20th ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating two decades as Hospitality Consultants
page 4 - 7 INDEX
PROJECTSHOWCASE
Freshfields at 3 WTC
pages 8 - 13
INTERVIEW
Matt DaleyDirector of Design at Davella Studios
pages 14 - 17
OUR SERVICES
What we do pages 18 - 19
OUR TEAM
The people behind it page 20 - 21
20 Years of Design That Serves and Inspires
A message from James Davella, President + Founder
As Davella Studios marks its 20th year, I’m honored to reflect on a journey shaped by bold ideas, enduring partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to the art of foodservice design.
From hospitality venues and workplace cafés to fine dining restaurants, we’ve had the privilege of crafting spaces that don’t just function beautifully but feel alive.
Our work has always balanced creativity with purpose, delivering environments that elevate both experience and efficiency.
This milestone isn’t just a celebration of time, it’s a celebration of vision, collaboration, and the future ahead. We remain passionate about learning, evolving, and sharing what we know with the industry we love.
Thank you for being part of our story.
James Davella
Since 2005, Davella Studios has stood at the intersection of collaboration and creativity - designing foodservice environments that don’t just function , but inspire . For two decades, we’ve partnered with visionary clients to shape forward-thinking culinary spaces that uplift entire operations.
Renowned for transforming projects across professional dining, hospitality, and higher education , our team includes chefs, food lovers, and hospitality professionals whose realworld experience drives our understanding of how exceptional spaces should perform.
Here’s to 20 years of vision, innovation, and hospitality, because at Davella Studios, it’s always been about one thing:
PROJECT SHOWCASE
Freshfields
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has officially inaugurated its new office space in New York City at 3 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Occupying floors 51 through 54 of the iconic building, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Rogers and his firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, the firm is excited about this new chapter.
This move marks a significant milestone as Freshfields expands further in the United States, complementing its existing offices in New York, Washington DC, and Silicon Valley. The new office, designed by Gensler, is modern and sophisticated, providing toptier service and comfort for clients, lawyers, and staff. Equipped with amenities such as a split-floor conference center, café, barista coffee bar, conference catering, and the latest workplace technology,
3 World Trade Center cont.
Freshfields 3 World Trade Center cont.
ABOUT THE CLIENT:
Freshfields signed a 15-year lease for the 180,000 square-foot space in August 2022, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability with water and electrical efficiencies, as well as environmentally conscious furniture and fittings.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a global law firm with a longstanding track record of successfully supporting the world’s leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions, and governments on groundbreaking and businesscritical mandates. With over 2,800 lawyers and other legal professionals, the company delivers results worldwide through numerous offices and in collaboration with leading local firms.
The Barista space is centrally positioned on an island, outfitted with all the necessary facilities and cutting-edge technology. the space ensures a conducive environment for collaboration and productivity.
The Servery Room, crafted by Davella Studios, caters to the needs of people circulating during breaks and lunchtime. Situated on the 54th floor, it offers a stunning view of downtown New York City’s financial district.
MATT DALEY
Director of Design at Davella Studios
Matt Daley brings more than 20 years of professional design experience to his role at Davella Studios, having worked on diverse projects throughout his career—including celebrity chef restaurants, hotels, convention centers, stadiums, higher education and corporate dining.
Leading a team of CAD technicians through all phases of a design project, Matt is responsible for the quality and timeliness of project documentation,scheduling resources and interdisciplinary coordination to ensure success.
Matt has an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Aided Drafting/Design from Mesa State College as well as an advanced certificate in Computer Aided Drafting/Design. He holds additional certifications in AutoCAD and is proficient in Revit.
1 - Can you walk us through your professional journey and highlight some of the key projects you’ve worked on during your tenure at Davella Studios, leveraging your more than 20 years of design experience?
MD: Upon joining Davella late in 2015, I jumped right into the Toledo University Student Commons project. With many years of Higher Education projects under my belt, Tulane was a great jumping point for
me at Davella. I quickly transitioned into the Business and Industry segment with many financial institutions, law firms, etc. etc. One of the most exciting projects for me was the MSG Sphere project. I had stared in the industry mainly focused on public assembly work, and the MSG Sphere project brought me back to my roots so to speak.
