Working with Shira
When I left the industry in 2018 I thought that I needed to change careers in order to align my work with my core values.Then in 2019 I got a call from a colleague: An 8,000 square foot Ortho/Pedo office needed a designer and she hoped it would be me. I took the phone with me to the sunny backyard. I told her I had left the firm I had been with for 15 years because I wanted to “make the world a better place” and bring my work into alignment with my values. But I was tempted, so tempted:
I loved designing medical offices but I didn’t like how the industry was doing things. And then this thought… If I opened my own firm, I could do things differently! Focus on integrity and customer experience. I could communicate clearly and work as a team with the contractor and the client to get around sticker shock and keep projects cooperative, on time and on budget! When issues came up I could simply, calmly help to solve them.
Spoiler Alert: I said yes to Pediatric Dental Group and Orthodontics and decided we can have it all! Work we love and meaningful contribution!
I’m Shira Coleman, Owner of DesigningWell. I am here to understand, guide, and bring about your vision for your office project. When you engage DesigningWell you will have my deep experience fully focused on your project without being handed over to a junior designer or drafts person. My focus will be on creating a design-build team that runs smoothly, and is responsive and proactive. I’m happy to offer you my 18 years of experience in specialty medical and dental office design, resulting in projects of superior function, with brand conscious aesthetics, durability, and attention to budget constraints. I will help you create an efficient, ergonomic, welcoming, and beautiful space, so that your practice can realize its potential.
I am a CID certified Commercial Interior Designer, educated at the Richmond College of London studying both Interior Design and Construction and Energy Management. You will find me to be responsive, caring and professional. Hiring DesigningWell will allow you to focus on your practice and practice development with confidence that your design and construction project is being expertly managed and you have the support you need to make the necessary decisions to meet your needs now and into the future. Let’s dream together.
testimonials
“Designing and remodeling an office can be daunting as there are so many steps and key elements that should not be overlooked. Shira knows her stuff and is fantastic in guiding a vision come true. Her expertise makes the project go smoothly from the initial design through all of the construction phase.
She is a wealth of dental/ortho knowledge in design options, ideas, and contractor networks. Challenges arise in any project but she is there every step of the way to make sure it all comes together for what her client desires. Hire Shira for your project so that you don’t break your head or bank on a practice build/remodel.”
Dr. Gabriel Enriquez DDS MS
“Thank you for being willing to be real and connected as we co-create. It feels like a totally alive and a rich and beautiful way to do business. We truly do appreciate what you have brought into our world.”
“Working with Shira is a fluid and inspiring process. We opened an integrative pediatric practice with Shira as the lead member of our office design team. She has tremendous insight to offer to any practitioner. Her deep awareness makes her a phenomenal addition to any wellness oriented practice’s design team adding something a little more intangible than just workspace flow, furniture and overall layout. Shira routinely rose above in her efforts, whether she was offering options and ideas to integrate the feel of the office to support a calming environment for both kids and their parents or adjusting to our needed changes to scale down since our grand-opening landed right in the midst of COVID. Most importantly, we laughed and shared joy in the process. She is a kind-hearted and warm person which makes working together peaceful and fun. We look forward to another round when we are big enough to grow.”
Risa Fowler DDiv, RYT-500, and Paul Fowler MD, PhD, FAAP
“As contractors who specialize in medical office construction, we work very hard to develop and maintain relationships with excellent architects, subcontractors and designers. We believe our customers deserve it. We recently had the privilege of working with Shira Coleman at Designing Well. The experience was second to none. Shira is excellent on every level and a genuine joy to work with.
She cares about her work and it shows. She has expertise not only providing great design for big budgets but does masterful work when costs have to be cut. I would highly recommend Shira and Designing Well to any of our clients. We look forward to our next project with her.”
David Savage, Savage Construction Company Inc.
Contact
Shira L.E. Coleman MA, CID
Shira@DesigningWell.com
831.588.2541
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