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This post provides a “cheat sheet,” and recap of a ‘Bisnow’ event highlighting key points made by esteemed panelists.The event was moderated by Douglas Howe of Mintz Levin.   On the morning of December 16, 2014, Starbucks Coffee was poured and continental breakfasts were provided as professionally dressed ladies and gents networked in a bustling Back Bay Sheraton conference room. Enthusiastic emcees introduced a stage of one opening speaker and six panelists, each boasting impressive credentials that would allow them to illuminate a room full of eager real estate enthusiasts. They reminded us of why it’s great to be a … Continued

1) What is your full name and where are you from? My name is David Garraza Michaus and I am from Pamplona, Spain. 2) What is your position here at PLA and how did it come about? I am a designer. Since I am passionate about visualization and digital representation, I used to follow former PLA designer Alex Hogrefe’s visualization blog, this is how I came upon PLA at first. A few months later, when I was looking for a position, I focused on interesting firms from San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Boston. I soon found PLA’s website again, … Continued

OK, that might be a stretch—but can dancing and other forms of recreational activities help to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels? And, if so, by how much? This is one of the questions we posed to our clients and community group at the Boys & Girls Club in Worcester as part of the Loom Works Project, a unique collaborative effort headed up by our strategic partner, McCabe Enterprises. The multi-disciplinary teams (see credits below) were tasked with contributing to a new plan for several sites in the Kilby-Gardner neighborhood in Worcester, adjacent to Clark University. Our team was charged … Continued

In Search of Timeless Design The Avanti is not your father’s Oldsmobile by: Paul Lukez What defines “timeless design”? This was precisely the question I asked myself on a recent visit to the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts, to see an extraordinary exhibit on William Turner, a painter of extraordinary vision and virtuosity. His experiments in depicting unusual atmospheric conditions and light were unparalleled at the time. One might argue that his painterly techniques were precursors to Impressionism. But upon exiting the museum, I caught a glimpse of a metallic turquoise-colored car sitting on a low podium. Strategically … Continued

Last Friday, PLA team members Matt Uminski and Josh McDonald were generously invited by Worthington-Armstrong Joint Venture (WAVE) (also knows as ‘Armstrong World Industries’)  to visit their manufacturing facility in Baltimore, Maryland (www.armstrong.com). Josh and Matt flew down to Baltimore for a great tour of the plant and learn more about the Armstrong line of products. In addition, they were invited to see at Red Sox / Orioles game at Camden Yards.  After a great game and overnight stay at one of Baltimore’s downtown hotels, they flew back to Boston, all courtesy of WAVE.  Here is a big THANK YOU … Continued