PERSPECTIVES

In the competitive landscape of the hospitality industry, a well-crafted business plan can be the difference between success and stagnation. While architects are traditionally associated with designing physical spaces, they’re most effective when their role extends beyond aesthetics. Engaging an architect or interior designer early in your business planning process can yield a number of strategic advantages that transcend mere floor plans.

Originally published on High-Profile Monthly.

Brand Identity and Feasibility Studies

Architects possess a unique skill set that blends creative vision with practicality. When embarking on a new hospitality venture, they can contribute significantly to the development of your brand identity. By understanding your business goals, target market, and desired guest experience, architects can help cultivate your concept through spatial storytelling and thematic design elements. Whether it’s a boutique hotel, restaurant, or spa, they can infuse your space with unique characteristics that resonate with your target audience.

In addition, architects can conduct feasibility studies that assess the viability of your business plan – whether a new build or a renovation – from a design and construction standpoint. They can identify potential challenges early on, such as zoning regulations, building codes, and environmental considerations. This proactive approach mitigates risks and allows for adjustments to be made in the planning stages, saving time and money down the line.

Spatial Planning and Operational Efficiency

Efficient space utilization is crucial in the hospitality industry, where every square foot impacts revenue generation and guest experience. Architects are trained to optimize spatial layouts, ensuring that your space not only looks impressive but also operates seamlessly. From kitchen workflows to guest flow patterns, it’s vital to consider spatial planning to enhance operational efficiency and staff productivity.

Boston-based firm continues its growth momentum by expanding its offerings at the intersection of workplace and hospitality

BOSTON, June 5, 2024 – RODE Architects, a Boston-based collaborative design and architecture firm, has announced the acquisition of McMahon Architects, a full-service firm specializing in workplace interiors, hospitality, restaurant, residential and environmental design. The acquisition, which reflects RODE’s continued growth and momentum following its expansion in 2023, enables the firm to strengthen its capabilities in several key sectors and expand its offerings for clients reimagining the workplace in a post-pandemic landscape.

“We have long maintained an entrepreneurial spirit, and as business owners, we seek out opportunities to strengthen our team and expand our reach,” said Eric Robinson, principal and co-founder of RODE. “The strategic acquisition of McMahon Architects and its expertise is a milestone moment in our history and enables us to shape the future of workplace and hospitality design while serving our clients more comprehensively.”

Hospitality is embedded into RODE’s vision for the future of the workplace. RODE’s concept-driven design process has led to inspired workplace spaces, including Harvard Art Museums, Appalachian Mountain Club, and Freight Farms. The firm sees an opportunity to reinvent the modern workplace to suit a post-pandemic office culture and create amenity spaces for people to thrive in all aspects of their lives in corporate spaces and on college campuses.

The acquisition combines the experience and expertise of two of Boston’s respected architectural firms with a commitment to client service, collaboration, and design excellence. RODE sees workplace, hospitality and retail as growth opportunities and strengths of McMahon Architects, whose workplace design clients include Wayfair, Spectra Medical and Audax Private Equity. As part of the acquisition, McMahon Architects President David McMahon will join RODE for a transitional period to help merge capabilities.

“The alignment with RODE from a sector and design standpoint makes this the right choice,” said McMahon. “Their excellent reputation in the market gives me the full confidence that my clients will receive the same caliber of service and design excellence they have come to expect. I look forward to aiding the transition and collaborating with the RODE team over the coming months.”

“David McMahon’s 28-year legacy of delivering great design and client service will carry on through this process,” said Kevin Deabler, principal and co-founder of RODE. “We’re thrilled to bring on David’s enthusiasm and commitment to design. He and his team are great collaborators who will add more energy and knowledge for placemaking at RODE.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Lowe, Elevate Communications, blowe@elevatecom.com

About RODE Architects

RODE is a Boston-based team of architects, designers, and urban planners who know that great design has the power to transform our environment. We have cultivated a network of driven people – employees, clients, builders, community members – who share this mission, and know that working collaboratively is the best way to achieve our goals. The breadth and depth of our collective capabilities enable us to apply our practice across an array of project types that includes mixed-use, hospitality, multi-family, commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings. Clients select RODE to drive the design process and ensure their vision is realized. For more information and to be inspired visit www.rodearchitects.com.

