MANAYUNK

Blog post by Manayunk Development Corporation Spring Intern, Anna McCarthy

It all started with a blog. Back when Brian Corcodilos was attending Philadelphia University, he started writing about how all aspects of architecture, industrial design, graphic design, fashion design and business overlapped with one another. In July 2011, with five of his friends, (Scott Woodruff, Tony Hopkins, Scott Murphy, Vince Defazio, and Tyler Dye),DesignBlendz was formed. The team started working with small businesses and architecture firms when they were all still attending Philadelphia University, but became an official company in September 2012.

By the time they graduated from the College of Architecture and Built Environment they had already worked on 20 professional projects with new clients coming week by week. After graduation the guys started working at different architecture firms around Philadelphia, but after they finished up their day jobs they would go and put in hours with DesignBlendz. Post grad, Brian and two other coworkers continued working in a rowhouse on Ripka Street but made the big move to their current space on Main Street in November 2014.

As Designblendz transitioned from a passion project to a business, Corcodilos started assembling a group that could push the growth of the company further. In February 2014, Brian fully committed his time to Designblendz and in the following months, original team members Tony Hopkins and Scott Woodruff got onboard. "In the beginning, everybody was working together, but nobody had specific roles. Today, everyone has a specific position based on their skillset. From overall project management down to the specific parts of the design process." says Brian.Along with the immediate team, Designblendz grew its network of consultants and added four PhillyU interns. Rich Sanford, also a PhillyU graduate, is a licensed architect that works closely with Designblendz. As the young team evolves, Rich is able to share his experiences and knowledge of proper architectural documentation. The story of 6 friends from school working to create something new, while advancing the architecture industry is always in the back of their minds. 15 months after graduation, half of the original team is already established right here in Manayunk and they hope to reassemble the original team as their success continues in the future.

The basis of DesignBlendz is 3 words, Create, Visualize, Develop. Not only do they describe the process but each word is a specific action. "Creating is where we bring out the creative juices. We start to look into what something could be." says Corcodilos. Aspects of "Creating" are architectural designs, prototypes of products, graphic design, website design and documentation for architects. Brian's favorite Create project was one of their first projects when they designed a MedSpa, which is a type of cosmetic spa. The beauty of the Create step is having the ability to really help the client formulate and articulate exactly what they want. In the case of the MedSpa, DesignBlendz was able to help them figure out how they wanted to utilize the space they had so it was both functioning and pleasing to the eye, this site was a total gut job and is now wrapping up construction.

Visualizing is the second part of DesignBlendz's process. Corcodilos states: "One of the big things we're doing now is pre-construction marketing. We're working with realtors and developers throughout the area, who come to us and say so this is what we're thinking of building, how do we sell them?" DesignBlendz then creates strategic marketing plans that include: web design, animations, rendering, section cuts, and create virtual 3D environments that get consumers interested. This lets the businesses start selling and marketing their new complexes before even breaking ground. All of DesignBlendz marketing packages have pre-sold 50% or more units before construction has even begun.

Along with the Creating, and Visualizing steps, DesignBlendz also Develops their own projects. They buy foreclosed homes and redesign, rehab and put them back on the market. Corcodilos says: "The cool thing about the Develop step is it brings our company full circle. We Create and design it, then Visualize to pre-market sell it and then Develop and get it built." Currently the team is working on redoing a property that they got rezoned and are now making it into an apartment complex. This last step of Developing makes DesignBlendz one stop shopping because when you come to them with your idea, they are able to help you enhance it, visualize it and then turn it into a reality.

Although DesignBlendz is a new company they have big goals. "We have big dreams of being global. Having a DesignBlendz in every city in the United States and globally. We hope to Create, Visualize, Develop how the world works through all aspects of design. DesignBlendz is a way of thinking, a way of progressing the built environment," says Brian. DesignBlendz is also looking into how to create their projects sustainably. When working on personal projects they make use of products ranging from high efficiency windows to new front doors, to re-insulating houses. One member of the team, Scott Woodruff is working on becoming passive house certified which will help them create projects that are net zero. With sustainability not just a buzz word at DesignBlendz but rather an action, it works in perfectly with their process of Designing, Visualizing, and Creating.

Originating in Manayunk when members of the team graduated from Philadelphia their bigger space on Main Street DesignBlendz knew: "Manayunk was and still is essential and central for everything we do. A lot of our developing projects are in the Lehigh Valley, but we're still close to our center city and Conshohocken clients. We're also close to our alma mater, PhillyU and can have interns easily get to and from our office," says Corcodilos. Although DesignBlendz is a young company, they are team of passionate and innovative young professionals that are taking our city by storm.