Baker Barrios Ranked Among Top Firms
The Orlando Business Journal announced today top Central Florida companies that have been added to their 2012 Book of Lists. Baker Barrios was selected and ranked as the second largest Interior Design firm, the 11th largest Architecture firm, and the 13th largest minority-owned business.
Filed Under : Community by Baker Barrios Architects
Nov.15,2011This year, BBA has partnered with Brasfield & Gorrie, GAI Consultants, and Urban Life Management to support Commissioner Patty Sheehan’s annual Turkey Giveaway for members of the Reeves Terrace Community. More than 200 Turkeys will be given to families in need on Tuesday (Nov. 22) from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at Reeves Terrace Recreation Center. To receive a qualifying certificate, families are requested to contact Commissioner Patty Sheehan’s office by calling (407) 246-2004.
Filed Under : Company News by Baker Barrios Architects In addition to the recent expansion of Baker Barrios Architect’s planning and landscape architecture studio, the firm is pleased to announce the addition of eight new staff members.
“The addition of our new team members will enable us to deliver an even more influential and innovative set of capabilities to our clients,” said Tim Baker, Founding Principal of Baker Barrios. “As the marketplace strengthens, we will continue to invest in our business and add leading talents who will provide the best and most innovative ideas for our clients.”
Laura Dean, LEED+AP+NCARB certified Architect, joins the firm’s hospitality and multi-family residential studio. Dean was hired from Gensler in Las Vegas where she worked on luxury brand retail projects under the Crystals Retail and Entertainment District portfolio including Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Prada, Miu Miu, Tom Ford, Fendi, and Gucci. Laura received her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Miami University and her Masters in Architecture from the University of Illinois.
David J. Del Tosto, Architect, joins the firm from BDG Architects and works with the company’s K-12, medical, and multi-family residential projects. He serves as an active member for the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Del Tosto received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Architecture from The Ohio State University.
Richard Kemp joins as a project manager for the firms Hospitality, Higher Education, Corporate and Commercial accounts in architecture and interior design. Kemp joins the firm from Milton Pate Architects where he served as a Senior Associate and led notable projects locally and throughout the U.S. to include: The Hard Rock Hotel, Orlando and The Cloister Resort in Sea Island, Ga. Additionally, he worked with Sheraton, Westin and Aloft global brands to complete prototype projects throughout N.Y., N.C., N.J., Fla., Md., and Pa. Kemp has also managed the Ritz-Carlton portfolio of resorts including Grand Cayman, Sarasota, Naples and the Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation. Kemp holds a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Design from Clemson University in South Carolina.
John-David “JD” Caring works with the firm’s multi-family residential studio as an intern architect and is supporting the 899 North Orange Avenue, Florida Hospital Workforce Housing Project, and Northridge Apartments. JD received both his Bachelors of Architecture Design and Master of Architecture from the University of Florida.
Christopher Saunders also joins the firm’s conference and multi-family residential studio as an intern architect and is supporting the Osceola County Conference Center, Ella and Trio Apartments and other signature projects. Saunders recently received his Bachelor of Design in Architecture from the University of Florida.
Ramona Samali joins the firm’s creative conceptual and schematic design studio as an intern architect. Samali is a recent graduate of the University of Florida, receiving her Masters Degree in Architecture.
Katie Nichols joins the firm’s interior planning studio as a project designer to assist with commercial and medical accounts. Nichols received her Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida.
Brianna Trahan joins the firm’s interior planning studio as a project designer to assist with higher-education and multi-family residential accounts. Trahan received her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Mississippi State University.
Filed Under : Company News by Baker Barrios Architects 
Baker Barrios Architects, Inc. announced the expansion of their planning and landscape architecture division under the leadership of Charles Bell as its Principal and Studio Director. Bell joined Baker Barrios in March.
“The new landscape team adds another element of creativity and innovation that will take us into our next phase of development,” said Tim Baker, Founding Principal of Baker Barrios. “Our multidisciplinary make-up is a benefit to our clients, and an integral part of what makes our thinking holistic, our processes streamlined and our solutions sustainable.”
