Marie Wikoff
Employer and Title: Wikoff Design Studio (WDS), Principal/Owner
AIANN member since: 2003, HMC firm membership 2003-2009, WDS member since 2013
What do you enjoy about your profession?
The diversity in the interior design industry drives me and always keeps things new and exciting. I enjoy working with clients and building life-long relationships with them. Learning about each of their wants and needs is important to me, and I find it satisfying to help make their visions come to life. While I mostly focus on healthcare design, I do enjoy working across other sectors, mainly corporate, hospitality, and religious ones.
Many people may not realize how much a space’s design influences patient care, attitudes about work and how we manage stress from day to day. Because of that, I find my work very meaningful. I am able to improve the lives of other through thoughtful interior design.
My answer wouldn’t be complete without mentioning my colleagues and the love and respect that I have for them. I appreciate the time that I get to spend with each of them and learn from them at the same time. Over the past 30 years, I have connected with so many talented individuals. When going through my education, to “novice years” while working with what I felt were the ‘masters’, and now mentoring and working with our younger generations, it has come full circle and makes me realize the growth in myself and others. It makes it all worthwhile.
How does membership in AIANN benefit you?
AIANN membership helps me stay connected! I rely on my peers for support and have enjoyed the camaraderie over the years. Learning from my friends in AIANN has helped me stay relevant and keep my finger on the pulse across multiple markets. I especially appreciate the focus it brings to continuing education among the members.
Northern Nevada is a small region that is ever-growing and I truly believe that AIANN will help us mobilize, working together for the benefit of the expanding population. Together we will go ‘Onward and Upward’ toward the path of creating a sustainable and beautiful environment.
Tobin Basta
Employer and Title: Plenium Builders, President & Managing Partner
AIANN member since: 2017
What do you enjoy about your profession?
A wise person told me, “You have to love construction because if you don’t love it, you’re going to hate it!” As a builder, it is essential to be passionate about design and construction – to really know and appreciate every small detail and effort that goes into realizing a large goal. That joy and authentic excitement about teamwork instills trust and makes what we do enjoyable. It’s supposed to be fun – and when the entire team is succeeding together, it really is fun.
Have you ever posed a challenge to a room full of designers and builders? They will instantly be knee-deep in it, their sleeves rolled up, sketch apps out, vellum on plans, dry-erase markers squeaking. I encourage Plenium Builders’ people to find creative and innovative ways to overcome those roadblocks and always keep our promises to our clients. Our clients take risks when they decide to build. I really enjoy successfully delivering a client’s project despite the inherent challenges.
Good solutions require close collaboration with architects, engineers, and subcontractors. As a general contractor, we take a leadership role in seeking out the best solutions together with project partners. Our goal is to be everyone’s #1 choice in this market because of our ability to build projects on which all stakeholders are successful. I find it rewarding when an architect we’ve worked with recommends us for a new project based on a previous project – it is a unique perspective for them and an accolade that we strive for.
How does membership in AIANN benefit you?
AIANN is a facet of our goal of maintaining or initiating solid relationships with design professionals in our community. The organization offers me a way to get to know the design community better, to learn more about the risks, concerns, and challenges they face, and to understand a designer’s definition of project success. Relationships are the basis for our work; since we deliver projects in a variety of methods – public CMAR, design-bid-build, and privately negotiated work – and across a diverse project portfolio – hospitality, industrial, education, commercial, and luxury homes. Relationships are key when it comes time to work together to respond to challenges, no matter the contract structure or type of building. The design community is often at the forefront of innovations in our industry. Being part of AIANN gives me insight into what’s ahead – new materials, better systems, and creative ideas.
