The team explored and researched the city and created vision and goals for this revitalization project in the downtown plaza of Solingen.

Solingen, called the “City of Blades,” renowned for the manufacturing of fine swords, knives, scissors, and razors is the location for one of RSM’s international mixed-use projects.

Finding inspiration through the cultural landscape and industries of Solingen (heavy machinery, precision products, the colors of iron ore glow), RSM is scratching the surface to uncover the wealth of textures, patterns, and materials that make up this environment. This inspiration and research has strongly influenced a comprehensive sign program for this dynamic mixed use retail and entertainment center.

As the director of RSM Design’s Shanghai coordination and management office, Johnny works closely on our projects in China to assist the client and our design team with up to the minute communication and coordination efforts. Johnny has more then 20 years of experience in the field of architecture in both the US and Mainland China. He graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology and is a licensed architect in the state of Illinois, and with the team of designers, managers, and production specialists based in Shanghai, plays an important role in the successful implementation and coordination of the graphics with the local development and consultant team.

Johnny has worked with numerous worldwide renowned architecture firms and property developers on a variety of prominent commercial and residential projects in the US and Mainland China. These projects include, the Shanghai Times Square (100,000 sm) and the Shanghai Central Plaza (70,00 sm) with Wong & Ouyang, the Guangzhou Taiku Hui (400,000 sm) with Arquitectonica, the Shanghai K Wah Center (85,000 sm) with K Wah Group, the Shenyang Hang Lung Plaza (191,000 sm) with Hang Lung Properties.

Johnny continues to pursue the goal of design excellence and has the ablility to have a much broader and flexible control of design approaches within his office in Shanghai. These new efforts have helped him and his team win recognition from many clients as well as authorities.

Stefanie S. Ashton is a New York State registered architect and LEED Accredited Professional. While working for several of the top architectural firms in New York City, Stefanie combined her love of graphics with her commitment to innovative architectural, interior and environmental design.  

Stefanie has had a varied career ranging from designing homes and furnishings for celebrities, restaurants for renowned restaurateurs, retail meccas such as Barney’s New York and renovating New York’s Apollo Theater.  She has restored the liturgical elements of a Californian cathedral, updated an elite private school and her graphic design skills helped bring the “City Secrets” travel book series to life.

Most recently at Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners in New York City, Stefanie was the lead interiors architect for the Natick Collection in Natick, Massachusetts.  Stefanie oversaw and collaborated with RSM on the comprehensive architectural graphics package, created entirely new tenant criteria packages as well as the award winning interiors. Stefanie has a Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture from Tulane University in New Orleans.  Having recently relocated to Geneva, Switzerland with her family, she is constantly inspired by the gorgeous views just outside her door.  

Stefanie’s passions include, letterpress stationery, making things with found objects, watching her son’s creative beginnings, and all things exceptionally designed.