Arthur Esteban joins the planning and landscape architecture division to oversee design, development and construction documentation for the firm’s signature convention center, entertainment and hospitality portfolio including the Alfond Inn at Rollins College which broke ground on Nov. 4. Esteban received his Masters in Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida and his Bachelor of Landscape Design and Management from FAMU. Prior to joining Baker Barrios, he was with MSI.
In addition, the firm has added two additional executives with experience in planning, designing, and developing world-class and one-of-a-kind hospitality resorts, healthcare, education, mixed-use and entertainment related development projects.
Christopher Kennedy joins the firm from Woolpert and supports the firm’s healthcare and hospitality portfolio. Current projects include Mann Research Center and recently announced OUC Hotel Conversion in Downtown Orlando.
Gary Lewis joins the team from EDSA and supports the firm’s multi-family residential accounts including the Florida Hospital and 899 North Orange Apartments in Orlando and the Northridge Apartment complex in Atlanta.
Both Lewis and Kennedy received their Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida.
Filed Under : Company News by Baker Barrios Architects Nov.2,2011
ORLANDO, Fla. – Oct. 31, 2011 – Florida International University has selected Rob Blakeslee to serve on the Advisory Board for the Department of Interior Design. Rob — a 5-year veteran at Baker Barrios Architects — will provide faculty with curriculum development, participate in lectures and seminars, and offer critical review of student projects.
Filed Under : Community by Baker Barrios Architects Oct.19,2011ORLANDO, Fla. – (Oct. 19, 2011) – Baker Barrios Architects recently participated in the 18th annual CANstruction Orlando competition in partnership with Winter Park Construction and FDG {Creative}, and was the recipient of this year’s “4th Dimension” award.
The team used more than 2,100 cans of food to create the only interactive exhibition presented in this year’s competition – an active Quick Response (QR) code. Nearly 4,000 pounds of food including spaghetti boxes, spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, mushroom stems, parmesan cheese, fruit and vegetables went into completing the structure.
“The concept for this year’s sculpture emphasizes that the key to ending hunger is in our hands,” said Shanon Larimer, Vice President of Global Marketing for Baker Barrios Architects. “Smartphone users are able to ‘scan and click’ the code which will direct viewers to a dedicated mobile website where they can learn more about Central Florida’s hunger situation and make a donation.”
CANstruction, a charity committed to ending world hunger, holds competitions around the nation in which teams compete by designing and building structures made entirely out of canned foods. Those canned goods are then donated to local charities – in this case, to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida.
More than 10 sculptures, including several architectural wonders of the world, will be on-view through October 23 at Fashion Square Mall located at 3201 East Colonial Drive in Orlando. The People’s Choice Award will be selected based on the amount of donations each sculpture receives. To learn more about this year’s competition, visit www.canstruction-orlando.org.
Filed Under : Company News by Baker Barrios Architects Oct.17,2011ATLANTA, Ga. – (Oct. 17, 2011) – Baker Barrios Architects is pleased to announce its role as architect for the new Northridge apartment complex in Sandy Springs, Ga. The firm will oversee all aspects of architecture, planning and landscape architecture for the property.
“Baker Barrios Architects has delivered on their promise to create a unique cottage craftsman environment on an authentic, nature-oriented, mountain-view site,” said Charles S. Roberts, President of Roberts Properties, Inc. “Their attention to detail and team approach has ensured a seamless experience throughout the design process.”
The 465,000 sq.-ft. cottage craftsman style complex will offer a combination of 216 one-and-two bedroom units with upgraded amenities such as granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, 9-foot ceilings, covered parking and balcony views overlooking heavily-wooded trails; a 10,300 sq.-ft. clubhouse including a high-definition theater and signature fireplace for evening gatherings; and a 1,500 sq.-ft., full-service fitness center offering a broad range of amenities in tune with resort-style living.
“We are pleased to have been chosen to lead the Roberts Properties, Inc. project,” said Tim Baker, founding principal of Baker Barrios Architects. “We are dedicated to delivering the Roberts Properties quality brand of creating communities for superior lifestyles.”
The project is expected to break ground in the first quarter of 2012 with the first phase complete by Spring 2013.
Filed Under : Community by Baker Barrios Architects Oct.12,2011
Photo by Douglas J. Nesbitt
ORLANDO, Fla. – Oct. 12, 2011 – Baker Barrios Architects was selected to design a 500 square-foot showroom at Bloomingdale’s Mall at Millenia which debuted during a private reception for Tavistock’s Isleworth and Lake Nona membership to benefit the Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute – a world-class facility dedicated to finding cures for human disease and improving quality of life.
