eric naslund, faia
studio e architects, san diego
age of firm: 24 years
firm specialty: Affordable and market-rate housing, campus housing, charter schools, and custom homes
staff: 15 (2005); 15 (2008); 13 (2009); 13 (2010)
total revenue: Down 5 percent from 2005 (2008); down 5 percent from 2008 (2009); equal to 2009 (2010, projected)
completed projects: 31 (2005); 21 (2008); 16 (2009); 16 (2010, projected)
Eric Naslund, FAIA, describes 2009 as a steady year, as in slow simmer. He and partner John Sheehan, AIA, let two staff people go but hired back two contract employees to meet deadlines over the summer. The magic mix for Studio E Architects was affordable housing, charter schools, and student housing in Northern and Southern California, and Naslund anticipates more of the same in 2010. “Clients with whom we do commercial work are down on the next two years,” he says. “But we’re seeing interest pick up in affordable and student housing.”
Several affordable housing projects for private nonprofits stalled out last year, caught in California’s financial quagmire. Bond funds were completely shut down while state politicians wrangled over budget issues, Naslund says, but that and other types of government funding are flowing again.
As workloads dwindled, the partners did more of what Naslund calls “background marketing.” He and Sheehan reinvigorated their network by personally contacting previous clients, in addition to sending the usual postcards of finished work. “When times are busy, people get tied into a network of people they’re used to working with,” he says. “Some of those people have gone away, so it’s good to remind potential clients that you’re healthy, available, and want to work with them.”
Slated to start construction this year is a large mixed-use student housing project for the University of California, Davis, which was designed last year, as well as a charter school and four affordable housing projects. “We’re seeing a lot more interest and activity than last year at this time,” Naslund notes.