An Architect's Suntan?

How many of us look like this in the middle of the summer?
Yes, I raised my hand!

New Construction Begins....EVERYWHERE

Just taking a short drive around the area we can see new construction sites for Ionic DeZigns taking shape.  It is exciting to see some of our hardwork over the last several months.....or longer, finally begin coming out of the ground.  Okay maybe some of them are just scraping the ground, but we still see movement. That is always good news. It means that our work finally goes from lines on a piece of paper to actual sticks and bricks! The great thing about all these new construction projects are the jobsite signs posted everywhere! Marketing Marketing Marketing!!!!! If you see our sign, give us a shout back! Here are a few images again of the projects that we are starting.

Four Square Retail Center - Seeking LEED Certified

Russo Office Complex & Russo Law Offices

Towncenter Crossing Retail - Seeking LEED Certified

Goshen Residence - Gloucester Virginia

Sadly our jobsite signs have come down from these locations but really that is good news because it means that the construction has been completed and the owners can move in!  We still need to get some good marketing pictures of these jobs but until then here are some of the last jobsite photos taken during the inspections.






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Marketcenter at Harbourview in Suffolk



St. Andrews United Methodist in Virginia Beach

We are waiting on a few more to get started as well and we will post them at that time.  Until then, enjoy my friends!

The New Blue Whale

Ionic DeZign Studios is working on a new facelift to an old furniture store. What initially started as a somewhat mundane renovation and turned into an exciting collaboration of ideas. The project initially was intended on matching the basic plans for the Ashley's Furniture franchise.  We had incorporated these ideas (by others) into a set of construction documents.  At the last minute the brakes were put on as another opportunity came into the picture.  We are not at liberty to discuss the opportunity, but let us say that we are very excited for the owner and their plans they may have in place in the coming future.

We redesigned the facade to incorporate the possibility of three potential tenant spaces and an existing office core that had currently remained.  The intent was to redevelop the center into something that would be a potential home decoration or make-over center with stores that cater to those needs. The concept was well received but.....put the brakes on!

Availability of the new opportunity required more time.....maybe two years.  So we worked on a two year plan for implementation....alas....looks like it may be a five year plan.  That's okay, we were given the task of heading back to the design board (yes i still cal it the design board and still use pens and trace paper....at first anyway). Develop a plan that allows for the some of the Ashley characteristics but yet can still be "redeveloped" in the next five years into the desired three tenant option.  (I will be presenting the three tenant option sometime soon)

So here it is.....the Blue Whale! Remember the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles? Not quite as .....shall we say "whale like" but certainly BLUE! Just as our client desired.  Some might accuse us of trying to create an IONIC BLUE building.......maybe...hint hint. Here are some of the renderings.....We will see where it goes.  Construction drawings are underway now.

Working all Weekend

Worked all weekend on some value engineering for the Wendy's prototype.  Client asked for new renderings reflecting the changes that we are proposing.  For the most part we have maintained the look that was in the original concept. However with a bit of creativity and resources we have cut out nearly $112K by using a few different materials and better structural engineering for just the exterior.  We believe that another $65K can be saved on the interior by selecting a few different materials.

We have utilized a new rendering plugin to quickly get us a realistic view of the project. We left the site off on purpose as each site will be different as it is intended to be used from here to California.  Let us know what you think about these quick renderings.

A busy Wendy's Day

Not a "busy Wednesday" but a Wendy's Day!

Received two contracts to continue working on ground up models to be used in the development of new stores across the country as well as getting to meet Brent White from our good friends at Tesser in San Francisco. We are working together to value engineer the prototype model renovation for use also across the country while still maintain the design intent.

2012....New Color?

Are you ready for the new color.....MY NEW COLOR?  I know that Pantone issued the new color as Tangarine  http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/category.aspx?ca=88 .....I love Tangarine. Like I mentioned in my recent blog post about color, http://ionicdezigns.blogspot.com/2011/12/2012tangerine.html, we have used that color many times on our projects over the last few years.  Sometime in the middle of last year I became entrnaced in a new color......are you ready?  CRANBERRY.

Yes, cranberry.....we use it all the time or closely during Christmas.  Last year I did use it a bit, but since then I have been lookig for the opportunity to share in the Cranberry.....or some simlar shades. Now dont get silly, this isnt RED or PURPLE but a shade there in between. Just enough red and just enough purple to make it a RICH appearance in anything you select.

It goes great with a bit of lime or orange or even yellow.....what are your thoughts? Where can you use Cranberry this year? Congratulations to Pantone for picking another great color (that I like)...but I am ahead of you! Cranberry salad anyone?