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| DYNAMIC DUO: Jo Staffelbach Heinz (left) and Andre Staffelbach are partners in and out of the office. photography by Dan Sellers |
YOU NEED TO KNOW . . .
Company: Staffelbach Design Associates
Titles: Creative principal; president and principal in charge, respectively
Stats: Based in Dallas, founded in 1966, 75 employees, 40 percent revenue growth and 45 percent employee growth in 2006
Why You Need to Know Them:
A maze of sterile cubicles does nothing for employee morale—or productivity. Andre Staffelbach and Jo Staffelbach Heinz of Staffelbach Design Associates have made careers out of beautifying their clientele’s office spaces with timeless designs and dazzling results. “We all spend so much time at work these days, so you better feel good as to where you’re at,” Andre says. The “interior architecture and design” firm has done architecture, interior design, facility management, and planning work for the likes of CB Richard Ellis Investors, Hunt Petroleum, Verizon, and some high-level residential projects. They’ve also focused on a major re-branding and re-positioning initiative, transforming buildings like 2100 Ross (formerly San Jacinto tower) from past-their-peak to prime real estate. Andre founded the company in 1966 after emigrating from his native Switzerland and merged it with Jo’s Interior Spaces in 1985. Their working relationship eventually led to a romantic one: The two married in 1993. And while the thought of working with one’s spouse is daunting to most people, Jo and Andre say it boils down to a mutual respect and knowing their respective roles. “We’re an incredible team,” Jo says. “And I know we’re stronger together than apart.”
