Experience
Columbia College Chicago - Adjunct Professor, 2018 to present
-Re-developed and taught Corporate Interiors studio elective undergraduate curriculum based on the same active learning approach utilized for Branded Environments.
-Re-developed and taught six week Portfolio for Interiors including position research and interview mentoring in conjunction to portfolio development as a tool to secure targeted employment.
-Re-developed and taught six week Introduction to Textiles for Interiors, including history, construction, materials, products, processes, and textile career options for interior design students.
Harrington College of Design - Adjunct Professor, 2009 to 2018
-Initiated, developed and taught Branded Environments, curriculum approved thru review by CIDA
-Re-developed and taught undergraduate courses, Portfolio for Interior Design and Business Practicum for Interior Design
-Faculty Representative, Strategic Planning Committee, 2013-2014
marquardt + inc. - President /Founder, 1988 to present
Established in 1988 as Marquardt Design Collaboratives and incorporated in 2000 as marquardt+ and repositioned in 2018 with expanded yet focused services, the practice is an interactive client/market responsive design studio. The practice specializes in the interdisciplinary design process where designers and strategists collaborate utilizing cross discipline design skills applied to a wide variety of project solutions in corporate, commercial, retail, educational, institutional, nonprofit, residential settings. This is achieved on a per project basis with select teams tailored from an extensive network of expertise to provide a targeted and comprehensive list of services including:
- Business, marketing, brand and positioning strategies, m & a consulting, and imaging and identity development.
- Full service marketing, PR and brand strategy and positioning and multi media services, in support of any deliverable in our services expertise.
- Showrooms, retail, exhibit, POP, product display and environmental graphics design.
- Interior architecture and design, workspace optimization - new and renovation, and adaptive reuse.
- Graphic/communications, print, advertising, packaging design, copywriting, press kits digital marketing and promotion design/development.
- Environmentally sustainable solutions following USGBC/LEED and PHIUS initiatives for efficiency, waste reduction, and healthy environments/solutions.
- marquardt+Gridwerk, has provided full service core and shell architecture and interior architecture services.
Society of British and International Design - Executive Board Member, 2022-present, President 2020 - 2021, Immediate Past President, 2021 - 2022
Tom was honored to be appointed by the SBID leadership to the SBID Executive Board starting in 2022, as an International member and the representative interior designer in practice. The Executive Board is SBID’s governing body. The Board is responsible for oversight of SBID activities to agree strategy, policies and budgets for investment in long term developments. It delegates general operating authority to staff, councils and committees.
As SBID encourage members to engage in events and workshops to improve their personal development and career prospects, its members exercise standards that protect the wider public through the ethical guidelines, code of conduct, and pioneering membership strategies. Driving awareness for the wider effects and impacts of good design on communities, SBID strives to create improvement in the built environment by influencing outcomes for innovation and wellbeing.
SBID teams therefore reflect the eclectic mix of sectors and specialisms that shape and influence the design industry, bringing unique insights from their position of knowledge and experience from the UK and abroad, from our association, and many others throughout the world.
Prior to this appointment, Tom took office in 2020 and served as President until 2021, as a figurehead ambassadorial head of the organization as an apt leader in his specific field of expertise to bring diversity in skills, location and disciplines demonstrating the diversity and global reach of the industry. He continues to support the organization and their mission as Immediate Past President and active member of the association. https://www.sbid.org/team/presidents/
Interiors & Sources - Editorial Advisory Board 2017 - 2018
As a member of the I&S editorial advisory board, under the leadership of Editor-in-Chief Kadie Yale, Tom participated in advising and determining the monthly editorial focus from the full year strategy of subject matter to specific ideation of articles and content on a monthly basis for the 2017 - 2018 publishing year. https://www.interiorsandsources.com/magazine/issues
HOK - Vice President - Director of Interiors, 2017 to 2018
Asked to support HOK in evolving their Chicago interiors practice with his design philosophy rooted in interdisciplinary design, collaboration and mentorship Tom engaged HOK as a Vice President and Director of Interiors. He helped HOK's clients and project teams to explore dynamic client-driven design solutions, and utilize his unique ability as a bridge person who manifests each client's unique marketing, brand and workplace strategies in a comprehensive environment in support of HOK global resources, service offerings and expertise. http://www.hok.com/
