March Identity Happenings: / February 28, 2023 by Keenon Rayner

Congratulation Bryan!
Newest Principal at Identity Architects!

The STARCHITECT for this quarter is Ashley Jenkins!

Congratulations we are so proud of you and thankful for all the hard work you do at here!
“STARCHITECT” Award is our peer selected employee who consistently illuminates Identity Architects core values and who’s work ethic serves as motivational beacon of light for the entire firm!

Dates to Remember:

March 2, 9 -ARE Study Group
March 8, 22 -Internal Training Session
March 9, 5:00 PM -SoHo Garden HTX Happy Hour
March 17 -St. Patrick’s Day Celebration w/ Lunch
March 22 -Staff Birthday Celebration March/April.

March Anniversaries at Identity Architects:

Carl Jones, 10 YEARS

Bryan Cater, 7 YEARS

Ahmed Abdalla, 1 Year

Francisco Ruiz, 1 Year

Bryan Cater, AIA -Principal / February 26, 2023 by Keenon Rayner

Bryan Cater has been promoted to Principal in the Houston office of Identity Architects.

In this new role, Bryan will focus on leading studios to focus on quality control and client retention. Bryan is a Texas Registered Architect and consistently receives high praise from clients and coworkers on his work management of complex ground up commercial projects. Bryan’s management style and push for excellence in operations further the company’s long term growth.

Creating an Environment for Development / March 8, 2021 by Guest User

Did you know that childcare buildings can play an influential role in the early stages of child development? The requirements of an environment that promotes learning and child development are considerably less intensive than you might imagine.

Starting with these basic principles, children need a place that provides the following:

Comfortable: Feels comfortable like home
Open Space: Provides enough space for a variety of activities
Versatile Floorplan: Adaptability that allows children to accomplish tasks

Let’s dive into the details on that note!

Comfortable Like Home

You’ll notice that most daycare centers don’t necessarily have an eclectic mix of styles. The reason behind this is that children don’t benefit from beautiful granite countertops and immaculate details. There’s no harm in choosing a beautiful design, but children do benefit from a space that makes them feel comfortable. Every parent experiences anxiety when choosing the right place to take their children during these beginning years, comfortability is of the utmost importance. Some decisions that influence comfortability can be the lighting, color, and acoustics of the given space.

Space for Activities

They need to roam! When designing the space for the building, it is important to keep a multi-use open area for activities. This space should be less specific, allowing children to instill imagination in their playing from using building blocks to racing cars or playing dolls. It is also encouraged to provide spaces for specific activities, like a reading station or a napping area. These spaces will likely be in a welcoming corner that is cozy and safe with less “traffic” running by.

Adaptable for Accomplishing Tasks

Daycare facilities need purposeful direction. Children grow strength in independence when they are able to easily maneuver from one task to the next. When it’s time to put their crafts in their cubbies, throw away their trash, use the restroom, or wash their hands - they should have clear directions and accessibility to each! Decisions like lowered furniture and toilets or sinks instead of step stools will help children succeed in these tasks.

At Identity Architects, our daycare facilities are designed and inspired to be interactive atmospheres that pave the way for a safe place for children to play and learn. We have consistently designed and built between six to ten daycare centers a year for multiple franchises. Identity Architects is here to take your next daycare project to the next level with your children’s success in mind! Reach out to us at 713-595-2150 or visit us online at www.identityarchitects.com to view previous projects.

Commercial Development Limits: Applying Law of the Minimum / February 9, 2021 by Guest User

Liebig's Law of the Minimum is an agricultural principle designed to illustrate that crops can only grow up to their scarcest resource. Imagine a Barrel with Staves (slats) of different sizes. The water level can never exceed the lowest stave, no matter how much you put in, water pours out at the level of the lowest stave.

This principle can be also applied to development projects. Think of the water as time and resources. When you have many vendors (staves) working on a project, the success of the entire project is based on the quality of all the vendors and how well they work together. This is why our business model produces the best outcomes for our development partners.

During any design build project, the responsibilities stretch in many directions. You have to make a very conscious choice of who is going to take your project from A to Z with ease. Conflicts will arise, as they do in most cases, but we believe it’s how problems are solved that makes the difference.

At Identity Architects and Identity Built, we are here to service you from beginning to end. Founded in 2010, Identity Built is an architect-led design build and construction management group teamed with Identity Architects. Our holistic approach allows us to take full responsibility for your project down to every detail, while in turn giving you one point of contact throughout the process.

Each team member at Identity Architects and Identity Built has a unique area of expertise in the steps we take. The culmination of which is a holistic, diverse skillset within the firm to service our clients from A to Z. We believe that by encouraging our creative teams to embrace new ways of thinking along with tried and true problem solving, our designs are able to push the envelope and maximize the value of the buildings.

Both Identity Architects and Identity Built work together in-house, located in the Historic District of Downtown Houston. We operate in an open studio that has a “no doors” policy. Our team thrives on collaboration as we coordinate together on all aspects of your project from the quality and cost control to scheduling and efficient communication.

