One of my favorite semesters in college was our corporate design studio where we were to develop a company and it’s brand and then execute it through their office environment.

Branding has been an interest of mine for quite some time now, and exploring a client’s brand is one of the first steps I like to take when beginning design on a project. I feel that spaces are a reflection of what a company or entity is about, and should be designed in a way that best represents the true feel of the organization. Several recent SOA projects are great examples of how design can be used to reflect an organization. Each project that SOA does is uniquely different and caters to individual client needs and preferences, which is one of the reasons why I enjoy working for SOA. No project and client are alike, as you can see from a few examples of our recent projects:

At the new Columbia Public Schools Administration Building, set to open this summer, you’ll be greeted by their values and colorful elements throughout the building representing all the schools they serve. SOA developed a design that accommodates the professional environment of the building but with a little punch of fun. The board room features a lively multi-colored carpet with colors representing all of the schools across town. Panels for student artwork are placed behind the board’s chairs so that their purpose of serving the local school children is present in the background of all school board events. And, down the many corridors you’ll find colorful stripes with glass etchings of each school’s mascot.

REDI’s new downtown office reflects their innovative spirit that helps bring new businesses to the area. The “REDI red” on the walls brings energy to the space and unique materials such as wire mesh and fiber cement panels create an edgy look that is sure to create a distinctive first impression to business people looking to come to Columbia. The design shows to those newcomers that Columbia is a high quality, up-to-date, and lively city that can appeal to their business wants and needs.

Boone County Bank’s downtown branch was looking for a new and refreshed look while still paying tribute to their history. SOA has designed timeless, classic spaces throughout the main level that are light and neutral, but also show warmth through cherry woods and subtle greens to reflect their dogwood logo. With their extensive collection and overall appreciation for art, SOA was sure to work in multiple areas to showcase these special pieces for the public and employees to enjoy. Reflections of the curvature of the dogwood shape are subtly present in carpet and textile patterns, and small pops of color are used in lounge fabrics to help animate and coordinate with the artwork. Stay tuned for the progress as the next phases are completed throughout this year.

(Columbia College Federal Hall)
Columbia College’s buildings hold true to their blue and gray school colors and traditional roots. Enter any building on campus and you will be embraced with school pride and elements representing the college’s history. The finishes for the new Science Building that will be breaking ground this month include patterns that resemble the college’s new branding, rich woods and an overall level of sophistication that reflects the college’s diligent focus on education. For a large college like Columbia College with multiple buildings across Columbia and the nation, standardizing on carpets and finishes as much as possible helps on the facilities and maintenance side while also achieving a more cohesive look.

As you can see from those few examples, the interior environment can be used as a tool to further show the personality of the organization and its mission, vision, and values beyond what a logo and marketing pamphlets can convey. A well-designed environment not only has an impact on first impressions for clients and customers, but also can create a workplace that employees are excited to work in and feel a better connection to the organization they are with.

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