Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the executive chef at Donde José and Fonda Lo Que Hay, two restaurants located in the Casco Antiguo (Old Quarter) of Panama City. The former has been featured in international magazines and publications around the world since it opened five years ago. We have a huge responsibility set up restaurants that meet our international clientele’s high expectations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño?

Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño helped us translate the vision we had in mind into reality for our restaurants’ designs. The architects on their team worked on our projects from start to finish. They helped with everything from architectural design to project management.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We remodeled one of our restaurants twice with Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño. In the first location, they adapted what we had to include all our requests. They provided us with informal options for different types of restaurant designs. Our initial project evolved since then. We just launched a new location about a month ago. At this point, we want to do more work with them.

For all our projects, they delivered plans and renders, found time to meet with us in person and view the locations, and accommodated all of our requests for changes.

What is the team composition? 

All five of Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño’s architects participated in these projects. The specific teammate involved depended on the type of task, however. Three of them were focused on my projects all the time, but the other two were also available for anything we needed. They were all aware of everything about our engagement consistently.

How did you come to work with Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño?               
I was already connected to a member of Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño’s team. I’d had the opportunity to see their past work, professionalism, and evolution, growth and harmony as a group of architects.

Some of the teammates have attended prestigious architecture schools in the US, UK, and Spain to continue learning and studying the field while the others cover for projects, and vice versa. They give each other the opportunity to focus on the architecture disciplines each of them like, which in turn makes them a stronger team. Their culture is in line with our restaurant group’s own. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since June 2014 and are seeing what else they can do for our restaurants. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

In their designs, Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño accurately captured the energy we wanted our restaurants to transmit to our customers. They’ve done incredible work for us. My partners are very happy with their work as well. 

I was never overly meticulous with minor details. They could translate my ideas like an open kitchen restaurant with a certain type of vibe, for example, into an architectural design. Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño had a rare capacity to truly understand what we were visualizing. It’s hard to find architects that really listen to what we want and deliver on it. 

Naturally, they offered their own points of view and provided useful recommendations as well. They listed options and we agreed on the best version for each of the restaurants’ designs.

How did Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño perform from a project management standpoint?

Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño always handled project management very well. The deadlines we didn’t meet were usually our fault. Their side of the team was always available to work when we had the resources we needed to continue our projects. 

They completed and delivered everything according to our expectations. If we changed our minds, they were always calm and agreeable about modifying or fixing a specific part of the project.

Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño is an energetic and enthusiastic team. Even after they finished the original project, they consistently followed up with us and checked in to see what else they could do to improve. Rather than a single engagement, we’ve had an ongoing conversation.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Pentagrama always understood what we wanted to accomplish for our restaurants. They delivered on all my ideas, even though I’m a talkative person. I most appreciate their attention to detail, availability, disposition, and work ethic. 

Working as a team and learning from one another is Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño’s greatest strength. It enables them to accomplish amazing things. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing specific comes to mind, which is a good sign. As I tell my own team, there’s always areas for improvement and growth for everyone. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am an artist, art educator, and community organizer. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño?

I hired Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño as my architect and design team to renovate my second residence, a city apartment. I also needed them to manage the entire construction process. The situation was a bit complicated because the property had been uninhabited for 13 years and I live five hours away from where the project is going on. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño had full control over the design. I gave them executive decision-making power to manage the construction team. At my request, they were highly communicative. They reported to me several times a week about all the details ongoing in the project. Frequent updates helped me manage the process long distance and solve any problems that came up during the renovation and design process. 

During the project, they used specific architecture tools and programs to show me the renders on a very frequent basis.  Technology was a substantial part of the process since it was a long-distance project. 

Whenever I came up with new ideas, they would change the rendering to include them. The head of the project used architectural programs on his iPad and used it on site. They took photographs and created designs using this tool. 

What is the team composition? 

In his beginning, I worked with Carlos (Architect, Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño) and Olmedo (Founder and Architect, Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño). Later on, I only worked with Carlos directly. 

How did you come to work with Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño?

One of my good friends has a brother who works at Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño I was impressed by multiple restaurant projects they've done; they're gorgeous. I also liked that they're a family brand. 

What is the status of this engagement?

This project started around April 2018 and is currently in the final phase. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Honestly, I only have very positive feedback for Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño. They've been exactly what I was looking for concerning design and attention to detail. They smoothly facilitated contact with me and their whole team.

I needed more than the design team, and they were capable of managing the entire project. Since I'm not a citizen of Panama, they helped me understand the laws, zoning, and customs for Casco Viejo, the old quarter of Panama City. 

Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño offers the perfect balance of performance and creative collaboration simultaneously. Their work is quite detail-oriented, and the design aspects are very modern, international, and cutting-edge ideas. They've been just a pleasure to work with and have met all my needs.

How did Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño perform from a project management standpoint?

Communication has definitely been a key part of the success of the project for me. I specifically requested that all communications be in English. The meticulous requirements I set in the beginning included sending me regular communication with photos and updates. Long-distance projects always have room for error, so we worked to prevent any.

What did you find most impressive about them?

One of the team's best strengths was how accommodating they were. As an artist, I have my own vision and am very particular. I found it very easy to work with them. They had a great design in mind right from the beginning, so they could easily support clients who need pure design. Since I had my own ideas, they were very respectful of what I wanted. We collaboratively created a beautiful end product. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

I have zero complaints about my experience with Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño, and that's the honest truth. I'm very pleased with their performance and the project's outcome. 

I'm from New York, so I have different cultural expectations about timing. The pace of the city feels much slower. Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño has an international perspective and understands both the nature of Panama City and where I'm coming from. They did a great job understanding and facilitating the gray areas.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I’m the creative director of a local advertising agency called Publicis Group – Panama. My role entails communications strategy, creative, and advertising for numerous regional accounts. I work from our Panama office.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño?

We hired Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño to design our home. Families moved into our neighborhood and gradually built many homes over the years. When we had the opportunity to buy a piece of land, it wasn’t the standard square-shaped type of property most people are used to. Having an irregularly shaped lot made our home more difficult to develop than usual.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

We hired Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño to design an extremely functional house for us. In light of the complex way our property is divided, we wanted to take advantage of every available corner. The main objective was to connect everything in the house using the fewest number of walls for the maximum amount of space as possible.

My wife and I are both very detailed-oriented. During our first meeting, we gave a presentation about the space that laid out styles that interested us and mood boards for the entire house.

Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño worked with two software programs, Lumion and V-Ray. Using these design tools, they visually rendered the architectural design to virtually show us around the home they planned to build in 3D. Once complete, they sent us digital renderings to share their concept. The quality of the resolution was so high that it almost felt like the images were real. We were impressed with the degree of realism they accomplished; it was an interesting component of their architectural design process.

During the first phase of the project, we had access to view all the designs in a digital format. As we progressed, they created a version of the plans on paper. They included the corresponding signatures we needed to submit to legal and government agencies for approval to continue to the construction phase.

What is the team composition?

The team included a dedicated project lead. Three architects from Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño were involved in our engagement. Each one specialized in different architectural disciplines and led specific parts of the project. We could see the influence of each expert manifest in distinct sections of the project we reviewed from a functional, design, or structural point of view.

How did you come to work with Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño?

Some of the architects have been lifelong friends with my wife, and we’ve all become friends since working together.  We knew the team well, including where they had studied. 

We requested quotes from several firms, but Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño’s approach stood out. They were highly engaging the first time we met. Due to how carefully they listened to us, we were interested immediately. We sent them our budget, preferences, and the size of our property in square meters. The quote they returned was the optimal cost.

How much have you invested with them? 

The estimated cost for Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño’s services is approximately $12,500. Since we made some adjustments, the price might change slightly later on. 

What is the status of this engagement? 

We started working together in 2016, and the house is currently under construction.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Our entire experience working with Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño has been incredible. I want to highlight their keen comprehension of the ideas we presented.  They worked collaboratively with us as a client.

Another topic of note is their unique approach to maximizing the space’s functionality. They captured our desired style and aesthetic without wasting any space, which added considerable value to their services. Despite limitations like the difficult property shape, they took important factors into consideration like neighboring houses.

The functional design Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño created became the most essential part of our house. They delivered every aspect we wanted flawlessly.

How did Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño perform from a project management standpoint?

Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño used a standard project management method. Via email and phone calls, we discussed the project every day. They kept all of our communication channels very open and direct.

Group discussions included all the parties who were involved. We met every deadline from both sides. They were very responsible and kept the project going according to plan. Aside from factors outside anyone’s control, like a massive rock in the lot we needed to destroy before moving forward, we’re pleased overall. 

What did you find most impressive about them? 

I would reiterate my praise of the team’s design talent. They have outstanding taste. Functional design was a key aspect of our project, and Pentagrama Estudio de Diseño executed it perfectly.

Are there any areas they could improve? 

I can’t think of specific areas for improvement. A general recommendation for the architectural and construction industry would be to stay openminded to different methods and types of construction materials. There are always new ways to find a building solution.