little // lace-up // june 25
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
RESULTSBEYONDARCHITECTURE
What does that mean to you, the firm, + you as part of the firm?
Little Employeesare interesting people that create an
amazing culture with theirvaried interests and backgrounds.
Little showcasessupreme talent through
compelling work driven bybreakthrough ideas.
What’s missing?
What’s keeping us from feeling fulfilled?
What’s preventing true personal satisfaction?
When you work on something personal to you, you give
your blood, sweat, and tears to make it happen.
FUN SERVICE COMPASSION BRAINSTORMS HOBBIES friendsCHARITY heartREACHING OUTPRO BONO WORKDESIGNING FOR GOOD HUMANITY RELIEF KINDNESS GENEROSITY COM�
So we asked a few friends...
If you had time + support from the company
to pursue something important to you,
what would you do?
Rob ByersTia Walle
Chris PenndorfBlake GilleyTim MockMelissa LawallWill NortonAnh TranAlex Zondlo
Casey ClineKiffin LashuaTim LokenMelissa McDougallElizabeth Unruh
Valerie HassKelly Nguyen
Jenny DiazThomas McCarthy
Julianne Rodriguez
Laurin SandersAshley SpinksAmie DryRich GlennyKelley Bozarth
IMPRESSIVE
The response?
SO HOW DOWE ORGANIZETHIS?
Think of it like exercise... for your brain / soul / creative spirit.
WALK
SPRINT
MARATHON
WALK
Community Solution.
Fill a gap in our community by using your professional skillset for the common good. You may discover a problem that inspires something bigger... like a sprint, or a marathon.Hint : volunteer! (just you or with a team)...as big as you want it to be.
Workplace design strategy for low-income schools.
I constantly think about how classroom conditions influence a student’s attention span, learning, creativity, the overall drop-out rate, and attendance.
If given an opportunity, I would like to explore the relationship between design and improvement in low-income school systems through research, observation, and hands-on projects.
LAURINSANDERS
Walk Example:
WORKPLACEDESIGN STRATEGY FOR LOW-INCOME SCHOOLSI constantly think about how classI constantly think about how classroom conditions influence a student’s attention span, learning, creativity, the overall drop-out rate, and attendance.
If given an oppoIf given an opportunity, I would like to explore the relationship between design and improvement in low-income school systems through research, observation, and hands-on projects.
SPRINT
Topical Ideation (2-5 hours).
A short but potent exploration towarda deliberate purpose with a diverse group of hand-selected people.
Tools : a roll of trace & your favorite pen.Hint : a really cool charrette.
The integration of other design exercises into our practice – things like industrial and graphic design and material exploration.
I think that support in developing prototypes of things like light fixtures, furniture, etc. through vendors like Ponoko or similar entities would allow for small bursts of creativity with a tangible result that could then be marketed to larger market-vendors with whom we work.
CHRISPENNDORF
Sprint Example:
MARATHON
Research & Design Grant (up to 40 hrs).
An opportunity to dig deep intoa topic you consider relevant, destruct current reality, test new ideas, and share both your failures and successes.Hint : a chance to dream big.
I would like to study the impact of mobility on today’s office and workforce. Understand the office as a destination. What does this mean for a company culture, collaboration, productivity, mentoring, employee experience and engagement, speed to market, innovation, etc.? How are environments (both location and interior) and technology enabling or inhibiting work getting done?
I was also thinking about biophilic design and how it could impact it can make on peoples experience particularly in a urban setting, but even in interior settings. How can you take sustainable design to the next level and have it connect with the natural world?
TIAWALLE
Marathon Example:
These are the ideas we’vebeen playing around with. Preliminary. Early. Not ready for judgement :)
Kelley BozarthCharlotte, NC
Melissa LawallArlington, VA
Jenny DiazCosta Mesa, CA
Tia WalleDurham, NC
Blake GilleyArlington, VA
Amie DryCharlotte, NC
Rob ByersDurham, NC
Thomas McCarthyCosta Mesa, CA
Casey ClineCharlotte, NC
Tim MockArlington, VA
Valerie HassCosta Mesa, CA
Rich GlennyCharlotte, NC
Combine happy hour + sketching to infuse drawing by hand into our comfort zones and encourage socialization in the office.
