WHHA + Ionic DeZign Studios expands RVA office

With the new year arriving we have BIG news.....We are getting BIGGER!

Eugene has been working with the landlord in Richmond at our current office location on Church Rd to extend our office footprint so we can accommodate additional design and production staff. The expanded office will allow for an additional eight design members plus give office space for general administration and an executive office for Eugene no that he will be spending more time in RVA assisting the growth of the firm.

The new space will allow for the creation of an open office plan in the production area much like we already have in Virginia Beach. The principle and founder of Ionic DeZign Studios, Eugene says, "The new renovations will promote the interaction of the design team during the collaboration of a project development. We have been successful with this concept in Virginia Beach and feel it will likewise be so in Richmond."

While WHHA previously focused primarily on church and other religious centered projects. With the merging of the two firms, Eugene indicated, "We are beginning to focus on introducing our current VB portfolio of offices, retail, restaurants and financial institutions. In order to do so, the interior renovations will depict our design skills and creativity for these markets. We have excelled in using technology to help promote our designs and present our concepts. The plan for the renovated conference rooms, materials library and reception will continue that theme. We look forward to sharing the new space with our clients and consultants."

WHHA + Ionic DeZign Studios hopes to have an open house in the fall to share in the new renovations and celebration of the first year of combined firms. The new space will reflect the vitality and creativity that has embodied the firm over the many years in business. It is expected to be unique in nature and surely a one of a kind statement. Eugene will likely create some of the architectural features himself. "Expect to see some fun ideas presented in the custom light fixtures, conference tables and reception desk just like we have done in VB. It has become a little bit of a 'brand expectation' that our clients see one of a kind chandlers or some type of lighting made by us for their spaces. We will continue to share those ideas within our own walls."

Those interested in joining our team add becoming associates of a fast growing and rewarding design practice, please reach out and contact us with your resume at info@WHHAdezigns.com. We would love to chat with you after the adventure we are planning.

Be on the look out for an invite this fall for RVA but until then feel free to join us at our Open House Event in VB on the 18th of February. We look forward to seeing everyone and sharing in our continued growth.

Eugene Thompson

Founder + President

Ionic DeZign Studios, Inc.

"Where art and architecture come together."

www.ionicdezigns.com

www.WHHAdezigns.com

Ionic DeZign Studios Hits Growth Spurt

It all started thirteen and a half years ago. Out of the front living room and dining room of the Thompson household and then into it's office near town center in Virginia Beach. Slowly and steadily (minus the economic speed bump of 2009) IONIC has been progressively getting a little bit bigger and doing a bit more and more. Where once we were limited to focus on a select area of work within a certain distance within Virginia's borders, we now have projects in Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. There are only a few in those distant states so I don't want to sound like we are bigger than we are but that is still a beginning.

One project at a time we have continued to serve our clients by being attentive to their needs and listening to their concerns. We have focused our practice around serving others by helping accomplish their goals while having a little fun along the way. But most of you already knew that about us if you have worked with us before.

What you may not know is about how we are growing. Initially we planned to incorporate some new finishes and fixtures to our front office space. After all we had been there for almost nine years. Even though it served our needs, we felt a need to project more of the style of work we do within our own surroundings. It quickly became evident that we needed others things for our growth. To handle all the work we needed more people, to handle all the people we needed more desks and chairs, to handle all the furniture, computers etc......yep you got it....we needed more space.

After shifting and compressing and everything else possible it was simple.....we needed to grow. Our quaint little conference area no longer handled the bigger meetings we were no having. It didn't even handle our own staff. Storage for files was a premium. Our library of products, catalogs and finish samples was bursting at its seams. Fortunately we had a plan to solve all this. Actually for an architect....we had many plans. Just which one to choose?

Proudly, with the assistance of our landlord, Suburban Asset Management and their leasing agent CB Richard Ellis, we have that plan. Our new expanded office space will allow us to stay in the same location but stretch out in the areas where we need the most growth...THE DESIGN STUDIO. Nearly doubling the size of our current office footprint, the space will allow for a few new private offices, lots of storage, lots of working space for samples and catalogs, a new contemporary conference room, break room and of course space enough to comfortably accommodate all the design staff giving us ample room to accommodate a staff of nearly 20.

We are just beginning, and as we have preached to our clients it doesn't have to break the bank to accomplish great design. We hope the renovations will not only reflect some of the character of our work to our clients, but also provide for the needs of a very hard working group of architects, interior designers and engineers that collaborate here. Our goal is that before the end of the year our office will be ready to celebrate it's new diggs.......no pictures until then....just wait a see.

Thanks to all those that have helped us grow.

Ionic DeZign Studios, Inc.

www.ionicdezigns.com