Today we’d like to introduce you to Ferdinand Dimailig.
James Graczyk, Ferdinand and Daniel Kraiss met 20 years ago. At the time, all three were employed by a Chicago based international interior design firm with offices and projects spanning from Warsaw, Poland, to Los Angeles, California and every place in between. As a partner charged with opening a Denver office, Jim Graczyk spent two years managing projects in Denver, CO, and fell in love with the Rocky Mountains. When in the year 2000 the firm decided to consolidate its branches and bring him back to Chicago, Jim saw this as an opportunity to stay in Denver and act on his vision of creating his own company.
The new agile company, named BOX Studios would deliver every bit of the expertise and professionalism that bigger firms offered, while building strong relationships of trust and understanding with each client. Jim wanted BOX Studios to be a service-oriented interior design firm that provides innovative, intelligent workspace solutions of the highest quality and value to clients.
At the same time in Chicago, Ferdinand and Dan Kraiss were having similar thoughts. In 2001, they formed FUEL Design Collaborative.
Their successful practice developed a diverse portfolio of project types at first in a modest setting (Ferdinand’s basement) to its current location on the famed Michigan Avenue.
The three principals’ philosophy of collaboration and outward vision led to a business alliance, and in 2007, the synergy of design and business approaches created Box Studios Denver/Chicago. Working nationally and internationally, the practice has an increasing variety of commissions that deliver commercial office, hospitality, medical, retail and other interior projects and a number of out-of-ground structures.
Today, BOX Studios’ portfolio includes award-winning and critically acclaimed projects in Corporate, Base-Building, Renovation, Educational, Multi-Family Housing, Healthcare, Government, Mixed Use, Retail, Light Industrial and Hospitality.
Jim Graczyk, recently passed away last summer at the young age of 57. BOX Studios continues to move forward and flourish in his memory.
Has it been a smooth road?
Not a smooth road… Dealt with the up and downs of the economy, to the challenges of finding the next client/project, to managing the growth of the firm in two locations from 4 people to 30 employees and many other things during our +17 years of business.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
In the hands of an innovator, the most basic building block of design rises above its geometry, taking shape and making impact in the most unexpected ways. This is BOX Studios.
We are designers, architects, and planners working for clients who demand the smartest ideas within the most intelligent process through a tailored humanization environment. Open collaborative thinking is how we approach every project, every client and every problem in order to provide the most satisfying solution. We design memorable work that consistently delivers tailored, project-specific results. To define our practice, we searched to find what made the most successful and respected companies and design firms in the world great. We found that the word ‘collaboration’ reached across industries and cultures was one indispensable component of lasting success. To us, collaboration means a free exchange of ideas and constructive criticism; it means teamwork and camaraderie contributing to common goals and shared rewards.
Over the years, BOX has continued to evolve and explore our inspirations. The power of collective ambition and commitment to the art of design defines our purpose. Everywhere you look today – from buildings and landscapes, to commercial products and public services, to websites and printed products – design has taken on a new meaning. Design is not about decoration; it is a critical component of how we communicate, collaborate, work and play. Simply said, design enables something to work more beautifully. The values below are the foundation of why our practice exists.
As a result of our collective ambition, we discover new ways to incorporate design using progressive approaches. We transform spaces into dynamic and efficient environments. We deliver designs that encompass the latest technologies. We provide leadership and exceptional return on investment.
These passions and pursuit of perfection led us to distill our company philosophy simply as:
BOX Studios is an architecture and interior design firm dedicated to providing excellent customer service and designs tailored specifically to each of our clients’ unique visions and needs.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I believe Chicago is the modern birth place of Architecture as we know it. It is an amazing city to start an architecture and design practice! Abundant of opportunities in business with major international recognized companies/organizations. More recently quened the “Most Educated City in the US”, the “Silicon City” (as it relates to the growing tech community) and “2nd Most Bike Friendly City in America”. Chicago is a first-class city with amazing culture, food, museums, amenities, parks, sports and transportation.
Contact Info:
- Address: 200 S. Michigan Ave. Ste 800
- Website: www.bxstudios.com
- Phone: 312.943.9630
- Email: fdimailig@bxstudios.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bxstudios
- Other: www.behance.net/bxstudios
Image Credit:
JJ Jetel Photography
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