Here at MMA, Intelligent Design is key. All of our projects are designed with practicality and proper aesthetic design in mind to create attractive, convenient and memorable locations and sites that will bring in traffic and business.
ABOUT US
A Unique Approach. The Now
The retail development world is changing. Until a few years ago, development of retail power centers and malls were easy to design if anchor tenants sought expansion in specific locations and demographics supported it. Things are changing, and rapidly so. No longer can the popular brands easily forecast their futures as they once did. As a result, bricks and mortar retail performance and construction is slowing down and the centers are getting smaller. News article after article is forever changing the landscape we thought was indestructible. So many familiar retailers we frequented so often in our youth, no longer exists or are on the brink of bankruptcy. These retailers have no choice now to think beyond just survival. In prior years you could follow the innovation but today, you need to create it, and continue to drive it.
These days convenience is driving the success of retail centers, and technology is the catalyst. So, what is the root cause for such an impact on brick and mortar stores? Is retail, as we have known it for many years, really dying? The answer is YES, to the way shopping centers are currently being designed, and NO, retail is not dying, it is simply evolving! E-commerce is playing a much larger role in retail today. Simply put, E-commerce provides shoppers with convenience. So the question is, do people still want to shop? The answer is YES; people still love shopping! However, E-commerce brings convenience, and a challenge about how real estate developers and designers can compete with E-commerce emerges. It is a perplexing question with no simple answer. Yet MMA has some thoughts and experience to share about this.
The common development goal as it has always been, is to focus on increasing visitor foot traffic to retail centers. In the past, designers were mostly concerned with aesthetics and developing robust design themes for retail destinations. Often, these themes had no authentic connection to the local community within which a retail center was located. Today, successful retail center design requires an understanding of local community needs and expectations. Local jurisdictions and shoppers seek places beyond home and work with which they can identify and enjoy spending time. Millennials are so integrally connected via their smart phones. So in order to help ease their daily lives, the centers need to be prepared to assure that internet connectivity is available. More importantly, that the highest speeds are available.
Local and regional food, beverage and entertainment tenants have been successfully helping grow and maintain retail centers over the past few years. But this market condition may begin to slow, becoming over-saturated in many locations. Successful retail centers require more than food and beverage solutions to become desirable destinations. Retail centers need to become their own sustainable eco-systems. This is the type of place visitors can spend quality time with family and friends, between practical errands, shopping, dining while enjoying safe and lively entertaining venues. New retail places ought to include choices for families with and without children, active adults, and millennials as well. Centers that focus on attracting diverse age and demographic groups are often poised for successful business and visitor experiences.
Centers are becoming more diverse by offering tenants essential services such as healthcare, emergent care, child daycare, dog care, fitness, wellness, and the list goes on. Envision a center where you can conveniently gather your daily necessities without having to drive from one destination to another. Today, evolving retail centers are becoming the new community centers where the people’s daily needs are getting satisfied in one convenient, safe and well-designed location. Convenience and desire is a way to compete with E-Commerce.
The Future
As the real estate and design industry works to determine the future of retail centers, it is important to note, “for something better to evolve something worse has to die”. Designers frequently are working diligently to determine next steps or come up with the next big idea. MMA has always been forward thinking, continually investing in technology to help address the technological future of the design industry. Older methods of designing buildings and places have passed away just like traditional retail is no longer relevant. If an architectural firm has not evolved new skills to effectively communicate ideas consistently, then their design visions will never be truly valued or understood, no matter how good they are. With ongoing investment into a technology infrastructure, providing designers cutting edge creative tools to help better facilitate great ideas, MMA is better able to create Ideas that inspire people, groups and most importantly real estate and retailer decision makers. There are times a design firm may have one shot at communicating an idea and if the right tools are not used; the idea dies no matter how great it may have been! MMA handles every project using this methodology and approach to produce excellent results. In essence, “Creating Ideas that inspire people and communities. That’s what we do!”
MMA’s “Virtual Reality” can quickly integrate the “NOW” and the “FUTURE” and prompt individuals to ask questions they may have never asked or considered before. The future requires collaboration, now more than ever. Some design firms are still dependent on pencil and paper, coloring markers and pencils, 2D CAD, and some designers choose to work in a vacuum without the benefit of a collaborative team. As a design collaboration, MMA will continue to lead the future in designing shopping centers by helping make them unique and a sustainable eco system. The way people live, work, play, move, travel, and collaborate continues to change exponentially and MMA will continue to be on the forefront of that change, ever evolving and fully committed. MMA brings valuable and unparalleled skills to Real Estate Development and Retailer’s design teams. Ask around, and you will find that’s why we get chosen. As I often find myself saying to our team of designers, “Designing what architects want, is easy! Designing what the client needs, is the real challenge. The designers that can do that, are the designers that will be successful. They truly understand the importance of collaboration.”