Combining office breakfasts and celebrations with (anonymous) sketching + forms of self-expression to break the monotany of the workplace and share a new part of yourself with your colleagues.
Help students and start-ups alike with a pro bono charette once a year led by Little mentors to brainstorm on new brands, big dreams or great ideas.
Research the impact of mobility on the workplace + how it impacts us as individuals, teams and an entire workplace; research what a connection with the natural world does for health and well-being.
Using ideas of underground and / or repurposed architecture to create more environmentally friendly, really cool places to live, work and play.
Looking at the personal, psychological + physiological effects personal terrariums could have on us if incorporated into the
Idea : Instigate a one month media blitz, culminating in a giant event that simultaneously happens in all Little locations.
Use participation in architectural competitions to design based on context, region, and ecological systems to develop solutions appealing to humanitarianism and economic necessity.
Look at Charlotte with a designer’s eye via identity, branding, wayfinding, and possible holes in the urban fabric leaving opportunities for enhancement and refinement.
Blue Jean Healthcare - understanding where and how primary care is delivered.
“I want to use what we enjoy doing, what we are good at and our resources to help improve the lives of others, our knowledge and our passion.”
Take local field trips for the purpose of developing our “visual libraries.”
Elizabeth UnruhCharlotte, NC
Julianne RodriguezCosta Mesa, CA
Will NortonArlington, VA
Anh TranArlington, VA
Kiffin LashuaCharlotte, NC
Melissa McDougallCharlotte, NC
Kelly NguyenCosta Mesa, CA
Alex ZondloArlington, VA
Chris PenndorfArlington, VA
Laurin SandersCharlotte, NC
Tim LokenCharlotte, NC
Ashley SpinksCharlotte, NC
“Design is never neutral. It either hurts or it helps.” How can we push ourselves aggressively toward environmental responsibility while innovating in design quality? Can the two be achieved together?
“If you had an hour, what would you learn to do?” We all have different passions that make us who we are. Whether it’s in our studio, homes, or offsite, let’s get together and learn.
Vertical farming.
“I want to organize a summit of awe-some about the intersection between culture and architecture - just like David Kelley says, ‘human-centered design is key.’”
Little sponsors one individual to work out of another office for a week; Living Gallery in the lobby of rotating artists in any medium; UNCC juror to participate in critiques and discussions.
Meet n’ Potatoes invites Little employees to use lunch with a coworker to get to know them + introduce them back to the company to create a rich resource, idea sharing + creativity along the way.
What and how can we as a Little community do together to make a bigger impact? Make a difference? Starting internally, 1/2/3 people from each office could gather to ide-ate + share common ideas.
“Tomorrow’s physical shopping environment. What is the store’s future role and how do architecture and design influence that role?
Fostering creative exploration through design exercises in Archi-tecture and its allied arts.
Exploring how Little could help make a difference far away (ie: Kenya) via intelligently re-designed common items (lunchboxes, school desks, backpacks, etc).
“Let’s think about architecture as a vehicle for social change and transformation by way of thoughtful, innovative design and community involvement.”
Combining perspectives focused in architecture and photography, dig deeper into the relationship between people and place either focused in research or competition.
HAVE SO MUCHIN COMMON
What we found, not surisingly, is that across all offices, we..
We want to champion this project, focus our efforts and make sure it doesn’t fall incomplete + forgotten.
We need help combining these energetic attitudes with the behind-the-scenes details.
The gears are already in-motion.
February 2013
August 2013
April 2013
October 2013
June 2013
December 2013
March 2014
March 2013
September 2013
May 2013
November 2013
February 2014
July 2013
January 2014
Kick-off Brainstorm
NEXT STEPS
Framework Developed
Initial Ideas Collected
Present to Partners
Launch Idea-Sharing Platform Finalize Framework
First Round of Marathons Presented to Firm
Firmwide Webcast + Happy Hour to Review Walk + Spring Highlights
Proposals Due for Marathon Round Two
Walk + Sprint Kick-Off
Distribute Firmwide
Request Proposals Announce Selections
Announce Selections
Research + Discussions
When you’re ready to dig a little deeper, read through these ideas from our peers.
ABT | Charlotte, NC
AMIEDRY
What’s missing from your workflow, our workspace, or the world outside
our doors?
