Featured Expert at Work: Adrian Diaz

When it comes to making one’s passion into a career, Adrian Diaz, Managing Director of STUDIO ATD, knows that the journey is not without challenges and sacrifices. Founded in 2014 by a group of friends, STUDIO ATD is an interior fit-out company that focuses on small commercial spaces. In this interview, Adrian shares how STUDIO ATD has grown from its humble beginnings: the challenges it has faced and the successes it has experienced.

What inspired STUDIO ATD?

We were a group of friends working with several design firms; we were passionate about being in this kind of industry. STUDIO ATD was founded on the idea of pursuing passion and finding happiness by doing it. We wanted it to focus on small spaces – hence the name “STUDIO.” There’s a certain intimacy and personal feeling that comes with focusing on small spaces. It keeps the client involved and the communication lines more open.

How has it grown since?

When we started, we were doing projects for friends and even offering our services for free just to create a portfolio for the company. Our first break came in 2015 when we were hired to do a residential project. We did the design and the build for it, and that’s when we realized we could do a serious job.

We were bolder after that project. We realized that we can source our own materials and create our own furniture – basically being more cost effective while at the same time being more competitive. We’ve ironed out the service arm of the company, but we’re focused on strengthening the product division, because we’ll also be able to sell to our competitors.

How do you see the company expanding in the future?

We approach every project from the perspective of project management, thus we work with sub-contractors. But my vision would be to have everything in-house in the future.

Going back to the vision of focusing on small spaces, did you know that there was a market readily available for this?

There are many start-ups, there are companies that aren’t as big as multinationals, and someone has to take care of their space.  We don’t believe that just because you are a small company, you don’t deserve a not-so-nice office. All companies deserve good office spaces.

How do you view the importance of interior design in an office space?

I believe efficiency is related to employee retention. When you come into a good office, there’s a sense of pride that comes with it. It lets employees be excited to come to work, and it can only be done if the office is nicely designed.  It helps elevate the mindset when people are excited or proud to come into work. You make them happy when they’re comfy.

Have you encountered any problems with instilling this value to the market?

We’ve always had to sell the context. There’s this mindset that people can design on their own because they read home decoration magazines and watch interior design TV shows. But consulting is so important, because space planning creates efficiency.

Space needs a certain flow – it’s why architects study that for years! Efficiency and privacy are just some of the first things that need to be accounted for. The color, the right furniture, the size – these are secondary. Space planning matters so much in the way that the office works.

There’s awareness, I believe, of the value of good design. But there is still a lack of understanding and that hinders the local market from willingly spending to make the space look good.

What is your advice for young entrepreneurs?

Two things: you have to be involved and you cannot quit when problems come up. In this business, I’ve realized that challenges and obstacles are all temporary. In this field of work, we’re providing solutions. That’s the nature of the job, figuring ways around challenges and obstacles. There’s no perfect project; you cannot be very idealistic, you can’t anticipate all the risks. You just have to keep moving forward.

Adrian’s diligent pursuit of his passion has paid off through the fulfillment that the work brings. And for everyone at STUDIO ATD, it’s the joy on their clients’ faces when they enter a newly-designed office space that makes everything worth it.

To know more about STUDIO ATD and their services, e-mail them at info@studioatd.net or 650-1055/576-1274.