SR/A Interior Design: Celebrating 15 Years

5

1

YEARS 2003 2018

SR/A: The Beginning 2003 - 2007

Led by current president and CEO, Sabine Roy, SR/A began as a passion and concept in New York City before coming to fruition in Washington, DC in 2003.

Sabine and her husband, SR/A Principal Sean Saidi, met while both working in New York City. When the building industry experienced difficult times in the late 1990s, the couple decided to relocate to the Washington, DC region. Sean was already working on several projects for the federal government and the area felt like a good region to start anew to the ambitious couple. Coming from a hospitality background, Sabine knew she wanted her firm to give commercial and hospitality projects a personalized, residential feel while also utilizing Sean’s architectural expertise. Sabine Roy & Associates officially launched in spring 2003. The firm’s initial focus on hospitality, residential, and office spaces became the perfect blend for the then burgeoning multifamily sector in the DC region.

Until 2008, the firm shared offices with KCCT Architects – who in many ways helped propel SR/A forward in the early years. Perhaps most significantly by introducing Sean and Sabine to their first employee. Lyle Ganz was in school and working for KCCT when Sean and Sabine needed an extra hand with their first project, The Paramount, a condominium of 140 units in Reston, Virginia. Lyle was lent to SR/A by KCCT to assist on the project.

The trio worked so well together that Lyle was soon offered a full-time position.

Subsequent projects including The WestLee in Falls Church, Va., The Monarch in

Alexandria, Va. and City Center in Washington, DC soon followed.

The trio attributed much of their early success to their commitment to putting client relationships first. By cultivating the idea that everyone involved in a project was building something together, rather than working individually, SR/A stood apart from competitors. In the rapidly growing multi-family market, the firm developed a niche reputation for projects that radiated character. SR/A strived to take a “human approach” to each project, keeping

“I never thought this would last 15 years, let alone a few. I just liked doing it.” - Sabine Roy the end user in mind and always considering the project in real life and not just on paper. This philosophy resulted in many returning clients in the early years and helped Sabine and Sean establish SR/A within the DC-area building industry.

Sabine Roy is a native of France, and studied design at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Sabine has over 35 years experience in all aspects of the design industry. Her artistic roots are evident in each of SR/A’s projects.

Sean Saidi has over 40 years experience in all aspects of architecture, design, planning, building renovation and construction administration. His work in the United States is complemented with international experience that includes projects in Europe and the Middle East.

SR/A: The Past 2008 - 2012

The growing firm moved to an office on Ward Court in DC’s West End neighborhood in 2008. At this point there were four employees and SR/A had established itself as a integral player in the multi-family sector. As SR/A grew, the company became known for its dedication and devotion to its clients along with the quality of the work being provided. SR/A acquired the reputation for being the best kept design secret in West End, DC. Though SR/A prides itself on being a womanowned business in a primarily male-dominated industry, that has never been the driving force behind the company. Instead the strength

“Each member of our team brings something different and unique to the company. We prefer to stay small and cultivate a strong, intimate office family” - Sean Saidi of SR/A comes from the balance between a strong architectural focus and a commitment to providing boutique design tailored to each specific project.

FURNISHING PLAN - AMENITY A

In 2012, Jessica Watts joined SR/A as a Staff Designer. Her background in high-end residential design and desire to apply that knowledge to the hospitality market perfectly aligned with SR/A’s design approach and she quickly became an integral part of the team. Due to Jessica’s influence, art became an increasingly important

UNIT A07 1 BR+1BA 708SF

part of each SR/A project and the firm began offering their now much in-demand 19 R art curation services.

24 R

“My favorite stage of a project is when it all installs. Watching it all come together, seeing the work everyone did to bring it to life and then stepping back to be proud of the work we’ve completed” - Jessica Watts 2012 was one of the busiest years for the company in terms of project volume with 10 different projects in the works. That same year, Foundry Lofts was installed - one of the inaugural projects UNIT A12ain the newly 1 BR+1BA +DEN 802SF revitalized Riverfront neighborhood in Southeast Washington, DC. The SR/A team succeeded during this busy time by relying on the closeknit relationship between staff and their drive to create consistently high-quality design.

