Branding is so much more than a cool logo, funky color, or flashy website. Branding is about experience. The physical space of a business or institution definitely affects the experience of its users.
The following SOA projects show spaces as unique to the companies they contain.
SOA’s office entry contains the logo, company colors, relevant photos, and a unique feature wall.
SHAKESPEARE’S PIZZA
Franchises and multi-location business often have extensive branding guidelines for design and development of new facilities, and remodels of existing buildings. If you’re a small business, considering renovations or new construction, you are presented with a unique opportunity to create a space that represents who you are and create the appropriate experience for those you serve.
A Columbia landmark, Shakespeare’s Pizza, was insistent on recreating their new restaurant with the same building materials, finishes, and colors of the original. They wanted SOA’s design for their rebuild to have the ‘exact same feel.’
Let your architect know what is important to you. Share your vision. What do you want visitors to experience when they arrive? How you want employees to feel during the typical work day? Is there a particular design element or feature that is important to accommodate?
Danuser Machine Company in Fulton, Missouri is a long-lasting family business. They wanted their new space to encourage comradery and promote their founder’s commitment to excellence. The interior design incorporated metalwork panels fabricated in their shop as well as a beam from the original building with the inscription “Good Enough Won’t Do – It Must Be Right.”
When it comes to your brand, consistency is key. The lasting power of a logo, colors, etc. can be incorporated into flooring or another building material to create a powerful statement. If the ability to change is important, go for pop in a few key places where changes can easily be made.
Special Olympics’ spacious lobby speaks of inclusion and aids in the gathering of large groups – essential to what they do.
When incorporating your brand is important to you, be sure to choose an architect that doesn’t force a certain design style on you. An indicator of an architect that listens to clients is the lack of an identifying style in their work – their designs are specific to their client. Select someone who wants to see YOUR vision and helps you incorporate your ideas.