SKETCH TO FORM, INC.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

About the Company Founded in 2010 as a furniture design and manufacturing business, Sketch to Form has gradually expanded its services. We now focus on architectural services for residential, commercial and institutional projects, project management services, urban design services for large and small projects and consulting services on real estate development projects in the United States and abroad for domestic and foreign clients. We specialize in (but are not limited to) difficult and remote regions, such as islands and less-populated areas. Sketch to Form continues to design furniture, but has shifted away from manufacturing. Instead, we work with trusted, local fabricators to maintain the high level of quality we are known for. In 2014, Sketch to Form gained its license to practice architecture in the State of Florida (AA26002967). It has assumed all projects under its founder and provides professional services both nationally and internationally. Although Sketch to Form began with contemporary roots, it has proudly expanded its design versatility. The company provides professional services with a bespoke approach. No solution is ever the same, as the ideas required to overcome challenges are unique to each project. This is achieved with careful, extensive study throughout the entire process. Technology is used as a tool to help clients visualize the end product, as well as to demonstrate, as accurately as possible, a model of how their resources will be utilized. We leverage financial modeling tools, 2d presentation tools, 3d modeling tools, sketching, physical prototypes, renderings, building information modeling (BIM) and virtual reality. We also use online project management tools with integration to mobile, in order to keep clients informed of their projects 24/7, no matter where they are in the world. Sketch to Form subscribes to lean business principles. Efficient business practices are heavily leveraged, in order to achieve productive work schedules and cost effectiveness throughout the entire project. Then came the Great Recession in 2008…He saw an opportunity to reinvent himself as a furniture designer and fabricator. His new venture caught attention, as he was featured on the cover of The Miami Herald’s Home and Design section (Oct. 9, 2011). Other recognitions included: The Miami Laker, Thrillist, Laguna Tools, Columbia Forest Products, the president of Dwell Magazine and a myriad of other blogs. Dion was also invited to participate in Burst Art Fair, a satellite art fair of the world-renowned Art Basel in Miami. He used this design and fabrication experience to transition into prefabricated homes, a growing market after the recession, where he further refined his building information modeling (BIM) skills for the manufacturing sector. Before consulting for Cabin Fever in Miami, FL, the company’s production rate was five buildings per year. He improved this to 33 by leveraging lean manufacturing principles. For example, Dion implemented efficient scheduling and materials handling, as well as just-in-time delivery of parts. He introduced BIM for the production of products and parts, which increased coordination and communication between the design and production teams, and he established quality control systems and many other lean principles. More recently, Dion had the role of vice president of design & development for Cotton Bay Developers Limited in Eleuthera, Bahamas, as well as consulted for Lindroth Development Company in Nassau, Bahamas. Dion currently has developer, client representative and project manager roles for a private villa project in Pointe Milou, St. Barths. Dion was born in Puerto Rico to a draftsman and secretary. His grandfathers, one a CPA and entrepreneur and the other a carpenter, exposed him to two dissimilar, yet very disciplined worlds: business and hand-making. At the age of 10, as part of a military family, he moved to Fort Hood, Texas, which changed the course of his life forever. Military life allowed him to travel and explore the world, which fed his curiosity and love for architecture. Dion acknowledges that the foundation of his discipline and relentless drive comes from this 20-year military experience, as well as from the influence of mentors, such as Lieutenant General Mark P. Hertling. Orjan Lindroth, CEO Lindroth Development Company (Nassau, Bahamas) © 2016 sketch to form, inc. Philosophy A small architectural firm, sketch to form, inc. was founded by architect Dion Lee Valencia, AIA, NCARB to provide professional services to domestic and international clients for institutional, commercial and residential projects. Our philosophy: ■ Creativity is our most valuable product ■ Trust is everything ■ Articulating the challenge is the first step to finding a solution ■ Partner with clients to find solutions ■ Be clear in all we create ■ Think lean, be agile. sketch to form, inc. is a Florida-licensed architecture firm (AA26002967)