http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/ en akdavey@spdwest.com Copyright 2011 2011-12-08T00:25:07+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/qatar_olympic_academy_seminar/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/qatar_olympic_academy_seminar/#When:01:25:07Z Selbert Perkins Design Partner Clifford Selbert was recently invited to speak as part of the Qatar Olympic Committee's sports management seminar series in Doha, Qatar. SPD was honored to be part of a series that included leaders from the Qatar Olympic Committee, Dubai Sports Council, and Saudi Womens Basketball League. Selbert, an expert in branding large-scale sporting venues and events, presented SPD case studies including the USA World Cup, Tournament of Roses, and Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Newsletter Archives 2011-12-08T01:25:07+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/temple_city_-_updated_designs_to_transform_rosemead_boulevard_read_more_htt/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/temple_city_-_updated_designs_to_transform_rosemead_boulevard_read_more_htt/#When:00:13:00Z Brenda Gazzar, Staff Writer Updated designs to transform Rosemead Boulevard in the city from a regional highway into a pedestrian friendly corridor were unveiled at a community meeting earlier this month. The proposed designs by Gruen Associates for the nearly $17 million project incorporated input from a public meeting held in March. The project's improvements call for separated bike lanes on much of the 2-mile route, new sidewalks where none exist now, 550 new trees and space for Temple City-themed public art. "We're really looking at creating places, destinations," said Brian Haworth, assistant to the city manager. "It's creating destinations for biking, creating destinations to see public art ... creating gathering places." Many of the proposed design components will give the public a distinct impression that they are in Temple City, he said. About 60 percent of the 2-mile corridor will have 7-foot-wide protected bike lanes separated from vehicular traffic by a landscaped median, while the rest of the corridor will have regular striped bike lanes. Community members indicated they felt it would be safer and more cyclist-friendly to have these protected bike lanes on this major thoroughfare, said Kristi Twilley of Vanir Construction Management Inc., who is serving as the Rosemead Boulevard project manager. "Based on that feedback, we made a pretty significant design change," she said. Installing sidewalks and accessible ramps is the biggest practical and aesthetic change proposed by the project. Many places along the boulevard lack sidewalks and instead have a worn path through the grass or dirt. As a result, people with strollers or in wheelchairs have difficulty navigating and sometimes find themselves on the street to get around, Twilley said. "That's a very significant safety problem," she said. All the sidewalks would be compatible with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines and any cracked and broken sidewalks will also be repaired, she said. The proposed design also calls for up to eight Camelia-themed monuments - between 14 feet and 25 feet high - on the route that would light up at night and create identifying landmarks for the city. The monuments would be designed by Selbert Perkins, who also designed the LAX gateway monuments, and are estimated to cost between $55,000 and $90,000 each depending on height. At least 15 seating nodes - including benches, landscaping and wallseats - would be installed as well as up to 16 bus shelters, she said. The project would also create between 20 and 30 small spaces for public art. Two to three pieces of public art could be incorporated into the project's base design "so people can start to see the potential in the (city's public) art program," Twilley said. The city's public art advisory committee will soon solicit ideas on what kinds of public art the community would like to see along the corridor, Haworth said. The project is being funded by 14 different sources so far. Only about $386,000 of the estimated $16.75 million needed for the project would be city funds - and that amount was offered by Caltrans when it relinquished control of the highway to the city, she said. The updated designs are expected to be posted on the city's website by the end of the week. The public can provide input on these designs by emailing bhaworth@templecity.us brenda.gazzar@sgvn.com626-578-6300, ext. 4496 Read more: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_19140982#ixzz1bH1OVurj Read more: http://www.pasadenastarnews.com   In the Media 2011-10-20T00:13:00+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/monumental_achievements_selbert_and_perkins/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/monumental_achievements_selbert_and_perkins/#When:00:19:48Z Clifford Selbert and Robin Perkins, partners in Los Angeles-based Selbert Perkins Design Collaborative, have been named the 2011 SEGD Fellows, environmental graphic design's highest professional honor.Selbert and Perkins join the ranks of EGD laureates Massimo Vignelli, David Gibson, Deborah Sussman, and others recognized for promoting the highest standards in EGD and significantly contributing to the direction and growth of the field.Landscape architect/graphic designer Selbert and graphic designer/sculptor Perkins teamed up in the late 1980s. For 25 years, they have collaborated with a wide range of municipalities, public agencies, owners, developers, and architects