Whether created or curated by the IA Experiential Design team, original works of art can significantly enhance the experience of a space. While some of our clients have private collections they want featured in traditional or creative ways, others aim to commission or purchase art for a variety of reasons—to inspire; infuse excitement or a local vibe into the workplace; increase brand awareness; or make an aesthetic statement. As designers, we draw on many sources and work in a variety of ways to achieve those objectives for our clients.

Sourcing Artwork

More than ever our clients want to interact with the community, so we often partner with an art consultant connected to local creatives, which is what we did to identify regional, diverse artists for the TIAA Charlotte campus renovation. For other clients, locally-celebrated street artists are an appealing option, particularly as

As architectural lighting continues to evolve, balancing the concerns of budget, energy use, wellness, and aesthetics requires greater diligence. Clients need to be educated consumers when it comes to the lighting their spaces requires. The following are five questions important for all clients.

1. What is Our Cost Control Strategy?

Lighting is one of the larger costs in most construction budgets. Therefore, every client will want to know how their design team intends to keep lighting costs in line with the project’s budget parameters, and one of the most effective approaches is to review competitive pricing.

Obtaining competitive pricing relies on either opening the majority of the lighting package to alternate specs proposed by the bidding contractors or listing for each lighting fixture a minimum of three specs pre-vetted for equal performance. Between these two approaches, the second method is preferred

The World Economic Forum publishes an annual report of global economic risks designed for government officials, entrepreneurs, and CEOs of multinational companies. According to the current report, challenges confronting business mirror those confronting society—inflation, debt, cyber attacks, supply chain disruptions caused by war, climate transition disorder, and skills shortfalls, to name a few. What does this mean for architects/designers, their clients, and the built environment?

For most companies, economic activity has classically focused on increased production and cost-cutting—knowingly or unknowingly at the expense of environmental and labor standards. Although lucrative, this approach has generated unintended consequences, including resource depletion, waste generation, and increased CO2 released into the atmosphere, while creating multiple inequalities, all problems now challenging society. Through the years, architects and designers have contributed to this scheme and its risks to support client needs and further corporate growth.

In terms of waste generation, pollution, and ecosystem disruption,

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The relationship between the design of convention and exhibition centres and the overall urban landscape is a critical and complex issue for architects and urban planners. As large public buildings are typically located in urban areas, convention and exhibition centres play a significant role in shaping the character and functionality of the surrounding area. By considering the needs of the local community and the broader context of the urban landscape, architects can design convention and exhibition centres that enhance the urban environment and provide a range of benefits to the community.

First and foremost, convention and exhibition centres are designed to be accessible and welcoming, providing a place for people to gather and interact. Therefore the design of these buildings plays a key role in creating this sense of community and fostering social connections. The Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre was designed by RMJM

In recent blog posts, we have considered current trends in sustainability that impact the built environment, but perhaps no industry is feeling more pressured by consumers than the hospitality sector. As guests become more ecologically savvy, they want assurance that their stay will be as eco-friendly as possible, and their questions are compelling new approaches to the sustainability of luxury hospitality destinations.

Greenwashing Will Not Work

Greenwashing or “green sheen” occurs when an organization promotes green policies or initiatives without addressing that the organization may have a net negative impact on the environment through pollution, carbon emissions, etc. The hospitality industry is no stranger to the term largely because of the increased desirability of green destinations among consumers. “We’re absolutely seeing an increase in green-minded guests looking for opportunities to support businesses that are conscientious of the environment,” says Nichole Peterson, Associate Director of Partnerships and Guest Experience at Visit