Terrariums of course. I’ve recently developed an interest in office terrariums. I enjoy the idea of bringing a tiny outdoor world indoors. What a perfect “Little”
world. These spaces are unique because you can customize them to fit your specific wants and personality. I would find it interesting to see how each person
adapted their personal terrarium to themselves throughout an office setting. Would it have physiological effects on you? Psychological benefits? Would clients see it and say “Wow, you designed that?” Could terrariums inspire
designers to bring more outdoor elements indoors? Would they inspire further daylighing studies? How would the terrarium affect you?
Terrariums
ASHLEY SPINKS
Community | Charlotte, NC
ANHTRAN
Arlington, VA
ANHTRAN
Walk – Detail Build.Who: Led by more experienced architects and designers, and taught to less experienced people. What: Hold monthly classes of about an hour each, with materials donated from the vendors we specify, and do a “build” of a detail. Why: To understand why we draw the way we do, how each element is actually built, and what it means to the implementation of our design ideas. To make us all better at understanding how
what we do becomes a built environment.
Marathon – Summit of AwesomeWho: Anyone who’s interested. What: A summit about the interplay between architecture and culture, and how each part of that affects the other. To make this more manageable, perhaps it’s better to do break-out groups by typology, and let people from different studios chase something they may be interested in, but don’t regularly design. Why: To really explore what it means to make space that improves people’s lives, and offers long-term benefits beyond the immediate. To discuss how what we do shapes futures, and to look at the past, present and future to figure out how architecture has gotten us (as a society) to where we are, how it reflects what we believe, and how it can change what we become. And also to examine different solutions from different cultures, and see how those solutions have developed, and where they might be applicable in our own contexts.
Sprint – Industrial Design GroupWho: Anyone who would want to design and build. What: Either the formal creation of a studio, or the development of bi-monthly design exercises that allow us to design on smaller scales – furniture, shelving, jewelry, kitchenware…whatever we collectively decide would be helpful and and right within our context. Theoretically, this could lend itself to the custom creation of elements for our clients, which I think would be really cool. Why: To create an avenue that allows people who desire to MAKE stuff to do so within the structure and intent of our firm, and to extend our ability as designers to explore concepts and
develop a connection between our ability to ideate and our ability to produce.
Alexzondlo
Service Retail | Arlington, VA
RETAIL: CONVENIENCE VS. EXPERIENCESTREET VENDOR MOM & POP SHOPS DEPT. STORES SUPERMARKETS
SUBURBAN MALLS‘BIG BOXES’STRIP MALLSINTERNET
TOMORROW’S PHYSICAL SHOPPING ENVIRONMENT
MOBILE
WHILE CUSTOMERS CONTINUE TO UTILIZE MORE CONVENIENT SHOPPING METHODS, THEY LOSE THE EXPERIENCE THAT ONLY A PHYSICAL PLACE CAN PROVIDE.
WHAT IS THE STORE’S FUTURE ROLE AND HOW DOES ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN INFLUENCE THAT ROLE?
BLAKEGILLEY
FM Strategies | Arlington, VA
BLAKEGILLEY
Little as a firm is very good at many things, mainly office spaces and interiors, higher education dorms and faculty areas, as well as schools, etc. I would like to see Little do something different, like really different.
I read a book in college called “underground architecture” and the main premise of the book is to take a typical structure and pile earth on top of it and around it to replace any land that was cleared to place the structure. This very simple idea has a profound impact on the environment. The eco system remains virtually untouched, there is almost zero heat island effect, there is almost zero storm water runoff. Additionally, the structure itself is incredibly environmentally friendly due to the relatively stable interior temperature, which in turn equates to low heating and cooling costs/loads.
I took this idea one step further and thought that rather than constructing a building from scratch why can’t we use an existing object such as an old storage container or a bus or something like that. Following the same process of piling earth on top of whatever structure is deemed acceptable for use. This way we cut down on materials used for constructing the structure itself and at the same time we are removing large bulk items from landfills and other holding places.
The overall idea is to be more environmentally friendly while at the same time creating really cool places to live, work, and play. Granted, this idea/process will not suit all projects, but if even a small percentage of projects could utilize some of what I mentioned above I think it is worth it.
CASEYCLINE
Land Planning | Charlotte, NC
CASEYCLINE
Identify and analyze design and beautification opportunities for Charlotte and the surrounding area. Look for possible loop holes in the urban fabric that can be enhanced or redefined. Discover ways this can give back to the community while also supporting non-profits and the arts.