2 - What motivated you to pursue a career in design, particularly in the areas of CAD and drafting, and how has your journey evolved within the context of Davella Studios?
MD: I have always been interested in design. In fact, was intending to pursue Architecture during and after I achieved my AAS degree in CAD. I had taken drafting/CAD all four years of high school and knew then that this is what I wanted to pursue in whatever segment. In 1999 I started my journey within the Foodservice design industry. At this point, I realized that this industry was where I wanted to be. Where I was meant to be. I had grown up working in my parents restaurant, found of love for design in High School drafting class and when I entered the workforce, I landed at a firm which focused on stadiums and arenas. I combined my experience, my education and my love for sports all in one place and I was forever committed to this industry.
3 - As the Director of Design, you’re responsible for project documentation. How do you ensure the quality and timeliness of deliverables at Davella Studios? Can you discuss a strategy you’ve implemented to streamline this process within the company’s framework?
MD: Building in time in our production schedule for quality control reviews is immensely important. You know the dates to hit per the projects design schedules, combining all of those dates in our overall production schedule allows me work backwards to breakdown tasks/processes, engineering,
coordination and quality control reviews. Managing the production of multiple projects at any given phase of design is challenging enough, but ensuring that staff is getting the education, guidance and tutorage is just as important as the quality of the information we deliver.
4 - Interdisciplinary coordination is crucial in design projects. How do you facilitate communication and collaboration between different teams or departments at Davella Studios to ensure project success and cohesion?
MD: Simple. Picking up the phone. Every project has its challenges, but getting answers and facilitating coordination is as it’s always been. Having a good understanding of Architecture, engineering (MEP) and how each of them play into our designs/equipment will ensure efficient collaboration with the rest of the team.
5 - Could you discuss your experience with AutoCAD and Revit, and how you ensure Davella Studios remains up-todate with the latest advancements and best practices in these software tools?
MD: As mentioned before, I’ve been in the AutoCAD world for many years now and staying abreast of program advancements and techniques keeps Davella growing strong. Along with my colleagues, we are continually discussing efficiency and how, as a team, we can bring our documentation and/or practices to the next level.
6 - Collaboration is pivotal in design projects. Can you provide an example of a successful collaboration you’ve spearheaded with other professionals, such as architects or engineers, and how it contributed to the overall success of a project at Davella Studios?
MD: Collaboration is pivotal and crucial. In the early stages of a project, we ask a multitude of questions for the Architects and Engineers. This allows us to get our design and details off on the right foot. From floor conditions, ceiling heights, MEP availability and use, and even finishes/details architecturally. Every project has unique conditions and/or restrictions and collaborating from the start lends to a successful design.
7 - Lastly, how do you stay inspired and motivated in your role as the Director of Design, especially when faced with challenges or tight deadlines within the dynamic environment of Davella Studios?
MD: Each project has its own challenges and unique look and feel. That variety within our design projects keeps me very motivated. Advancement with technology and equipment allowing us as designers to rethink our approach and provide a more advanced forwarding thinking experience for our clients is a great motivation. My colleagues and peers are an inspiration to me as well. No matter the challenges faced and deadlines to be met; it takes a team to get across the finish line. And that’s exactly what we are… A Team!
At Davella Studios, we are a full-service culinary design and consulting firm dedicated to creating efficient,thoughtful foodservice environments. We specialize in layout and program development driven by menu needs, supported by detailed documentation, construction oversight, and proactive conflict prevention. Our services include restaurant facilities planning, market research, space planning, and capital cost analysis. We also offer culinary management solutions such as financial modeling, feasibility studies, menu and concept development, and operational assessments to help food and beverage operations grow and thrive.