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Earlier in the spring, we hosted around a dozen YMCA Greater Boston Young Achievers in the Real Estate Cluster. The program’s goal is to “help young people discover and pursue higher education and career goals needed to succeed and be community role models.” Some of the RODE staff gave the students an overview of the work that RODE does, then our firm Principals took them on a tour of our office before digging in to the day's project.

We created an activity to engage the students in the work that we do everyday – imagining the potential and possibilities for a parcel of land. We gave the participants a laser cut site model and provided them with 3D printed massing blocks and prompted them to create a development that they thought would be appropriate for the site and location near the YMCA Dorchester building.  

This past weekend, we were honored to be awarded the YMCA's Community Partner Award for our work with the Young Achievers.

We’re looking forward to working with the wonderful YMCA staff again and hosting more YMCA cohorts in the future! For more information about the program, including how you can participate, visit: https://ymcaboston.org/youth-and-family/teen-programs/y-achievers/.

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New Food Hall Experience Opening Fall 2024

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS (May 2024) – Opening in fall 2024, CanalSide Food + Drink at CambridgeSide, will be an energetic new food hall experience featuring spectacular waterfront views, a collection of exciting eateries, and a centrally located bar serving craft cocktails, beer and wine. Featuring fourteen restaurants, from local favorites to new concepts, CanalSide is part of a transformed CambridgeSide offering a whole new shopping and dining experience to visitors.

Situated in the hub of the vibrant CanalSide, C-Side Bar presents a carefully curated selection of craft cocktails, beer, and wine available to pair with CanalSide’s exciting new eatery options. The energizing new venture is spearheaded by a new hospitality group, founded by Boston beverage veterans Ran Duan (of Baldwin Bar & Blossom Bar) and partner Jon Rosse (of Birds of Paradise), alongside Master Sommelier Brahm Callahan (of Grill 23 & Bar).

“We are pleased to bring C-Side Bar to CanalSide Food + Drink. Our vision is for C-Side to be the heart of the food hall, a welcoming gathering spot and a vibrant new addition to Cambridge’s thriving bar scene. C-Side Bar will offer an exciting beverage menu in a dynamic venue,” says Master Sommelier Brahm Callahan.

Providing a flavorful, culinary adventure, CanalSide eateries will include anoush’ella, Caffé Nero, Chilacates, DalMoros Fresh Pasta to Go, Fresh, InChu, Lala's Neapolitan-ish Pizza, Nu Burger, Sapporo Ramen, and Teazzi Tea Shop, with additional announcements coming soon. CanalSide will be serving up delicious cuisines from traditional favorites to trendy new dishes:

• anoush’ella offers bold Eastern Mediterranean street food made with the freshest and finest ingredients guaranteeing an authentic experience.  
• Caffé Nero, founded in Europe in 1997, is a family run coffee house and café presenting award winning Italian blends and specialty coffees. In addition to delicious hot & iced coffees, teas, and artisan frappes, the café will feature freshly baked, European-style pastries, desserts, deli sandwiches and other locally sourced menu items.
• Chilacates focuses on the taste sensations of every meal, providing the most authentic Mexican street food experience with the freshest local and natural ingredients.
• DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go is the first fast-casual, fresh pasta concept in the world. All pasta is made fresh daily and is paired with traditional Italian homemade sauces in convenient to-go style packaging from the recipes of its creator, 7th generation Venetian, Gabriele Dal Moro.
• Fresh is a deli serving sandwiches, salads, breakfast, açaí bowls and more.
• InChu is an Asian fusion eatery that melds the vibrant flavors of Asia into amazing bowls.  
• Lala’s Neapolitan-ish Pizza showcases a new take on the traditional Italian favorite with naturally leavened pizza featuring New England's finest produce, cheeses, and flour.
• Nu Burger offers a detectable selection of burgers and juicy fried chicken complemented by irresistible sides.  
• Sapporo Ramen is a Japanese noodle house serving authentic ramen, rice dishes and sushi since 1990.
• Teazzi Tea Shop is a bubble tea purveyor with an extensive selection of seasonal and traditional signature hot and cold tea, milk tea, tea latte, smoothies and more.