Perception of place: Look into a way-finding, identity branding and walkability for Charlotte and other major cities.
> Team with Branding and Graphics.
Organize design geared inspirational trips. One possible trip idea could be Falling Water.
Look into different software programs such as revit, cad, 3ds max, rhino, sketch-up, etc. and figure out the best methodology and approach in producing the most successful design outcome and results for our clients.
Collaborate with all departments to understand process ° What programs promotes the most exploration? ° What programs help you think outside the box or design/discover new innovative alternatives? ° What programs have loop holes? ° What programs work the best when paired together?
Something I have always been interested in is aiming to understand how design plays a role in physical and mental health and well-being. I would love to survey individual’s opinions of how designed and undersigned spaces encourage or inspire physical activity.
CHRISPENNDORF
Workplace | Arlington, VA
CHRISPENNDORF
The integration of other design exercises into our practice – things like industrial and graphic design and material exploration.
I think that support in developing prototypes of things like light fixtures, furniture, etc. through vendors like Ponoko or similar entities would allow for small bursts of creativity with a tangible result that could then be marketed to larger market-vendors with whom we work.
I remember when Heather Miller down in the Charlotte office developed concept graphics for a carpet manufacturer that were eventually turned into a product line….pretty cool result for her independent exploration and efforts.
ELIZABETHUNRUH
Community + Workplace | Charlotte, NC
walkFriendship Gardens is a local non-profi t that believes everyone should have access to fresh, affordable produce. It recently started Friendship Gardens To Go, which distributes produce from local backyard gardens out of a red truck in the CATS Transit Center.
What if we add another layer to this concept and design an unfoldable shelter and playground that reside in the bed of the truck and unfold around the portable market once the produce is removed? They will add shade for hot Charlotte afternoons, and a reason for families to linger and get to know one another after the produce is acquired.
Who’s got the origami paper?
“The future of architecture depends on our ability to clearly express our social value. Not what we do, but why it matters.”
“Passion is human, and it may be the strongest bridge between designers and society. It is the one thing to which we can all relate.”
Let’s take business development and interviews. How can we better tell the passionate story about why our solutions matter? Do people want to work with Little because doing so communicates to the world what they believe?
What about early design presentations? How can we better follow Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to establish and reinforce the need of our client as the framework for our solution? Don’t we believe that every client needs a building that is benefi cial to its occupants and the environment, instead of harmful? Do our clients know they need that and why?
We’ve got some great resources in house. People who literally specialize in this kind of thinking and storytelling. Let’s do some deliberate cross-pollinating and let them exercise their expertise all over our current process. What would it look like if they were in the driver’s seat?
Sprint Attendees:• An outside PR expert (to make it a little less personal)• Our talented Marketing Team• Some storytelling pro’s from Retail• A few Studio Principals• A few future presenters
sprintWE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT IMPROVING
PEOPLE’S LIVES
YOU REALLY WANT TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF YOUR
EMPLOYEES
WORK WITH US TO FIND YOUR
SOLUTION AND THE WHOLE WORLD
WILL KNOW HOW SERIOUS YOU ARE
“Design is never neutral. It either hurts or it helps.” - MASS Design Group
I love this mantra. Many of us believe it in our souls and we pursued expensive degrees to acquire the tools. It’s not taken lightly. We can help and we will help - our communities, our environment, our world.
Are we are ready to take the leap and commit to high quality design solutions that don’t compromise environmental responsibility? Will you hold me accountable and support ideas that increase conservation and decrease consumption?
I’d like to focus a marathon on how we as designers can push ourselves aggressively toward environmental responsibility while innovating in design quality. Can the two be achieved together?
• What makes a gracious offi ce lobby without a climate-controlled atrium?
• How does a tower improve the experience of the pedestrian while bucking the city grid in favor of solar orientation?
• How to we achieve transparency with only 25% glazing?
If we’re serious about design, and serious about making a difference for our environment, we’ve got to critically push ourselves in this way. Lace up!
marathon
JENNYDIAZ
Supermarkets | Costa Mesa, CA
JENNYDIAZ
Students team up with LITTLE mentors for a good cause. Pro Bono design charette once a year. In any practice! We can help struggling new brands with a big dream or a great idea.
