The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation makes grants to address the most serious social and environmental problems facing society where risk capital, responsibly invested, may make a difference over time. The Foundation places a high value on sustaining and improving institutions that make positive contributions to society.
The Foundation’s building is the first in California, and only the fifth in the nation to receive gold-level certification under the Leed 2.0 standards. The Foundation earned this recognition by addressing wide range of building-related environmental issues concerning site design, water and energy efficiency, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality that included furniture, fixtures, flooring and ceilings.
One of the prerequisites of the bidding process was to build a prototype that would allow the client to “kick the tires” and see if, in fact, what looks good on paper works in the real world of people and spatial applications. It is the ultimate test of the design firm’s conception and the manufacturer’s execution; it is where the “rubber meets the road” and where true quality and execution comparisons can be made between competitors. It provides the client and designer a physical reality that is immeasurably valuable when it comes to any final modifications that may be required prior to production.
Another very important element of the selection process in determining which manufacturer was to be selected was their on time delivery record. It happens to be an element of the manufacturing process dear to the people at ARK who take great pride in their flawless record of having never missed a delivery date.
After the laborious and demanding task of evaluating the competition ARK was awarded the project for our ability to manufacture to the exacting standards required by the San Francisco design firm of Hawley Peterson & Snyder for their client. The facility was a Green Project of the highest standards which ARK was easily able to satisfy through our ecologically conscious vendors and our company commitment to environmental issues.
Architectural Response Kollection, Inc. (ARK) was chosen for the exceptionally high quality of furniture we manufacture and the in-depth knowledge of design that allowed us to partner with the design firm and their client to provide the best solution for the client, not what was easiest for the manufacturer. The Foundation’s President Paul Brest was one of the strong decision makers evaluating product and was very pleased with the quality and engineering flexibility brought to the process by ARK.
Bonnie Thomas the lead designer on the project for Hawley Peterson & Snyder liked ARK’s quick responsiveness and innovative solutions whenever a design or layout glitch was encountered. She liked ARK, and the dedicated team of people ARK provided, to partner with her and ensure that a project of this size and visibility would come off as specified and on time.