Celebrating 50 years of doing things differently.
Iconica is not just an architecture, construction, or engineering firm. It is the intertwined effort of all three to create better outcomes for our clients. As we celebrate our 50th anniversary and look back at the past five decades of doing things differently, we are reminded of the importance of learning, experiencing, and focusing on our values and behaviors. As part of this celebration, we want to share 50 iconic lessons that emphasize our core values and further differentiate how we approach projects.
50 Iconic Lessons
1 – Celebrate Success!
2 – Change is good
3 – What’s in a company name?
6 – Be a Sparkler
7 – Listen Generously
8 – Food Brings People Together
11 – Inspire Others
12 – Boost the Fun Factor
15 – Find A Way
At Iconica, we’ve learned the value of finding a way: embracing resourcefulness and staying resilient in the face of challenges. We believe in seeking solutions rather than making excuses and putting in the extra effort to complete a project. Our integrated design-build approach allows us to deliver results that we’re proud of, with expertise in architecture, construction, and engineering all under one roof.
16 – Build a Culture, not a Company
We believe in more than just creating a successful business. We are passionate about cultivating a thriving culture that embraces work-life balance and prioritizes our team members’ well-being.
17 – Ask Questions
Our 2023 interns had a unanimous piece of advice for future interns: embrace the power of asking questions. As we continue celebrating our 50th anniversary, we’re reminded that curiosity has been the cornerstone of our success. Here’s to 50 years of growth and learning, driven by the simple yet impactful act of asking questions.
19 – Embrace Change
We understand that change is an integral part of the design-build journey. Our job is not just to build but to transform, evolve, and ensure that our client’s needs and wishes are met and exceeded.
21 – Deliver Unparalleled Customer Service
Our unwavering commitment to delivering unparalleled customer service is built on a few fundamental principles. We start by learning what matters most to our customers and prioritize listening before providing guidance and action. We constantly strive to deliver the highest value and customer satisfaction at every opportunity. When we make a promise, it’s done with professionalism and respect.
22 – Make New Employees Feel Welcome
The onboarding process at Iconica is about welcoming employees and setting them up for success. Our approach extends beyond introductions; it includes an office tour, departmental lunches to forage relationships, and cross-departmental training that explains everyone’s responsibilities within our organization. This process ensures that every employee feels valued welcomed, and understands their integral role in our collective success.
23 – Ubuntu
Serving the team, project, and client above oneself defines Ubuntu. Success comes from supporting others, admitting mistakes, valuing their contributions, and remaining humble enough to undertake any task.
25 – Mutual Respect
Mutual Respect, our core value, motivates us to champion our clients, embrace diverse perspectives for collaboration, and prioritize preferred communication methods. With mutual respect, we maintain accountability with our customers, vendors, colleagues, and within our team.
26 – One Revolution at a Time
Change begins with one revolution at a time. It starts with the little acts, where we defy stereotypes and collaborate seamlessly with architects, construction professionals, and engineers under one roof. These small actions can spark a revolution, transforming how we work and innovate together.
27 – DISC Assessment Tool
At Iconica, we leverage a personality assessment tool to enhance team communication. Our employees showcase their unique communication styles through a brief assessment quiz, fostering a deeper understanding and improving overall team communication dynamics.
30 – Focus on the Client
The client always comes first. We are dedicated to understanding and surpassing their needs, working collaboratively to deliver exceptional solutions. We focus on turning visions into reality by listening and supporting our clients.
31 – Embrace Technology
Hear from Shane, a MEP Designer / VDC Specialist at Iconica, as he highlights the versatile applications of drones and how we’ve successfully embraced this technology, seamlessly integrating it into our design-build approach, ultimately transforming how we manage projects and visualize designs. Shane’s insights exemplify how we deliver exceptional value to our clients through innovation.
33 – Plan the Work, Work the Plan
As a design-build firm, we approach every project with a fully integrated team of pre-construction estimators, architects, engineers, and construction professionals. We plan; the pre-construction team conducts feasibility studies and cost analyses. Our architects and engineers collaborate to design a functional and aesthetically pleasing space while our construction professionals bring this vision to life. This seamless teamwork, with open communication and real-time adjustments, ensures our projects are completed on time and within budget.
34 – Adapt to Industry Changes
Adaptation and evolution of construction practices are crucial for staying competitive and meeting the ever-expanding industry demands. Over the last five decades, we’ve continually refined our methods to align with these shifts, ultimately resulting in the delivery of top-quality buildings for our clients.
