning an often-hidden and functional building component into a centerpiece.

Another head-turning component of our office is the magnetic-paint wall (pictured at the top) that showcases a wide variety of our past projects, able to be rotated in and replaced as we see fit.

These are just a few examples of the kind of out-of-the-box thinking that our firm practices. It’s no surprise that those clients who visit our office are quickly convinced of our capability to give them a first-class product.

We are grateful and honored to be included in Gulfshore Life’s feature article, and we are committed to continuing our breakthrough work with future clients!

What does the future community look like?

As architects, we’re always thinking about cutting-edge design and how we can best advise our clients. When it comes to master planned communities, predicting future trends and consumer needs is ultra-important because of the long time span of construction and enormous capital outlay.

We need to think 5, 10, 20 years ahead of our time, because that’s when sales and re-sales are going to occur and the concept of the community will be tested in the market. At times, it’s a scary thought. But we accept the challenge with open arms and sharpened pencils.

Recently at PK Studios, we’ve really focused on looking at communities, and particularly – clubhouses. We dusted off the crystal ball we’ve been hiding in the mezzanine.

Trying to come up with a future master planning concept is not an easy feat. We’ve spent countless hours pouring over data, researching trends, understanding our target demographics, and interacting with other thinkers in the architectural and planning communities.

So what do we think?

To understand the buying habits of consumers, we first need to understand the consumer. The US population of those aged 55-64 is rising rapidly, and will be about 35+ million by 2015. These are not your “father’s retirees.” They love interaction, activity, experiencing new things, diversity, and a host of modern amenities. Until the current recession, they also had the money to back it up. But don’t be fooled – to a large extent, they still do.

The trends of what people want are pretty clear – golf is down but not out, while outdoor activities like walking are in. So are fitness centers, spas, and cultural activities. “Green” hasn’t caught on yet, but the indicators may be a few years behind, and eco-friendly living has the potential to explode out of the gate and into the spotlight.

Consumers are increasingly inter-connected, Internet-ized, and pushed to get more done in less time. At the same time, they love the interaction of being with other people and want opportunities to connect on a personal level. Oh yeah, and they hate being thought of as “old.”

Translating Demand

With everything we know and trends we can measure, the challenge becomes designing a community that people will cherish for decades to come.

We believe we have the right solution. What are some of the components of our dream community?

• Resort-style living.
• Proximity and activity.
• ‘Village Centers’ (like Ole) instead of traditional “Clubhouses.”
• A lot of open space with integrated activities.
• Features that encourage a pleasant active/outdoor lifestyle.
• Incredible level of service and personalization.
• Diversity & authenticity in product.
• Integration of high-performance green design, beyond the typical “superficial” features.
• Diversity in market reach, including senior care and employee housing.

The list sounds like a tall order, but it’s not impossible. With a strong idea about what the community should be, we turned our attention to the village center concept. What does the successful community center of the future look like?

• It’s a semi-private club, rather than completely private.
• The emphasis is on activities and interaction.
• Fitness and spa centers are emphasized and top-of-the-line.
• Catering to current and future club demographics (think young people).
• The atmosphere is fun, relaxing, and definitely not stressful.
• There’s a lot of choice when it comes to dining.
• Services are not only offered, but are customized and go beyond the basics.
• Technology is prominent, cutting-edge, and perfectly integrated.
• Commercial components are integrated in the club, including hotel uses, entertainment, and services (like groceries and banking).
• A lot of outdoor amenities, including a variety of water ‘options’ and other activities.

That’s a lot to think about, for sure. In many respects, we’re putting together the ‘ideal’ community. Developers, with the help of their architects (and their investors) will have to prioritize the list and choose the most high-impact features.

Tomorrow’s buyers are astute. They are looking for value, and they will know if you’re selling them short. Through our inter-connected studios, we are creating the community concept of a lifetime as an integrated and well thought-out package. Get on board!

How did we get here?

The idea of solar energy is not new. Actually, we’re jumping on the proverbial ‘bandwagon’ of sustainable design. But we’re doing it with some pretty neat products.

About 6 months ago, the idea of a developing a solar carport prototype hit us. Why a carport?

Florida is famous not only for the warm weather outside, but also for the toasty temperatures inside your car. In fact, the National Safe Kids Association says a black interior can get to 192 degrees when it’s 78 outside! Frying an egg on your dashboard is not out of the question.

Other than the obvious comfort issues and A/C loads when you start your car, all that sun is bad for your interior finishes and bad for your exterior paint. A carport is also nice when you’re trying to get into the driver’s seat during a typical afternoon deluge, when the parking looks like the Mississippi.

On the money side, a carport is the most affordable form of car shelter you can build (a garage being the obvious alternative). It goes up quickly (like weeks quickly), and encounters little municipal resistance.

So what does all this have to do with solar?

By combining a solar solution with a carport, we can not only add functionality to an already functional piece of structure, but we can actually do it very economically.

Why? Because a carport with solar features qualifies for a whole lot of government incentives, while one without them does not. Aha! So…you get a carport (features above), and some solar (at little, no, or even negative cost), with the one feature we haven’t mentioned yet – Power.

