GALULLO: We are working with clients all across the globe and while there are many workplace strategies that have been implemented outside of the U.S. TR: How does the Bay Area compare creatively from other parts of the country where you have done work? Are we ahead or behind when it comes to workplace design?
#Rapt studio sf drivers#
This is our opportunity to dig deep, and through our experience-mapping and other tools we can fully understand these drivers, develop unique and creative solutions that can be tested against and integrated with the drivers for a much more meaningful workplace, fully stemming from the unique qualities of the company’s DNA. Many times we have clients come to us and request the latest and greatest buzzwords in workplace design-collaborative, huddle space, enclaves, touchdown space-with no regard to how they may be used within the company’s culture, management style of work processes. So what may seem like a good solution to a problem outside of the understanding of the context, often times is not a good solution when analyzed within the confines of a company’s cultural initiatives, or operational strategies. GALULLO: Design thinking is a powerful tool that we use to fully understand and appreciate the sometimes-complex context in which a problem sits, to creatively develop insights and solutions and to efficiently and rationally focus on the analysis and implementation of the solutions within the context. What’s an example of successful design thinking in your projects? TR: You’ve championed design thinking as a tool for solving clients’ individual challenges. Whatever we learn, our integrated team will deliver, fully woven into the fiber of the project-not forced to be only answered within the confines of architecture. It may be architectural in nature, or a video may be what is needed to flesh out a meaningful experience. Whether it is how a user experiences a space or a Web site, if you focus on the experience then the answer may fall into many categories. For example, our process of experience mapping allows us to understand all of the touch points of an experience.
These firms are rarely coordinated, and the solutions are rarely integrated into a holistic solution. Rarely will a solution just live in one discipline, and our clients are coming to realize that they are being required to hire three or four specialized design firms to fulfill a single project need. This distinction allows for us to hire the smartest, most talented people from many disciplines-architecture, interior, graphic, and industrial design, video, audiovisual and technology, strategy, journalism and social media-to come together and solve our clients’ complex problems. Which sounds like splitting hairs, but it is a key differentiator. GALULLO: First, we stopped defining ourselves as an architecture firm and started operating as a design studio. What has Rapt done to set itself apart from the crowd?
TR: Rapt Studio has gained a reputation as one of the Bay Area’s most forward and innovative architect and design firms. The firm’s teams include designers with different backgrounds and expertise, such as interior designers, architects, graphics, user experience/interface and industrial designers. When design is done right, he says, “it can transform the way we live and work while communicating why a company matters to employees and customers.” Rapt Studio specializes in interior, architectural and branding design for apparel, retail, entertainment, technology and residential clients. THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE ‘Q’ – THE REGISTRY’S PRINT PUBLICATION – IN JANUARY 2015ĭavid Galullo is CEO and design principal at Rapt Studio. Transforming itself into a design studio has allowed Rapt to take a different approach to helping its clients-very successfully.