Favorite Things of 2019

What were your favorite things of 2019? As the year is coming to a close, we’re all reflecting on those things that made the year so special. In 2019, we worked with some amazingly talented and visionary people; traveled to some unique places; and used some exceptional products in our work. We feel really grateful for the people, places, and things that made 2019 such a special year. If we worked with you in 2019, thank you! If not, we hope to do so in the coming year.

Although it’s hard to narrow down our choices, here are a few of our favorite things of 2019:

• 3D Renderings – Although architectural visualization services have been around for 10 years, advancements in technology have really improved. Now designers utilize tools like Google Earth and Google Street View to create photorealistic 3D renderings to help clients visualize their project in a real setting (down to the street signs and lamp posts).

• Apple iPad Pro – A must-have tool for every architect, this sizeable tablet is the essential job site and design tool. Pair it with the Morpholio Trace program – it’s tracing paper without the mess!

• Architecture Tours by the Chicago Architecture Center. The boat tour on the Chicago River is always a crowd-pleaser. Experiencing it with friends and family from out of town was one of our favorite things of 2019.

• Corkcicle canteens – These canteens look great and work even better at maintaining our favorite beverage at just the right temperature. The perfect gift item too!

• Crate & Barrel Fletchers’ mill mini salt and pepper mills – Our office kitchen style was suffering from old and dated accessories. These petite salt and pepper mills added some modern pizazz – they are sleek in style and easy to use with just one hand.

• Crayola Experience – We have been blessed to work with amazing clients in the hospitality and amusement industry. In this past year, our work on Crayola Experience allowed us to provide a space where children’s imagination and play are nurtured and encouraged to grow. 😊 Read our blog here: Family Fun at Crayola Experience in Chandler, AZ.

• Herman Miller Sayl chairs – Designed by Yves Behar, Sayl chairs are agile and adjust easily for comfort. We saw these in white at the reception desk at the Cooper-Hewitt Museum in New York. We purchased the black version with “quilty” fabric seats from Interior Investments in Lincolnshire.

• Lexus Velodrome – Bob rode on the indoor track in fall and relived his younger days with other Dino Riders – what a blast and one of our favorite things of 2019! Check out this fantastic new fitness venue on Mack Avenue in Detroit.

• Like most offices, food is a hot topic and lunch options in particular. Without exception, Honeycrisp apples have risen to the top as our fruit of choice. Sweet and juicy, this cultivar was developed in Minnesota and requires extra care and maintenance. Maybe that’s why they’re so darn delicious.

• Lost Island Theme Park – Talk about a dream come true! Working with Weber Group and others on an entire theme park from the ground up and bringing to life the Bertch family’s plans that have been in the works for more than 10 years – wow! We’re excited that the new park will enhance tourism and the quality of life in the Waterloo, IA area.

• Southern architecture – On a spring break trip to Savannah, GA, we fell in love with its people, lovely architecture, and brilliant city planning. Read our blog: Southern Charm! Exploring Savannah Architecture.

What were your favorite things of 2019?