It is crazy to think it’s been over a year since the pandemic began and almost a year since our office started working remote. So much has happened. It has been the longest year, but also feels like it has flown by. As we dive into this new year and look forward to getting back to normal thanks to the vaccine, we asked our team to take a look back. They shared what they discovered about themselves while working remote, what they cooked, and, most important, what they watched on TV while stuck indoors! We all learned so much about ourselves and spent quality time with our families and close friends (if in our quarantine bubble) — many of us really slowed down and spent our time very differently than in years past. We are very much looking forward to what 2021 brings and finally getting to enjoy dinner indoors at a restaurant — with our coworkers and clients. Hope to see you soon and give you a big hug rather than just a mental hug! Check out more of what our team said here.
Our team is the soul of Aria Group and key to our success and growth as a company. Martika is a great example of one of our team members that has grown within Aria through her great work ethic and dedication to her projects and clients. Martika began at Aria in 2013 as a design librarian, where she was able to become familiar with the products and reps we work with and get her feet wet on interior design projects. She was a natural fit at Aria and joined full time upon completing her interior design degree at Columbia College. Now, fast forward 7 years – Martika is an experienced designer and finding herself taking on a significant design role on many projects.
Martika can be counted on to volunteer for the office outside of her daily work. She works with our wellness committee and dominated the runway as the model for our entry to the IIDA Stitch Competition, where our team took home Best of Show honors in 2020. “We partnered with Mapei and Ceramic Technics,” Martika recalls by saying, “we were all so proud of our accomplishment and that’s why it stands out so much!”
But there is more to this Fierce competitor and dedicated team member. To learn more about Martika and her personal interests, read on below!
What is something you get overly competitive about? Everything. Just kidding, I am very competitive in my health and fitness goals. When I am not signed up for a race, I am often joining a fitness/wellness challenge organized by influencers that inspire me. I feel if you have a passion, surround yourself with likeminded people and follow likeminded content. It’s amazing how a little bit of shared passion fuels you further.
What was your first job? dELiA*s “fashion representative” – we had to answer the phone with a bubbly line “We’re having a great day at dELiA*s!” and offer up a compliment to everyone that walked through those doors. The walls were bursting of graphic tees and quirky patterns. I can safely say I worked there for the discount and can thank them for my bubbly demeanor.
What’s a secret talent that you have? During the holiday season and occasionally in the year, I sell beer bottle/can candles that I craft myself! The upcycled beer bottles are hand cut and sanded by me, tops of cans are opened by me as well. All candles are soy based with a cotton wick and scents are all essential oil based. I treat the candles like a choose your own adventure – pick your bottle/can & pick your scent. I’d say I am a beer connoisseur – one of my favorite podcasts is Good Beer Hunting. Every bottle & brewery has their own story – it makes me happy when I can share my passion with other people that appreciate it. I love beer so much – my husband and I got married at our first craft brew love – Revolution!
Do you have any pets? One dog – he’s a handful but we love him so much! His name is Ernie – Ernest or Ernnifer when he’s in trouble and Ern-bern when he’s a good boy. Ern is about to turn 6. He is a Staffordshire/Beagle/Pit-bull mix.
If you weren’t a designer, you would have been a? If I wasn’t a designer, I would like to picture myself as a successful entrepreneur! Maybe a mix of yoga instructor, craft brewer, local baker, and Etsy vibes? Oh! Maybe it’s a yoga studio connected to a bakery/brewery with my own little shop in front – One can only dream!
Who is your favorite artist? Kozmo – She’s Chicago’s Burger-Flower artist! You can spot her work throughout the city now, most commonly in Pilsen. Her work is so uplifting with her bright color selections and spunky content. What I love most about her is her toon inspiration! I love local artists and scoping out murals throughout the city!
What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Homemade ice cream is where it’s at! I love making the Cereal Milk ice cream recipe from the Momofuku Milk Bar book. I’ll often make it with cornflakes and occasionally with Lucky Charms. The Cheesecake ice cream is a dangerous one as well! Also, anything from Salt & Straw is amazing! Recently had their Thanksgiving Turkey flavor that was to drool for. Can you tell I love ice cream?!
Aria Group: Public Interest Design
A House in Austin – photos by Travis Vannoy
Aria Group couldn’t be more proud to highlight two socially responsible projects as we start out hopeful for the new year. These projects showcase Aria Group’s continued commitment to helping in our communities through providing thoughtful design solutions pro bono.
If 2020 taught us anything, it is that spending time with family is one of the most important parts of life. Aria Group was fortunate to work with the community organization, A House in Austin. A House in Austin’s mission is to nurture bonds for healthy families and bright futures. In hopes of integrating into the neighborhood’s fabric, the organization purchased a Victorian-era house in need of renovations in the Austin neighborhood on Chicago’s West Side. Aria Group assisted with bringing the house up to zoning, accessibility and rehabilitation codes appropriate for their programs. Creating a house into a place of business and gathering provided some challenges aesthetically as well. We worked to maintain the character of the house with every decision, but practical elements, especially for accessibility, needed to be implemented into the project. Along with Himelick Construction, Systems Design Group, Inc., CE Anderson and Associates and Robin Titus Designs, the team created an inviting and secure space for the families. Functional and inspiring design played a key role to help empower parents to shape their children’s futures.
Sarah’s Inn – photos by Orenthal Jeffries
Another lesson learned from 2020 is that every day is a gift and should not be taken for granted. We worked hand in hand to create a safe, private and comfortable design for the new headquarters for Sarah’s Inn. Sarah’s Inn’s mission is to provide comprehensive services for families affected by domestic violence – giving families the support they need to find safety, rebuild their lives, and heal. They were in need of expansion to furnish a secure location for education, counseling and group events. The team included Radix Construction Services, Systems Design Group, Inc., and TGRWA, LLC. All worked to redesign an old electrical union training facility into a warm and inviting space for Sarah’s Inn to continue their mission.
Aria Group was honored to be a part of these exciting socially responsible projects – working to better individuals, families and communities.
Recap: Top Posts 2020
As we look forward to a new year of posts, we thought we would revisit our greatest hits of 2020. As we checked our stats, we were not too surprised to find that our top five all have some relation to the story of 2020 – the pandemic. We sought to take a positive spin and push our creativity, while helping to find solutions to tough problems. We hope you find the same.
Masks On Doors Open – Our series on reopening restaurants safely.
Pandemic Design – We produced a series of case studies for a special Covid themed edition of NEWh Magazine investigating how we can practice safer design for projects at various scales.
Walter’s Favorites: Take-Out – Our principal, CFO, and resident foodie shared his favorite local spots to order-in.
Parklets + The Evolved Patio – Outdoor dining was a hot topic in 2020. This article explores options to expand and improve patio design.
Designer Tips: Home Work Stations – As most of us settled in for a year of remote work our designers share some tips to make your home work station a better place to be.