SHOPPING CENTERS
INNOVATION IS KEY
Creating Lasting Impressions
A memorable experience is something that leaves an impression. Creating areas of recreation hand-in-hand with retail, provides customers with a great environment to return to for their shopping needs.
Love Where You Are
Emphasizing fun and relaxation nurtures a diverse and friendly environment, prompting customers to stay and have a good time.
SHOPPING CENTERS
SHOPPING CENTERS
Convenience in One Place
Customers enjoy it when they don’t have to travel far for the next task. MMA’s Shopping Center Designs eliminate the daunting task of an afternoon of chaotic errands by consolidating what you need into a single local area.
MIXED USE LIVE WORK PLAY
Constructing a relationship between People and Places
Places hold significant value in relationships and experiences. We will always remember the place where we shared a memorable experience. We design to encourage unique experiences.
Living Life
Whether creating a home or visiting from elsewhere, MMA ‘s Mixed-Use projects offer an array of options for residences, retail and user-experience.
MIXED USE
MIXED USE
Work, Live & Play
MMA understands that people desire convenience. Combining residential, retail and entertainment allows customers to have all the necessary amenities within walking distance.
People and Places
MMA’s designs incorporate unique settings for both the residents and the shoppers. Places hold significant value in relationships and experiences. .
Living Life
Whether creating a home or visiting from elsewhere, MMA ‘s Mixed-Use projects offer an array of options for residences, retail and user-experience.
MIXED USE
FOOD HALLS
LOCAL ARTISAN CUISINE
FOODHALLS
An Attractive Aesthetic
Immersing a customer in a memorable dining space is key. Atmosphere plays a large role in the dining experience. It is as important as the quality of the food on your plate and the contents of your glass.
Dining and Options
Customers enjoy common areas, places that present unique culinary choices. This is reflected in MMA’s Food Hall concepts
A Night Out
Hard working people need time to unwind. Our Food Hall designs provide a diverse space that families can enjoy
FOODHALLS
FOODHALLS
An Attractive Aesthetic
Immersing a customer in a memorable dining space is key. Atmosphere plays a large role in the dining experience. It is as important as the quality of the food on your plate and the contents of your glass.
CONTAINER PARKS
MODULAR POSSIBILITIES
CONTAINER PARKS
Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle
Creating spaces with an attractive look is important. But does it have to require expensive pad sites or traditional, from the ground-up, architectural design? MMA begs to differ.
Repurposing is Reinventing
Utilizing existing material is important to people today who are seeking to open new businesses. Providing a “green” and sustainable place for people to hangout and run errands will bring a new wave of eco-friendly tenants and shoppers to their location.
Multi-Purpose Environment
Many of these containers can be repurposed for various uses. MMA has created offices, retail, dining and recreation centers for use within these repurposed containers.
CONTAINER DESIGN
OUTDOOR SPACES
ACTIVATED GREEN SPACES
OUTDOOR SPACES
Incorporating Nature
As the seasons change, so should your outdoor space. MMA helps bring flexibility to outdoor spaces to best engage your customer, no matter the season, and keep them coming back.
A Lifestyle Choice
A home is a castle and should be treated as such. The surrounding areas play an integral part in the lifestyle of the people living in those areas.
Be New and Original
Housing, retail and recreational areas grow exponentially as people move to different places, contributing to a new cultural wave of life and the daily grind.
LIFESTYLE
INTERIORS INNOVATION IS KEY
Have a Seat
An aesthetically pleasing inside is just as important as the outside. Whether its a rainy day, or just the next bar or restaurant to check out, an accommodating interior ties together any project.
The Experience
Great experiences bring people together and great places host great experiences. A memorable interior is imperative to the influx of customer traffic, whether returning as a regular, or a first timer.
INTERIORS
INTERIORS
Stay a While
From growler stations, bakeries, cheesesteak havens and more, any interior option by MMA is geared to get you to stay.
