When the 100-year-old Kahler Slater Inc. organized a new division-KS Consultants-back in 2001, the firm began refining a transformational process that had been evolving for some time.
They called it “Total Experience Design.” They knew that their clients want more holistic and complete experiences for their organizations.
“So, we incorporated our ‘4P Philosophy,’ which is centered on perception, products/services; people; and place, into our design efforts,” says the firm’s Jill Morin “While most architects simply focus on ‘place,’ we know that in order to deliver truly differentiated ideal experiences, we must fully explore integrating the 4Ps for our clients. In today’s complex business world, it’s more than just designing a building.”
According to Morin, George Meyer and Jim Rasche, the firm’s three co-executive officers, designing these total experiences requires an innovative, enhanced approach.
“The 4Ps help clients identify exactly how they want to holistically and authentically represent their values, beliefs, missions and service philosophies,” Meyer says.
Kahler Slater’s unique, innovative approach includes a comprehensive toolbox for visionary leaders who realize that authenticity is the only true and lasting competitive advantage of their organizations, Meyer says.
“Total Experience Design helps them define those experiences that make their organizational visions come alive. It touches on a number of ideas of interest in business today, such as using design as a business tool, the importance of authenticity, and ongoing discussions of vision, values and branding,” Meyer says.
“As an example, when we designed the first Blood Center of Southeast Wisconsin building, we also designed the logos on their mobile blood collection trucks to better identify the organization and its functions,” Morin says.
Total Experience Design, she says, is a different way of designing in order to create a larger impact then just designing a building. “A building’s design is important and valuable, but it’s incomplete in terms of what clients need and look for in our work.”
Address: 111 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
Web Site: www.kahlerslater.com
Industry: Design
Innovations: “Total Experience Design”, a unique and holistic architectural design process.