Further my interest (Masters in Interior Architecture thesis) continue research – teaching techniques & the effects this has on the design of the classroom and/or building.
JULIANNERODRIGUEZ
Supermarkets | Costa Mesa, CA
IF YOU HAD AN
WHAT WOULD YOU
HOUR,
LEARN TO DO?
We all have different passions that make us who we are. Let’s take our own hobbies and passions and share them with others in the studio. Whether it is in our studio, homes, or an offsite location, let’s get together and learn.
Share the love.
KIFFINLASHUA
Service Retail | Charlotte, NC
KELLYNGUYEN
Supermarkets | Costa Mesa, CA
KELLYNGUYEN
Community within – I am interested in researching and developing a strong community within our Little community. Although we are one big company but are branched off into 5 different offices (not including Beijing).
What & how can we as a Little community do together to make a bigger impact? Make a difference? How can we be inspired by each other’s ideas and experience when we come together to do something globally? I feel that before we want to make an impact and help out the community or our clients, we need to be a strong root within our company in order to do bigger/better/impactful deeds for others. 1/2/3 people from each office – gather together to ideate, share common interests, potential goals & projects…etc.
LAURINSANDERS
Interiors | Charlotte, NC
LAURINSANDERS
Exploring Hospitality Design (might be years in the future, but it would be exciting to give it a try here)
Social responsibility design efforts in Charlotte. There are plenty of needs in our own backyard.
Discovering ways to reverse the “don’t major in architecture” trend (see BELOW) through speaking engagements, internship programs, and redefining the value of architecture in today’s culture.
WORKPLACEDESIGN STRATEGY FOR LOW-INCOME SCHOOLSI constantly think about how classI constantly think about how classroom conditions influence a student’s attention span, learning, creativity, the overall drop-out rate, and attendance.
If given an oppoIf given an opportunity, I would like to explore the relationship between design and improvement in low-income school systems through research, observation, and hands-on projects.
I’D LIKE TO...
DESIGN FOR[THIS] WORKPLACE.
Design.Awareness.Change.What would happen if the low income and poverty stricken school systems experienced a transtransformation in their workplace?
What if schools became...An inspiration? A learning place?A productive working environment? Fun? A refuge?
Would it increase school attendance?attendance?Would it decrease drop-out rates?Would it improve attention, productivity, and information retention?
I’d like to find out.
+Extens+Extensive research about the correlation between classroom conditions (globally and locally) and learning.+To raise awareness about the importance of classroom design.+Hands-on design oppo+Hands-on design opportunities with not-for-profit organizations
MELISSALAWALL
Workplace | Arlington, VA
Sometimes staring at a computer screen all day bores me. It can be uninspiring, especially if it’s a beauiful day. One way I have found to break the monotony is to interject something fun, if not unexpect-ed, into the day: a surprise breakfast or an afternoon birthday celebration. What if this ‘break’ bacame an opportunity to spread our own thoughts and ideas?
I’m not talking about some project that takes a few hours, or a design-focused discussion, but maybe something that takes minutes.
What if we were all tasked with sketch-ing one thing, any thing, any way. We could pin it up anonymously giving us the chance to see how others see, how they sketch, what they find intriguing in the everday.
It doesn’t have to be limited to sketch-ing, we can use photography or share an object we have kept for whatever reason. I think there’s something fun and inspiring in sharing something that is 100% yours and seeing the same from your friends and colleagues.
MELISSAMCDOUGALL
Marketing | Charlotte, NC
MELISSAMCDOUGALL
Meet n’ Potatoes or Mystery Meet
Background: At Little, we pride ourselves on our diversity in expertise, knowledge and experience. And from a thought leadership perspective, we understand the magic that can happen when there are intersections (whether accidental or intentional) of these differences. Each of us has the potential to be a rich resource to others here at the firm, but often go untapped because we are often strangers to those outside of our team(s).
Idea: So, what if we launched a program that encouraged Little employees to invite a someone else at Little (that they didn’t know very well) to lunch? What if once a month or quarter, Little picked up your lunch if you invited someone you typically don’t cross paths with and got to know them? There could be a system for accountability built into the program; perhaps you would be required to write a quick blog post sharing something interesting about the other person or tell an anecdote at a gallery meeting in order to be reimbursed for the lunch.