to create landmark projects integrating art, communications, and environments.Selbert Perkins' legacy includes their bold use of scale and their philosophy that "every place has a story and every story has a place." They are best known for monumental projects such as the luminous gateways at Los Angeles International Airport, gigantic sculptural furniture at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, and iconic identity and wayfinding programs for clients such as the World of Coca Cola in Atlanta and East Fremont Street in Las Vegas."Original. Bold. Joyful. The depth and breadth of Selbert Perkins' work is remarkable," says Virginia Gehshan, FSEGD, principal of Cloud Gehshan Associates. "They have entertained us with cows in the air at Seven Hills Park and giant chairs at the Pacific Design Center. They produce both landmark projects and quiet gems. Their accomplishments have greatly stretched the field of environmental graphic design."Henry Beer, FSEGD, co‐founder of CommArts (now Stantec), says their work "exemplifies how EGD makes a significant, material different in the way places are both used and perceived by people."The pair was honored June 4 during the 2011 SEGD Conference+Expo+Awards in Montreal. The annual awards are an important part of SEGD's mission to promote best practices and ethical standards in environmental graphic design, says Sue Gould, president of Lebowitz|Gould|Design, and chair of the SEGD Board of Director's Excellence Awards committee. "It's vital that we recognize the individuals, companies, and organizations that—through their commitment to human-centered, effective design in the built environment—help define our field." Press Releases 2011-06-06T00:19:48+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/make_better_movie_theaters_like_these/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/make_better_movie_theaters_like_these/#When:23:05:00Z Catching the latest new release doesn't have to mean slumming it in run-down, overpriced cineplexes where your feet stick to the floor. Here are eight options that redefine the movie going experience. BY KAREN VALBY AMC MAINSTREET 6 CINEMA SUITES - Kansas City, MO A civilized haven for the 21+ crowd. Relax in reclining leather seats-equipped with subwoofers underneath so your chair vibrates along with the action on screen-and let your server bring you dinner from the full In-house menu.Sip wine, themed cocktails. or Kansas City's own Boulevard beer on tap. Nice Touch:Attendants bid you good evening with a warm towel and a Ghlrardelll chocolate mmt Every bathroom stall has Its own private sink. In the Media 2011-03-04T23:05:00+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/the_cosmopolitan_of_las_vegas_on_nightline/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/the_cosmopolitan_of_las_vegas_on_nightline/#When:00:13:41Z Back in December, The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas' newest mega-resort and casino, opened to much fanfare and hype. On New Year's Eve, the resort hosted one of the hottest parties in town. So what makes the resort so special? Is it the David Rockwell-designed lobby? The 2,995 guest rooms? The 13 restaurants, including hits such as Scarpetta, Blue Ribbon Sushi and Comme Ça? The amazing signage design? Or is it simply that it may just be the last of its kind in Vegas, a town that has struggled horribly during the downturn? Regardless of what makes it special, there is no doubt that The Cosmopolitan holds a special place in Las Vegas' future. "Nightline" caught up with the resort's CEO, John Unwin, and walked around the place, including the many shops and restaurants around the property. In the Media 2011-01-21T00:13:41+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/a_cosmopolitan_with_a_few_surprise_ingredients/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/a_cosmopolitan_with_a_few_surprise_ingredients/#When:00:08:35Z By Jay Jones, Special to the Los Angeles Times Reporting from Las Vegas If you take stock of the Vegas landscape, it's no wonder several Las Vegas clubs are hosting "good riddance to 2010" New Year's Eve parties. The construction cranes atop the flashy but bankrupt Fontainebleau resort, between the Sahara and the Riviera, haven't moved in months. Opposite the Riviera, plywood-covered fences try to hide the foundations for Echelon, a CityCenter wannabe whose owners have pulled the plug, at least temporarily. And at CityCenter, the multi-billion-dollar hotel/retail behemoth that debuted a year ago, the problem-plagued Harmon Hotel will not open this month as expected. Indeed, the owners have even discussed tearing it down. Read the full story... In the Media 2010-12-07T00:08:35+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/direct_approach/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/direct_approach/#When:23:58:04Z By Daniel Miller When the developers of a Middle Eastern island needed a system to direct residents and visitors, they turned to a Playa del Rey business specializing in art, communications and environmental design. The company, Selbert Perkins Design, is now in the process of naming streets and developing an address system for Saadiyat Island off Abu Dhabi in the Persian Gulf. It’s a job that points to the unique niche Selbert Perkins occupies: a firm with competencies stretching from logo and sign design to public art and street nomenclature. “It’s a fun part of our business to educate the world on how to find your way,” said co-founder Clifford Selbert, who co-owns the business with his wife, Robin