Joining JUST

A few weeks back, Schemata Workshop obtained its JUST label through the International Living Future Institute. The JUST Program acts as a “nutritional label” for companies that are interested in a transparent workplace that places high value on social equity. It’s a voluntary program that allows an outsider to view the ways in which a company treats its employees, where it invest profits, and how it gives back to the community.

While the program itself has been on our radar for the last few years, it wasn’t until about 6 months ago that we made the final push to add Schemata to JUST's database. Sustainability, social equity, and community service have been the cornerstones of Schemata Workshop since its inception, so, in many ways, taking part in the JUST program is a logical move toward our goal of greater transparency and disclosure.

We view the label as a benchmark: a screenshot of the current state of Schemata Workshop. There’s room to grow. The application and review process have been incredibly helpful in evaluating our policies and laying out a framework for refining areas we see as needing improvement. There are also results of which we’re incredibly proud. Here is proof positive that our dedicated staff is living and carrying out our collective values in, what we hope, are important and meaningful ways.

You can learn more about the JUST program and how to get involved here.

Cheers!

-The Froggers

2016 Urban Housing Forum

Grace and Andrew recently attended AIA Seattle’s Urban Housing Forum. These year’s theme “Room for Growth” was based on the rapid population increases in the Puget Sound region, its effect on the livability of our communities, and the response of the design community. The day-long program sought to examine the problem and identify innovative solutions to mitigate the upheaval in the region’s housing market. The morning sessions were mainly focused on housing policy with speakers representing a wide range of backgrounds, from architecture and academia, to municipal government. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the steps local policymakers are taking and to see how other cities and regions are solving their housing problems. The afternoon sessions revolved around design with talks from many local architects and planners. The highlight of the program was the keynote speaker, David Baker, FAIA. David is the founder of David Baker Architects in San Francisco, an award-winning firm that specializes in the design of affordable housing. David's presentation focused on 9 ways architects and planners can build community with urban housing:

1. Reweave the Urban Fabric. Create, repair, and enhance connections within existing neighborhoods.
2. Build the Bones. Design a bold and interesting building form.
3. A Little Goes a Long Way. Concentrate a small amount of premium materials at points of shared enjoyment.
4. Activate the Edges. Energize street life with an engaging ground floor.
5. Be Welcoming. A gracious entryway sets a positive tone.
6. Cultivate Connection. Place compatible uses together to provide convenience and support chance encounters.
7. Enlightened Circulation. Bring light and fresh air into hallways and stairs.
8. Get Personal. Offer spaces for residents to make their mark. Photo shelves, pin-up boards, and recessed entries provide a place for personal expression.
9. Art for All. Use artwork to invigorate common spaces, help with way-finding, and create a strong visual identity.

What are your thoughts and ideas on creating community through urban housing? Let us know in the comments below.

Cheers! 

-The Froggers

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Cohousing [Renewed] Enthusiasm at Open House

Last Saturday, April 30, 2016, members of Capitol Hill Urban Cohousing (CHUC) provided on-the-hour tours throughout the day to an estimated 90-100 visitors. We were  delightfully surprised by the major turnout!  At the same time, Grace & Sheila held a Cohousing 101 informational session nearby with 20 attendees for 1-1/2 hour long presentation and discussion about this type of intentional community.

It probably isn't a surprise to anyone by now that we are eager to move into our new home - it's so close we can almost taste it.  Likewise, delays that have caused our move-in to slip away further and further have been frustrating. We just want to move-in!  But feeling the excitement of everyone who came by during the National Cohousing Open House was a welcome reminder that, despite all the delays, issues and challenges, it will all be worth it in the end.

Many visitors had read some of the recent press (here and here), a group came down from Vancouver BC after visiting Bellingham Cohousing, some walked by and it caught their attention, while a few had a vision for a revolution (!) of resident-developed communities like CHUC. All visitors that we talked to and walked through the building understood excitement that residents feel for this intimately-scaled, community focused cohousing project.