35 – Do the Right Thing
We believe in accountability and acknowledge our mistakes when they occur. We view errors as opportunities for improvement, fostering a culture of transparency and continuous refinement. The path to success begins with integrity and the willingness to rectify missteps, ensuring our client’s trust and satisfaction remain at the forefront of our mission to revolutionize the construction industry.
36 – Leverage Technology
We leverage the power of technology through 3D scanning. Shane, our VDC Specialist, is here to share how it revolutionizes our operations and enables us to enhance workflow efficiency, generate highly detailed 3D models of existing structures, assess existing conditions precisely, and conserve valuable time and resources on our projects. By adopting this technology, we empower our team to make informed decisions and deliver exceptional results.
37 – Treasure Feedback
Treasure feedback is an essential aspect of our work, as it serves as a compass guiding us towards continuous improvement. We engage in this process to identify and acknowledge what we’re doing well – our strengths, and also to pinpoint areas where we can enhance our performance. By valuing client feedback, we gain invaluable insights that help us to deliver even more exceptional projects.
38 – Make Quality Personal
Making quality personal is a shared journey that resonates throughout our workplace. It’s a team effort, not the endeavor of a single individual, that drives us forward. We understand that it’s the small, thoughtful touches from the project’s inception to its completion that genuinely make the difference. These details set Iconica apart and are a testament to our unwavering dedication to excellence, ensuring that our clients feel a sense of pride in what we collectively achieve.
39 – Actively Visit Job Sites
In this lesson, we highlight the significance of active, weekly job site visits that allow our architects to witness their impact in real time, bridging the gap between design and the real world.
40 – Verify and Clarify
We verify and clarify your unique desires, needs, budget, and schedule. This step is vital for clients as they define their specific requirements, and it genuinely excites us to align our strategies with your criteria, ensuring a tailored approach that lays the groundwork for a successful and satisfying collaboration.
41 – Design and Price
In the phase of design and pricing, we fine-tune plans and details, confirming they align seamlessly with the understanding gained during the verification and clarification of our client’s wants, needs, and desires. This critical step is where the envisioned building design takes shape, and we ensure that the confirmed price aligns with the previously established budget. Our commitment is to deliver a well-crafted plan that meets your specifications and aligns with your financial parameters, providing a seamless transition from vision to reality.
42 – Create a Visual
Design renderings help our clients visualize their projects. These visuals serve as a dynamic tool, allowing clients to provide valuable input. It’s more than just creating images; it’s a collaborative process that ensures the final outcome aligns seamlessly with our clients’ wants and needs.
44 – Listen to the Client
We wholeheartedly embrace the fundamental lesson of listening to our clients. We understand that a collaborative and engaging process is the key to a successful project. Our commitment goes beyond delivering exceptional results; we aim to make the entire journey enjoyable for our clients. By actively listening to their needs, preferences, and aspirations, we ensure that every step aligns with their vision. Our goal is a successful project completion and a client who feels valued and heard throughout the process. We measure our success not just by the quality of our work but by the satisfaction and happiness of our clients.
45 – Take Pride in Our Craftsmen
We take pride in the exceptional skills of our craftsmen, cherishing their remarkable ability to transform ideas into reality with a touch of uniqueness and cost-effectiveness. We harness the creative skillsets of our craftsmen, leveraging their expertise to design and create a distinctive product that not only captivates but also aligns seamlessly with a budget.
47 – Get the Facts
Each day, our pre-construction estimating team invests significant effort in obtaining vital information during the early design stages. Their process involves proactive communication with owners, working seamlessly with our internal architectural and engineering teams, and leveraging their expertise to refine and enhance the accuracy of our estimates. By consistently striving to acquire and understand the facts, we empower ourselves to provide our clients with the most precise and reliable estimates, ensuring transparency and confidence in our services.
49 – Be Flexible
Our construction project managers consistently demonstrate the essence of teamwork and flexibility. Collaborating seamlessly, they are prepared to be flexible every day, embracing changes and challenges that come their way. This adaptability is crucial in navigating the dynamic nature of our projects, ensuring successful outcomes for our clients.
50 – Execute as Promised
Our final lesson of the 50 Iconic lessons emphasizes the importance of execution. Step 3 of Iconica’s three-step process: execute as promised. As we bid farewell to the 50 Iconic lessons, we carry with us the profound understanding that true success lies not only in ideas but in the disciplined and dedicated execution of those ideas.