Jorge Porta

Jorge Porta is forging a new trail and establishing a premier boutique design workshop. His presence is already a powerful design force in the US. He is at it again, this time establishing a new crescendo with his latest endeavor Griffin Design Studios. He takes up the reins as Founder with a vision to expand his pedigree in the countries fastest growing and most opportunity-rich regions of design. 

Griffin Design Studios, headquartered in New York, specializes in Interior Design + Architecture + Identity Design + Consulting Service for hospitality & residential developments of varying types.

His career has been a journey and transition from modern Architecture to a true global designer. Griffin Design Studios is the culmination of all he has been working towards. The holistic integration of Fashion, Brand Identity, Architecture, and Interior Design. These are areas that excites him the most as a designer.

With nearly a 20 year career, Mr. Porta is becoming one of the preeminent designers in the field of Hospitality & Residential. During his illustrious career, his work and projects have ranged from five-star hotels & resorts to casinos, super-yachts, hip urban eateries, velvet-roped nightclubs to bliss soaked spas, and premium residential projects; where every project is created as a bespoke development compounded in a series of unique aspects including Owner’s whim, Operator’s brand, geography, landscape, environment, culture, and nuances of locale. 

He is dedicated to developing timeless brands that allow guests and owners to connect with a truly proprietary experience.

Frank Quatela

Based in Queens, New York, QUATELA ARCHITECTS is an international, full-service architecture firm. QUATELA ARCITECTS blends pragmatic and environmental design to create experiences that inspire and stimulate emotions. Frank Quatela, Principle of QUATELA ARCHITECTS approaches each project, from single family house to the development of multi-unit projects, with a design methodology that embodies its passion for perfection. With innovation as its bedrock, Frank Quatela and his group deliver cutting edge design with an eye for elegance and style.

Over the last 20 years, Frank Quatela has evolved from a residential design firm into one of the area’s leading multi-disciplinary architecture firms. Quatela believes the attention to detail given to its private residential clients is essential to its success and is a characteristic the firm has maintained throughout its evolution. 

We are well versed in jobs of all sizes; from small residential extensions & new custom single family houses to large commercial & community facility buildings, retail stores, commercial franchise design and development and municipality filings from Department of Buildings to Health Department and DEP.  I am currently a member of the American institute of Architects and licensed as a NYC Special Inspector with the NYC Department of Buildings.

Our practice is still growing and currently are fully staffed to handle all projects with the utmost care and attention to detail.  We are always seeking to incorporate the most innovative design techniques and latest eco-friendly materials in all of our projects. This gives our clients a sense that their projects will have the least impact on the environment and maintain sustainability and energy efficiency with the latest Green building standards.  As a general motto in my office, we always bring an optimistic approach to all of our work and look ahead to growing an improved client base with the help of referrals.

Thomas Morrell

Thomas Morrell is a Visual communicator with 12 years professional experience in design and branding utilizing strong creative and strategic skills to build brands from the ground up.

His career has allowed him a broad range of experiences in concept development, design & art direction for print, interactive and environmental mediums. Through these experiences he is able to work as easily with clients and other directors as well with developers, artists, writers, and other marketing professionals.

He strives to craft meaningful brands through visual identity, print, and digital experiences for small businesses, entrepreneurs and agencies all over the world. He founded Swell Media Group, a B2B marketing and branding service while simultaneously overseeing the Branding projects at Griffin Design Studios. These studios are founded with the ambition to create beautiful and intelligent design. His work is realized across print, packaging, editorial, advertising, digital and built environments.

He believes that no one should go to war without a plan. With this in mind, he ensures all his work is underpinned by clear strategic thinking to ensure that objectives are defined from the outset, and every element of his teams action in pointed firmly towards achieving those objectives.