Occasionally here at Modus Studio, we have requests to create graphics and marketing materials for our clients. Many are new businesses creating their identity, some are rebranding an existing business or organization, but all of them desire to communicate a message to a specific audience. In order to do this, they’ve chosen Modus to combine design and technology to translate their ideas into reality.

While architecture alone can send a strong message about a company’s philosophy or customer experience, we believe it can be even more successful when walking hand-in-hand with other aspects of branding. Involving your architect in the design of your marketing package might seem a little odd, but think about it: We spend a great amount of time getting to know you and your values intimately so that we can better approach the architectural side of things. Why not keep that momentum rolling right into the entire identity of your business? Modus Studio has the resources to assist you in crafting this identity using a holistic design approach, treating every aspect of you and your company as an interconnected whole, making the total effect even more superior than the sum of its parts.

Take a look at some of the designs currently featured in our graphics gallery. In particular, check out the eco modern flats section. It includes key marketing items such as logos, pamphlets, business cards, stationary, booklets, and magazine advertisements all designed with a holistic approach to the branding of an impressive business model.

- Chris Lankford

If you think we talk about this project too much, you might want to stop reading now. The Green Forest Middle School is at it again, but this time it’s making an appearance in the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Young Architects Forum’s official publication, the YAF Connection. This issue of the Connection features projects from the AIA Gulf States Region, and tells their unique design stories through the architects' eyes. The middle school is featured on pages 44-47 (Volume 10, Issue 1) of the newsletter alongside some very impressive company. And while you’re drooling over these great designs, check out the rest of the newsletter. It’s a great resource for learning more about leadership, mentorship, and fellowship in the AIA YAF.

(courtesy, AIA)

For more images of the Green Forest Middle School, visit our GFMS gallery. Also check out our latest rural school district project, the Deer Multipurpose Facility, coming soon to Deer, Arkansas.

-Chris Lankford

via AETN

The documentary Clean Lines, Open Spaces: A View of Mid-Century Modern Architecture, produced by AETN's Mark Wilcken, explores the many examples of the mid-century style that can be found all around the state of Arkansas. One such example is the original design of the Glendale Apartments in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas. We recently redesigned these apartments to be the new ECO Modern Flats using many of the same principles of the mid-century modern style.

In this clip from AETN, you can see some before and after images, get a quick peak at the construction, and you will hear from developer Jeremy Hudson of MC3 Multifamily and architect Chris Baribeau of Modus Studio as they discuss the original structure and the design process behind ECO.

- Chris Lankford

The husband-and-wife team of Charles and Bernice Alexandra "Ray" Eames are probably most famous for their furniture designs that can be seen everywhere, from staged architectural interior photographs, down to almost every architect's living room, but furniture is not the limit to their design reach. Their influence can be seen in many areas including architecture, photography, graphics, film, and painting.

The documentary Eames: The Architect and The Painter explores their personal lives and their influence over American culture and design in detail. Film makers Jason Cohn & Bill Jersey have released this trailer while the film is currently making the indie festival tour. The film is narrated by actor James Franco. The full length feature will air on PBS's American Masters in December 2011.

- Chris Lankford

Last Friday night was the 2011 football homecoming for Green Forest Schools. I went back this year because we just finished their new athletic complex, and I was excited to see how the new stadium was being received. It was a great night for the school and the community. As I arrived, the smells of popcorn, nachos, and hot dogs led the crowd to the plaza and concession stand that is tucked underneath the grandstand. The band was playing and students were beaming with the excitement of Homecoming. Not only were they celebrating Homecoming and a new stadium, but they were also honoring a friend and hero, Staff Sargent Tommy Ratzlaff of the US NAVY SEALs, Team 6.

Tommy passed away on August 6th when his team's helicopter was shot down in Afghanistan. Tommy played on the Green Forest field like many others. His tenacity and drive on the field was an example by which to live. I had the pleasure of attending school with Tommy, and we shared many memories throughout high school, both on and off the field. Tommy’s influence was apparent through his selfless actions; the way in which he led his life, his family, his friendships. The lasting impact of his memory was most heavily felt at his funeral where there was an awesome showing of friends and loved ones.

So, I would like to thank you, Tommy, for the sacrifices you made in order that we may enjoy the freedoms for which you stood. I am able to live my dream because of the thousands like you. I am honored to have called you my friend. And so, in his spirit, Go Tigers!

