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Local Architecture Firms Wins British Airways Grant
Ayers Saint Gross Architects + Planners, an international design firm with offices in Baltimore, Phoenix and Washington, D.C., was chosen from 1,000 entries as a winning company selected by British Airways for its Business Opportunity Grant program. The award was based on how a year's worth of business travel and face-to-face meetings would positively impact each business in 2010.
The retail value of the grant is worth up to $90,000 and includes airfare for 10 round-trip Club World business class flights to anywhere British Airways flies, five free global shipments with British Airways World Cargo, $1,000 toward hotel accommodations at Courtyard by Marriott, five Regus Businessworld Gold Cards offering access to its business lounges worldwide, a Canon MX860 Printer, and three face-to-face business introductions through ExeConnect.
In continuous practice since 1915, Ayers Saint Gross' focus is on the planning and design of college and university buildings and campuses. "Our firm has had the privilege of working for more than 200 different institutions including 25 of the top 100 schools in the world," says Jim Wheeler, AIA, LEED AP, and President of the firm. He continues, "Meanwhile in developing countries throughout the world there are literally millions of college age students and adults who cannot obtain higher education due to lack of programs and facilities. In India alone there is a need for 1,500 new universities within the next 10 years."
In 2006, Ayers Saint Gross was selected to design a campus for 100,000 students in India, and in the summer and fall of 2008 their international marketing plan was developed, but then postponed due to the 2009 recession. The winning grant will be used to carry out said marketing plan, which consists of presenting white papers, attending international education conferences, and meeting key agencies and individuals in four different regions of the world, the Middle East, India, China and North Africa. "With baby booms occurring in most developing countries, the opportunity for higher education is enormous and critical to economic and social development," says Wheeler, "Our firm is uniquely qualified to provide valuable assistance in the creation of this infrastructure." This grant will allow us to develop and expand our international practice.
According to Wheeler, it is impossible to understand a market and develop new work without spending significant time on the ground. Culture, food and business practices cannot be learned over the internet. A handshake, a good meal, a long car ride and a shared umbrella are all experiences that can cement a friendship and lead to a business relationship, but they cannot be done remotely regardless of the most sophisticated technology.