CULINARY DESIGN SOLUTIONS
As a full-service culinary design and consulting firm, we work to develop a layout + program that focuses on the flow of goods, program, and menu-driven equipment needs paired with:
• Comprehensive Documentation Packages
• Intensive Construction Support
• Proactive Conflict Prevention
RESTAURANT FACILITIES PLANNING
When engaging in restaurant facilities planning, we focus on creating food with integrity, food with honesty, and with great taste. Through collaboration we deliver:
• Demand Analysis
• Space Planning
• Capital Cost Estimates
• Facility & Equipment Assessments
• Market Research (including surveys and focus groups)
CULINARY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Maximize the performance and growth of your food and beverage operation with a number of culinary management services:
• Financial Modeling & Forecasting
• Feasibility Studies
• Operating Manuals
• Concept Design
• Menu Development
• Operational + Financial Assessments
• Goal Clarification
JAMES DAVELLA
President
+ Founder james@davellastudios.com
Trained in culinary arts, James Davella brings a chef-informed approach to foodservice consulting and design. With over 35 years in hospitality, his expertise spans restaurant and hotel operations, culinary design, construction, financial analysis, and project management. He holds an MBA from Fordham, a Bachelor’s from Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration, and an Associate’s in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales, positioning Davella Studios as a leader in the field.
ERIC McCONNELL
Vice President
eric@davellastudios.com
With over 40 years in hospitality, Eric McConnel leads Davella’s global hospitality division, driving expansion and shaping the future of culinary design. He brings deep expertise in contract equipment, installation, and consulting, having contributed to landmark projects across the U.S., Brazil, Turkey, London, and Mexico. Recognized for his strategic vision and operational insight, Eric’s leadership reflects Davella’s mission to create innovative culinary spaces that blend creativity with performance.
MATT DALEY
Director of Design
matt@davellastudios.com
With 25 years of design experience, Matt Daley leads Davella’s design team, ensuring quality documentation, resource coordination, and on-time delivery. His portfolio spans celebrity chef restaurants, hotels, stadiums, universities, and corporate dining. Matt oversees design and technical execution across all project phases. He holds an A.A.S. in CAD/Design from Mesa State College, advanced CAD certification, and is highly proficient in Revit.
CHRIS COOPER
Senior Project Consultant + Business Development Manager
chris@davellastudios.com
With over 25 years in culinary and hospitality design, Chris Cooper brings deep operational insight to every project. From line cook to launching restaurants and collaborating with top chefs and hotels, his career reflects a hands-on, strategic approach. Chris blends foodservice design expertise with marketing, manufacturing, and product development experience. His solutions balance first cost, fit, and flow with long-term durability—delivering work that is both practical and visionary.
MARK ENGEL
Project Manager
mark@davellastudios.com
Mark Engel brings 20+ years of experience in web development, software design, and business consultancy to his role as Project Manager at Davella Studios. His entrepreneurial background and client-first mindset support clear communication and tailored solutions. With expertise in risk management, quality assurance, and planning, Mark blends strategic thinking with creative vision. He holds a BFA from Parsons, studied business at USC, speaks Portuguese, and is fluent in Agile and Waterfall.
SIMONE POLLARD
CAD | Revit Designer
simone@davellastudios.com
Simone Pollard joined Davella Studios in 2020, bringing interior design training and hands-on foodservice experience. Before consulting, she held roles from design intern to Construction and Design Manager for restaurant groups like The Melting Pot and Burger 21. Since 2017, she has produced documentation across all phases and helped establish Revit as Davella’s standard. Proficient in AutoCAD and Revit, Simone also leads project management, construction support, and design standards.
MAURICIO PORTO
Marketing Director
mauricio@davellastudios.com
Born in Brazil, Mauricio Porto brings a bold mix of art direction, marketing strategy, and creative vision to Davella Studios.With a degree in Social Communication/Advertising, he has led campaigns for major brands and worked across design, video editing, social media, and news production. Based in New York, Mauricio is also a figurative painter with exhibitions in the U.S., Europe, and Brazil. His contemporary Pop Art style reflects the creativity he brings to the Davella brand.
