The program called for the consolidation and expansion of conference facilities for IMG (International Management Group), agents for major sports celebrities. Requirements also included a dining room, food service facility, and chairman's suite. The new suite occupies expanded space in the penthouse of One Erieview Plaza, a building designed by the firm in 1968.

Design logic was governed by the following factors: the nature of the designated space; the integration of traditional conference functions with others requiring board room and executive club atmosphere; making the meeting/break-out space as flexible as possible; and establishing a clear datum to organize, integrate, and image these functions.

The nine-foot-high "wedge" or datum wall enclosing the conference rooms serves to generate the linear geometry that organizes sequences of spaces. Grid lines, formed by mullions, correspond to door, table, and counter heights. The wedge also leads to and generates other enclosed spaces, such as the kitchen and dining rooms. Accentuating the linear geometry is the alternately light-dark-light palette of the birds-eye maple paneling, mahogany door and clerestory frames, and rice paper screens.

The conference suite proper comprises three rooms which, by means of moveable partitions, may also function as one large room comfortably seating 120. Forty-eight-inch table modules and portable torchere lighting provide maximum flexibility.

Natural light is subtly directed into internal spaces. Soft cove lighting and recessed fixtures with dimmers make a variety of illumination situations possible.

Awards: 1991 Design Award for Built Work - Cleveland Chapter AIA