“This fall will be an exciting time as CanalSide, a new food hall experience visitors are sure to love, will open as part of CambridgeSide’s redevelopment. CanalSide will offer delicious local food options and refreshing drinks in a beautiful new space offering indoor and outdoor seating areas at our waterfront location. We look forward to announcing additional dining and retail destinations in the coming months,” says Melissa LaVita, Regional Marketing Director for CambridgeSide.

CanalSide was designed by RODE, with construction by Whiting Turner and leasing by New England Development and District Real Estate Advisors. "We teamed with our partners at CambridgeSide to design a distinctive dining environment that builds upon the local natural landscape, reflecting the greenery of Canal Park and the waterfront," says Ruthie Kuhlman, Senior Associate at RODE. "With a warm, contemporary design, the many eateries are arranged as a local market with a feature bar as focal point, and the design allows each brand’s unique character to enhance the richness of the experience. A variety of modern furniture options create distinct seating areas that extend outdoors, connecting to the beauty of Canal Park and the Charles River."

CambridgeSide

The reimagined CambridgeSide is a place to shop, dine, work, indulge and relax in Cambridge, MA, just steps from downtown Boston. CambridgeSide features one great waterfront location with shops, restaurants and planned future office, lab, residential and additional retail, restaurants, and green spaces. CambridgeSide features Apple, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, T.J.Maxx, The Cheesecake Factory, and more. CanalSide, a new food hall experience, will open in fall 2024. CambridgeSide is located near top tourism attractions including the Museum of Science and Charles Riverboat. CambridgeSide is handicapped and MBTA accessible (Green Line T to Lechmere Station or Red Line T to Kendall Square to the free CambridgeSide Shuttle Bus), and offers attached, covered parking. For directions and information, call 617-621-8666 or visit CambridgeSide.com. CambridgeSide is a New England Development shopping destination.

By Madeline Nieter

I was given the opportunity to spend two rewarding days with interior designer Molly Randell at RODE Architects as part of my school’s “Career Exploration Program” (CEP). When I initially thought about places where I might want to job shadow, my mind was completely blank. After asking around, however, I realized that I had a fantastic connection to an artistic, design-based firm. This connection to RODE empowered me to gain considerable insight into what this profession is all about. I had no idea what to expect on my first day since I had never before completed a job shadow and/or been specifically interested in architecture or interior design. After this incredible experience, I can confidently say that is not the case anymore.

My first day started with a client meeting, which was followed by a tour of the stylistic office and a rundown of general information about the interiors department. I was also introduced to an engaging design project that I worked on over the course of my two-day stay. After lunch, I had the pleasure of helping the architecture interns with some of their projects for the firm.

By my second day, I already felt comfortable in the work environment, and I spent most of the morning completing my design project. The end result was a slideshow, which included my own mood board, concept imagery, and finish palette for a pretend fictional restaurant concept. As a whole, this project gave me first-hand insight into the kinds of skills that are often employed by interior designers, and it gave me a taste of what it would be like to start an interior project. During the second half of the day, I spent more time in the architecture department and tried to assist the interns one last time to the best of my ability. To finish off my experience, I got to attend an interior design trade show. This was a stimulating environment in which I was able to learn more about interiors, meet other designers and salespeople, and just to have an enjoyable afternoon interacting with creative minds and inspiring designers.

"Restaurant Nieter" Design Project

Going into architecture or interior design had not been on my radar before this experience, but that has most definitely changed. My time in such an engaging office with supportive staff has pointed me in the direction of potentially studying architecture and/or interior design. I gained a vast amount of professional knowledge and experience over the course of my two days, yet I wish that I could have stayed longer.

I can’t thank RODE enough for teaching me new skills and for empowering me with an opportunity to learn more about myself and my future!

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