What's New
Interform Turns 30
We just celebrated our 30th anniversary. To mark this event, the Bishop Ranch newsletter,
b2b, highlighted our founder, Rich Watts. These are some of the highlights of the
article.
When asked about his formula for success, Watts responded, “consistently
providing an extraordinary level of customer service.” What is Rich most proud of?
“SURVIVAL! Few businesses that are small company startups last for 30 years. I feel
very fortunate and grateful to both our clients and staff!
‘Business owners learn
very quickly that business is fragile. Never has this been more evident than in
the current economy. You can’t ever get comfortable. We have a business plan, and
we check it every week to make sure that we’re on track,” said Watts.
When Rich
Watts launched Interform, he had a significant amount of industry experience, which
meant that he brought a customer base to his new company; however, as every startup
owner knows, seven-day weeks and long hours are an inevitable component of success.
“Timing played a key role for us as well; we were able to benefit from the rapidly
developing tech industry.”
When asked about predictions for the future, Watts’s
response was that “things will move faster, the places and ways people work will
be even more mobile, and office space will be virtual. On the other hand, the pendulum
may swing back so that we’re able to take advantage of technological enhancements
and work smarter, allowing us more quality time to do the things we love.”
And what
does Watts love to do? “I like to read about the current political climate, which
makes me a politics junkie in an election year. I’m a sports fan, love to play golf
and look forward to a couple weeks/year in Maui.”
Interform in the Community
Through the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), Interform teamed with
other design, architecture and construction firms last year to complete the pro
bono renovation of San Francisco’s St. Vincent de Paul Multi-Service Center South
Homeless Shelter. Nearly 100% of the labor, services and goods were donated, including
artwork, carpeting and furniture. The renovations have been so successful that visiting
dignitaries from other countries often tour the shelter, and it has become a benchmark
for all of the city’s shelters.
Open 24/7, the Center provides support services
such as segregated sleeping areas for men and women, hot meals, showers, counseling,
and access to city resources to an estimated 400 people every day.
An important
design goal was making this facility feel warm and hospitable to both the people
who work there and those who use its services. Work and traffic flow processes were
streamlined with the help of modular furniture. For a more relaxed feel, the design
team installed donated café tables and movable chairs in the dining room; and local
artist, Jeri Brittell, painted a custom mural on the walls. New lighting and a color
palette in warm tones makes the shelter feel bright and welcoming.
A big part of
the Interform contribution was pulling up the worn, torn flooring and replacing
it with green materials. Painting and artwork donated by Cisco. In the men’s area,
freshly painted walls feature inspirational words such as “esteem”, “dignity”, and
“compassion” in different colors and fonts to enliven the space. The Center is now
a place where people can feel safe and welcome.
This project couldn’t have been
accomplished without the generosity of many people. Everyone who gave of his/her
time and materials has helped make a big difference in the lives of those who are
struggling. We are very proud to have been able to contribute to the success of
the Center.
Interform Included in SF Book of Lists as Designers and Furniture Suppliers
Interform has been listed in two categories in the prestigious San Francisco Business
Times’ Book of Lists.
The company ranked 21st for Interior Design, one of only four
East Bay companies named to the list. The firm also ranked 15th for Office Furniture
Suppliers, the fourth largest in the East Bay. Of its competitors, Interform is
the only firm to be listed in both categories.
In addition to these rankings, Interior
Design Magazine’s July 2011 edition ranked Interform 186 out of the top 200 national
design firms.
According to Executive Vice President Alex Gilmete, “What sets Interform
apart is our ability to provide a full range of services under one roof. We are
architects, interior designers, indoor environment specialists and workplace optimization
experts who work together to create spaces that meet aesthetic needs, budgets and
timelines.”
Other Recent News
Interform is featured in the latest edition of officeinsight which is one of the
premier commercial interior newsletters in the county. Officeinsight provides a
vehicle for those who design and furnish commercial interiors to communicate trends and successes.
They recently met with two of Interform’ s leaders, Alex Gilmete and Linda Newton,
to discuss their business, philosophy and what they offer to clients.
Read the officeinsight article
Alex Gilmete, Interform’ s Executive Vice President, was recently featured in an
executive profile in the Bishop Ranch newsletter. Bishop Ranch is one of the Bay
Area’s premier business parks and is located in San Ramon. This award-winning campus
is home to 550 of the world's leading companies, innovative startups, and medical
and dental practitioners.
Read the Bishop Ranch Newsletter article