Julie Fisher is the co-founder of fcStudio, a Chicago-based design firm which has handled projects for an impressive client roster, including Walt Disney, Steppenwolf Theater, and the United Center. Her firm has also worked on a number of interior design and architectural projects for residential clients – one of whom even has a slide adjacent to their staircase now, thanks to fcStudio. Julie Fisher sat down recently with Brandon Kosters to discuss her background in the industry, and what lies ahead for her design firm.
Your firm handles a wide range of architectural and design services. What is your individual area of specialization, and how did you first become involved in this industry?
We are fortunate to be in our 27th year of business together. We started in the high-end residential sector, focusing on historic homes in Chicago. [My business partner] Rachel Crowl and I both met each other working at a hospitality firm, so pivoting to hospitality was a natural transition for us. One of us takes the lead for every project in our office. We both bring very different skillsets and point of views to every project, but continually collaborate with our teams and each other throughout our projects.
How did you forge your relationship with Rachel Crowl?
We worked at a firm together back in 1998. I was in awe of Rachel’s talent, and ability to navigate the early days of large scale projects. I had left the firm, and shortly after, stalked Rachel to join me in starting a joint venture together. We secured our first project, and the rest is history!
We both had an early love for art, the built environment, making and ideating, so architecture seemed like the perfect path!
What are the key differences between commercial and residential projects? Any memorable stories from these larger commercial projects?
Most memorable stories are from residential clients. We have had clients that wanted a climbing wall, a slide down to the basement, a replication of a 1920’s tile they saw on vacation. There are dozens of these stories from so many wonderful families who just want their visions to come to life. When we work with an independent restaurant owner, there’s that same kind of personal passion that is also reflected in the project. These projects can lead to a lot more emotions and decision-making difficulties. With our larger scale, corporate projects, the processes are often a bit more straightforward. There are pros and cons for each client and process, but seeing the projects come to life at the end is always the same – it’s so fulfilling to see the clients happy with what was created with them.
Where would you like to see yourself, and your firm, in five years?
We started our new brand Field + Fold, which is a luxury collection of prefabricated saunas and cabins. We would like to expand this brand into products that suit our love of luxury hospitality and residential projects. We are looking to go back to our early high end residential days and hope to build some new homes as well.
Thank you to Julie Fisher for sharing her insights into residential and commercial design, her collaborative process with fcStudio, and her vision for expanding Field + Fold. Find more of her work on her website and Instagram.
