Interview of Architect David Schultz, USA
How did you get your start in the business? From an early age I knew that architecture and design would be my life’s career. I enjoy the blending of art and business that is embodied in the creative process of designing buildings and spaces. I attended Syracuse University School of Architecture and then worked for a few firms to learn the trade, but always knew that I wanted to own my own firm. After passing the State and Federal licensure exams and feeling confident that I had the necessary experience to start my own firm I did. With one client and a small loft office in Old City, my partner Susan Davidson and I started DAS Architects and built our company one project at a time. We have become specialists in the hospitality and residential markets with over 500 projects completed to date from Rhode Island to Florida and California. We offer architecture, interior design, branding, and procurement services, and have retained a boutique firm approach so we can be more responsive to our clients. What challenges did you face in co-founding DAS Architects? In your opinion, what makes DAS unique among architecture/design firms? I think DAS is unique on two fronts. First, we have focused our practice on specializing in hospitality and residential projects. Whether it is a unique hotel project, a specialty restaurant, or a modern urban residential complex, we strive to create experiences in our projects where great design creates an emotional response. Our clients are more and more interested in pushing the marketing value of design to gain market attention for their projects and the increasingly competitive marketplace requires both value and great design. The second unique aspect of DAS is our ability to provide full comprehensive design services encompassing architectural, interior design, branding and procurement services. We can provide clients with a seamless approach that is integrated under one umbrella. Many clients appreciate the reduced headaches, speed of process and lower overall costs of this integrated design approach. More and more clients want us to help them define the market and translate that into a viable concept. They also want us to manage the process with precision and efficiency. How is green technology impacting your sector? Do you think it is a good strategy economically? Why/why not? I think incorporating a green design approach is critical today. I am happy to say that among many clients it has become the standard. The benefits to preserving the planet go without saying, but the added benefits to a green building are lower operating costs and practical efficiencies. I am also happy to say the building industry has embraced development of green technologies by providing a large array of sustainable products and improved building systems technologies that save energy and improve interior lighting and air quality. We think the hospitality industry in particular has been a leader in promoting green design. Almost all hotels today are being built with sustainability in mind and many are LEED certified. Source: Llenrock Group
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