Page 17 - New England Condominium May 2022

NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM -MAY 2022 17 out New York, New Jersey, and Connecti- cut, notes that the interdependencies in- volved in most capital projects require board from the first meeting,” she says. have a wide range of stakeholders with a terms of design is, in this day and age, the a range of knowledge, connections, and When we discuss how frequently boards wide range of interests—“not just people internet makes everybody an expert,” he strategies. “The value proposition we turn over, not to mention the mercurial that are interested in decor,” she says, “but laments. “Everybody looks on Pinterest, bring is in our expertise,” he says. “Avoid- ing the snags, the headaches, the poten- tially major snafus—and the resulting emphasizes the costs—that can occur on most any project im p o r t a n ce outweighs the expense of hiring a project of getting in- manager. We are aware of those pitfalls formation up and can preempt them; where they are front and set- unavoidable, we can navigate them effi- ciently and effectively.” Design By Committee Once the groundwork—and paper- work—of permits, codes, logistics, and igate the inher- requirements has been laid, then it is time ent attrition. to incorporate the interior designers, decorators, and/or architects. Those in- terviewed for this article say that the ma- jority of condos and co-ops appoint a de- sign or decorating committee made up of says, “to find board members, owners/shareholders, or out what the both to do this outreach and to research budget is for ideas and choices and make recommen- dations to the full board. Gia Milazzo Smith, owner of Designs are, how much by Gia, which provides interior design has already been started—has anything way\\\], where people walk through every and renovation services to associations already been purchased or approved? It’s day—it’s an extension of their home, so phase is all about organization, says Mul- throughout New England, says that a important to ask all the right questions. they’re personally invested in those deci- problem with this structure is that the And you make sure that what you’re de- ultimate decision-makers should be few, signing meets those needs and encom- and should be part of the entire process. passes all of the decisions that have al- “From the beginning of a project like this, ready been made.” you have to decide who the decision mak- ers are, and you want those people on mittee, Milazzo Smith says it’s ideal to architect. “I think the difficult thing in makeup of multifamily communities as a wider representation of the needs of the everybody reads design magazines. And owners/shareholders come and go, she community.” ting priorities and decisions from the be- ginning to mit- “You would start by having a fact-finding meeting,” she the project, what the needs In terms of who should be on the com- She continues, “The terests. Somebody can see a photograph more people that are and think, ‘Oh, that’s really neat.’ Well, it’s involved in the deci- sion, the harder it is light \\\[for the space in question\\\]. So from to get the decision a design perspective, you work with your made. However, every- one wants to feel like are worth fighting, and which battles are they’re being heard. … not worth fighting.” You might send out a questionnaire, or have a broader meeting to all the upfront work has been done cor- make sure the board rectly—the right team, the permitting, or the decorating com- mittee hears everyone’s ations, the budgeting and financing, the needs and concerns. communication with residents—the actu- People can be passion- ate about design deci- sions, whether they ever long a capital design project takes— know what they’re do- ing or not. And a space sign-off— the bulk of that duration is in like \\\[a lobby or a hall- sions.” Often, says Eric Mullendore, owner of building or community and to account for Eric Mullendore Architecture & Interior “stuff that’s more technical”—like shutting Design based in Chicago, this becomes the biggest challenge for the designer or that can be a landmine of conflicting in- the wrong size, or it gives off the wrong committee, and you decide which battles Seeing It Through The professionals agree that as long as the engineering and technical consider- al design and construction components of a project are really the easiest parts. How- and it can take years from conception to that behind-the-scenes work. Getting through the construction lendore. Everything has to be properly sequenced to minimize disruption to the directory.newenglandcondo.com Your one source for all the businesses and services essential to your condo or HOA NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM DIRECTORY OF BUILDING SERVICES Search by location: “The more people that are involved in the decision, the harder it is to get the decision made. … People can be passionate about design decisions, whether they know what they’re doing or not.” — Gia Milazzo Smith continued on page 18