What does it take for a manufacturer to level up, stepping into the role of an essential design partner? Two powerhouse guests shaping the future of design offer their take in a recent episode of Barriers to Entry, hosted by Bobby Bonett, chief marketing and revenue officer at Sandow Design Group, and Andrew Lane, cofounder at Digby, on the SURROUND Podcast Network.
Joined by Steven Ranta, studio manager at Arktura‘s Solutions Studio team, and Nathan Ference, VP and studio design leader for interiors at HKS, the group dives into the dynamic, and ever-evolving intersection of custom fabrication, digital innovation, and collaborative design—and what it takes to stand out. Arktura—a Barriers to Entry partner this season—is adept at pushing boundaries and locking in key collaborations. The Los Angeles-based architectural solutions manufacturer has carved a niche as a technology-first design partner, earning the trust of global firms like HKS.
HKS, no stranger to Interior Design‘s Top 100 Giants listing, is a long-time collaborator with Arkura due to the brand’s solutions-oriented approach. “We continue to see tighter fees, shorter schedules and we need nimble, agile partners to help us make it through that process in a way that makes sense and, increasingly, that means partnership rather than just specifying a new products,” Ference shares, noting that HKS is always evaluating forward-looking strategies, especially around sustainable design. “We feel like we need to set the bar higher so we’re really focusing on setting our eyes on regenerative designs and making sure the designs give back more than they take out, and that’s a really high bar to set,” he adds.
Lending a hand to turn innovative design visions into a reality is what Arktura does best. From listening closely to client needs to taking into account budget constraints, the Arktura Solutions Studio team turns to technology to improve materials and processes. “We really try to one, internally help our processes be more efficient but also provide architects and designers with assets through that technology to help them explain a project or explain a system to a client,” Ranta says.
The result of one such partnership between Arktura and HKS is the Textron Systems project—an immersive, tech-driven reinvention of a corporate innovation hub. From early visioning sessions and invisible ink installation cues to rapid prototyping and cutting-edge 3D delivery methods, it’s a case study in what’s possible when trust, agility, and creativity lead the process.
Curious to learn what makes Textron Systems cutting-edge and how Sci-Fi, mentorship, and childlike wonder shape the future of architecture and design? Hit play on season 3, episode 5 of Barriers to Entry to hear how these two visionaries are not just building projects—they’re building what’s next.
Technology Theater. Photography courtesy of HKS.
Technology Center. Photography courtesy of HKS.