It is of our highest priority to deliver unparalleled customer service. We have relationships with clients who we have built for years now and years to come. From our environment to our team, to our tried and true process- we are prepared to take your project from A to Z with ease, and then some! Contact us today at 713-595-2150 or visit our website at www.identityarchitects.com and www.identitybuilt.com to learn more.

Identity Architect’s 4 Areas of Focus / December 29, 2020 by Guest User

As a commercial architecture firm, knowing and practicing our four areas of focus is imperative to the quality of work we provide. The four areas of architecture that we have focused on and pursued over the course of our company history include office, healthcare, hospitality, and retail. Each of these present unique avenues of creation and implementation not only for our team but for you as a client.

Signorelli-Office-1 (1).jpg — Office

Workplace design can significantly affect a company’s staff. Navigation, productive atmospheres, and accessibility are prime elements in creating a friendlier office environment. Our focus on office architecture is geared towards understanding your business’s near and long-term goals and the kind of atmosphere you desire for your employees.

1174_R9A9582 (3).jpg — Healthcare

Our area of focus in healthcare is broad in nature. Healthcare covers everything from medical offices and emergency care facilities to the renovation of pre-existing medical facilities. Contemporary health care design has a focus on prioritizing the needs of the patient and the healthcare staff alike.

FigOlive03272018+(1) (1).jpg — Hospitality

Hospitality is centered around creating long lasting and impressionable atmospheres that reinforce customer loyalty. In the world of hospitality, the atmosphere can be the make or break between the consumer experience you have to offer and the line of potential customers waiting outside to get in.

Retail

The sector of retail architecture focuses on the intersection between design and consumer experience. Simply creating a building that can hold consumers is not enough. Understanding the desires, movements, and the overall consumer experience is vital in crafting a retail space that inspires repeat business. Retail architecture relies on making sure that style and function meet appropriately so that the consumer can have a more sociable and fulfilling retail experience.

What area of focus are you looking for? Whatever area of focus it may be, at identity Architects and identity Built, our expertise stems from the ingrained belief that hands-on experience in both design and construction, when combined with strategic planning and management best practices, provides superior project coordination; reduced cost to the owner; and more timely project delivery. From rebranding and renovations to new builds, we are here to serve you in the best possible way to make your development reflect the identity of your company.

The Importance of Green Space in Architecture / December 15, 2020 by Guest User

What is a Green Space?

A green space consists of land that contains grass, trees, shrubs, or a variety of other vegetation. Larger green spaces can be found in the form of playgrounds, public plazas, vacant lots, or schoolyards. However, green spaces have found their way into smaller architecture friendly areas such as retail facilities, offices, and healthcare facilities due to the growing need for more greenery. Green spaces are integral to a well rounded design and to our mental health.

Why Green Space is Vital for Us

Green spaces provide a sense of balance architecturally and psychologically. However, it can often be a challenge to incorporate green space into a design when the focus is geared towards the building itself rather than the greenery that surrounds it. It turns out that the benefits of greenery are an element one shouldn’t disregard. Research attributed to Rachel Kaplan, PhD and her husband, Stephen Kaplan, PhD explores the restoration that can take place in the mind due to a greener environment. The presence of greenery alleviates the mental fatigue we can experience when our focus is directed to a task for too long. This experience frequently occurs in office spaces where workers find themselves glued to computer screens or paper work. Having that green space to occasionally glance at can help boost one’s workflow and productivity. Even the most isolated pocket of green space has real benefits for the mind. Increased social interaction and stress relief represent just a few of the real benefits that green spaces can provide.

Applying green space thinking to architectural design can be as easy as allowing for windows that overlook native greenery or carving out space for vegetation to be grown. Are green spaces important to your next design? We have enjoyed intertwining nature within our designs. For example, at Egrets Landing we featured walls of windows looking out over a pond behind the building. As well as at our Detering Treehouse project, we incorporated a rooftop terrace that looks out over the beautiful tree next to the building. Another great use of outdoor space is the putting green behind the office at Signorelli Headquarters! Stay tuned to see details of Signorelli in our upcoming Client Testimonial video.

At identity Architects and identity Built, our expertise stems from the ingrained belief that hands-on experience in both design and construction, when combined with strategic planning and management best practices, provides superior project coordination; reduced cost to the owner; and more timely project delivery. From rebranding and renovations to new builds, we are here to serve you in the best possible way to make your development reflect the identity of your company.

Unconventional Spaces: Why Flexible Architecture is the Future / December 1, 2020 by Guest User

How to Define Flexible Architecture

The popularity of flexible architecture can be attributed to Robert Kronenburg’s book Flexible: Architecture that Responds to Change. Within the book, Kronenburg promotes the idea of architecture that is adaptive rather than static. This idea gives way to buildings that can alter their purpose, giving retailers, offices, hospitality and healthcare workers the ability to provide their services to the public easily and efficiently. Flexibility in architecture typically promotes sustainability and functionality over aesthetics, however, modern iterations have allowed for design that is functional, efficient, and uniquely approachable at the same time. With flexible architecture, a simple warehouse can be transformed into almost anything.

