It all started at the beginning of 2018.
I created a design studio (CommonCreative) inside a coworking operator (CommonGrounds). We were a team of professionally trained designers, architects, graphic designers and strategists with more than 100 years of combined experience at award-winning design firms such as Gensler and Rapt Studio.
Our Services
We were equipped to offer a variety of services — test fitting, design development, pricing sets, furniture selection and acquisition, decor selection, ordering and installation, environmental graphics, and much more.
Our team worked directly with clients, investors, asset owners, and landlords to deliver relevant, sophisticated, and effective workplaces regardless of size or scope.
Our Relationships
We held valuable relationships with not only owners but vendors, suppliers, and consultants. These direct relationships allowed us to work at a faster pace while lowering costs.
Internally, we took the projects from initial feasibility and financial modeling/test fitting to 100% design development. At that point for each project, we developed a robust "Handoff Package" and selected a local (to the project) Architect of Record that took the project through construction documentation and permitting.
Our Successes
Finally, construction administration was handled in conjunction with each Architect of Record and CommonCreative.
CommonGrounds opened 19 locations following this model. At the highest point, CommonCreative had 13 talented designers working together. CommonGrounds did an incredible job taking care of CommonCreative during the Pandemic and after, and I’m proud of our many successes as a team, and I continue to use this approach for the teams I build and lead today.