March 27, 2002

Design Detailings: MulvannyG2 teams with Planet Retail

Scott Truitt, Eduardo Alfonso, Bryan Berg and Alexandra Ramsden recently joined MulvannyG2.

Planet Retail Studios, a Seattle design company specializing in retail branding, recently merged with MulvannyG2 Architecture.

"The addition of Planet Retail Studios to our firm is a strategic business decision to expand our specialty retail capabilities," said Mitch Smith, MulvannyG2 president. "Planet Retail Studios' branding and imaging expertise will be an immediate resource to our retail clients."

The design goals of this new specialty studio are to increase sales-per-square-foot for retail clients and increase their brand equity in the marketplace. The combination of Planet Retail Studios' branding expertise with MulvannyG2's retail experience will expand the services MulvannyG2 offers its clients.

One of Planet Retail Studios' clients that the new MulvannyG2 specialty retail studio will continue to do work for is the Seattle Seahawks. The studio will help position the Seahawks' retail products in the team's new stadium store so they appeal to a wider audience.

"We design strategically from the inside out, where traditional architecture firms design from the outside in," said Eduardo Alfonso, director of branding for the new retail studio.

Planet Retail Studios recently completed work for Office Depot to revitalize its brand and interior space. The Office Depot design solutions included making the store easier to navigate by using colors, materials and fixtures to communicate improved technology. Other clients included the Seattle SuperSonics, Miller Brewing Co., Nike, Great Harvest Bread and Wizards of the Coast retail stores.

The staff of Planet Retail Studios will move to MulvannyG2's Bellevue corporate headquarters to help form MulvannyG2's new specialty retail studio, which will specialize in new concept and prototype retail design.

This new studio will combine the prototype design talents of Planet Retail Studios' staff with the roll out retail horsepower of MulvannyG2.

SMPS's relationship-building luncheon

The Seattle Chapter of the Society for Marketing Professional Services on Thursday hosts a luncheon, "How to Build Quality Working Relationships." The interactive session will be held at the Washington Athletic Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The event will feature Vanna Novak, a speaker and seminar leader on persuasive presentation skills and skills to build quality work relationships. Based in Seattle, she is the president and owner of MC Communications.

Cost is $30 for SMPS members, $35 for member firms, and $40 for non-members. To register, contact Tosha Vandegrift at Berger/ABAM Engineers, (206) 374-9795 or visit www.smpsseattle.org.

April discussion of geotechnical issues

Learn how understanding basic geotechnical issues could save your next project at the April program and luncheon meeting of Marketing Associates of Spokane. The presentation will be made by Allen Gifford. A principal at GeoEngineers, Gifford has 15 years of geotechnical engineering experience in the Spokane area.

The meeting will be at noon Thursday, April 11, at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant, 245 W. Main St. in Spokane. The cost is $15 for MAS members and $25 for non-members. Reservation deadline is April 8. For membership information or to make a reservation, contact MAS vice president Richard Myracle at (509) 459-9220.

Callison gets Sea-Tac retail job

The Port of Seattle recently selected Callison Architecture to develop new retail design and graphics guidelines for the redevelopment of retail facilities at the Sea-Tac. The concessions program is comprised of approximately 45 retail locations that are part of new terminal improvements as well as 52 existing retail locations.

Callison will work with the Port of Seattle to create a retail design that reflects the region and provides a cohesive architectural design standard. The enhanced retail program will also take into consideration changing security points and procedures.

Work on the concessions program began in December.

Berger expands Las Vegas offices

Berger/ABAM Engineers Inc. recently opened a third branch office in Las Vegas. The new office is located at 500 Amigo Court, in the same building as Berger/ABAM affiliate, the Louis Berger Group. The two firms will provide multidiscipline engineering to local area clients. The Berger/ABAM Las Vegas staff will focus on structural engineering services for transportation-related structures and facilities.

The office is managed by Gary Graff, a 20-year veteran of the architectural and engineering industry. Graff’s background is in the management and design of bridge, industrial and building projects. Graff received his bachelor’s in civil engineering and his master’s in structural engineering from the University of Washington.

Berger/ABAM specializes in building, public works, special structure, transportation and waterfront projects, with headquarters in Federal Way and branch offices in Seattle and Portland.

Bell Square masonry wins award

Bellevue Square and Sclater Partners Design won the People's Choice Award last month at the National Masonry Showcase 2002 in Phoenix. Sclater won for its work on the Corner at Bellevue Square. The design firm's work on the Corner also won an International Excellence in Masonry award in the commercial/institutional category.

The competition showcases companies who design and build with masonry.

The Corner Building was built by Baugh Construction. Fairweather Masonry was the masonry contractor. The Corner Building also won an Honor Award and Best in Show, the top overall honor, at the Masonry Institute of Washington's 2001 Excellence in Masonry Design Awards in November.

The judges relied on overall impression, including integrity, setting, creativity and balance; design concept; inventive use of masonry; appropriate use of masonry; aesthetic masonry details; and technical utilization and constructability. Sclater has provided design services to Bellevue Square for 25 years.

Gresham church goes to FWL

FWL Architects of Portland will generate a six-phase master plan for the Gateway Presbyterian Church in Gresham, Ore. The project will include a new worship center to expand seating from 350 to 1,000. The master plan is the result of an expansion feasibility study prepared by FWL. Parking will be added, and the estimated completion cost of the master plan is $8 million.

FWL is a Portland-based firm recognized for design of churches, church schools and related facilities.