HDR - Vice President - Director of Interiors, 2015 to 2017
Utilizing his established reputation and experience in integrated interdisciplinary design practices, Tom teamed with HDR’s expertise here in Chicago and nationally to help their leadership evolve a foundation for service offerings in the areas of interior architecture/design, graphic/communication design, and marketing/brand strategies with a focus on workplace, high-end corporate, commercial, and retail projects from a branded environments process approach. https://www.hdrinc.com/services/architecture
SBID UK Student Design Competition Panel Judge 2018
Panel judge for competition of first or second year students of interior design, interior architecture, architecture and product design students from across the UK. The brief was open ended, allowing the students to create reuse strategies and complete site, building, interior, business, product and brand solutions for a derelict site and building in Preston, Lancashire, UK. https://www.sbid.org/education/student-competition-uk/
Steelcase NEXT National Student Competition - Panel Judge 2017 to 2018
Tom participated as a judge with a select panel of leaders from the industry across the country for this year's Steelcase NEXT Student Competition. This is the fifth year of the competition that engages more than 800 students and 65 programs across the country. Using an anonymous judging process based solely on the work itself based on an exceptionally rigorous professional program brief by Steelcase. https://www.steelcase.com/discover/information/architects-and-designers/next-student-design-competition/#winners-and-judges_winner
IIDA Annual Student Design Charette - Co-founder and judge, 2008 to 2015
Created and co-founded yearly IIDA national student event with IIDA CEO Cheryl Durst to encourage mentorship and opportunity between student and professional members of IIDA. Held during NeoCon in order to maximize exposure and momentum, the program has grown in size every year. Assisted with facilitation in multiple roles from launch to 2015: problem author, juror, judge and in process mentor. http://www.iida.org/content.cfm/student-design-charette
School of Art Institute Chicago (SAIC) - Independent Study Co-Lead, 2010
Developed and co-taught an independent study project for the SAIC School of Architecture, graduate program with Drea Hownestein, SAIC Associate Professor. Project organized in conjunction with CobConnection, a Chicago non-profit developing community sourced food production and security and OAI, Inc., a Chicago program providing workforce training and support.
Awards/Recognitions
IIDA 2017 Leadership Award of Excellence Honoree
Tom had the career honor to be selected as the 2017 honoree who has made significant contributions to the design industry at the IIDA Leaders Breakfast, an annual international event series that celebrates design's importance in the global market place by honoring the people who are both the legacy and future of design. http://www.iida.org/content.cfm/chicago-2017
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)/contract magazine– Best of NeoCon, July 2015
m+ won the Best of NeoCon award in the under 400 SF booth design category for the Dupont Surfaces booth http://www.iida.org/content.cfm/most-recent-winners
Illumination Engineering Society DC Chapter – IES Candela Award, May 2015
m+ won the IES DC Section Candela Award for the Robert Allen DC Showroom
http://designcenterdc.com/marquardt-wins-for-robert-allen-showroom
Illuminating Engineering Society of North America IES Merit Award 2015 for the Robert Allen, Washington DC Showroom Lighting Design - Illuminating Engineering Society, May 2015
llumination Awards Merit award - Public Recognition of professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design for the Robert Allen Washington DC showroom lighting design. Paul MacDonald/Meta Engineers P.C. who entered the project, Tom Marquardt IIDA, SBID, Jim Wild, AIA, were the recipients. http://www.ies.org/pdf/Awards/ia/2015%20Full%20Award%20of%20Merit%20report%20for%20posting.pdf
SBID International Design Awards Retail Design Finalist - Carnegie Showroom - Society of British and International Design (SBID), September 2014
The new Carnegie Chicago Showroom by marquardt+ has been judged and selected as one of ten finalists for the SBID International Design Awards 2014. http://internationaldesignexcellenceawards.com/finalist/carnegie-showroom
Interior Designer - Branded Environments I 2014 Designer of the Year Award - Interior Design Magazine, August 2014
June 2014 Honoring Industry People (HIP) to recognize individuals in the design industry Tom was recognized as the Interior Designer of the year for his contributions to the industry with his expertise in Branded Environments, the first year the awards were given by Interior Design Magazine.
