Vision 3 Architects was named the winner of the 9th Annual Business Excellence award for Overall Excellence at a Mid-size Company by Providence Business News, one of the region's longest-running and best-known business recognition programs. The award is for companies with fewer than 100 employees. With a staff of 30, Vision 3 Architects offers architectural and interior design services.
Vision 3 was recognized for their strategic planning efforts, which has resulted in a significant increase in gross revenues, and for their transformation from a small, general practice, to a firm offering specialized services for corporate office, education, and hospitality clients. And the transformation was completed without increasing staff.
"About three years ago," said William Gray, a founder and principal of Vision 3, "we made the decision to reorganize to secure our future. The idea behind the strategic plan was to grow by increasing our opportunities in terms of geographic reach and quality of client by offering specialized services for specific industries. Our 'studio approach' meant we would have teams led by senior level team leaders who would be committed to the industries they served, and would manage projects and develop business. The new studio format allowed us to offer specialized services tailored to our clients' industry-specific needs, and also created a structure for advancement from within."
Vision 3 was also recognized for commitment to their staff, as well as to involvement in the community.
"We are thrilled to have been recognized by Providence Business News," said Gray.
"Our success has been fueled by our collective commitment to bring specialized knowledge to each and every project, and to always place the client first, making them an integral part of the design process. To be recognized by Providence Business News for business excellence is quite a compliment."
The results have been impressive.
* In September, the corporate office team completed the new FM Global world headquarters building in Johnston, the largest private sector design project in Rhode Island.
* Their hospitality team completed Hope Commons Dining Hall at the University of Rhode Island, which earned LEED Silver certification and received an Outstanding Design Award in American School & University magazine's Educational Interiors Showcase
* The education team designed the new Child & Family Community Center in Middletown. It is a high performance building, and the first in Rhode Island, and one of only five in New England, to utilize National Grid's "Advanced Buildings" incentive program.
* The special projects team recently completed Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island's new corporate headquarters which combines administrative offices, training facilities, community spaces, and a 24-bed inpatient hospice under one roof. The Gold Certified building is the first LEED certified healthcare facility in Rhode Island.