WHERE

We really enjoy working with architects. The simple fact that we speak the same language of design and work in the creative field, often immersed in a similar processes makes it all the more appealing. Last year we were fortunate to be asked by Vancouver-based Henriquez Partners Architects to recreate their online presence. Their goal was to showcase their studio, some of their recent projects, and the ideas behind them via a clean, modern web interface.

For many architects, the thoughts and stories they have to tell are often left to be expressed solely by the buildings they create. As creative professionals, there aren’t many architects who don’t fill notebooks with sketches and thoughts. This was especially true of Gregory Henriquez. We set out to provide a digital outlet for his, and his team’s, prolific analogue output in tandem with a new portfolio website for the firm.

IDEAS

The blog, called Archimemo, functions as a modern upgrade to the old fax blast newsletters Gregory used to send to the industry, and lets him and his staff speak their minds on any topic. But it goes beyond that. Through some careful analysis and planning, we created an editorial method of promoting certain posts from the text-based blog format to their Flash-based website via what we called “the tunnel” using RSS. Specific posts that directly relate to a project are ported and represented on the main Henriquez portfolio website, lending a deeper understanding to the process and the project than is usually seen on other architect sites.

WORK

The final result is two sites that are linked, yet function independently of one another when required, since the opions expressed on Archimemo are not always the ones Henriquez wants directly in front of clients. The primary corporate website is presented as simple and elegant with large images of the firm’s oevre, deep content and an underlying CMS system to allow the client complete control of their online presence.

“We are so very happy with our new website and blog. Industrial Brand delivered exactly what they promised.” - Gregory Henriquez, Managing Partner, Henriquez Partners Architects

Launch portfolio website: www.henriquezpartners.com
Launch Archimemo Blog: www.archimemo.ca

We really enjoy working with architects. The simple fact that we speak the same language of design and work in the creative field, often immersed in a similar processes makes it all the more appealing. Last year we were fortunate to be asked by Vancouver-based Henriquez Partners Architects to recreate their online presence. Their goal was to showcase their studio, some of their recent projects, and the ideas behind them via a clean, modern web interface.

Perhaps not surprising, their objectives and audience needs and behaviour seemed best addressed through the creation of a blog. Senior members of the Henriquez team already kept personal journals and they wanted to archive and share their inspirations, opinions, rants, sketches, and even articles written on design and architectural topics. Also functioning as a modern upgrade to the old fax blast newsletters they used to send out, the blog Archimemo was born.

The next challenge though, was how to tie their less formal, almost sketchbook-like articles, with their corporate website and portfolio. Through some careful analysis and planning, we created an editorial method of promoting certain posts from the text-based blog format to their Flash-based website via what we called “the tunnel” using RSS.

The project was a challenge with hiccups and pitfalls like any other, but in hindsight I think we did a good job of meeting their creative brief and hope you agree.

WHERE

Following the launch of the Industrial Brand blog in 2004 we quickly realized that food and drink was so much a part of our lives it warranted the creation of a completely separate venue for the topic. Thus, in January 2005 we launched “In The Kitchen: Gastronomic adventures and insights from the minds at Industrial Brand Creative”. With a focus on food and dining in Vancouver, the blog also chronicled subjects of general food and cooking-related interest in both daily briefs and longer articles.

Once we started inviting others from our peer group into the fold to write on the blog, over time it became apparent that it had outgrown its life as merely an extension of Industrial Brand. As such, we set out to create an new identity for the blog, one which would give it independence and more accurately reflect the vibe of its many contributors.

IDEAS

The first task was to create a new name. Brainstorming with our core contributors many options emerged, some serious and others either hilarious or inappropriate since we wished to be regarded as a credible source of food and related information. Having identified our key message as “We’re so passionate about food we worship it”, the name Foodists was decided upon. Foodists links our passion for food to something akin to the level of worship; it’s about our collective devotion to making, eating, enjoying, sharing and exploring good food and drink.

To accompany the new name we created a fun, friendly logo featuring a portly, smiling Buddah-like character so excited about food he’s levitating (who hasn’t had that feeling before, during or after an amazing meal?).

