IA Interior Architects Expands Global Retail Practice

IA Interior Architects is pleased to announce the continued growth of our retail practice group with the addition of a new team that will be based in Seattle, WA. This group will be led by three retail experts: Mike Riggs, Managing Director/Retail; Ron Singler, Design Director/Retail; and Alex Shapleigh, Design Director/Retail. All three are recognized innovators and bring extensive experience in this market sector to the firm. This new team will work in conjunction with our New York Retail practice group, enhancing our capabilities and service offerings and expanding our global reach.

Mike Riggs, Principal, Managing Director/Retail has over 25 years of experience in environment design and retail strategy. He is committed to creating compelling experiences by considering all aspects of a client’s brand, business, and customer insights. His client-focused nature makes him a natural fit for IA, and he has completed numerous projects for high-caliber clients in the retail market sector. Mike is a strategic leader, responsible for building teams across various disciplines, and has a background in both design and business. This dual perspective provides him with a unique approach to solving clients’ challenges.

“We could not be more excited to join IA given the many overlapping trends within both workplace and retail, foremost a desire for differentiated experiences that are connected to an organization’s brand ethos, augmented through immersive story-telling and technology,” shares Mike.

Ron Singler, Principal, Design Director/Retail has over 30 years of experience ranging from experiential graphics to projects focused on entertainment retail, designing themed environments for malls and large department stores. He most recently was part of a large project with a major retail client developing individual concept and department stores, eventually taking responsibility for interior and exterior design. Ron has directed, designed, and delivered micro to macro retail environments internationally, and he continues to be inspired by the ‘art’ of the experience and the ability to inspire customers through the visual medium. He was named design:retail Magazine’s 2017 Portfolio Awards’ “Retail Design Influencer.”

Alex Shapleigh, Principal, Design Director/Retail brings 25 years of experience assisting notable clients with translating their brands into engaging, consumer-centric, and award-winning retail experiences. His diverse background in architecture, interiors, industrial design, and branding provides a cohesive approach to all aspects of a three-dimensional environment affecting the spatial experience. Alex is a member of Contract Magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board, and has been a speaker and panelist at retail industry conferences and events such as IRDC, RDI, Retail Nexus, ICSC and ULI.

“We are delighted that Mike, Ron and Alex decided to join IA. They bring a passion for retail and interiors and a stellar track record in retail design and service,” shares David Bourke and Tom Powers, Co CEO/Presidents of IA. “As the lines become blurred between retail, workplace and other markets, we (IA) will be able to offer even more unique integrated solutions to our clients, which is very exciting.”