Design Leadership

In considering furniture design - something that humans use every day on a typical basis - there's been thoughtful design recently for those who are left handed and struggle in educational settings and beyond. There are chairs now where that desk surface is flexible, meeting a need beyond design for those humans using them.

I was lucky enough to listen to a lecture by one of the designers of this building (who happened to be a blind architect) who purposely described the factors and processes involved in creating a space for those with visibility issues. Accessibility in this type of architecture doesn't necessarily mean solely considering the bare minimum. "The design process relied heavily on broad engagement and outreach to a diverse stakeholder group – many stakeholders were blind or have low vision. Coupled with COVID-19 restrictions and Zoom meetings, new techniques beyond visual and verbal communication were devised. 3D plans were printed, interactive modeling was done with wax sticks, and material samples were labeled with braille. These were all sent to the stakeholder group prior to online meetings to support effective dialogue and engagement as the design developed." Their efforts made for a space that was safe and effective for visitors, but also engaging and comfortable.

This has been a hot topic in the architectural circles of Baltimore recently, considering that the harbor place, the heart of downtown on the water, is not overly impressive to those that visit. I rarely walk around the harbor - especially now that I live a 10 minute drive in the opposite direction, though I often took time to visit and sit on top of Fed Hill overlooking the water (second photo) when I lived only a few blocks away. I sat in on a review of the latest thoughts with other Balt City residents (primarily retirees that live adjacent to the harbor) - and no one was too pleased about the proposal to include office buildings and more apartments. They took the time during this meeting to show what harbors can be, spots for people to gather, shop, eat which would be lovely - however, the proposal now spends a very large amount of money to prioritize multiple high rise buildings that I'm afraid may not have the filling in they're expecting. Office and apartments already seem less filled - particularly after covid, so why is this money being footed by not only the developer but Bmore city tax dollars. This development is necessary, but seemingly should be reconsidered for a most effective solution.

When reviewing wicked design problems, and what it encapsulates - i.e. being a concept that may require ongoing adaptability, doesn't have a rational or almost black and white solution, and comes onto the scene as a transformed process each and every time - I thought about the concept of city living that many architects want to introduce to the US. The idea that the US developed the way it did, where you're living in an urban, suburban, or rural area, is interesting in general but doesn't necessarily provide opportunities for sustainable practices. The wicked design problem of micro cities "...represent a holistic approach to architectural innovation, where high-density living harmoniously coexists with a rich tapestry of mixed-use functionalities. These self-contained ecosystems not only redefine convenience in urban living but also embody a commitment to sustainability, fostering a dynamic, healthy and interconnected way of life within the bustling urban fabric."

When I was at the primary architectural conference this year, I was fascinated by the secretary's take on what development and public infrastructure can truly mean to the persons living in the communities around the country. "Architects are the stewards of those overlapping circles of belonging." But that doesn't mean that we're alone, as we are visual spokespersons for our clients and those that they serve at the end of the day.

This is an example of a patient room that's been developed via Evidence Based and Human Centered Design. It takes dedicated research from reputable sources, experiences and information from multiple clinical team members and stakeholders in the healthcare development, and intentionally tracks design decisions and their effect on healthcare.

Design leadership to me can also imply innovation and such dedication to the craft as to be a pioneer for new methods and development. Frank Gehry is seen in this photograph walking through his studio, where he collaborated with his employees in physical form, as well as being one of the first 'staritects' (or super star architect) to develop drawings through and increase awareness of computer aided design (CAD). This strategy made creating architectural iterations with clients much faster than hand drafting. If an architectural team is able to provide multiple instances of design development, they can better serve their clients and eventual end users.