Rather than simply re-skin the existing build of the blog with our new identity, we recognized the potential to create a unique, functional, interesting design to impress readers, potential advertisers and food (and design) industry folks. The new design also allowed us to continue with the diverse range of content spanning new food discoveries, adventures, travel, products, reviews, recipies and more, and have it organized in a practical and engaging way.

WORK

What has emerged is Foodists.ca, with its playful identity and simple, colourful layout designed to provide friendly appeal to a broad audience: like-minded, passionate food worshippers with enlightened appetites. Instead of opinions, the site offers “meditations”. Rather than recipes or tips, we share “guidance”. And, as opposed to the standard product or restaurant reviews, we celebrate our finds in the “worship” section.

Posts have increased dramatically, as has the site’s audience. We are planning further updates and promotions, including our first contest/give away with a prominent cookbook publisher. Stay tuned.

Launch website: www.foodists.ca

WHERE

The identity of the recently merged programs of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at this leading Canadian university were suffering from a fragmented and underwhelming online presence. In comparison to the programs of other universities of this calibre, the site would have little influence on potential new students, and was not functional as a means to unite those currently in the program.

IDEAS

A key to the redesign of the SALA website was to present the UBC School of Architecture as a leader in the education of architecture, as well as to reflect a culture of design, research and community within the four recently merged departments. Additionally, the site required the delivery and management of a vast amount of program and admissions information in diverse graphic and textual forms in an easy to navigate format.

The site’s audience was identified as five distinct constituents, each with different goals, content priorities, and expectations for the website. The new site needed to present different information for each constituent. If a faculty member was to log in, their experience and permission to edit or create content would be different than that of a student’s or the public’s

WORK

In contrast to the many brochure-style school websites, Industrial Brand proposed that SALA present the exemplary work that is produced on an ongoing day-to-day basis by its community on their new site. The new design dynamically features content individually input by staff, faculty and students using a Drupal platform as a content management framework and an HTML and Flash presentation layer. Through the provision of individual blogs/conversations and the areas of the site provided to key groups, the site fosters interaction, exchange and exploration amongst the SALA community.

The site’s homepage greets visitors with three key navigational methods for entry to content: 1. Taxonomy – the familiar hierarchic menus along the top; 2. Folksonomy – a unique, sortable tag bar system along the right side; and 3. Chronology – time-based content like upcoming events/news displayed along the bottom.

“Industrial Brand’s process was educational, creative and productive, all at the same time. More importantly we are proud of the result (www.sala.ubc.ca), which has been a good fit with our unique design-oriented community and faculty, staff and students.” - Ronald Kellett, Professor of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA)

Launch website: www.sala.ubc.ca

Readers who watch Friends, you might know what my title means.

For the past few weeks Todd and I have been working on furnishing his new place. Not only has this move given me an opportunity to fuel my interest in interior design, but also added tonage to my arms. Yes!

Here’s a site that I stumbled upon that certainly got my creative juices flowing. Desire to inspire, is a blog created by a Canadian and Australian. I can’t even begin to write what they have so if you are even remotely interested in interior design, I suggest taking a look.

It’s absolutely terrible (and hilarious) how accurate this website is about the stuff white people like. It appears to be only a couple months old with its oldest post from January, 2008, but its already had over 15 million hits. White people apparently like to serve the Internet too!

After much feedback, evaluation, planning—including a healthy dose of debate and discussion—the all new GDC.net website has launched at long last, with a section devoted to the GDC BC Chapter.

Having served with a number of my GDC colleagues on the web committee over the last two years, I am personally very proud of the result and grateful to the bright, colourful and friendly concept designed by Tetro Design in Winnipeg and developed by SmallBox Software using the latest version of their custom CMS.

There’s still a ton of content to port over, such as the entire back catalogue from the old GDC/BC blog to the new, integrated system, but the new site has a sleek, intuitive navigation system, built-in events calendar, integrated e-commerce system, email campaign management tools and much more.

Special thanks to David Coates FGDC, Web Chair and Rod Roodenburg MGDC, National VP of Communications, and everyone who worked hard to make this happen—it’s bound to be a success and usher in a new era of the GDC brand and message online.