Interview with Our Designer: Jane Baleix

GR: Thank you for spending a view minutes speaking with us. Tell us about yourself.

JB: It is a pleasure spending time with you. I come from a long line of architects and designers. I think what I do is in my blood. I love to create beautiful spaces, incorporate exceptional materials and objects of interest into these spaces, but with a practical eye. Most users want good value – from functional, aesthetic, and cost points of view.

GR: Tell us more about “good value” from a design point of view?

JB: Design value has many dimensions. They include using all space functionally and well, optimizing the use of light, and using materials that are beautiful, of highest quality and in sympathy with one another. The trick is delivering these dimensions while maximizing the value of each design dollar invested and meeting budgets!

GR: That does sound tricky. How do you do find the highest quality materials while keeping an eye on costs?

JB: Good question: A big part of my job is to source the best materials for our projects, but at competitive costs – which includes keeping to Granite Ridge build schedules.

In some of my past roles, I’ve been asked to use, for example, very particular materials sourced from faraway places. Sourcing these types of materials can be more subject to delays. Also, if material comes with defects or need to be replaced for any reason, this can be a big problem. And the reality is, I can usually source a fairly indistinguishable material from a more reliable supplier, often at substantially lower costs.

With Granite Ridge, I aim to incorporate the highest quality design and material values, but to do this without making overly esoteric or risky selections that can unnecessarily put our project timing or budgets at risk.

GR: What are your impressions of Granite Ridge Properties?

JB: I think Granite Ridge is great and quite unique. From my perspective, I love the fact that Granite Ridge has an aesthetic – a quality and look to their product that sets a bar in their markets. In this respect, you can compare what they do to Apple. Both create products that works really well, while at the same time prioritizing the look of the product. I love being a part of the team that is contributing to and constantly evolving an aesthetic.

While we are a successful business, what we do is unique compared to most other businesses. We create products that become part of the built environment for some time to come. I love that Granite Ridge is sensitive to this. We sweat design. And in doing so, I believe we have gotten results. I believe that our design values have contributed significantly to our success.

GR: Thanks for your comments. Have a good weekend.