What we’re reading

Philosophical manifestos to teen lit, and everything in between. Books, magazines, journals, and newspapers. We’re a bunch of avid, indiscriminate readers here at L&A.  Here’s a snapshot of what’s currently sitting on our bedside tables.

Now we’re the design client

L&A is moving. Not to worry, we’re not leaving town—just switching neighborhoods. Next summer, we’ll be settling into our new space in a fully renovated Dupont Circle brownstone. The following is the first in a multi-part series from John sharing his thoughts on the entire process, from design, to demolition, to move-in day.

We hire plenty of creative specialists for our design work, but nothing has ever put us fully in our client’s shoes like working with an architect and interior designer on our new office space. The new environment is obviously very important to our future, and the opportunities carry with them our hopes, our values, and our culture. The expectations are high, the budget is fixed, and the need for true expertise and exceptional talent is very deeply felt.

So how did I go about finding the designer for this very important project? I started with a lot of office architecture publications and portfolios. Most of the distinctive work was very sleek and modern. It seemed mostly to be about impressing people with stark elegance and an atmosphere of serious work. But this wasn’t my goal at all. Instead. I want a space that inspires through comfort, personality, and effortless collaboration.

Despite the traditional exterior, I knew that I didn’t want anything too conventional on the inside. In my mind, this meant searching beyond architects and interior designers that specialize in offices. But then where to look? I’ve always liked the way that certain bars and restaurants feel both exciting and comfortable, intimate yet social. For me, the best are those that have authentic character, and don’t try too hard to be perfect or trendy. At the same time, those spaces do have to incorporate vital activities and flows. The atmospheric and functional design of these environments determines their success as businesses.

Photo credit: Zagat Buzz

With this in mind, I began looking into who was designing my favorite restaurant and bar spaces, and one particular architect/designer was behind more than a few. Peter Hapstak was a founding partner of CORE, a prominent DC architecture firm. He is the creative force behind Brassarie Beck, Cava, Mie-N-Yu and Pearl Dive. It turned out that Peter had left CORE to find fresh creative focus with a new partner, Olvia Demetriou. She has created office space for other design firms, along with such notable restaurants as Zaytinya, Poste, and Lost Society. With this particular combined talent and expertise, I knew that I had to find a way to be able to work with Hapstak Demetriou.

Photo credit: Daniel Lobo

At this point, we’re diving into the design development of the space, and we’ll post updates on what is proving to be a very enlightening process. For now, I’ll say our search emphasized to me that there are two ways to hire designers:

(1) Hire for the task ("designing a fundraising brochure" or "designing an office"), or

(2) Hire for a goal ("create something that will motivate people to give to this cause" or "create an inspiring environment that promotes comfort and collaboration").

We have always worked toward the latter with our clients, and the need to do that is tremendously reinforced by what we’re now experiencing as a design client ourselves.

When client and designer remove the limits of preconception, the true potential of a project can come to life.

- John

Go4Life national launch

Jennie and I were thrilled to attend a Senate briefing that addressed exercise for an aging population, and to witness the official launch of the Go4Life campaign. We have been working for over a year with the National Institute on Aging (NIA) designing, developing and testing the campaign, which is a new model for active aging supported by evidence-based research. Working on Go4Life has been very gratifying, because it is such a great opportunity to actually influence and positively affect people’s lives. The briefing, which was held in the Hart Senate building, was hosted by Senator Herb Kohl, D-WI, Chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging and Senator Mark Udall, D-CO, Senate Special Committee on Aging.

Richard, J. Hodes, M.D., director of NIA summed it up. "Go4Life is based on studies demonstrating the benefits of exercise and physical activity for older people, including those with chronic health conditions. You are never too old to increase your level of physical activity and exercise.” Public-private partnerships are central to the campaign. At launch time over 50 organizations have agreed to work with the Go4Life team to bring the campaign into communities across the U.S. The American Medical Association, Easter Seals, YMCA, the National Recreation and Park Association, and the International Council on Active Aging are just a few of the many partners.

In her remarks, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A. said, "If we want to become a healthy and fit nation, we need to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. Go4Life provides older adults with the tools and resources to get moving and keep moving."

This launch marked the culmination of our work on everything related to the campaign—the name and trademark, a comprehensive interactive and motivational website, tip sheets, posters, exercise booklets and other promotional materials. It was exciting to see it all come together. And, in this very serious setting, it was hilarious to see the entire audience doing leg lifts, chair squats and overhead arm presses! 

—Monica