We think like owners, not just designers. With more than 40 years of collective experience, our small, senior-led team stays directly involved in every project, bringing both design insight and real-world operational understanding to the table. We focus on how a space will function, perform, and hold its value over time, not just how it looks on opening day. Clients rely on us for clear communication, proactive problem-solving, and a process grounded in their long-term goals. We know clients have a choice in who they work with, and we don’t take the opportunity to be part of a project lightly.

Firm Ground is licensed in nearly two dozen states and continues to grow alongside our clients. The day-to-day work happens easily with teams across the country, and we’re on site when it matters - walking the space, coordinating with partners, and making sure the details are right. We collaborate with trusted local consultants who understand their regions, while our planning and documentation stay consistent from one project to the next. It allows owners to expand into new markets with a team and a process they already trust. To see where we’re currently licensed and working, visit our Locations section.

We start by understanding your guests, your staff, and the experience you want to create. Whether it’s a hotel, restaurant, entertainment venue, or any other guest focused environment, we map the arrival sequence, service flow, staff circulation, and back-of-house operations so the space works seamlessly in day-to-day use. We study adjacencies, sightlines, seating or room counts, and the integration of kitchen, bar, lighting, and acoustics alongside code and permitting requirements. The goal is a space that supports revenue, works intuitively for staff, and gives guests a reason to return.

Code requirements are addressed at the very beginning so they don’t become surprises at permit. That includes confirming occupancy, allowable area, exiting distances, fire ratings, ADA clearances, door and corridor widths, plumbing fixture counts, and whether sprinklers or other upgrades are triggered. We confirm what applies for that jurisdiction and bring in the right consultants, when needed, so early decisions are made with accurate information.

Successful projects begin with understanding the site. Zoning, utilities, access traffic, environmental factors, and market demand all shape what’s possible. A feasibility study helps confirm whether your vision is viable and what improvements may be required. Just as important is aligning the scope with a realistic budget, since infrastructure and code requirements often carry more impact than expected. We also evaluate phasing, parking, visibility, and day-to-day operations so there are fewer surprises later. Engaging an architect early brings clarity, reduces risk, and positions the project for long-term value.

Most overruns and delays happen when key decisions are made too late or with incomplete information. We start by confirming what the site and building can actually support through early programming, code and existing-conditions analysis. From there, we align the scope with the budget, fully define the design before construction begins, and identify infrastructure, permitting, and operational impacts that are easy to miss early on. During construction, we stay involved to review submittals and respond to questions so the project stays true to the plan. That upfront clarify reduces change orders, protects the schedule, and keeps the investment working the way it was intended.

When a space shifts to a new use, the code requirements often change with it. That can trigger upgrades to life safety systems, exiting, accessibility, ventilation, or structural capacity - sometimes including sprinklers, restroom modifications, HVAC improvements, or revised egress paths. A code analysis early in the process confirms what’s required and whether the change is feasible before you commit to a lease or purchase. We coordinate with the city, country and state as needed to confirm requirements early and keep the project on track. If you’re considering a change of occupancy, our Services page outlines how we support projects from early review through construction.

It starts with how the space works, not just how it looks. People should immediately understand where to go, have a place to sit with their belongings, and feel comfortable whether they want to gather or step aside for a quieter moment. We plan clear circulation, a visible and intuitive point of arrival, and seating zones that support waiting, working, and socializing without competing with each other. Lighting, acoustics, and durable materials all shape how the space feels throughout the day, while reinforcing the brand and supporting daily operations.

A Property Improvement Plan (PIP) is the itemized scope issued by the brand after a property inspection that outlines the upgrades required to stay aligned with current brand standards. It usually includes guest rooms, bathrooms, corridors, public areas, signage, FF&E, and can trigger work behind the walls as well. The first step is pricing it and understanding the deadlines. We talk the hotel, compare the PIP to the existing conditions, identify what is truly required, what may be negotiable, and how the work can be phased so rooms can stay online. That turns a long checklist into a plan that protects revenue and lets the owner control the investment. If a PIP is on your horizon, take a look at our Services to see how we support hospitality projects.

By organizing the kitchen and dining room around the way food and staff actually move. Prep, cook line, expo, pickup, and dish return are arranged in sequence so there’s no backtracking, and storage is located at the point of use so staff aren’t crossing the kitchen during service. Service stations are placed so servers can cover their sections without long walks, with POS locations along their natural path. Takeout and delivery have a dedicated pickup point so they don’t interrupt dine-in service. The result is fewer steps per shift, faster ticket times, and a layout that can run well with a smaller team.

We turn early assumptions into information developers can actually make decisions on. That means confirming what can be build, aligning the design with the pro forma, and producing a fully coordinated set of drawings so contractors are pricing the same scope. By carrying the structural, MEP and civil work in one clear direction, we reduce gaps in bids, limit change orders, and keep the schedule moving. The result is reliable numbers, a smoother construction phase, and a team that’s working from the same plan from day one.