Today we’d like to introduce you to Allison Cooke.
Hi Allison, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I completed a degree in Interior Design from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and then relocated immediately to the DC area to start my career at a large international firm. After getting great foundational experience for 7 years there, I decided I was ready for a shift in focus from corporate office interior design to something more retail and hospitality-focused. I joined CORE in 2007 to pursue restaurant work and continued to grow into a senior-level designer with experience in a very broad range of projects: restaurants & bars, hotels, creative office space, retail stores, residential spaces, and prototype work. I then became a Principal at CORE in 2016. I now lead my firm and team in bringing our client’s visions to life using a co-creative design process.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Finding my voice as a female in the industry was somewhat difficult. I didn’t see a lot of women represented in leadership positions in restaurant or hospitality businesses. It took me a while to get plugged into networks, groups, or initiatives that promote and educate women.
I also started out designing corporate office spaces and made the difficult choice to change practice areas to a hospitality/retail/restaurant focus. The projects are much more fast-paced and complex, but I find them much more rewarding. They’re extremely complex and unique and often very personal to our clients. I never stop learning and am also able to shape the social landscape of a city at the same time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about CORE architecture + design?
- Our design process begins with EXPLORATION
- Our intentional design has the power to SHAPE EXPERIENCES.
- Our best work comes from designing WITH OUR CLIENTS.
- We earn your TRUST by leading with experience.
CORE thrives on complex design projects. Under the guidance of Principals Allison Cooke, David Cheney, and Dale Stewart, we bring an adventurous spirit to all our projects, treating each one as a great opportunity to create something different, something special, and something truly transformative.
Our co-creative design process integrates the client every step of the way. From the beginning, we listen to you to understand your vision, and together we define the story. From dream to reality, we turn storytelling into rich architectural spaces. During our process together, we foster constant communication to guide you through the project process by leading with our experience.
For over 30 years, our Washington, DC-based, award-winning architectural design firm has provided its clients with exceptional design services that add tremendous value to their business. These successful collaborations have enabled us to grow our portfolio of diverse projects, including mixed-use developments, public buildings, large-scale office and residential developments, chef-driven restaurants, and hotel public spaces throughout the Washington metropolitan area and across the United States.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Clear communication and curiosity are two valuable traits that helped me elevate myself and my business. You earn trust and respect from your team and clients when you are straightforward and honest. This is what keeps individuals engaging with our firm long-term. I also constantly learn something new on all of our very unique projects. Being inquisitive and asking questions allows you to grow more quickly. It also sets the tone for my team members that we work in an atmosphere of collaboration and to a client that we are good listeners and care about their vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coredc.com
- Instagram: @coredc