Jessica Watts brings to the team extensive experience in trend-setting, high-end residential design. Originally from Tennessee, Jessica graduated from University of Tennessee at Chattangooga. She has been in the DMV area since 2007. Jessica holds her NCIDQ certification and is licensed in the District of Columbia.

SR/A: The Present 2013 - 2018

Sabine had long desired to have a retail gallery as part of the firm. She and Sean had a similar set-up in New York, and she was always on the look-out for an appropriate space that could house the growing design firm and allow space for a retail gallery. In 2012, SR/A was working on the Solaire Wheaton project with Washington Property Company, who mentioned having just such a space available in downtown Bethesda.

After extensive renovations, SR/A moved into the new location on Wisconsin Avenue in 2013. Shortly after SR/A La Collection was born – a retail gallery housing antiques, art and one-of-kind furniture and accessories. The gallery allowed SR/A to house the personalized boutique art and furnishings that the firm was known for incorporating into their design projects. This artistic space provided the dual opportunity of being a professional environment for the firm’s offices – built specifically for inspiration and the creative process - while also being a unique gallery experience where both the public and firm’s clients could experience captivating collections.

FURNISHING PLAN - AMENITY

At the time of the move to Bethesda, SR/A had eight employees. SR/A La Collection officially opened in December 2013 on a “by appointment only” basis but soon changed to retail schedule. As the gallery was getting off Lyle Ganz2014 attended the ground, also University of Maryland College Park for architectural history as well as University of Maryland University College for business administration and management. Lyle prides himself on providing a high level of attention to detail with the goal of minimizing conflicts between disciplines on each project. He is originally from Wisconsin.

24 R

changed to a retail schedule. As the gallery was getting off the ground, 2013 and 2014 also saw one of the firm’s busiest time periods yet with seven project installs - 360 H in Washington, DC, The Alric in Alexandria, Va., Fenwick in Silver Spring, Md., Gateway in Baltimore, Md., Solaire Wheaton and The George in Wheaton, Md. and The Oronoco in Alexandria, Va. During this time, SR/A also reaffirmed it’s commitment to community involvement UNIT A12a by participating in several charity events. Now an annual1event, SR/A held it’s first BR+1BA +DEN 802SF City Dogs Rescue. dog adoption event at SR/A La Collection in the fall of 2016 with The team also participated in IIDA’s Cosmo Couture in 2016 and the Humane Rescue Alliance’s Designs for Felines in 2017.

Starting in 2017, Lyle and Jessica transitioned into Associate roles at the firm, preparing the foundation for the next generation of leadership at SR/A. With the multi-family environment in the DC region evolving, SR/A began taking on more renovation projects to adjust to the needs of the changing market including Lakeside Apartments, a Bozzuto property, in Centreville, Va. and Residences at Rio, a Bernstein property, in Gaithersburg, Md. 2017 also saw SR/A named a Top ID Firm in the Washington, DC area by NEWH - The Hospitality Industry Network.

SR/A: The Future Throughout SR/A’s 15 years in business, the company has maintained it’s close-knit, intimate culture believing those heart-felt connections manifest in each and every project design. As the next generation of SR/A leaders bring forward new energy and ideas to the table, the firm is taking steps towards a bright future.

By the end of 2018, SR/A La Collection will house all original, local art, in addition to it’s signature one-of-kind antiques, furniture and accessories. By developing these strong relationships with local artists, SR/A is shaping itself into the community source for striking, original art for both the general public and the design community.

On the firm side, though well-known in the multi-family sector, in the coming years SR/A aims to apply their signature blend of personalized, boutique design and high-level of architectural commitment to other building segments such as senior living, student housing and office amenities to name a few. Wherever future paths lead for SR/A, the team remains committed to those values originally set at the company’s founding in 2003 - providing the highest level of client support while delivering quality, personalized designs above and beyond the current trends.

VERSATILE, THOUG

We design experienc

“We’re continuing to diversify. It’s the idea that we excel at creating spaces that integrate seemlessly into people’s lives. We want to be known as a valuable asset for all building segments- not just one.” - Lyle Ganz

GHTFUL, ORIGINAL.

ces, not only spaces.

...here’s to the next 15 years!