By Maureen Bissonnette, Director of Marketing at Ware Malcomb
Lawrence R. Armstrong epitomizes the modern Renaissance man. A long-time member of the Internet Marketing Association’s International Executive Council, Armstrong has successfully blended the worlds of art, technology and design into his many personal and professional pursuits. This includes his role as Chief Executive Officer of Ware Malcomb, an award-winning international design firm with 17 offices throughout North America, as well as the role of accomplished artist.
Armstrong is well known for his strategic, visionary approach to design and business, and his focus on creativity and innovation influences all of his artistic endeavors. “His work as an architect is enhanced and inspired by his work as an artist, and his corporate clients appreciate this unique sensibility,” explained Ruth Brajevich, Ware Malcomb’s Chief Marketing Officer. “At the same time, his art is inspired by modern architects and artists, as well as his international travels.”
Most recently, Armstrong has been spearheading Ware Malcomb, an industry leader in the design of commercial and corporate real estate, through a period of extraordinary growth. In the past 15 months alone, he has established new offices in the dynamic markets of Seattle, New York and Miami. Over the past five years, Ware Malcomb has consistently achieved significant growth, increasing annual revenue over 170% from 2010 to 2015.
In addition to award-winning design, Armstrong believes technology has played an important role in the firm’s success. The firm utilizes Building Information Modeling, which enables the construction of a complete virtual architectural model with the ability to generate unlimited, coordinated views from any location in the project. This tool helps clients to fully envision their new space and avoid any disconnect between design, productivity, and corporate culture. Ware Malcomb is also one of the first and only firms to offer Site Optimization Modeling, a civil engineering tool that can quickly deliver various site layouts and cost-optimized grading design options to clients, greatly reducing overall construction time and costs.
The firm is also a recognized industry leader in the use of internet marketing and social media, with a strong (and early) presence in the space that has served as a roadmap for other companies.
As Armstrong has remained busy fulfilling his vision for Ware Malcomb’s expansion, his personal success as an artist has also taken off. Over the past year, his work has appeared in a number of high profile international art exhibitions in New York, Miami, Madrid and Toronto. He has also received numerous awards for his art, including being honored with the Sandro Botticelli Prize in Florence, Italy this past spring.
Armstrong’s paintings and sculptures represent an ongoing exploration of the concept of layers: both how they interact and intersect with one another, and also the meanings contained within. “The works are magnificent,” said William Braemer, Director of Art Fusion Galleries in Miami, of Armstrong’s work. Art Fusion featured several Armstrong pieces in its contemporary gallery space earlier this year.
By bringing an artist’s eye to architectural design, Armstrong and his team are reshaping the commercial architectural landscape of major metro markets across the U.S., Canada and Latin America.
Maureen Bissonnette, MBA, is the Director of Marketing for Ware Malcomb. The firm offers planning, architecture, interior design, branding and civil engineering services to commercial real estate and corporate clients. Established in 1972, Ware Malcomb is an international design firm with 17 office locations throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Panama. The firm specializes in the design of commercial office, industrial, science & technology, healthcare, retail, auto dealerships, public/educational facilities and renovation projects. Ware Malcomb was among the top 25 architectural firms in Engineering News-Record’s national ranking of the Top 500 Design Firms of 2015, while the firm’s interior design group was recognized as one the nation’s 2015 Top 100 Giants in Interior Design magazine. www.waremalcomb.com