Perkins. Closer to home, the firm has worked on iconic projects such as the mammoth CityCenter mixed-use development in Las Vegas, and a $70 million art and signage program at Los Angeles International Airport. Much of the company’s business centers on signage for buildings and “way-finding” – a term used to describe the various implements that help people get around public spaces. Sometimes that’s a simple as a sign with a directional arrow; in other cases it might entail a new address system. There are no more than 50 firms in the country similar to Selbert Perkins, according to those who know the industry. “(They) have a flair and a knack for understanding what their clients are trying to achieve and bring that into the design of projects,” said David Simon, managing director of Broadreach Capital Partners LLC, a Palo Alto-based real estate development firm that’s worked with Selbert Perkins on a handful of local projects. The company has expanded in the last decade, adding offices in Chicago; Honolulu; and Dubai, which has been a base for its burgeoning Middle Eastern business. However, the firm has downsized. After years of steady growth, six of the company’s 40 employees left last year – because of marriage and other examples of what the company calls “natural attrition” – and weren’t replaced. Selbert said the downsizing only made the company more efficient and was not related to a loss of business. Married partnership The company was founded in 1997, though Selbert and Perkins have been working together since 1988, when Perkins joined Selbert’s prior company, Boston’s Clifford Selbert Design. Both are natives of New York state and graduates of the Rhode Island School of Design. The couple, married in 2004, said their partnership is a close one. “The weird thing is if you ask Cliff a question in one room and ask me the question in another room, nine times out 10 we will give you the same answer,” Perkins said. The husband-and-wife team didn’t move to Los Angeles until 1999, but began working here in 1991, when radio station company KISS Radio hired the duo for a branding campaign. The billboard campaign, which featured people kissing, was deemed too risqué for KISS’ Boston station, but was used for L.A.’s KIIS-FM (102.7). That was the first of several jobs they had in Los Angeles, prompting them to shuttle back and forth between the coasts before buying a bungalow in the Pacific Palisades in 1996, just before Selbert Perkins was founded. Three years later, they made Los Angeles their permanent home, but retained a Boston office that still operates today. Selbert was intrigued by the creative climate here and things moved quickly. The firm developed a relationship with Los Angeles World Airports in the mid-1990s, when it designed logos for LAX. That business led to the firm’s most iconic project – the oversized glass columns that have dotted airport’s entrance since 2000. “It definitely added more visibility for us,” said Perkins of the $30 million project. “It really became a symbol and an icon.” The company completed a separate $40 million signage and way-finding project at the airport in 2004. Not all of the firm’s projects are that big, but even so some have been notable. Selbert Perkins’ work with Broadreach, for example, included building-top signage for tenant CNN at the real estate firm’s 6430 Sunset Blvd. building in Hollywood. The animated signs include the news channel’s logo with a white line flowing through the center of the network’s familiar lettering. The project cost CNN $250,000. Selbert Perkins’ fee structure varies from project to project. It may be based on a percentage of the entire cost of the project or a percentage of the fabrication cost. Fees range from less 1 percent to more than 2 percent, with the company charging as little as $5,000 to as much as $3 million per project. The company costs include in-house design while contractors are hired to fabricate the designs. Selbert declined to detail profits, though he said the firm is profitable. He said that the firm’s revenue has increased by 10 percent or more every year for the last five years. International designs The company was introduced to some of its international work by Venice architect Jon Jerde, whose Jerde Partnership design studio has offices in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Selbert said that his company has worked with Jerde on projects in Japan, China, Indonesia, Singapore and, in 2004, in Dubai. That led to jobs there and elsewhere in the Middle East. Selbert Perkins is currently working on Festival City, a large Dubai development for which the firm has developed branding, graphic standards and public art. “They seem to have plenty of money, frankly,” said Selbert of his Middle East clients. Another big area of growth is China. Selbert Perkins hopes to open a Shanghai office next year. Though there are few companies that occupy the same niche as Selbert Perkins, it does have local competitors, including Sussman/Prejza in Culver City and Hunt Design in Pasadena. “We compete with them all the time; they do a great job,” said Wayne Hunt, founding principal of his namesake firm. Hunt said his company does more “institutional work,” such as with the National Park Service. However, about 60 percent of Selbert Perkins’ business comes from the public sector. For example, in 2006 the firm was hired by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors to revive the Marina del Rey WaterBus, a boat taxi service. The firm’s work, which included a new logo and signage, was completed in June 