Result: This program would be beneficial for both our culture (just getting know each other better, forming new relationships, building trust) and our work (be able to draw more on other’s passions, expertise and knowledge). By sharing what we learn about each other after the lunch takes place, all of Little would be benefitted by the experience.
Cost: It’s hard to know how many people would actively participate. To start, Little may want to limit it to 10 lunches per month and people could sign up at the front desk (or online) to reserve one of the 10 spots. There could be a $25 limit to what Little would reimburse (or provide gift cards for). This would potentially cost Little $250 per month, or $3000.000 a year.
Aside: This program would be most impactful in Charlotte as the other offices are small enough to ensure people know each other better. However, it could extend at a lesser frequency (1-2 lunches a month?) to the other offices.
ROBBYERS
Interiors | Durham, NC
RICHGLENNY
Retail Ideation | Charlotte, NC
RICHGLENNY
The “Visual Library” is the accumulated visual knowledge that we apply to our creative work. Building your visual library includes learning to see the world around you, often from a new perspective. This can be aided by sketching and/or photography. Field Trips would provide time for observation of space, composition, graphics, texture, color, shadow, detail, etc… The trips would also not be all architecturally based. For this type of exercise, exploring non-architectural sources might actually be more helpful than architectural ones.
° Local Arboretums° Art Museums° Car Shows° Air Museum° Train Museum
° Historical Landmarks° Uptown Charlotte° Hiking Trails° Watching a Movie
THOMASMCCARTHY
Retail | Costa Mesa, CA
During my architectural education I had a focus in research-based design that attempted to solve specific regional and ecological issues through architectural intervention. Stringent parameters evolved through the research and allowed me to maintain a close connection to the concept.
Threats
dogs
falconsracoonsskunksfoxescats
crowscoyotespeoplevehicles
gulls
American Crow(Corvus brachyrhynchos)
length: 17-21 inchesweight: 20 ounces
Herring Gulls(Larus argentatus)
length: 21-26 inchesweight: 40 ounces
Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)
length: 14-19 inchesweight: 18-56 ounceswingspan: 3.3-3.6 feet
DRC1339
DRC1339 is a chemical prod-uct injected into chicken eggs in order to attract “smart” predators who prey on habi-tats similar to the piping plov-er’s. The chemical kills the host within 72 hours, and is applied between March and May; when the plover’s are mating.
Selective predator management us-ing the exclosures has pro’s and con’s. Predators still harass the plovers, in some cases causing them to aban-don the nest. The pipers also may not “accept” the small confinement, resulting in similar abandonment.
44%
35%
Diagrams
This thought process shaped my thesis. I focused on context, region, urban design principles, and ecological systems to produce a social, environmental, and economically sustainable design.
Over the next year I would like to continue refining the design process practiced during my education. Participation in architectural design competitions will provide the base criteria and necessary programmatic elements, though the design execution will pursue a solution that appeals to humanitarianism combined with economic necessity.
TIMLOKEN
Workplace | Charlotte, NC
TIMLOKEN
Let’s think about architecture as a vehicle for social change and transformation. According to Taproot, most organizations tackling social problems don’t have access to innovative design professionals, effective marketing, current technology, or strategic planning resources they need to succeed. Without this talent, few are able to have their intended impact on critical issues realized. I believe this creates an opportunity for us to help these organizations, as well as the general public, to understand how design can improve lives and advance culture; as well as provide innovative solutions to local and global challenges.
Since we already have a diverse pool of talent that could provide design services to those who would otherwise lack access to valuable design skills and we’ve done something like this before with the Ronald McDonald House, I would like to investigate ways we could leverage our resources and pursue opportunities such as the 1% Pro-Bono Initiative.
Maybe we accomplish this by?...° Identifying individuals and forming teams dedicated to providing design services for the public
good by partnering with local, national or global organizations?° How about we target and assess pro-bono projects for clients that might not otherwise be able to
accomplish their vision without such design expertise?° What if we built a team of our architects, engineers, & graphic artists along with our financial
team to establish a non-profit initiative? Maybe we could start by identifying an organization that could benefit from a clean water project? Who knows? Maybe incorporate this alongside a new school, community center or micro-business development..What could that lead to?
