THE ASCOT GROUP: The interior world of design

Real Estate Weekly, April 19, 2000

"Versatility and flexibility describe the functional design style of so many offices today," says Elizabeth Rad, a principal of The Ascot Group, a national interior architecture and design firm. "With so much rapid growth across the board, companies want to expand their space efficiently rather than start from ground zero in the design process.

"Moveable walls, flexible work stations, vibrant colors, pale and primary, are all part of a new sleek, sexy office environment."

The Ascot Group, Inc., based in Garden City, NY and Washington, D.C., is the creative brainchild of two sisters, interior designer Elizabeth Rad and architect Cara Stone, who combined their talent and business acumen in 1992. Since then, the Ascot team has been responsible for the lobby and common area renovations of such prestigious office buildings as 360 Lexington Avenue, NY; Exchange Park, Dallas, TX; 1726 M Street NW, Washington, D.C.; and Two Penn Plaza, Philadelphia, PA.

Ascot is also known for its designs of individual offices, such as the traditionally dignified headquarters of Berkman Henoch Peterson & Peddy, a prominent Long Island-based firm specializing in real estate law; and the 10,000 square-foot offices belonging to Siegel Fenchel & Peddy in which Ascot created 'a fresh, updated environment featuring custom millwork and specialty alabaster lighting. For Collins McDonald & Gann, a well-known criminal law firm, Ascot produced an impressively imposing statement within their 3,000 square-foot office.

In addition to commercial space, The Ascot Group has used its well-defined styling and practical design to create lasting impressions in lobbies and common areas in such apartment complexes as The Cloisters and Fox Hole Crescents, both in Washington, D.C. Ascot has also been responsible for the interior architecture and design of vacation homes in Ludlow, VT.

Team efforts

This small, tight knit group clearly functions as a team, coordinating the various projects in weekly strategy sessions. Because the nature of the work demands such thorough attention to detail, each assignment is reviewed regularly until its completion.

"When it was time to expand the group, we sought out associates who would be inherently entrepreneurial," points out principal Cara Stone. "As a result, each person here is capable of supervising a project from start to finish. This gives us an opportunity to help each other in different capacities, which makes us more effective."

The Ascot Group successfully amalgamates two distinct, yet related, disciplines, i.e., architecture and interior design, which has enabled the group to work with building owners' architects and engineers, in addition to their own team. Moreover, because Stone's background includes property management, she has a unique perspective when determining budgets, as well as a comprehensive understanding of a building's operations and its technical functions. This acumen has often made the difference in the efficiency and progress of a project, especially when working around occupied space.

"Bare space is a canvas that must be conceptualized on multiple levels," adds Stone. "From moldings through storage, everything should have a practical and aesthetic application. There is a flow to the management of a project and cohesion and harmony are the ultimate goals."

New age designs

Joining a handful of experts designing for New Media companies in the New York tri-state area, the Ascot team works with a coterie of telecommunications and technical consultants along with the more traditional fabric houses and furniture manufacturers to achieve the desired results. In addition to designing creative housing for high-speed wiring, Ascot has become proficient in special lighting for large, open space, using such new age products as Lutron and Vantage systems.

"Another important component for New Media environments is color," says Rad. "We often use soothing earth tones or high-energy primary colors to create a sense of separation in the space in lieu of walls. And varying textures are used to replace traditional wall coverings.

"There's so much creativity here, because we are often dealing with great open spaces which can become chaotic or desolate without the right treatment. For us, it's imperative to amalgamate practical details with inventive solutions. For example, carpeting in a computer room is unrealistic because of the static. To mitigate the problem, we install linoleum, but in faux finishes that add texture, color and beauty. There's a balance between sensible and beautiful that makes these types of offices work."

Designs on tomorrow

The Ascot Group continues to extend its reach into new market categories in a variety of venues. And the focus will always be on strong design that stands the test of time.