2006. Ridership shot up by 80 percent that summer, said Debbie Talbot, marketing analyst for the county department. Before the redesign, focus groups indicated riders had trouble finding boarding locations. “I really attribute it to them. It was the design factor. Ridership had kept declining and declining,” Talbot said. “They really pulled the project out of the ashes for us.” In the Media 2010-06-07T23:58:04+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/crocker_museum_sign_installation/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/crocker_museum_sign_installation/#When:18:59:25Z Time lapse photography of the installation of the sign on the new building at the Crocker Art Museum on Thursday, Feb. 18 by sign installers Marc Busby and Tom May. The new building is scheduled to open October 10. Photography by Sue Morrow In the Media 2010-02-23T18:59:25+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/sign_builder_february_issue/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/sign_builder_february_issue/#When:00:40:30Z The CNN Tower in Los Angeles, California houses one of the largest news networks in the country, but its exterior didn’t always reflect this fact. When a new owner took over the building, it was decided that a major rebranding was necessary if CNN was to remain a tenant, and Selbert Perkins Design (SPD)(www. selbertperkins.com) was called in to spearhead the effort. “ We were really in charge of re-imaging the entire site, including the overall facades, the groundlevel, the pedestrian area, and the lobby, as well as the garage,” says Robin Perkins, partner and cofounder of Selbert Perkins Design. “They had a lot of VIP individuals coming in for interviews with Larry King and such so we really needed kind of a red carpet re-imaging.” SPD’s first ideas were a bit too oversized. “We really wanted it to be like a little mini Times Square,” says Perkins. “Our first thought was to cover the entire building façade in LEDs and create real, live animated images of whatever was being broadcast on CNN at the time. But that turned into, for obvious reasons, a smaller effort.” Download the complete article...   In the Media 2010-02-02T00:40:30+00:00 http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/selbert_perkins_design_directs_visitors_through_citycenter/ http://spdnew.selbertperkins.com/news/article/selbert_perkins_design_directs_visitors_through_citycenter/#When:21:51:52Z Today, CityCenter’s much anticipated ARIA Resort & Casino opens its doors. Over the next year, thousands of guests will navigate the 61-story, 4,004-room gaming resort which, as part of CityCenter, has been deemed “capital of the new world.” Selbert Perkins Design was brought on to ensure that visitors easily find their way around the new development. The award-winning design firm developed an extensive environmental graphics master plan to move crowds around the 16 restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, 150,000 square-foot casino, 300,000 square feet of meeting space, 80,000 square-foot spa, 215,000 square-foot pool deck, 10-story parking garage and the Viva ELVIS™ Cirque de Soleil Theatre. “Our vision for the signage and wayfinding program was to seamlessly integrate sign elements within the architectural spaces while providing clear and simple messages that would guide guests to all interior destinations,” said Robin Perkins, partner at Selbert Perkins Design. “The design of the sign program complements interior finishes and architecture while providing an enhanced brand experience.”Selbert Perkins Design strategically developed a signage and wayfinding plan to not only help visitors navigate the complex space, but to also enhance the brand image and experience. With six LEED Gold certifications, CityCenter is one of the largest sustainable communities in the world, showcasing the harmony between upscale hospitality and green design. Environmental graphics were designed to reflect CityCenter’s sophisticated brand identity, incorporating the architectural color palette while meeting the desire to utilize sustainable material and processes. In total, more than 7,000 signs were designed and installed – each utilizing aluminum, reclaimed wood and low voltage, LED illumination. The major restaurants, retail, showrooms, nightclubs, spa and conference center identity signs, as well as all interior podium wayfinding signs, were developed in collaboration with the twenty-nine venue operators and owners. About Selbert Perkins DesignCollaborating with clients across five continents, Selbert Perkins Design translates a place’s story, history and personality into a design experience that inspires. The award-winning firm brings together the expertise of more than 40 professionals across five offices to work on everything “from logos to landmarks” including: branded environments, public art & sculpture, signage & wayfinding, brand strategy & research, city/streetscapes, corporate branding, identity development, naming systems, print and interactive media. Selbert Perkins Design is best known for its unique expertise with large scale public art and branding environments. The firm’s project portfolio includes: Los Angeles International Airport Gateway (light columns), Union Station, Dallas Cowboys Stadium, Dubai Festival City and Downtown Disney. For more information, please visit www.selbertperkins.com. For more information on CityCenter Las Vegas, please visit www.citycenter.com. Media ContactEmily MurphyAllison & Partners310.496.4470emilym@allisonpr.com ### Press Releases 2010-01-06T21:51:52+00:00