Happy Holidays from STA!

As we close out 2018, all of us at Silverman Trykowski Associates would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy holiday season! 2018 was an exciting year, here are some of the highlights!

2018 was a year of many exciting new projects, including innovative workplaces, incubator spaces for music, technology and the environment to support young startups, nurturing spaces for children to learn, energizing spaces for fitness, creatively branded retail spaces, delicious new restaurants, reinvigorated buildings, and spaces for the community to gather and be supported. Whatever the project type, our mission is always to create spaces that enhance the lives, health, experiences and well-being of people – in everything that we do! Keep an eye on our new website for project profiles.

2018 was a year of learning, and expanding our knowledge and credentials. Andy Vieira achieved the important accomplishment of becoming NCIDQ certified! Andy also completed the IIDA New England Emerging Leaders Program. Bri Souza and Maria Martinez began the NCIDQ process, successfully completing their first sections! Felice became WELL certified, a commitment to bringing the concepts of the WELL Building Standard into STA’s design process. Nate is in the process of becoming Passive House certified, strengthening our commitment to integrating sustainable design principles and practices into everything we do. Each of us participated in continuing education throughout the year. We attended and participated in conferences, including the Design Museum Boston Workplace Innovation Summit, the Contract Design Forum, the IIDA Industry Roundtable, and the ABX expo, as well as regular in-office CEUs and product presentations. We maintained strong connections with our professional associations, including the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) – this year Felice was on the committee for the inaugural IIDA Anna Hernandez Luna Textiles Education Fund, and the IIDA South Florida Design Awards; and the Boston Society of Architects, including David’s appointment on the BSA Foundation Board, and Felice’s work with the Women in Design Awards of Excellence.

2018 was also a year of sharing knowledge. David shared STA’s expertise in the design of incubator spaces at the Design Museum Boston Design Museum Morning Series with “Creating Sustainable Startups”. Tom shared his expertise on the history of the Back Bay, and designing spaces for this complex and architecturally rich neighborhood. Claudette, Nate and Andy continue to teach at the Boston Architectural College. Felice participated in the Design Museum Foundation Workplace Innovation Think Tank, exploring the future of the workplace. Felice also acted as an Ambassador for the NCIDQ examination, presenting an overview of the exam to students at multiple area Interior Design programs.

Our knowledge sharing included one of our favorite things to do, which is to connect with students and young designers! We hosted several meetings and tours with students from the BAC, and hosted a tour of our office as part of Interior Design Career Day. We also hosted a high school student for an internship through the YouthBuild Boston Designery program. We continued our culture of sharing our knowledge internally and externally, with our weekly living labs and blog posts. Bookmark the STA Gazette to stay updated on our posts!

2018 was a year of giving back. Along with financial support and pro-bono work for many of our non-profit clients, the STA team participated in some creative and fun fundraisers. This holiday season we participated in the Allsteel / Union Office Toys for Tots gift drive, decorating a box as “The Gallery of Toys” and filling it with STA team donated toys!. We also participated in the Steelcase / Red Thread Wreath Menorah and Stocking auction supporting the NorthEast Animal Shelter, creating a stocking based on “The Nightmare Before Christmas”, and filled with pet toys and treats!

2018 was a year of innovation at STA. This year we introduced virtual reality as part of our practice, integrating it as a tool throughout the design process. We have also expanded our use of our 3D point cloud scanning system as an important part of our site documentation toolkit, capturing both exterior and interior complex conditions with detail and accuracy.

The STA team continues to ROCK! Tom, David and I are most grateful for all of the creativity, dedication, hard work and energy that each of our team members brings to everything that we do. And we have a lot of fun too!

Thanks to all of our clients, and to all of our partners, including contractors, engineers, furniture, product and materials manufacturers and dealers, brokers, project managers – We look forward to partnering, designing, innovating and creating with each and every one of you in 2019!

Best wishes from all of us at STA for a happy and healthy new year!