How did you meet?
James Flick: We met back in the early 1990s when we both were working for Trisha Wilson. We knew of each other; however, the firm was large and our desks were on opposite sides of the office. As acting class clowns for each end of the office, Trisha thought it would be a great idea to have us host the annual Christmas party.
Matt Mars: Fresh off our successful gigs as MCs for the Christmas party, James and I got to be good friends and our families traveled together. While in South Africa on a game drive, we were all sitting watching wild animals come to a watering hole on the hood of our truck. We were drinking Scotch and at that moment decided it would be a good idea to kick off our own firm. Did I mention we were drinking Scotch? We both felt we could take our passion for design and architecture and combine it with our drive and thirst for travel. We clinked glasses and the idea for the firm was hatched.
Early memories of working together?
JF: Our first office was my dining room table. That lasted a week or so before my wife threw us out of the house.
MM: After getting evicted from our first office, we moved into our first tiny office in a building that was literally going to be torn down in six months. That gave us the space we needed to expand a bit and concentrate on project design. I did miss the snacks in James’ kitchen, though. Like most startups, we worked on design during the day and running the business at night.
A suite in the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center in Texas.
Big break?
JF: Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona and Windsor Court in New Orleans. Both clients took a chance on us.
What are each other’s strengths and weaknesses?
JF: We both love design and ensure we always foster a collaborative methodology in our office environment. While we both are involved in the design of projects, Matt is the social butterfly and enjoys the marketing aspect of the business. I deal more with firm operations with the exception of scheduling. If it was not for Matt keeping me on track, I would not even know what day it is.
The grand staircase in the Art Deco-inspired Admiral Hotel in Mobile, Alabama.
Tell us about your design process.
JF: In one word: collaborative. The entire project team works together to brainstorm charrettes.
MM: As a boutique-sized firm, we do not have a design department. Each member of the team provides design influence in their own way. Once we had sketches and designs spread out all over the studio for a project. The FedEx man asked what we were designing, and we explained. He suggested an idea after getting into the creative spirit with us and his contribution made it all the way through to the finished product. You never know where the next best idea will come from.
The lobby at the Hotel Ajax, a Luxury Collection Hotel, in Telluride, Colorado, shown in a rendering.
Project that showcases your firm?
JF: Can I be a proud parent and take them all?
MM: Enchantment Resort in Sedona is a true location-inspired destination resort. It required authentic research and personal experience to bring the design to life. The Campbell House Hotel in Lexington, Kentucky was an independent project that allowed us to show our creative ability with an owner that wanted to make a statement project. It was later flagged as one of the first Hilton Curio hotels and helped set the bar for that brand.
A rendering of the contemporary lobby in the Wyndham Portland Riverfront.
Project you are looking forward to?
JF: Hotel Ajax, a Luxury Collection Hotel we are doing in Telluride, Colorado. The property has only 50 rooms and is incredibly intimate with a lot of great details.
MM: The Autograph/AC dual-branded hotel in Austin has provided us an amazing creative opportunity in our backyard. So many influences of culture and music have produced some of our most dramatic work.
Biggest challenge of owning your firm?
JF: Where do I start? There is a big challenge
as a growing firm not to bite off more than you can chew.
MM: Keeping originality in the age of social media and Pinterest, and finding and mentoring young talent when the firm is busy.
A rendering of the lobby of the Moxy Chicago Downtown, set to open in 2018.
Biggest challenge about your partnership?
JF: We both travel so much, it is a treat to see each other in person. It usually happens in a city neither of us reside.
MM: Managing success. It is easy to get overloaded in the day-to-day challenges of running a business. Finding the time for collaboration and creativity becomes a premium. That’s how we grow and continue to make a name for ourselves.
