RENEE MARQUARDT
Seattle,WA
Summary
Design leader with 25+ years of progressive work across architecture, interiors, and F&B brands—wearing every hat from entrepreneur to in-house designer to team leader—committed to high-level craft and purposeful design that creates a positive impact for users, environments, and businesses. Possesses exceptional design and graphic sensibilities, with a rich background in space-making, storytelling, shaping client vision, guiding customer experience, mentoring talent, and building teams, with a focus on cross-functional collaboration that elevates both the work and the people.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Store Design
Galardi Group Inc.
Tustin, California
07.2024 - 07.2025
- Based in Tustin, CA, with a 60+ year legacy with three F&B QSR brands, Wienerschnitzel, Hamburger Stand, and Tastee Freez.
- Influenced SLT and hired a creative design team to execute the Walmart prototype: a new dining room-only experience, digital menus, mobile order kiosks, a new branding narrative, and asset graphics.
- Created a new Asset Catalog Initiative.
- Initiated & Executed First Impressions: Exterior Paint Pilot.
- Translated prototype design across five additional store sites with franchise teams, ensuring brand consistency.
- Built strong vendor and franchise relationships, supporting new initiatives and market expansion.
Owner / Principal
Marquardt Interior Design
Seattle, Washington
01.2009 - 01.2025
- Provided interior design services for residential and commercial projects.
- Created brand identity for www.marquardtseattle.com to enhance market presence.
- Developed rebranding deck for new ownership of The Inn at Mazama, WA.
- Designed new material and finish palette for inn renovation to modernize aesthetics.
Design Manager - North America & China Markets
Starbucks Coffee Company
Seattle, WA
01.2010 - 01.2024
- Designed and opened 25 new stores in fiscal year '23 for the China market, adding 250+ core format stores to the China portfolio.
- Integrated Site Survey for Schematic to Design Intent Package (DIP). Synthesized F&B trends informing brand design enhancement.
- Managed DD production with outsourcing vendors, providing construction administration, and value engineering to uphold design.
- Enhanced core store designs with unique solutions, and advised on the China design palette and design charrettes to elevate studio projects.
- Conducted in-market brand reviews and store tours in Tier 1 and Tier 2 China cities, and presented DIP reviews to leadership and branding teams.
- Mentored design partners in professional development.
- Published in 2015, the 2013 SBUX Design Store of the Year yearbooks and design-managed SBUX Seattle's high-profile front yard portfolio.
- Managed store renovation expectations in highly visible neighborhoods, deliverables, renovations, and high-profile store designs.
- Designed and opened 25 new stores in fiscal year '23 for China market
- Added 250+ core format stores to China portfolio
Lead Interior Designer / Project Manager
GGLO Architecture & Interior Design
Seattle, WA
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Seattle-based, award-winning housing, retail, and hospitality design firm.
- Managed a team of five designers coordinating the interior design of the hotel lobby, restaurant dining, and 15,000 sq. ft. Spa as part of a LEED Gold-certified, 85-room hospitality complex, the Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg, OR.
- Produced and coordinated multiple design phases with construction drawings, MEP sub-consultants, and client presentations.
- Led the interior design of 25 luxury condominium units (1,500 - 2,850 SF), 200 West Highland, with common spaces, unit finish packages, and model unit interiors for Lorig & Associates.
- Oversaw the construction of 200 West Highland, implementing design intent and value engineering, and supporting the client's budget.
- Seattle-based, award-winning housing, retail, and hospitality design firm.
Principal | Project Manager
Two 9 Design
Seattle, WA
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Interior design services for residential, mixed-use, and multi-family developers.
- Managed a team of 4 designers for design direction, project management, client relations, contracts, purchasing, and invoicing.
- Delivered full-service interior design (pre-design through construction admin) for multi-family, and mixed-use projects. Client list: Lorig & Associates, Triad, Harbor Properties in NW, and Bristol Development in Nashville, TN.
- Mentored design team (architecture, marketing, signage, real estate) in design knowledge of target markets to produce high-end & market-rate unit interiors; including floor plan review, unit mix, finish packages, lighting design, FF&E, and owner amenities.
Education
Bachelor of Architecture -
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
EUGENE, OREGONDanish International Studies -
UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN
COPENHAGEN, DENMARKSkills
- Design Visioning
- Critical Thinking
- Holistic Design Integration
- Cross-sector Knowledge
- Exceptional Design & Graphic Sensibility
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Mentorship & Team Building
- Design & Resource Management
- Visual Communication & Strategy
- Working Drawings & 3D Modeling
- Presentation Intelligence
- Interiors FF&E
- Proposal Development & Contracts
- Construction Administration & Detailing
- Project Complexity Navigation
- Value Engineering & Budgeting
- Vendor Relationship Management
Leadership And Awards
Leadership Board of Directors, BlueStreet Voices, SBUX China store of year 2013 & 2015, AIA Seattle Home of Month 2009, IIDA InDesign Honorable Mention 2005
Languages
- English, Fluent
- Spanish, Conversational
Hobbies and Interests
- Self-proclaimed foodie
- World traveler
- Floral designer & gardener
- Life-long skier
- Big dog lover
- Favorite meal: brunch
Professional Highlights
- Influenced Senior Leadership Team at Galardi Group to hire creative design team and executed transformative Walmart Prototype as first ever Director of Store Design
- Designed and opened 25+ new stores in fiscal year '23 for Starbucks China market
- Contributed 250+ core format stores to China portfolio, supporting global brand expansion
- Published in Starbucks Design Store of the Year yearbooks (2013 & 2015)
- As firm principal, led cross-functional teams across multiple high-profile projects and markets
Timeline
Director of Store Design
Galardi Group Inc.
07.2024 - 07.2025
Design Manager - North America & China Markets
Starbucks Coffee Company
01.2010 - 01.2024
Owner / Principal
Marquardt Interior Design
01.2009 - 01.2025
Lead Interior Designer / Project Manager
GGLO Architecture & Interior Design
01.2007 - 01.2009
Principal | Project Manager
Two 9 Design
01.2004 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Architecture -
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
Danish International Studies -
UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN
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