- Josh Siebert

Each year, AIA Arkansas (American Institute of Architects) presents a distinguished award to one architect in the state who has been licensed for less than 10 years and has set examples with their contributions to the advancement of architectural design, design discourse, the AIA and its leadership, architectural education, nurturing and mentoring of next generation architects, and the betterment of the local community. This year our very own Chris Baribeau received the 2011 AIA Arkansas Emerging Professional Award.

On behalf of the entire Modus team, I would like to say congratulations to Chris on this immense achievement. We are all extremely proud to work with someone who desires to have such a positive effect on the built environment around us. I would also like to personally thank Chris for leading by example. His tireless efforts and commitment to the profession of architecture help us and the rest of the public to understand the ever-expanding role of the architect and the importance of good design in everyday life.

- Chris Lankford

Modus Studio is proud to announce (for those of you that have not already heard) that our Green Forest Middle School project recently won an AIA Arkansas Merit Award at this year's state convention. Honestly, it is a good feeling when the inaugural project (by that I mean the project that started this firm) earns peer recognition for our efforts. It invigorates us and sets our determination higher for each project we work on. As always, thank you to our clients and friends, members of the Green Forest Public School Board, and superintendent Jeff Williams for trusting us with your project(s). And thank you to our entire collaborative team that enables us to do what we love to do.

structural engineering: Tatum-Smith Engineers, Inc.

mep engineering: HP Engineering, Inc.

civil engineering: Community By Design

contractor: CDI Contractors

- Chris Baribeau

Eight hours a day. Nine months a year. Thirteen years of life.

That is how long, at minimum, the typical American human spends in a school building, public or otherwise. That is nearly 20,000 hours, in case you were wondering.

Clearly, that amount of time should not be spent in a prison-like building, particularly if the goal is to promote positive educational experiences. This seems so obvious, yet much of the built public school environment is decidedly benign, cellular, and gloomy. At the very least, our objective should be to create inspiring spaces for learning that are worthy investments for school districts. Far too often the status quo is out-dated and inflexible in terms of ever-changing technology. "Cookie cutter" site adapted buildings often repeat mistakes from previous design failures while overlooking specific site characteristics. Scary.

If you believe that you are a product of your environment, then believe that architecture, and subsequently architects, have a big hand in who you are. That is one hell of a responsibility in my opinion, and one not taken lightly at our studio.

Recently, modus studio’s first project, the Green Forest Middle School, won an AIA Arkansas Design Award. The Green Forest community has embraced the project and we feel we have done more than just provide concrete blocks to contain children and teachers. We have begun to establish a vision for the community. With the second campus project, the Green Forest Athletics Complex opening very soon, we feel that vision is taking shape.

We shamelessly promote thinking about education from the simple standpoint of providing good spaces and buildings in which to teach today’s youth. Daylight, energy efficiency, quality materials, technology, and healthy spaces are important parts of the equation...all part of our mode of design. In a time when public education is tenuous due to political shortfalls and funding conundrums, it just makes sense to think critically, design well, and build intelligently.

‘He who opens a school door, closes a prison.’ - Victor Hugo

Modus Studio turned 3 yesterday. Crazy.

Over the past few years (which have flown by), we have been very fortunate to make our way successfully, steadily growing, and even profiting during the tenuous economic times in which our firm was born. I don’t think I can confidently detail the steps taken, the crisis’ possibly averted, or provide a real formula for how we did it.  All we know to do is work hard...because quite simply, we won’t be outworked.  Our clients are our biggest supporters and fans and we hope to never have it any other way, because without them, we are just guys with ideas.  Architecture needs tangibility, it needs to exist, it needs to be making a difference in the daily interactions of people’s lives in a positive, practical way and we have been able to provide this...even in 3 short years.

We have recently expanded our studio (located on the 5th floor of the Ball Plaza building in downtown Fayetteville) effectively doubling the space.  Currently we are operating with 8 team members and tackling some very creative work.  For those of you who were accustomed to the cramped nature of our previous studio size, please stop by to enjoy some elbow room and space to breathe...we are revelling in it for the time being.

It really has felt like a blink of an eye since Josh, myself, and our plotter were back to back in my 9’x11’ home studio cranking on our inaugural project, the Green Forest Middle School. And now a full year has blown by since Jason joined us as a partner in Modus Studio and we are happy to say it is more useful to have him sitting over our shoulders than that plotter...

We might change the details of a few things that have happened over the past 3 years, but with positive and ambitious attitudes, we can comfortably confess we are pretty happy with where we are.   Our thanks goes out to the family, studio-mates, friends, and clients that allow us to do what we do best.

Check out the pics of the renovated studio, feel free to drop by, we’ll be here...probably very late.

Cheers!

Chris Baribeau