Using net metering, the solar carport can offset about one-third of the power we use in our own 10,000 square foot office building. Run a quick calculation – that’s a lot of zeros saved at the end of the year.

There’s all the other ‘little’ stuff too, like ‘oh gee – my property value just went up,’ and ‘holy smokes, look at this tax deduction.’ No big deal, right?

PK Solar will also offer commercial retrofit services (like rooftop installations) and develop other custom solar solutions and products in the future. It’s going to be a fun ride!

Our mantra and focus is one-stop shop. We promise our clients that we’ll take care of everything for them, and we intend to come through on that promise. You give us money, we’ll give you a carport. Simple as that. No headaches, no problems.

The new company website is live at PKSolar.net. We encourage you to stop by and take a look.

It’s not that the idea is unfair, skewed or somehow wrong, but rather a bit incomplete. Relationships are inherently a two-way street. We can become anything we want, really, but are we then serving the ultimate interests of the client?

Clients may not realize this, but most architects have an image of the ‘ideal client.’ What works for one architect may be very different from the firm down the street, but we all have fairly common goals when it comes to the basics. Anything beyond that is why a client will be a good fit for Firm A, but will be very frustrated with Firm B.

Since the basics are all we can hope to discuss (everything else should be worked out during your architect interview and as the relationship starts), let’s look at what we believe an ideal client needs to do:

Use your architect’s expertise. The best architects are great listeners. We seek to understand your design problem and propose the best solutions based on our knowledge and experience. Micromanaging the process by holding your architect too closely will backfire in a product that falls short of its potential. Architects, like all creative people, need to be let loose, within the confines of your tastes and goals for the project.

Pay your bills on time. Nothing shows architects that you’re not serious about the relationship faster than not paying your bills. If you can’t afford to hire an architect, don’t. When you get the value you were looking for, make sure the check is in the mail. ‘You get what you pay for’ is very true, especially in this profession. If the firm’s staff sees a lack of commitment on the client’s part, the final product will suffer.

Communicate openly and effectively. An open line of communication with a client is like the lifeline of the project. Ignore phone calls and emails from your architect for longer than a few days, and you can be sure that your project will take a hit. Decisions will be made without your input, simply because they have to be. Hide details of the project (except those that must be kept confidential), and your architect won’t be able to take them into account. Remember, the architect’s job is to take all inputs and arrive at a design. Blocking off information creates an incomplete product, even if you think something is irrelevant.

Stay organized. One of the most frustrating responses to any form of communication is “I never got that.” Yes, you did. We sent it to you. Organized clients make ideal clients. Ultimately, the project is your own, and we’re nothing more than a helpful consultant. While we can take care of a great deal, the ownership and ultimate coordination of the project belongs to you. Take it, and run with it. Ask the questions. Demand answers. Connect people that need to be connected. Keep track of communication. It makes our job 100% easier and lets us focus on the high-priority work that will make the most impact on your project.

Be a decision maker. When it comes down to picking between A and B (and C, and D), don’t be afraid to call the shots. If you’re really indifferent, we can make the selection. Much worse than indifference is a complicated decision-making process. If all design decisions have to go through three committees, a 7-person voting panel, and your spouse, make sure that you’ve set up an efficient method for getting them through. Nothing stalls a project more effectively than waiting on a direction from the client.

Be our partner, not our adversary. Too often, design and construction relationships are set up in a way that pits one party against the other in a never-ending fight. Ultimately, everyone’s fighting for the same thing – creating a great end product and making a living doing it. Don’t enter the process expecting your architect to fail, wanting a whole lot for very little, or trying to prove you’re a great designer. If we help you, and you help us, we can get to the end together.

While the above list is not comprehensive, these are the biggest pet peeves we face as designers. We hope that our clients can understand what we’re looking for at the start of our relationship and understand that it’s not just about doing the work – we’re looking to create something great together.

The new tenant is Hazelden, an addiction treatment center founded in 1949 in Minnesota.

The project will have a 48-bed capacity and ‘feature an innovative recovery community approach coordinating recovery principles in life and work. It will serve those needing intermediate level addiction treatment services with a lifestyle approach to recovery and programming for up to 18 months post treatment.’

Agreements and affiliations with local organizations are in the works, and Hazelden has already reached an agreement with adjacent NCH in providing rehab services.

Construction on the project is expected to begin in mid-October, and Hazelden plans to open the facility in March of 2010.

Additional reading on this topic:

• Hazelden’s Press Release
• Naples Daily News: Upscale alcohol and drug treatment program coming to Naples
• Naples Daily News Editorial: Hazelden’s benefits for area go beyond those it will help
• Naples Daily News: An Architectural Showcase in Naples

Here are a few candid shots of Jeff as he made his way around the crowd:

Gulfshore Business published interviews with all of this year’s winners. Here’s a short excerpt from Jeff’s:

“When it comes to landscape architecture, he’s right there at the forefront. In his two years at Naples-based PK Studios, Curl has incorporated environment-friendly xeriscaping into each of his sustainable designs…His project at Edison State College was recently designated the first LEED-certified landscape architectural design…in Collier County…”

Congratulations, Jeff!