AIA/CAF Future Prentice Competition 3rdPlace Award, November 2012
Team member with Gridwerk Architecture was 3rd out of 71 entries from 13 countries http://www.bustler.net/index.php/article/winners_of_the_2012_chicago_prize_competition_future_prentice
Maya Romanoff NYC Showroom - Finalist in SBID International Interior Design, September 2012
Maya Romanoff Chicago Showroom - Merit Award Interior Design Magazine Best of Year Showroom, June 2012
IIDA/Contract Magazine Showroom Design Creative Excellence Award, Joel Berman Glass Studios, LTD Showroom, Best of NeoCon Showroom, June 2010
North Shore Dentistry for Children - Design Evanston Award for Excellence in Office Design, June 2005
http://www.designevanston.org/pastawards/documents/DesignAwards2005.pdf
Invista Antron Showroom LEED-CI Gold, 2008
http://newsarchive.invista.com/news_releases/2009/pr_090205_antron_showroom_leed_award.shtml
Speaking Engagements, Lectures and Presentations
Floor Daily Radio Interview, Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus Magazine interviews Tom about NeoCon 2018 and the 50 years of the A&D Manufacturers Trade Fair in Chicago. June, 2018 https://www.floordaily.net/flooring-interviews/tom-marquardt-discusses-the-importance-of-neocon-as-a-resource-for-interior-designers504
Network Next Gen, Podcast, 01 "Mind the Gap" - Tom participated in a generational discussion of the practice of design with two other design professionals representing three generations in the design industry, moderated by Tarra Kieckhaefer, discussing the benefits and challenges of generational differences and approach to the practice of design. February 1,2018. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/network-next-gen-podcast-preview/id1339507418?i=1000400564539&mt=2
3Form Design Advisory Board Summit - The first summit with a select group of design influencers, led by Talley Goodson, CEO of 3form, and Paul Makowvsky, Editor and Brand Director of Metropolis, for a series of moderated discussions about product and the industry. Subsequent meetings and reviews continuing into 2018. November 2017 - present https://www.3-form.com/
Work Design Magazine Talks: "The Changing nature of Work and the Workplace" - Tom participated as a panelist to discuss why as people experience this once-in-a-lifetime shift in how, when, and where we work — we still build office space. What advantage — whether in driving innovation, attracting and retaining top talent, and improving the bottom line — does expensive real estate still bring to today’s businesses? Where do organizations get the most benefit from their workplace? And how is the workplace being used to advance the goals of these organizations? September 2017 https://workdesign.com/2017/09/the-changing-nature-of-work-and-the-workplace/
Francis Harrington Speakers Series - Spring 2017 Guest Speaker, Tom presented his first public lecture on Branded Environments as a client driven process - How to take marketing and brand strategies and manifest them into the built environment. The built environment, really any environment is a very important and many times overlooked touch point for CMOs and their work; and the process is an equally important bridge skill to be acquired and understood by designers of all types, to effectively manifest the brand truths of any organization beyond the typical conventions into effective user experiences. March 2017 https://ericmasi.zenfolio.com/p781263471#h84ef1c0c
2017 IIDA Stitch, Guest Judge - IIDA Illinois Chapter Event at the House of Blues - Tom is participating as a panel judge to evaluate the entrants of the IIDA Stitch 2017. Stitch by teams of designers from major Chicago firms, for the 12th anniversary of the event. Models present creative garments designed by A&D Industry teams utilizing materials and finishes of A&D manufacturers in exceedingly creative ways. March, 2017 http://www.iida-ilchap.org/event/2017-stitch/
Worktypes: IIDA/Trendway Sponsored Roundtable, Research discussion - Tom participated in a roundtable discussion on correlation between an individual's personality and the work environment that best supports who they are and how they work, facilitated by John Rouse, publisher emeritus of Contract Magazine, and John Berry and Valerie Atkin of the Design Thinking Initiative at Grand Valley State University based on their work applying Enneagram knowledge and thinking to help organizations and teams work together more productively. February 2017
Floor Daily Radio Interview, Kemp Harr, Publisher of Floor Focus Magazine interviews Tom about his work, approach and NeoCon, and his work with HDR, June 10, 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSWaklxziss
Interior Design Magazine Video Interview, Managing Editor Helene Oberman meets with and interviews Tom Marquardt about his work to support HDR, history with project work in the Merchandise Mart, branded environments and the future of design, June, 2016.