Attendees enjoyed an evening of design solutions by Baker Barrios Architect’s designer, Diana Simaan Kessler; fall fashion previews with Diane Von Furstenberg’s national design expert, Megan Kelly; and exclusive Mediterranean cuisine prepared by Executive Chef, Melissa Kelly of Primo at the Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes.
The showroom, on display to Bloomingdale’s customers through October 31, offers home-office solutions for the holidays and features Bloomingdale’s newest collections.
Filed Under : Company News by Baker Barrios Architects Oct.10,2011
TAMPA, Fla. – (Oct. 10, 2011) – Baker Barrios Architects, in collaboration with 83 Degrees Media and Leadership Florida, is gearing up to launch a new speakers series intended to spark community dialogue about what’s new and what’s next for Tampa Bay. The first event of the series kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 20, presented by Baker Barrios Architects. The discussion will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Jaeb Theater at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa.
The Speakers Series will gather business and civic thought leaders and 83 Degrees Media readers to foster dialogue and exposure to people, ideas, innovations and opportunities that are moving the Tampa Bay region forward. Panelists will discuss important projects designed to improve livability, mobility and sustainability in attracting and retaining talent, fostering innovation and creating a sense of place.
Speakers at the debut event include:
Robert K. Ledford II, managing principal at Baker Barrios Architects Tampa;
Shannon Bassett, assistant professor at USF for architecture and urbanism;
Mike Kennedy, executive director of Suncoast Community Capital in Bradenton;
Marvin Scaff, co-founder of Gazelle Lab;
Christina J. Anton of Anton Castro Law;
Amalia Bamis, USF student of Architecture and Planning.
Dialogue will be moderated by Laura Moody, news anchor of FOX 13’s Good Day Tampa Bay.
“Baker Barrios Architects is taking an active role in shaping Tampa’s future,” said Shanon Larimer, Vice President of Marketing for Baker Barrios Architects. “We’re excited to provide an insider’s look at the development of one of Tampa’s newest communities, Encore, and are pleased to be the first to roll out this series with our new partners at 83 Degrees.”
The main uniqueness about the “Not Your Average Speakers” series is that each event will introduce and engage people who are doing projects that will help shape our region’s future.
“Our goal is to create a forum where people meet and learn from each other, discover opportunities for collaboration and take away energy for engaging in an ecosystem of success,” said Diane Egner, publisher and managing editor of 83 Degrees Media.
To RSVP, guests are asked to visit: http://83degreesnyasevent1.eventbrite.com/
“Not Your Average Speakers” series discussions are open and free to the public. Guests will enjoy special beverage menu pricing at Taps Beer and Wine following the event.
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About 83 Degrees Media
83 Degrees Media tells the story of what’s new and what’s next in the Tampa Bay region — a new narrative for a new economy. 83 Degrees Media writes for and about the creative, innovative, and influential people in and around Tampa Bay who are doing their part to move the region forward. Each week, 83 Degrees Media reports on the people, places, ideas and investments that make the Tampa Bay region attractive locally and competitive globally. www.83degreesmedia.com
About Baker Barrios Architects
Established in 1993, Baker Barrios Architects’ award-winning global perspectives on architecture, interior design, planning, and landscape architecture services deliver economical, sustainable, community enriching design solutions. Baker Barrios is widely recognized for creating world-class cultural arts venues, convention centers, health care facilities, and universities, commercial and mixed-use developments. Currently, Baker Barrios Tampa is leading the design for Encore – a 40+ acre mixed-use redevelopment district in Downtown Tampa. The firm’s headquarters was awarded the 2011 “Firm of the Year” by the Orlando Chapter of the American Association of Architects. www.bakerbarrios.com
About Leadership Florida
Leadership Florida takes a statewide view of the conditions and challenges that face our great state. Leadership Florida offers a leadership continuum that expands the impact of community leaders across the state. Created in 1982 by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Florida builds a sense of statewide community by identifying and training individuals with the passion and commitment to help make great things happen.
Filed Under : Company News by Baker Barrios Architects Oct.7,2011
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