Why Should You Consider Flexible Architecture?

Flexible architecture can give way to several fruitful benefits. These include savings on time and materials as well as movable elements and improved flow. When building for retail, hospitality, healthcare or the modern office, making sure that users experience a smooth flow of traffic is vital. Flexible spaces can allow for improved movement due to their inherent capability to provide ample space and movable elements. Buildings which are built around the principles of flexible architecture also respond easily to the changing environment and situations of certain neighborhoods. This can allow your business to adapt quickly to whatever changes may occur. These spaces can often last longer, making them not only resilient to change but financially sound as well.

Is flexible architecture important to you? Flexible architecture can open up many creative pathways for your business. At identity Architects and identity Built, our expertise stems from the ingrained belief that hands-on experience in both design and construction, when combined with strategic planning and management best practices, provides superior project coordination; reduced cost to the owner; and more timely project delivery. From rebranding and renovations to new builds, we are here to serve you in the best possible way to make your development reflect the identity of your company.

Keys to a Successful Architect Led Design-Build / October 8, 2020 by Guest User

Architecture can be a complex puzzle that we work to solve. The variety of challenges that a project can present makes each path to a solution unique. Together at identity Architects and identity Built, we have mastered the architect-led design build approach. Here are some key identifiers that have made our process successful:

A Great Team

Identity Architects is led by some of the best architects in the business. They have a vast understanding of pricing, sequencing, methods, and problem-solving, which makes them invaluable to clients. Their design skills and market trend analysis are recognized by commercial clients everywhere. This means that your needs and desires will be heard and implemented in the best way possible to achieve your goals. The talent and credentials within our team create a distinguished environment that fosters creativity and collaboration.

Open Communication

When operating in an architecture-led design build environment, there is just one point of contact for the client. Rather than having to keep track of multiple contracts and risking miscommunication or liabilities, you have one person that is keeping track of everything. They ensure things are on time and on budget as well as coordinate all of the moving parts involved in the process. Our communication is efficient and timely, with a focus on responsiveness and a quick turn around time. Transparent communication is key, as it allows the discussion to build off of truth, integrity, and teamwork. Our in-house collaborative communication is a strong tactic we practice to draw from our mix of expertise and experience.

Seamless Collaboration

Identity Architects is unique in that we have such a diverse team and a “no doors” policy in our office. This allows us to leverage each team member’s unique talents and encourages collaboration on all levels. Our diversity stems from the differing talent, experiences, ages, and roles throughout the office. Having a variety of people with a variety strengths, an open discussion to share, and a willingness to work together is the recipe to collaboration.

At identity Architects and identity Built, our expertise stems from the engrained belief that hands-on experience in both design and construction, when combined with strategic planning and management best practices, provides superior project coordination; reduced cost to the owner; and more timely project delivery. From rebranding and renovations to new builds, we are here to serve you in the best possible way to make your development reflect the identity of your company.

Does Your Office Express Your Identity? / August 31, 2020 by Guest User

Have you ever stepped through the entrance of an office building and immediately felt like you understood the company’s culture, brand, or identity?

Every business begins with a set of values that later speak to the culture. When working towards your first tangible items, from the employee handbooks to the office building design, it’s exciting to form visual representations that bring your values to life.

Local+Office_08_by+others.jpg — “Our design process begins with identifying your brand.”

At Identity Architects, we design spaces that reflect your culture, foster personnel productivity and deliver a healthy, enjoyable environment. Our design process begins with identifying your brand. Through exterior architecture, interior design, and operations- we translate your brand accordingly. What could that look like for your company?

“We want them to feel clean, safe and taken care of.”

We shift our focus, depending on the industry. In medical centers, we create healing environments with a focus on the needs of the patient. When they step into your clinic, surgery center, or doctors’ office- we want them to feel clean, safe and taken care of.

This focus differs when, for example, designing a restaurant or bar, the goal is to assure your customers are greeted to a great first impression through inspiring details. We pair your identity with a compelling environment to elevate the customer or client’s experience!

Lewis+Jewelry+(24).jpg — “In retail, the thought process works differently. Retail is an experience…”

However, in retail, the thought process works differently. Retail is an experience where the merchant wants to identify with the customer’s needs and have clear guidance on how and what the experience and style is intended to be.

A workplace says a lot about a company and what they represent. Are you drawn to an open concept in your business? Some offices are designed to maximize the creative conversation by eliminating closed-off spaces and doors, while others can be focused on individual offices and several conference rooms.

Whether you are at the beginning stages of developing your company, re-branding, renovating, or looking to expand, contact Identity Architects at 713-595-2150, info@identityarchitects.com, or visit us online to learn more!