NeoCon Professional CE Seminar Roundtable, "Lighting: Your Essential Edge in Creating Branded Environments” - One of three panelists discussing lighting and brand development, and technology innovations, June 15, 2015
ASID DesignPro Series, "Branded Environments and Showroom Design” - Individual presentation as part of the ASID DesignPro Series, providing designers with professional insights on business practices and development May 2014
http://asidillinois.com/files/2015/03/Design-PRO-Chicago-Poster-4.10.15.jpg
Society of British and International Design (SBID) International Round Table, "Integration and Cross-Industry Branding in Design” - One of three panelists moderated by SBID President Vanessa Brady OBE at Maison & Objet, Paris, FR, September 2014
http://www.sbid.org/wp-content/uploads/SBID-Industry-News-September-2014.pdf
Carnegie: “Carnegie NeoCon Video Concept Walk Thru” June, 2014
Video of Tom Marquardt participating in the design and process walk thru of Carnegie Chicago Showroom
http://www.carnegiefabrics.com/neocon-2014
IDC/Canadian Interiors International Roundtable, "Diverging Interests: How to Create a Symbiotic Relationship in Common and Public Areas” One of four panelists at the IIDEX/ConstructCanada Keynote lecture series event. https://www.canadianinteriors.com/interior-design/mark-your-calendar-2013-international-design-roundtable-on-dec-5/1002739996/
Metropolis Magazine/KI Roundtable Series, "Bringing America’s Workforce Back to the Office” One of five panelists moderated by Susan Szenasy, September 2013
http://chicagoarchitect.tumblr.com/post/59489704962/bringing-americas-workforce-back-to-the
Harrington College of Design, “Thought Leadership Roundtable” April 16, 2012
Created, assembled and facilitated the first Thought Leadership Roundtable about changes occurring in the retail sector of store design and branding
http://www.marquardtplus.com/blog/?p=420
NeoCon Professional CE Seminar Presentation, "Ethics & Law in Design” Participated with Attorney Jean Einstein who specializes in creative practices to discuss legal issues and processes that develop for business practices in the design field, June 2011
Moen, "Tom Marquardt, Shotgun Kitchen Remodel, A Small Kitchen offers Big Lessons”, July 2010
Video of Tom Marquardt lecture on the design approach and process of Chicago Shotgun Flat kitchen project for Moen Faucets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXK7gIh3C98
Publications and Articles
Eleanor O'Kane: "Q & A; Tom Marquardt", eSociety : the Magazine of the Society of British and International Design (SBID), October 2017, pages 14 - 17, Article profiling Tom Marquardt's career, practice approach and new work with HOK. https://issuu.com/sbid/docs/01-48_esociety6.3_v3
Tom Marquardt: "Listen More, Talk Less, Interiors & Sources, Digital Op-Ed, September 1st, 2017, Tom shares his thoughts in the September issue Op-Ed, on why designers need to listen more, talk less and think beyond the latest trends. https://www.interiorsandsources.com/article-details/articleid/21417/title/listen-more-talk-less
Monica Montalvo, Tom Marquardt: "The Origin of the Open Office", Torque Digital Blog, March 28, 2017, Guest blog article by Tom Marquardt about his take on the origins of the open office and does innovation come before or after it is defined. https://torque.digital/2017/03/28/origin-of-the-open-office
Perspectives: "Office Politics", Perspectives Magazine, June 13, 2016, pages 44-49, Perspective convened a roundtable of design professionals for a frank discussion about workplace culture and how the design industry handles human challenges, and whether office politics can be use for good. http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/perspective_2016springsummer/index.php#/46
Kadie Yale: "Redefining the Experience of Luxury", Interiors & Sources, March 2016, p42 - 45, Feature article with Kadie and Tom taking a tour of the Maya Romanoff Chicago Showroom highlighting ways in which the luxury product sourcing experience is transformed into the space. http://digital.interiorsandsources.com/interiorsandsources/march_2016?pg=43#pg43
Mollie Williams: "A Case Study: Millikin & marquardt+ Inc. Modernize Merchandise Mart", Millikin Floor Blog, January 2016, - Blog post with Byron Morton, the Mart’s vice president of leasing, and Tom Marquardt, principal and founder of marquardt+ inc. discuss the refresh by m+ of the 22,000-plus-square-foot corridor space. https://blog.millikencarpet.com/milliken-marquardt-inc-modernize-merchandise-mart
Erika Templeton: “Unfinished Business”, Interiors & Sources, September 2014, p74 - 81 Feature article on Tom's brand strategy and process approach to the development of the Carnegie Fabrics Showroom
http://www.interiorsandsources.com/article-details/articleid/17882/title/unfinished-business.aspx
Nicolas Tamarin: “Meet the Talent, HIP Awards”, Interior Design Magazine, vol 85 number 9, August 2014, p91-95 Article profiling the HIP Award winners and their work
http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/detail/36101-hip-winners-people