We heard our new building described as “…one of the most innovative, socially just and [hopefully] deeply influential projects completed in Seattle this year."  We were flattered by this succinct yet thoughtful description and couldn't be more proud of what we've accomplished.

It was a good reminder to us that:

...we have ultimately pushed the envelope to innovate not only architecturally, but also socially.

...we created something that embodies the vision of our firm:  design that empowers communities, is sustainable not only environmentally but also socially, and provides so many opportunities for second reads.

...we had a wild dream and actually made it happen!

Here's to never thinking dreams are too big- cheers!
-The Froggers

Retreat 2016

Since the inception of Schemata, we have convened annually as an office to review the past year, and set goals and strategic direction for the upcoming year. Our success in meeting or exceeding our goals differs from year to year, but we firmly believe the intentional act of evaluation and reflection has contributed to the growth of the practice. While 11 years ago, when we started out, our two principals provided all the content and facilitation, we have long since had all the staff actively participate by preparing and presenting portions of the day's events.
 

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This year we convened on Capitol Hill in the 12th Ave Arts building. There was a recap of 2015, an overview of company financials and future projections, a discussion of design philosophy (Latin definition - to befriend wisdom), brainstorming for a research agenda, and lots of hand sketching and collage making. All of this was followed by a few hours of bowling at The Garage (now an annual tradition).

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We have had a lot of transition over the past year and anticipate a little more growth in the next few months as we welcome 3 new staff and a summer intern. 2015 was a challenging year with several projects that required a lot of staff time without the fee to support the level of effort...but we are optimistic for 2016 - we are well poised with a significant back log of work.

Cheers! 

-The Froggers

Designing Urban Gardens: Youth Voices

On a sunny spring Saturday morning, while the rest of the world people was busy either caucusing or getting ready for Easter,  a bunch of bright-eyed youth, including those from the Seattle Art Museum Design Your 'Hood program, grouped together at the CfAD space.  They were challenged to rethink and build models of their ideas of what gardens in a dense residential environment meant for them for the Seattle Architecture Foundation Teen Workshop on "Urban Gardens".

Mira and Will who have been long time volunteers for the Seattle Architecture Foundation, helped organize and host this workshop on Urban Gardens.  Grace presented a short slideshow with examples of different types of gardens, including urban farms to spark some ideas and the students broke up into 4 teams.   Using CHUC as their blank canvas, elaborate designs came to life during this 4-hour workshop.

Here's a round-up of the designs:

A fish bridge completes this design featuring windy, organic gravel walkways that create distinct gardening zones for the different types of plants, and play areas.

Plenty of hanging vines and plant shelves brighten up the south blank walls.  The roof is divided into two parts: a growing area and a relaxation area.  The growing area features apple trees, planters, and benches.  The relaxation area features tall grasses and a cupcake paper parasol.

This design was all about what each group member loved to do outdoors!  One teen wanted to see active play spaces so created a rock climbing wall and small pool to address the compact constraints.  Another teen wanted a place for her and her dog to roam free in the city.  A shady relaxation spot was thought up from a student who wanted to have a place to browse her phone. Lastly, a dining area amidst a food garden was important for another team member.

This team dubbed their project "The Emerald Roof" for all the greenery they featured in their design:  urban farm and garden, outside dining area, vines to brighten up the blank wall and alley, a shed to store equipment, and of course, the world's LARGEST cabbages.  Kuddos to their quick thinking by changing their sidewalk benches to "art installations" when they realized they were way out of scale!

A bunch of tuckered out teens after the workshop, thinking, "Not another photo!"

Rayna, from Design Your 'Hood also wrote a post about the workshop.   Click here to read about her perspective of the workshop, and find out more about their incredible work with these teens!

Cheers!

-The Froggers

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A special thanks to:

Minh, youth program coordinator at SAF, for helping with the organization.

Davira and Kavita, SAF volunteers, for the extra helping hands.

Gwen and Rayna, Design Your 'Hood leaders, for bringing these fantastic teens to the workshop!