Not to mention, an effective program maximizes both business value and social impact by....(see attached slides)° Leveraged Impact – “The Multiplier Effect” ° Enhanced Corporate Citizenship and Reputation° Human Resources Benefits° Improved Collaboration and Communication° Opportunity for Innovation
TIMLOKEN
My absolute favorite is the Ubuntu Center by Field Architecture in South Africa.
Global Example….“The Ubuntu Center provides pediatric HIV testing and treatment, counseling, education, and community empowerment. The design is focused on de-stigmatization and normalization of HIV testing and treatment. It provides access to a state-of-the-art facility in a beleaguered post-apartheid community. The design is a model for sustainable development that begins with environment and extends to the preservation of life.
Ubuntu has been adopted by the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS relief (PEPFAR), and has
become a model of success for the Clinton Global initiative, the Kresge foundation, and countless
individual supporters.”
I’ve also started poking my nose into the Clinton Global Initiative, and it turns out that the AIA has
partnered with them to create “Decade of Design”!
TIMLOKEN
“Central Place” by Cannon Design in Washington DC
Local Example….Cannon started to explore the prospect of opening up a fenced-up construction site in the heart of Rosslyn by temporarily converting it into a public space. Here you will see before and after photos of the space.
Before After
TIMMOCK
Community | Arlington, VA
TIMMOCK
The attachment is a few pictures of a “at risk teen home” in Kostroma, Russia (6 hours north of Moscow). In 2007 & 2008 I had the opportunity to do some social work with Russian Orphans over the Xmas/NewYear holiday. I learned a great deal. The surprise, to me, in the photographs was the dental chair buried within the teen center. Unlike western medicine environments, it looked very earnest and necessary – blue jeans vs. couture.
Yesterday at a presentation on city building in South Africa, it was mentioned that “health” was a necessary, albeit nebulous, aspect of a functioning city. Someone else mentioned that in San Francisco, after much controversy, dental chairs are being installed in some elementary schools.
My proposal would be to explore alternative venues for medical delivery and the impediments preventing “blue jean” level implementation. This would involve three aspects of study;
TIMMOCK
MAPPING – Mapping of health care and/or health related venues in a municipality – DC & Northern Virginia is my turf so I’d start here. Information the map should provide would include a) scale of facility (minute clinic to hospital) b) public or private facility (CVS vs. Federally Qualified Primary Care Facility vs. other), c) provider based “barriers to entry” (an MOB with Doctors ‘not taking new patients’ or ‘only taking certain insurance plans’) is a health venue, but not “blue jean” level.
SCHEMATICS – It would be necessary to determine what a “blue jean” level facility would contain: first aid, preventative care, dentistry, equipment, etc. The goal is direct the facility to nurse practitioner level staff, rather than doctors. The mantra “don’t let the best be the enemy of the good” should guide provisions for a schematic.
REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT – Healthcare is a giant field of inquiry and the right-minded have established countless variations on healthcare provision. LITTLE has clients who provide the primary care services. A white paper on the regulatory environment for primary health care (level of service, minimum qualifications for staff, building standards, etc) may explain the raw data of the mapping portion of this inquiry. A counterexample to the American model is the French Pharmacist. In France, pharmacists, though not doctors, can diagnose and prescribe medicines.
While DC is the obvious case study for this study, the goal is the develop a schematic that can be taken into rural, urban and international locations that need care but lack means. Some communities are too fragile, too small, or too new to generate the resources required to adhere to sophisticated, first world standards of care.
TIAWALLE
FM Strategies | Durham, NC
TIAWalle
I would like to study the impact of mobility on today’s office and workforce. Understand the office as a destination, why do people come in. What does this mean for a company culture, collaboration, productivity, mentoring, employee experience and engagement, speed to market, innovation, etc.? Understand what work styles does it best support and even more important which ones does it not. How are environments (both location and interior) and technology enabling or inhibiting work getting done? Evaluating what tools and services are essential for making it work. Measure the real estate efficiencies.
I was also thinking about biophilic design and how it could impact it can make on peoples experience particularly in a urban setting, but even in interior settings. How can you take sustainable design to the next level and have it connect with the natural world. Can it really impact people health and well-being?
VALERIEHASS
Supermarkets | Costa Mesa, CA
WILLNORTON
Community | Arlington, VA
KELLEYBOZARTH
Branded Graphics | Charlotte, NC