Emmanuelle Chazarin: “Young Talent – the Road to Employability”, Society, Official Journal of the Society of British and International Design, vol 2 Issue 1, 2013, p12-15 Feature article in Education Issue including interview with Tom Marquardt on expanding the design industry with education
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/b81c966b#/b81c966b/1
Vanessa Brady OBE: “Harnessing Potential”, Society, Official Journal of the Society of British and International Design, vol 2 Issue 1, 2013, p16-17 Article/interview in Education Issue with Tom Marquardt and Sonia Nicolson on the benefits of recruiting young graduates and the skills gaps that need to be filled in order for them to flourish
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/b81c966b#/b81c966b/1
Tom Marquardt: "Time to Tool Up” Society, Official Journal of the Society of British and International Design, vol 2 Issue 1, 2013, p18 Article by Tom Marquardt in Education Issue on taking practical action to enhance students’ curriculum
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/b81c966b#/b81c966b/1
Hans Fonk: “My Kind of Town, Chicago Is” Objekt International, vol 63, September 2013, p128-137 Article on Chicago design including design of both the Objekt International exhibit at NeoCon 2013 and the Joel Berman Glass Studios, Ltd, showroom
Lana Sheraur: “Designers architects, carpenters, welders, woodworkers, artists business consultants and real estate professionals”, Objekt International, vol 62, June 2013, p148-153 Article profiling Tom Marquardt and marquardt+ practice, range of work and processes of interdiciplinary design, and one of the first in the history of Objekt International to profile a practice instead of a specific project
Robin Prince: “Chicago Shotgun Flat", Objekt International, vol 52, December 2012, p156-157
Article profiling Tom Marquardt’s residence in Chicago, and his philosophy for the renovation of the flat and building
Editor: "Okamura New Chicago Showroom at NeoCon", Office & Contract Furniture - Japan, Vol 622, June 2012, p6-9 Feature article in Japanese office and furniture monthly presenting Tom Marquardt’s Okamura Showroom design and process opening at NeoCon
Kendell Cronstrom: "Shop Talk Showroom Spotlight: Maya Romanoff”, New York Cottages & Gardens Magazine, March/April 2012, p38 Announcement and images of Maya Romanoff New York Showroom, and opening
Megan Edwards: “Best of Year, Showroom”, Interior Design Magazine, vol 82, number 15, December 2011, p164-166 Merit Award presentation of Maya Romanoff Chicago Showroom
Brad Kisner: CS Interiors, “DIFFA’s Dining By Design”, Winter 2011, p100
Review and presentation of sponsors tables for DIFFA Chicago’s Dining by Design including the Maya Romanoff Table
Dabai Sha: "Between the Covers, Maya Romanoff Grand Opening Party”, i4Design, vol 6, issue 11, summer 2011, p80 Announcement and images of Maya Romanoff Chicago Showroom, and opening
Tom Stoelker: “Exhibit A”, Architects Newspaper, vol 12, June 2011, p13
Feature Article discussing four showroom and exhibits including the Maya Romanoff Chicago Showroom, and the site specific issues and experimentation in materials, technology and planning by the designers, in detail
Bradley Lincoln: "Walkthrough, A Grand Entrance”, Interior Design Magazine, vol 82, number 7, May 2011, p101-104 Feature presenting a walkthrough of the Maya Romanoff Chicago Showroom design
Tom Marquardt: "Updating a Shotgun Flat”, The Journal of Light Construction, vol 29, number 8, May 2011, p61-64 Article on the construction challenges of renovating a Chicago Shotgun Flat
Diana Tychsen: “Hometown Design Hero”, CS Interiors, Spring 2011, p28
Review of new Maya Romanoff Chicago Showroom
Jennifer Thiele Busch: “Best of NeoCon 2010”, Contract Magazine, vol 51, issue 6, July/August 2010, p80 Joel Berman Glass Studios conference room featured with lighting recognition
Cover: “Future Vision 2019 A Decade of Trends”, Office Furniture & Design: vol 5 issue 3, Fall 2009 Joel Berman Glass Studios conference room featured to represent issue subject
Charles Cumpston and Ellen Giard: “More than Meets the Eye” USGlass, Metal & Glazing, vol 41 issue 7, July 2006, p66 Oldcastle glass exhibit is article lead image for review of the AIA Show and Convention
Sheila Kim-Jamet: “Heathcare: Not Quite the Tooth Fairy”, Interior Design Magazine, vol 75 number 14, November 2004, p82-86 Feature article on Northshore Dentistry for Children office design
Linda Burnett: "Best of NeoCon Creative Excellence Award, Joel Berman Glass Showroom”, Contract Magazine, vol 46, issue 8, August 2004, p122 Jury review of Best of NeoCon award winners
Maria Giulia Zunino: “News, 15, Chicago, Merchandise Mart”, Abitare, issue 426, March 2003, p 59 Profile of the new Joel Berman Glass Studios, Chicago Showroom
Education and Accreditation
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
Professional Membership, 2002 to present
Society of British and International Design (SBID)
Professional Membership, 2008 to present
American Marketing Association - Executive Circle (AMA-EC)
Professional Membership, 2015 to present
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Bachelor of Fine Arts – Design with Triple Submajors: Interior Design, Graphic Design and Product Design