A successful partnership

Real Estate Weekly, Jan 8, 2003

JOHN SWEENEY & JAMIE MALANGA MJS DESIGN ASSOCIATES

John Sweeney and Jamie Malanga, architects, agree that absence makes the heart grow fonder, professionally speaking. Their five-year separation helped them realize they should not only work together but form a partnership in a new business venture.

"Sometimes you have to split up to progress to a level where the relationship is even stronger than before," says Sweeney. Once his employee, Malanga is now partner and president of MJS Design Associates, owning 55% of the Manhattan-based commercial interior design firm.

Prior to establishing his first company in 1989, Sweeney held diverse positions as vice president of an international architectural and interior design firm, construction manager and designer for two NYC architectural companies.

Hiring Malanga right after she graduated architectural school 12 years ago, he wouldn't have imagined they would jointly own a practice today. "As a self motivated person and independent thinker, John always gave me complete autonomy and consulted with me about all aspects of-a project," explains Malanga. The company specialized in corporate interiors, showrooms, base building redesign as well as retail design and grew to handle numerous clients including Tourneau, Paine Webber, Kellwood, Dunkin Donuts, Bear Steams Real Estate Group, Wexford Capital and many more.

Although Malanga enjoyed working with Sweeney for several years, there came a time when she wanted to gain experience working for a larger firm so she could broaden her background. Subsequently, Sweeney decided to close his office and take a position with a real estate management firm.

Even while they were apart, Sweeney and Malanga handled several projects together and soon realized what they were missing. This dynamic team knew that they were better suited to have their own business rather than work for others.

"We were the right combination just waiting to blossom," says Sweeney. "It's the honesty, mutual respect and knowing each other so well that really makes this partnership succeed."

Both highly creative with a similar design philosophy and style, they brainstorm concepts resulting in solutions that work well for their clients. They believe in timeless, not faddish or trendy design. As in a studio setting, they sit across from each other so they can easily coordinate all aspects of the project. "There are no roadblocks," notes Sweeney. "Jamie does what I'm thinking so we're definitely on the same page."

Yet they also have individual strengths that complement each other Sweeney is more technical and has an extraordinary sense of detail allowing him to solve potential problems before they arise. "He can figure out anything," notes Malanga. Also a certified facilities manager, Sweeney handles most of the construction supervision for MJS projects.

In addition to Malanga's expertise in space planning and design concepts, she has a flair for color, furnishings, finishes and decor that depict the client's image. For FT Knowledge, formerly The N.Y. Institute of Finance, Malanga developed a "colorful" compromising and timeless solution that pleased the client and themselves. Building on the firm's use of primary blue in their corporate interiors, Malanga worked with the client to build the decor on a softer palette of blues resulting in the same visual impact without the harsh edge of the more vibrant hues.

Both MJS partners are sensitive and responsive to client needs. For example, following the World Trade Center catastrophe, they helped relocate FT Knowledge, a facility that develops educational programs and trains brokers, to Pearson, the parent company, also an MJS client. "Because the employees were anxious about moving, we spent a great deal of time listening to their concerns," explains Sweeney. "One of our tasks was to help put them at ease about their new workspace."

Although the staff had to be consolidated into a significantly smaller area, we created an open layout with a stylish, comfortable pantry/lounge area that will continue to foster the comraderie among the employees.

Sweeney and Malanga are building MJS according to the philosophy that the client is number one. For companies that don't have facilities departments, they are performing functions like furniture procurement and disposition, office changes, project management, space analysis and budgeting. So, in a sense, they become an extension of their clients.

This successful partnership has attracted clients such as: Financial Times, Interactive Data Corp., The Economist, Pearson, FT Knowledge, Kellwood Company and Sag Harbor.

MJS has identified several goals to grow the company. Currently, they are embarking on a marketing program to develop a stronger image and increase their name recognition and visibility. Over the next five years, Sweeney and Malanga are looking to:

* expand their dent base in corporate offices and showrooms

* solidify relationships for design-build as the design industry continues to progress