Studio 121

tenacious. forward-thinking. driven.

Studio 121 is proud to announce our newest team member Danielle Johanson!

Danielle is the perfect addition to our team!  She understands the grassroots of sustainability and identifies the truth in any green story. She uses this knowledge to support the team as they make informed design decisions and product specifications. She researches, identifies and works diligently to understand a company and its brand story. Her ability to dig deeper and find the true meaning behind these stories lays the foundation as the team creates expressive environments.

Danielle graduated from the CIDA accredited program at Ohio University with honors and is wearing many hats (well!) here at studio 121!

How do we give our faithful clients the push they need without sending them over the edge?

Many companies have spent countless hours developing their brand image.  Some organizations even have brand standards and guidelines, ways that logos may and may not be used, extensive manuals and many years of history to reference .  Even these well documented organizations have something that is unwritten…the culture…the pulse of the organization.

As consultants, how do we grow to understand this abstract idea of an organization’s soul?  This process doesn’t start with the typical tools people may associate with design.  We don’t need a tape measure, camera or sketch pad to gather this type of information.  We want to understand where people are really coming from…what makes them tick.  The most important ingredient of understanding people is trust.  We must be trusted and people must be willing to talk to us…candidly.  It is vital that we ask the right questions, not only listen to what people say but also interpret what they really mean.  The good news, studio 121 (one-to-one…get it?  it’s all about forging one-to-one relationships) is focused on human interaction!

The listening process allows us to uncover an organization’s intended message and perceived message.  It is our job to identify any contradictory messaging and address these discrepancies so that the built environment aligns with an image the company wants to display.  Sometimes a client tells us what they want when it comes to design; however, it is not necessarily what they need to portray their brand in a way that others understand.  The old saying holds true…”no pain, no gain.”  We all need a little push sometimes.  So how do we walk the fine line of pushing our faithful clients away from what is expected, away from what is comfortable, away from what they’ve been doing and towards what is unexpected, original and maybe even a little scary?

From the moment we are introduced, we begin forming a relationship and earning  trust.  Like every good relationship, we ask question after question and avidly listen to the response.  This trust building exercise on the front end allows us to steer them through the process…the process of discovering what it is they actually need.  All of that work on the front end really pays off.

explore your world

Gallatin Children’s Clinic/Vanderbilt Integrated Providers called upon studio 121 to create a new and updated environment concept while being sensitive to their schedule and restrictive budget.  Through exploration and collaboration with the Gallatin Children’s Clinic team, studio 121 was able to create an around the world experience to be enjoyed by all who use the space.  Featuring a variety of countries from all seven continents, the newly updated Children’s Clinic takes its inhabitants on a trip.

From the  reception area to the last of the 15 exam rooms, it’s all about exploration.  Each of the exam rooms highlights a different country through large photographic imagery that is exciting and graphic for all ages.  From toucans to ancient pyramids, photography calms the patient and guardian by providing fun conversational pieces from the region.   Creative way-finding is established by using large lettering on the walls designating each exam room’s feature country.  Bright colors and lively imagery bring this space to life and engage explorers of all ages.

Our world is rich with landscape, culture and diversity…it is our privilege to discover it.

2009 Designers Making a Difference Winners Mary Inman and Rachelle DeGeorge

Act as if what you do makes a difference.  It does.  -William James

Long Term Living Magazine asked readers to nominate and then choose architects and interior designers who made a difference in the lives of those residents living in long term care facilities.  They received many nominations from all over the country and presented those nominations for readers to vote on.  Resoundingly, the readers chose Rachelle DeGeorge and Mary Inman of studio 121, Gene Guskowski of AG Architecture, and David Hoglund of Perkins Eastman.

The full article may be viewed by visiting Long Term Living’s Website.

contribute. enrich.  enlighten.

Celebrating transformation in the lives of women in crisis, The Next Door provides a safe and secure environment for women who come from incarceration, rehabilitation centers, or homelessness.  The donation based non-profit is equipping women to develop lives of wholeness and hope…shaping their lives.

