{"id":4546,"date":"2016-12-13T17:24:55","date_gmt":"2016-12-13T17:24:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/modelo.io\/blog\/?p=4546"},"modified":"2017-08-04T17:26:19","modified_gmt":"2017-08-04T17:26:19","slug":"design-manifestos-israel-olmos-bbgm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/blog\/index.php\/2016\/12\/13\/design-manifestos-israel-olmos-bbgm\/","title":{"rendered":"Design Manifestos: Israel Olmos of\u00a0BBGM"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Design Manifestos: Israel Olmos of\u00a0BBGM<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n
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Israel Olmos (Photograph courtesy of\u00a0BBGM)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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Israel Olmos, AIA, LEED AP BD+C is an Associate and Senior Designer with\u00a0BBGM<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in Washington, D.C. He carries a wide skill-set in design and extensive knowledge in the planning and development of projects. His vast rendering expertise also enhances the translation of the design for a project, allowing clients to maintain and enhance their vision throughout the design process.\u00a0Modelo<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0spent some time learning about Israel\u2019s journey through the profession and about what continues to inspire him today.<\/p>\n

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On becoming an architect<\/strong>
\nThe truth is that I became an architect by accident. I started a business right after finishing high school, which I ran with my brother for ten years. Life circumstances took me back to school, and when it was time to pick a major, I chose architecture because I had some regular clients in my used car dealership that were architects. They would receive cars as payments and then would sell them to me for an excellent price. So I saw Architecture as a way to expand my business, little did I know that I would fall in love with design and architecture. I have not looked back since.<\/p>\n

On discovering his voice as a designer<\/strong>
\nI believe any architectural designer could never forget the first presentation they give directly to a client. Seeing a group of people paying close attention to what are you saying, understanding, and appreciating the work that you and your team put so much effort into is extremely memorable. At that moment I realized the kind of responsibility we as designers have to create meaningful projects that, in one way or another would change people\u2019s lives. Since design is so subjective, it\u2019s hard to pick somebody specific that influenced me as a designer. I am convinced that I have learned something from every single person I worked with in multiple projects. This includes, of course, junior staff that remind you of those big dreams that you had when you first finished school.<\/p>\n

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Ball Park Hotel (Renderings courtesy of\u00a0BBGM)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On joining BBGM\u00a0<\/strong>
\nIn 2005, right after I finished my Bachelor\u2019s degree, a good friend of mine who worked for BBGM called me and told me that the firm was hiring. I was coming from a small firm out in Greenbelt, Maryland, so BBGM seemed like a good step up for my young career. I had the opportunity to work on the design team ever since I started at BBGM. This enabled me to be in the first row when concepts were conceived. I supported the different designers at the firm at that time, and this gave me many new tools and approaches to design until I found my path.<\/p>\n

A turning point in my search for my own formula for design was one day after I presented a project to a client. One of the partners pulled me into his office and told me that my presentations were \u201ctoo architectural.\u201d By this he meant that I was presenting using too much architectural lingo like rhythm, datum, transparency, etc. Some clients could not care less about the architectural jargon. The clients needed something more meaningful that would make them feel related to the design. Then I realized that I did not have to change my presentations only, but actually I had to change my approach to design radically. Although aesthetics are always going to be a crucial goal for a designer, the first step that changed was looking for a story, a phrase, a word, a soul for the project even before I start thinking about any kind massing or architectural solution. This approach indeed delivers unique projects.<\/p>\n

On specific principles he strives to adhere to<\/strong>
\nEvery project has to start with a meaningful story, a phrase, a word, that will became the core and spine for the project and lead the design decisions through the rest of the project\u2019s life in the firm.<\/p>\n

On his role at BBGM<\/strong>
\nI have had the fortune to be involved and lead the design efforts for most of the Base building projects at BBGM.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Intercontinental (Rendering courtesy of\u00a0BBGM)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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On recent projects that represent the firm\u2019s unique approach<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Arts Hotel (411 NY AV)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • An important part of this project is that the site has an existing building that we needed to keep. When this building was built, it served as grain storage for an Italian family.<\/li>\n
  • The concept is based on the grain life-cycle. The existing building represents the grain, and the addition represents the growth. The copper boxes and material picked from the existing building\u2019s fenestration, represent the grain about to fall to the ground to start the cycle all over again.<\/li>\n
  • The existing building serves as studio for local artists.<\/li>\n
  • The new hotel will offer permanent spaces and programs to continue with the art creation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    White Flint Residences<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    • Since the building is located in a crucial corner of the area, it needed to be an iconic building for the new master development.<\/li>\n
    • The concept idea was based on the dynamic of this area, which keeps up with the big cultural changes with big moves.<\/li>\n
    • In the 1950s, the city transformed into a super block car-oriented area. In the 1970s, one of the largest malls was built here. And presently it is going through a huge re-planning to fit the building and cultural trends of life, work and play.<\/li>\n
    • The angles, bends and relationship among its elements try to represent the dynamic and the resilience of the area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Water Street Residences<\/strong><\/p>\n