The Humble Slat

The humble slat—a narrow flat strip of wood or metal according to Merriam-Webster—hardly seems the stuff of stunning design, but in the hands of a skilled designer its potential blossoms.

Group collaboration area in Lehi UT

Confidential Client, Lehi, UT. Photography © James Florio.

At the ceiling and wall, slats echo one another, define space, and create ambiance.


Wooden walls in a casual meeting area

Confidential Client, Lehi, UT. Photography © James Florio.

At the same location, slats used in different ways on the walls and at the ceiling create an intriguing and sophisticated effect.


Slatted, enclosed meeting space

Confidential Client, Mexico City.

Here slats add interest and some privacy, but allow light to penetrate.


Wooden slatted ceiling, Mexico City

Confidential Client, Mexico City.

A pattern of slats at the ceiling add the warmth of natural wood to a casual communal venue.


Slatted meeting space in Austin

H-E-B/Favor Delivery, Austin, TX. Photography © Peter Molick.

Vertical slats create a space within a space.


Slatted wall decorations in an elevator lobby

Big Fish, Seattle. Photography © Sherman Takata.

Raw wood slates at the wall and ceiling complement the reception desk design.


Slatted EGD wall

Confidential Client, New York City. Photography © Eric Laignel.

An interactive wall of slats sends a message.


A casual collaboration area in Florida

MSP Recovery, Coral Gables, FL. Photography © Robin Hill.

Parallel at the ceiling, slats emphasize a clean, minimalistic design.


Mitsui USA Stairs

Mitsui USA Headquarters, New York City Photography © Eric Laignel.

Both opaque and open, at the stair wall slats offer a glimpse of the next floor.  


Wooden hall with slats in NYC

Confidential Client, New York City. Photography © Devon Banks.

 Slats create an immersive experience.  

IA is a global firm of architects, designers, strategists, and specialists. We focus exclusively on environments through the lens of interior architecture—a radical idea in 1984, when IA was founded. We are highly connected agents of change, committed to creativity, innovation, growth, and community.

IA is a global firm of architects, designers, strategists, and specialists. We focus exclusively on environments through the lens of interior architecture—a radical idea in 1984, when IA was founded. We are highly connected agents of change, committed to creativity, innovation, growth, and community.

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The Innovative GSA

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Retail Q&A with Design Director Ron Singler

We recently caught up with Retail Design Director Ron Singler and asked him a few questions about the new landscape of retail design from multi-channel environments to emotional appeal to apps and sustainability.

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Gaming Industry Design

By Julia Fuller and Alex Carmer Zwift, Garrett Rowland Photography Pervasive, impactful, highly profitable, gaining momentum every year, with a transformative boost sure to come from the developing Metaverse—gaming is a phenomenon on every continent. And designing for these creative enterprises presents a special set of circumstances and considerations that affect this dynamic industry’s work …continued.

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