The organization was in need of an overhaul to provide the residents with a space that feels like home.  The goal was to create an atmosphere that is fit for something as significant as life transformation.  An environment that is calming, serene, and inspiring.  Studio 121 was able to donate time and resources to ensure that the design was a success.  By applying a fresh coat of paint, installing inspirational art, new furnishings, lighting, and accessories the community area now feels like home for the women of The Next Door.  On May 11th 2009, with our friends from Belmont University,  studio 121 was present to unveil the new design to The Next Door.

studio 121 - enriching lives through interior design

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” - Henry David Thoreau

Celebrating transformation in the lives of women in crisis, The Next Door provides a safe and secure environment for women who come from incarceration, rehabilitation centers, or homelessness.  The donation based non-profit is equipping women to develop lives of wholeness and hope…shaping their lives.

The Next Door addresses the physical, mental, spiritual and life skills needs of women and their children in two locations in Nashville, Tennessee. Since May 2004, over 450 women have had the opportunity at our original downtown location to experience a six-month curriculum designed to prepare them for living independently and establishing stable families.

During the resident’s six month stay, The Next Door is more than just a place to live. The participants say,”We just call it home.”  In order to foster the idea of a comfortable home, studio 121 is helping The Next Door revitalize its communal living areas.  By donating our time and resources, we are able to give to the greater good…make good investments.

For more information about The Next Door, visit them online at www.thenextdoor.org.

informative.  pragmatic.  culture change.

If you are looking for information on how to think outside the cube & then attend a facility manager focused session at NeoCon 2009. Mary Inman will be sharing concepts and experiences from the Healthways Corporate Headquarters project located in Franklin, Tennessee. Watch NeoCon 2009 promotional materials for more information or visit www.neocon.com

A BRIEF STAY WITH LASTING IMPACT

interactive. experiential. energetic. luxurious.
Riverside HealthCare called upon studio 121 as part of an experienced team to create more than a rehabilitation center within the skilled nursing component of its senior living community. The Riverside and Sojourn leadership teams’ goal: Adult Living for those who Seek More.

Drawing from Riverside and Sojourn’s punctuations of life marketing campaign, Studio 121 infused iconic brand images amidst a luxurious, spa-like atmosphere. The driving force behind the design was to promote 30, 60 and 90 day resident recovery programs through meaningful interactions with each other, the Sojourn team and the environment around them.

An earthen color palette infused with serene blues and greens as well as invigorating reds and oranges is combined with a variety of textural surfaces to create a luxurious hospitality experience. Natural light, live bamboo plantings and inspirational artwork infuse life into long corridors. Unique destination spaces are positioned throughout the building to encourage resident exploration. Wireless technology and a variety of lighting levels add to the vibrancy of the environment and demonstrate the commitment to state-of-the-art design and treatment.

This project demonstrates Studio 121’s ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team and successfully address budget challenges without compromising the integrity of the design. The resulting Sojourn environment heals the body and soul of these residents - it will leave a lasting impression as they return home to live life to the fullest.

To view photos of Sojourn, please visit the our work page of the site.

awareness.  responsibility.  mindfulness.

Studio 121 is pleased to announce that Mary Inman has recently passed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) professional accreditation examination.

Passing this exam demonstrates a professional’s thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and the LEED Rating System. According to www.usgbc.org more than 75,000 people have earned the credential since the program was launched in 2001.

Studio 121 believes that environmental consciousness should be a standard practice that designers build into their design solutions.

renew.  revitalize.  repurpose.

On September 1, 2008, Studio 121 moved into the Marathon Motorworks factory in west downtown. While it was a manufacturing hub in the early 20th Century, today it serves as a hub for creative and artistic entrepreneurs. In addition to providing a contagious creative energy, the location serves as a model for successful adaptive reuse projects. Projects in areas such as the Marathon Village create a catalyst for design innovation and collaboration which serves as the premise of Studio 121, making this neighborhood the perfect setting for their business.

By choosing the adapted factory, Studio 121 strives to lead by example, as they believe reuse is an integral component of smart growth. Readapting an industrial building in an up-and-coming community can encourage neighborhood revitalization, lessen development pressure on the urban edge, and conserve the existing infrastructure.