PRESS RELEASE

Firm Takes Home Multiple Awards from both the Maryland and Washington, DC Chapters

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 3, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- GTM Architects, a full service award-winning architectural and design firm, today announced that it has won five separate awards from the Maryland and Washington, DC chapters of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for outstanding interior design in a variety of areas, including Healthcare, Restaurant, Historic Preservation and Commercial. The awarded projects, led by Barbara Slater Magistro, principal; Diane Taitt Chandleur, partner; and Melissa Cohen, partner; include the firm's work with Scienna Med Spa, Potomac Overlook YMCA, Matchbox Restaurant and Cowgirl Creamery.

Chesapeake Home and the Maryland Chapter ASID Awards Committee co-sponsored the Maryland design competition to promote and publicize excellence in interior design in the Chapter's geographic region. Winners will be featured in the September/October 2007 issue of Chesapeake Home.

"Receiving recognition from the local ASID chapters is an incredible honor," said George Myers, founder of GTM Architects. "These awards are a testament to the high level of commitment to design and excellence of each of the principal architects on the projects."

Potomac Overlook YMCA, Ft. Washington, Md. -- First Place, Commercial, Maryland Chapter

GTM Architects was tasked with designing the new YMCA in Fort Washington challenging the firm with redefining the new image of the Metropolitan Washington YMCA. The space, formally a 35,000 square foot supermarket facility, was transformed into a vibrant pulsing wellness area and a childcare facility, which opened in 2006, that is full of playful imagery. "We were tasked with mapping the space back to their mission statement, 'To build strong kids, strong families and strong communities,' and the end result fully supports their ideals," said Diane Taitt Chandleur, partner, GTM Architects.

The YMCA's wellness area includes a gym, a spin room, aerobic studios, sauna, steam room, and massage rooms, and GTM created transparencies throughout the facility, by using storefront glass systems to divide space where necessary. Spaces are defined within the large open area by a series of overlapping, organic 30' ceiling canopies. The childcare area houses a multipurpose room, computer room and 3 large classrooms. The fun space was designed to delight and positively stimulate children, parents and staff alike.

Scienna Med Spa, Reston, Va. -- First Place, Healthcare, Washington, DC Chapter; Honorable Mention, Maryland Chapter

GTM's objective was to transform a basement space, without access to natural lighting, into a chic and sophisticated medical oasis. GTM transformed the 2,400 square foot shell into a fashionable, welcoming and relaxing environment that promotes health and well being. Spa services are integrated with clinical areas for nutritional demonstrations, while benefiting from close proximity to medical offices. "The existing shell space presented some challenges, especially the 20 foot high ceiling. Our team was able to overcome this by utilizing differing ceiling heights, light fixtures and soffit applications," said Barbara Slater Magistro, principal, GTM Architects. "By incorporating these spatial layers, we were able to create a dynamic and invigorating space which promotes the healing process."

The design juxtaposes circulation with an irregular floor plan to "wow" guests, stimulate healing synergy and entice prospective clients. The serene interior is accented with earth tone colors incorporated into all finishes. Zebrawood punctuates the custom reception desk, cantilevered product credenza and column cover. Other materials include granite, marmoleum flooring, plastic laminate in treatment rooms and various stainless steel elements, which enforce the healing aesthetic of this sophisticated and harmonious space.

Matchbox Restaurant, Washington, DC -- Honorable Mention, Restaurant, Maryland Chapter

The tall, skinny building in the heart of DC's Chinatown became GTM's challenge to create a vibrant restaurant within the existing confines of the space. This included meeting the seating, circulation and kitchen requirements in a very narrow building. The first step was to vary the elevation height at the two floors and add a mezzanine, which helped to create a multi-level, dynamic space. To further enhance the inherent, interesting design of the restaurant, a masonry pizza oven was built in the bar area, and the owners and GTM agreed to leave the kitchen open, further adding to the restaurants charm and appeal. "The restaurant was so successful, that within two years, GTM was brought in again for the second phase: expanding the space and doubling the number of seats," said Melissa Cohen, partner, GTM Architects.

The second phase included making the two adjoining structures, a three-story wood frame building that would house a new kitchen, the management offices and additional dining, and a steel and glass one-story greenhouse that would become the large dining area, into one cohesive space. By reusing common design elements from the first phase of work, GTM was able to tie together the different types of rooms and spaces into a single restaurant, and today, the Matchbox is one of DC's most popular and creatively designed restaurants.

Cowgirl Creamery, Washington, DC -- Honorable Mention, Historic Preservation, Maryland Chapter

With the new Cowgirl Creamery, GTM was limited by the confines of the 1,800 sq. ft. retail space in the 1890's building, as well as the extremely narrow storefront. The width of the 22'-0" store is even narrower where it accommodates the entry and vertical circulation for the residential units above, which divides the space into two distinct areas. The design provides framed views to visually shorten and connect the separate spaces: a gallery with photos of cheese-making leads to the main cheese counter. From there, a small window frames a view of the cheese-making activities in the preparation area beyond. "The width was a challenge, but the charm of the building supersedes any issues or limitations," stated Cohen. "The building was the perfect place for the East Coast debut of the artisinal cheesemaker."

To tie everything together, GTM focused on pristine white walls and subway wall tiles, which provide a clean background and help to showcase the various cheeses. The glass tile behind the front counter adds a punch of color, while providing a cool counterpoint to the warmth of the eucalyptus wood cabinetry, olive-wood countertops, and bamboo floors. The soffit detail and slowly revolving industrial fans serve as a design reference to the flagship store located in the historic Ferry Terminal in San Francisco.

About GTM Architects

GTM Architects, Inc. is a full service, award-winning firm with experience in planning, architecture and interior design. Established in 1989, GTM has grown and diversified with a commitment to excellence in both service and design. Located in Bethesda, Maryland, GTM serves clients in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area and in 26 states nationwide.

As a nationally recognized firm, GTM has more than 2,500 completed projects now to its credit in its 18 years in business. They have experienced a consistent growth in requests for their specialties, which include commercial, corporate, single and multi-family residential, historic preservation, healthcare, hospitality, retail, educational and athletic facility architecture and design. Their work has been published in magazines such as The Washingtonian, Contract Magazine, BUILDINGS, Better Homes and Gardens, Home & Design and Custom Home.

For more information please visit http://www.gtmarchitects.com/.

Source: GTM Architects

CONTACT: Lisa Wood of GTM Architects, +1-240-333-2010,
lwood@GTMarchitects.com; or Mel Bolton of Dotted Line Communications,
+1-510-704-0870, mel@dottedlinecomm.com, for GTM Architects

Web site: http://www.gtmarchitects.com/