Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc. assists clients in choosing pieces that coordinate and enhance the decor of the space.

Whether it's for the interior of a commercial office building, the design for an airport terminal or the plans for a bridge, Reynolds, Smith and Hills (RS&H) Inc. is a one-stop shop for a variety of architectural, engineering, and interior design services. The company has been serving the needs of private and public clients in a variety of fields since 1941.

Lien Phillips, one of the firm's interior designers, says the company takes on projects great and small, with an emphasis on realizing clients' visions without breaking the bank.

"We've done projects as small-scale as ATM renovations," Phillips says. The company's interior design work includes new buildings as well as tenant improvements and remodeling. Some of RS&H's clients have included ADT, Wachovia, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida, Vystar Credit Union and Vurv (formerly Recruitmax).

Different Needs
Phillips, who has also worked in residential interior design in the past, says commercial interior design is more budget-driven than residential design. She says commercial clients tend to be less emotionally involved with the design process. "The residential clients are spending their own money, so they get emotionally involved," she says.

In contrast, commercial clients tend to be somewhat conservative and have corporately controlled budgets. Phillips says this means that RS&H must focus on providing its clients the most design that fits their budgets.

Design Process
Client meetings are the first stage in the design process. They allow designers to obtain programming requirements essential to designing their space. Programming provides information on the number of offices, conference rooms, break rooms, reception needs, and so on. A space plan is formed and presented to the clients for approval. Upon approval, permit documents are typically produced.

"We sometimes use sketches, 3-D models or elevations to communicate an idea to help clients visualize the application of design materials," she says.

Frugal But Fancy
The company's commercial department uses a number of techniques and materials to deliver clients an attractive interior that meets a range of budgets. For example, Phillips says, designers will use accent floor tiles such as glass or mother of pearl sparingly to develop a pattern that intersperses luxury with more cost-effective floor materials. This method results in a floor design that creates an expensive look without the cost of using upgraded tile on the entire floor.

Phillips says trends are allowing RS&H's designers more flexibility with flooring materials and patterns, as commercial clients are recognizing the value of a visually appealing floor as well as design.

As interior design continues to be more recognized, clients are becoming more receptive to higher levels of interior design and new trends. The use of dark woods, acrylic panels and silver or other metal accents are just a couple of the emerging trends that RS&H is incorporating into its work.

Another technique that Phillips says RS&H employs to save its clients money is to design office or conference room fronts with one material application such as a storefront system. This requires only one trade to provide the labor and materials vs. designing a wall combining materials such as drywall and hollow metal frames. The storefront then has a higher-end appearance for minimal cost. Another design element RS&H uses is specifying textured glass in place of clear glass. This adds privacy and interest while achieving value in design.

As far as furniture selection is concerned, Phillips says RS&H assists clients in choosing pieces that coordinate and enhance the decor of the space. The company offers this service to complete the design intent. In the past, clients have purchased furniture based on pricing instead of design coordination. RS&H prefers to assist in furniture selection to ensure that the furniture compliments the design intent. Ultimately, it is the client's decision to hire RS&H furniture recommendations.

Strong Reputation
Phillips says RS&H has a solid reputation in architecture that helps it stand out in clients' minds. One of its senior architects, David Laffitte, is also an award-winning lighting designer. Phillips adds that the company's in-house engineers and its ability to handle landscaping, civil engineering, structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing design under one roof give it an edge in the marketplace. "We're kind of a one-stop shop," she says.

A Shining Example
One recent project that Phillips says exemplifies RS&H's abilities in corporate headquarters design is Vurv, an independently owned software company in Jacksonville. The company, recognized by the Jacksonville Business Journal as one of the city's fastest-growing companies, wanted its 40,000-square-foot headquarters to promote a strong image and stimulate employees' creativity.

RS&H responded to the challenge with an interior design made up of curvilinear floor patterns with matching ceiling patterns that also disguised unattractive mechanical units. The company says that the design created "a unique open environment that encourages movement, motion and social interaction." The project was completed in 2005.