RESTAURANTS
STYLE AND SOPHISTICATION
RESTAURANTS
The Dining Experience
Successful businesses and eateries all have their own individual aspects about what makes them special. What makes friends recommend a great eatery in town? A unique place that stands out among the rest.
Enjoying the Night Out
Lives get busy, and it is important to reconnect with friends and family. MMA’s project-base has this in mind, and makes sure its work provides a haven for reunion and a great night out with the people you love.
The Weekend or a Tuesday
Going out for a night on the town this Friday, a round at the driving range, or dinner/drinks at the local pub on a week night? Our projects make sure everything is in the same neighborhood.
RESTAURANTS
HOSPITALITY
Enjoy your Stay
Business travelers, vacationers, roadtrippers and tourists are always looking for a place to rest, a temporary home-away from home during their trip. MMA’s Hospitality Projects ensure that the place where visitors stay is conveniently located and surrounded by the necessary amenities.
Love Where You Stay
MMA’s contemporary designs are attractive and practical, creating a memorable experience and the superior accommodations that guests expect.
HOSPITALITY
EDUCATION
THE POWER OF INSPIRATION
Grassroots
Schools are an institution that prepares children and young adults for the big world they will be operating independently in. It is imperative that they are designed intelligently, practically and maintain all security codes and safety regulations to maintain a healthy positive environment.
The Next Generation
Keeping contemporary with technology is important for the progression of a student’s learning. A fast-paced, ever evolving world must offer quick learners with the most up-to-date learning facilities.
EDUCATION
HIGHER EDUCATION
THE POWER OF INSPIRATION
Leader in Technology
Through it’s focus on applied research and effective management of technology
STEVENS
MEDICAL
Cutting Edge Medical
The newest in medical architecture and design is provided by MMA. Practical, stylish designs that allow for hospital and medical center efficiency while providing a welcoming and clean environment for patients and doctors alike.
Front and Center
MMA’s Designs offer a lasting impression with the total care experience. Every detail in every space has the patient’s visit in mind.
MEDICAL
Looking to the Future Creating
Your site or company’s Branding and Marketing aspects are going to be how clients and customers identify your product. It is the public image and message that your company stands behind and influences future reputation and customer base.
Let us Market your Project
Lasting Impressions Through Design
In our modern world, most traffic is brought by web at the convenience of some one’s tablet or phone. Whether they need a place to stay, hangout, eat or drop off their dog, your branding message is what makes you stand out among the rest when customers are looking.
MMA’s professional Web Design and Marketing Team has a vast portfolio of full-scale architectural sites, marketed through web, print and social mediums. We offer full marketing, imaging and web design services
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
We create sketches of your project which give form to the qualities and functions described and respond to the unique features of your site.
INTERIOR DESIGN
We shape the experience of interior space, through the manipulation of spatial volume as well as surface treatment for the betterment of human functionality.
MASTER PLANNING
High-quality designs that create a strong identity and enhance the long-term value of a new development project are both key to the success of any master planning assignment.
PROJECT ENTITLEMENT
Applicable zoning regulations, municipal codes, General Plan, and neighborhood council requirements – resulting in project approval from a Planning Commission or City Council.
DOCUMENTATION
We prepare dimensioned architectural drawings and detailed specifications for construction which describe the materials, sizes, and relationships of built components.
CONSTRUCTION ADMIN
During construction, we serve as your advocate to interpret the construction drawings, answer questions and work out details as necessary.
RENDERING
Bring your project to life at any stage of development with the creation of diagramatic, romantic or photorealistic renderings
ANIMATION
Working closely with our clients we shape the way a project is presented and showcased using the latest technology available.
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of social, economic, and ecological sustainability.
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Websites that adapt to each unique visitor. We work to ensure your website is effective and easy to use on any device.
VIRTUAL REALITY
A new offering from Studio B. You can now experience a 360 view of your project renderings on a dedicated webpage.
MARKETING
Get your message heard with our marketing services. Email marketing, Search Engine Optimization & social media marketing.
GET IN TOUCH
MMA CONTACTS, LOCATIONS & LICENSURE MAP
GABRIEL J. MASSA, AIA
Principal Owner
gmassa@mma-architects.com
Office: 732.898.7850 | Cell: 732.310.5630
HEADQUARTERS
3297 Route 66
Neptune, New Jersey, 07753
info@mma-architects.com
Main: 732.918.2300
We’re licensed in all Lower 48 States, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, and the Province of Ontario, Canada.
