Schemata News

We're Back!

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copyright schemata workshop

copyright schemata workshop

We made it. After months of delays and rescheduling, two full days of packing and unpacking, and many subsequent hours of organizing, we’re finally in our new home on Capitol Hill. Slowly, things are coming together—our admins have their new casework, acoustic felt and carpeting are going in, and the next few weeks will get us pretty darn close to complete.

We asked the staff, “What have you most enjoyed about being back on Capitol Hill? What are you most looking forward to now that we’re back? What has surprised you most about being in the new office?” Here are some of their answers:

Will: Being in a vibrant neighborhood with Seattle’s best park a few blocks away. Enjoying lunch on the roof deck. How spacious the office feels.

Margaret T: I like being so close to home and in the middle of Cap Hill – it feels like a community here, and we’re so close to my favorite haunts.  I also like that Cap Hill is not so touristy!

Abby: I’ve enjoyed being able to walk to work. Not only is it a quick and easy commute, it’s fun seeing the neighborhood wake up as I make my way into the office. I was anticipating the open office layout to be very distracting, and I’m surprised by how little that’s been a problem for me.

Mike: Seeing people I know while walking around the neighborhood—that didn’t happen much in the temp location. Being close to our daughter and the CHUC community throughout the day. It’s hotter than I hoped…need to work on ventilation and night cooling.

Joann: I enjoy the natural daylight in the office, the standing desk configuration and being so close to the park. I’m looking forward to exploring the neighborhood and getting to know the local businesses.

Mira: I love being able to walk to work and seeing all the quirky personalities of those on Capitol Hill. I enjoy being together in one big space as one big Schemata family. I look forward to settling in, decluttering, and adding some personality back to our second home! One thing that never ceases to amaze me, despite the transition pains, is how seamless it has been to work on virtual machines.

Sarah: The office moving to the Hill has meant that everyone is starting over together in a new space. As the newest person in the office, this has helped me feel like one of the team faster than if we hadn’t all participated in the big move!

Grace: I like being immersed in the community where I have invested my personal and professional time. Within the walls of our new building I enjoy the sounds of kids playing, neighbors talking and laughing, and the clink of dishes as they get washed or neighbors eat dinner. Outside the gate to the building I enjoy a vibrant business district where I meet my neighbors of the greater Capitol Hill community.

And we’re not done celebrating!

9/16: Stop by any time to enjoy our PARKing Day pop-up parklet, then join us for our Open House

 

Cheers!

-The Froggers

Joining JUST

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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

Schemata Workshop Welcomes Kurt Wong

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  In July, Kurt Wong joined the SW team as our new office manager. He's a veteran of the profession, and has extensive experience in the multi-family housing realm. Kurt has a Masters in Architecture from UC Berkeley, and  is returning to the field after five years running his own retail business. He's brought a fresh energy to the office, and will no doubt keep the rest of us in line. WELCOME, KURT!

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