DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT THE BEST OF THE BEST
TRACI WEEMS Traci Weems senior associate at GTM Architects, www.gtmarchitects.com, shares her background as a Commercial Studio architect and her work on Banana Blossom Bistro Q: Can you tell us a little about your professional background? I attended the University of Maryland at College Park for undergrad and graduate school. I worked as an intern throughout my studies at a mix of small and large firms. Those experiences helped me realize that my preference was for a medium sized firm specializing in a range of project types. GTM Architects fits this bill perfectly. I am a Senior Associate and have been with GTM Architects in the Commercial Studio for almost 16 years. I have had the opportunity to work on a wide range of project types from restaurants, retail, athletic facilities, shopping centers, offices and historic buildings. Q: What drew you to design? As a child, I always enjoyed drawing, taking art classes, and making things myself. My mom is a very creative person, and she inspired that passion in me. Since math was one of my
favorite subjects, my dad suggested I look into architecture. Little did we know that it is a misconception that architects use a ton of high-level math! While taking an architectural class in high school, I discovered the wonderful combination of creativity and problem solving that architecture offers. This seemed to be the perfect fit as an outlet for my creativity and attention to detail. Q: How do you approach a project, such as Banana Blossom Bistro? I think communication with the owner is vital to a successful project. My goal for the design concept of Banana Blossom Bistro was to take their ideas and incorporate them into a space that was beyond what they envisioned. Two big influencing factors for the design concept were the feel of the existing space and the name of the restaurant. The existing space was very unfinished with a rugged but charming feel, which is part of what drew the owner to that 35
