his major renovation of Ertl’s showroom, located off the main entrance to the International Toy Center, extended it to the basement, making it the most prominent and one of the largest showrooms at the Center. The large open stair encourages buyers to visit the lower level. The stair is covered with a sky-blue vaulted ceiling and enclosed by wood paneled walls that conceal lighting. The stair railing consists of three horizontal bars—a circle, a square, and a diamond—in a playful gesture appropriate to the setting.
The renovation included a major overhaul of the showroom’s lighting and mechanical systems, and the redesign of its sales offices. The Ertl Company thanked us for “making the Ertl showroom the finest presentation in its 50-year tenure. It was the largest renovation we’ve ever undertaken and your expertise … made this project very manageable.” (Mechanical/Electrical Engineer: M.A. Rubiano PE, P.C.; Photos © Yuri Marder)