Robert Borders & Associates (RBA) is an architecture, planning and design firm specializing in sustainable design serving a variety of markets. CBJ interviewed RBA principals Shelly DiLauro and Loren Della Marna regarding the firm’s history, philosophy, and the uniquely collaborative experience of working with public sector clients
1. Tell us about your early career and what inspired you to work in the area of architecture, planning and design.
Della Marna: I developed an interest in architecture early in high school. My father took an evening drafting class at a local community college and I was able to see what he was doing. It looked interesting to me. My high school offered a similar course. I enjoyed it enough to complete the three classes that were offered. There was also a great deal of residential construction in our area and my friends and I spent many hours wandering around the construction sites. As I approached senior year, I was torn between pursuing baseball in college or a college education. I realized (with some parental assistance) that since architecture was such a rigorous curriculum, I probably could not do both. I attended two years of community college and worked for a Hungarian architect drafting house plans and working in construction. Later I joined a small restaurant design firm. I then transferred to architecture school at Cal Poly Pomona for a formal education. It was through this early exposure to architecture and construction that I was later able to become a licensed architect and general contractor.
DiLauro: As a kid growing up, I found myself looking through my mom’s magazines at the room pictures and always wanting to tag along when my parents looked at model homes. I always wanted to be involved with any redecorating that was done at home. At the time, I wasn’t really thinking about why this interested me; in fact I thought I wanted to be an accountant. It wasn’t until I was a senior in high school and sat through a presentation by The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in my Home Economics class that I realized I could actually get a degree in Interior Design. I filled out an interest card; they called me that summer and invited my parents and me to the campus for an interview and tour. I signed on the spot! I had to quickly cancel my enrollment at Long Beach State for accounting.
The area of design that I enjoy the most is space planning, the challenge of fitting all of your clients wishes and requirements into a specific area that is both functional and esthetically pleasing.
2. Tell us about the history of Robert Borders & Associates as well as the firm’s philosophy and approach to design.
DiLauro: Robert S. Borders, AIA founded the company in 1967 as an architecture firm after leaving the Rossmoor Corporation. He soon had a successful company providing architectural services to financial institutions, residential builders, recreational facilities and corporate offices. In the late 1970’s, several of his clients asked if he could also provide interior design on his projects. That opened the door for another market segment, tenant improvements. The 1980’s and 1990’s saw a large swing into the tenant improvement market with the construction of several high rise office buildings in Orange County by local developers. Robert Borders & Associates was awarded the role of building space planner, providing architectural and interior design services on over 2 million square feet of office space for various Landlords throughout Orange and LA counties. The tenant improvement work led the firm to one of its first projects for the public sector, City Hall West, a 10 story tenant improvement project for the City of Anaheim’s Public Utilities Department.
By this time, Robert Borders & Associates had grown to 24 people. There was a mix of architecture and interiors projects for public and private companies both big and small. The firm had also added to its portfolio religious, retail, industrial and library projects. Robert Borders passed away in 2005 and the firm’s succession led the staff into several record years. In 2006, the firm was awarded a major remodel for the City of Anaheim and in 2008 the complete overhaul of Ontario’s City Hall. Robert Borders & Associates is now lead by the next generation of principals, as a key member retired in December 2012. The firm’s main focus is on municipal and tenant improvement work with an interest in developing projects other than office space.
Robert Borders and Associates believe that design solutions should be specifically tailored to the individual project needs and to each client’s unique requirements. We focus on budgets and time schedules which is always an integral part of our service. A team approach is the best way to blend our talents and efforts to maximize productivity, communication and to successfully meet our client’s needs. This team is typically led by a principal of the firm. We believe these to be key elements to a successful project.
3. What are two unique competitive advantages that Robert Borders & Associates brings to the table?
Della Marna: We are a small firm with large firm experience. Most everyone here has been with the firm for several years. We can adjust to project conditions as needed but have the ability to provide a great service for a fair fee. We have in-house resources but also resources outside of the firm in order to provide the horsepower and expertise that our clients may need.
[Furthermore] we are client centered. This is not only evident in our design philosophy but also in the way that we approach our projects. Usually one or more principals are involved in the project and usually from start to finish. The client may interact with a principal, project manager or senior designer during the course of a project. Each are intimately involved during the different phases and therefore can respond to changes or other opportunities throughout the design and construction stages of a project.
DiLauro: Another advantage when working with our firm is the longevity of our staff, which clients can count on working with the same people throughout their projects and even on future projects.
4. Robert Borders & Associates frequently works with public entities. What is your favorite aspect of working with government clients? Is the process of working with governments and municipalities different than the way you approach projects for private sector clients?
DiLauro: I enjoy working with a variety people from departments of different expertise as part of the design team. Everyone has their own role and knowledge to contribute towards the final product. We have had the opportunity to work with the same individuals on several different projects within a City, and each time we know our role and have become a well-oiled machine. The private sector is usually a single project, working with an appointed individual or two, typically without much project experience and it is our job to gather and compile all necessary information. When your client is not familiar with the design and construction process, we need to step into the role of educator.
Della Marna: My favorite part of working with government entities is the collaboration. Usually there are groups of stakeholders that are involved in the decision-making process. Many times you have input from individuals and groups where the end product is a sum total that is greater than each for each of the parts- the final design being better suited to the end user.
Working with public entities is different form private sector work in that the public work tends to be run more efficiently. You might have a group of individuals whose backgrounds might include design or construction. They understand the process and in many cases, may have relevant input because of some previous experience or project. I think there is much more educating and hand holding in the private sector- not necessarily a bad thing; however, the approach is certainly different.
5. When you are not working, what is an activity or hobby that you enjoy?
Della Marna: For downtime, I ride my road bike and motorcycle for solitude. I also enjoy snowboarding and body boarding with my 11 year old daughter. I like reading a good book when I can. I also enjoy working with students as an educator- this provides me the opportunity to keep current with the younger generations and experience the latest technology in our field.
DiLauro: I enjoy a variety of things in my spare time. One of my favorite activities is photography, which sometimes is of my son playing ice hockey, my daughter dancing or of an interesting doorway, window, or barn on a family vacation in a faraway location. I am happiest when I can enjoy these things with my family.
