Johnson Fain: Diversity in a Global Fashion

Johnson Fain has a unique approach to their projects and business, focusing on diversity in their services and an international reach in their projects.
William Fain is the managing director of urban design and planning for Johnson Fain Partners, an architectural and planning firm based in Los Angeles, California. The company was founded 70 years ago by William Perreira, a well-known architect of the 1920s and 1930s, who designed the Transamerica pyramid in San Francisco, among other buildings. Johnson Fain has existed in its current configuration since 1993 and has a tradition of urban architecture, with several high buildings, planned communities, and urban mixed-use projects under their belt.
The company specializes in architecture, design interiors, and urban design and planning. With 100 employees and an annual revenue of $18 million, Johnson Fain relies on subcontractors for engineering, electrical, mechanical, structural, and plumbing. Headquartered in a historic car dealership with 27,000 square feet of space and high ceilings, Johnson Fain is set apart from the crowd for many things, one being their wide-reaching scope and diversity of projects. With a client list that ranges from the MGM Tower to the Shanghai New Jiangwan Town in China, their influence truly resounds around the world.
Projects in the City of Angels
Johnson Fain brings more than simply new buildings to the Los Angeles skyline. They pride themselves on building “with civility” for each and every project, says Fain. They view their work as greater than just one building; it is also an extension of the city around it, interacting with and being a part of the larger community.
A perfect example of this is their recent, $500 million Dodgers Stadium project. “It is an outfield extension of the city, rather than just another development project,” Fain added. The improvements on this important facet for the community will bring fans the most modern amenities while at the same time preserving the history that has been established there since its construction in 1962. The design will meet silver LEED sustainability standards and is enacting the “Next 50” plan for Dodger Stadium that designates this as the home of Los Angeles baseball for the next 50 years.
Sports fans will be in for a treat when they attend games at this new stadium. Surrounding the park will be Dodger Way, which will look directly into the park and features restaurants, shops, and a Dodger experience museum that showcases the history of the team. The Green Necklace is another addition that will create a greater sense of connection within the park itself with its ring of gardens and open plazas. The Top of the Park will offer 360-degree views of Santa Monica Bay, the Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mountains, and the Dodger Stadium Diamond.
Another unique aspect of Johnson Fain is their work in the international sphere. They are currently working with investors to develop 125 million square feet in Beijing, China, a project they won after competing with eight different companies from around the globe. Johnson Fain’s plan for the city’s first Central Business District includes office, residential, and retail space and features more than 500 different buildings all anchored by a “City within a City” featuring the world’s largest tower. Keeping with Johnson Fain’s style, this development will add distinctiveness to the Beijing’s skyline while also blending with the rest of the city’s culture and architecture.
Staying Optimistic
Like the rest of the globe, the firm has felt the effects of the current economic crisis in different ways. Being involved in the housing sector, this began with the mortgage crunch. “Many projects are not moving ahead, they are pausing. I think it will be a while yet,” Fain predicted. They have also been affected by the ever rising cost of materials, particularly as growth and demand increase in China and India, creating more competition for materials.
Remaining cautious but optimistic, Mr. Fain thinks back to a time 25 years ago when Johnson Fain “rose from the ashes as a new and stronger company.” Referred to by some as a “phoenix,” Johnson Fain has a history that relies on their own renaissance: “By 1989, we knew we were over the threshold and by 1994, we had reorganized and adopted our present format,” added Fain. Part of this revival was thanks to their diversity of projects and this remains an important aspect of Johnson Fain’s success.
Having a good, consistent supply chain also contributes to their ability to thrive in today’s economy. They rely on quality engineering firms to do the work that is outside their area of expertise and they look to suppliers like Herman Miller to provide furnishings for their completed projects. They have developed good relationships with their partners and often work with the same vendors.
Though the state of the economy is bound to affect plans for the future, Johnson Fain is committed to a “solid ten-year effort head, promoting from within and becoming a bigger player on the international scene,” says fain. The company also hopes to expand its diversification efforts, producing 3-D renderings in-house, for example, though they recognize that they will continue to rely on the expertise of the subcontractors.
Having already survived one rebirth, this seasoned company is sure to plow through the current economic crisis with their eyes set on their goals for the future. With hopes to increase their international projects, their projects are certain to continue to benefit both the domestic and international lanscapes.