2023 Schemata Workshop Staff Retreat

On May 1st, the Schemata staff came together virtually and in person for our annual staff retreat. This year's theme, “Frogger Happiness,” served as a framework for discussions about improving efficiency in our work environment so that we can make time for our individual passions and areas of interest both at and outside of work. The retreat also included a collaborative art project and a walk down to the Seattle waterfront to visit one of our recently-completed projects, the Union pedestrian street bridge. We ended the day with happy hour at Old Stove Brewery on the Pike Place Marketfront.

Alec Attends the International Passive House Conference

Schemata Architect, Alec Gardner, recently attended the International Passive House Conference held in Germany. The following is a description of his experience as well as some his takeaways upon reflection.

The 26th International Passive House (PH) Conference took place in March 2023, in Wiesbaden, Germany, located some 30 minutes from Darmstadt, where Dr. Feist's pioneering doctoral research began in 1988. As I traveled to the conference venue by train in the freezing cold weather, I reflected on the significance and legacy of his "House without Heating". 

Instead of the obvious PH benefits of reduced greenhouse gases, superior indoor air quality, and thermal comfort, let's consider four additional advantages.

1.  Energy independence and security - Current political and military tensions on energy markets result in hyperinflated utility costs that ultimately put customers in danger.

2. Energy capacity reduction - Relieving aging and vulnerable power grids saves tax payer money on costly and protracted infrastructure upgrades, and gives residents the ability to comfortably endure power outages.

3. Lower energy costs - Critical upkeep costs for public buildings, such as affordable housing, schools, and recreational facilities become more affordable for budget-strapped neighborhoods.

4. Decarbonization - As cities all over the world are ratcheting up to hit their 2030 climate goals, the most practical option is improving energy efficiency in existing building stock. In contrast, alternative solutions, such as large scale renewable energy production, mass electrification of cars, and large public transportation improvements face significant challenges in implementation.

Welcome to the Staff, Michael!!!

Schemata has added a new face to the staff. Meet Michael Walsh, a recent transplant from Sacramento, California. We had Michael answer a few questions from our New Hire questionnaire. Here are his responses:

If you had a time machine that would work only once, what point in the future or in history would you visit? 

It might be a short visit, but I think I would choose some period during the reign of the dinosaurs. The earth was so incredibly different from the flora to the fauna.  It would be fascinating to see how different it was…even if I didn’t last long in that environment.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

The Therme Vals in the Swiss Alps. It was the first real piece of Architecture (with a capital A) that blew my socks off. It has been close to the top of my Architecture bucket list ever since.

If your home were burning down, after family members and pets, what three things would you try to save?

Not really sure too much matters to me after pets and family, since most things are replaceable to a large degree. So, I would probably grab handmade pieces of art. A blown glass vase that I made, my favorite painting, and a ceramic/textile art piece that I have.

If you could talk to any one person now living or dead, who would it be and why?

I am a firm believer that you need to be careful what you wish for with questions like this. That being said, I would say my maternal grandfather.  He lived in Florida most of my young life, then died when I was in High School.  I have heard such wonderful things about him, and the bit of real interaction I remember with him was so great. It would be very special to be able to have a conversation with him now that I am an adult.

If you had to give up one of your senses (taste, smell, touch, sight, hearing), which would it be and why?

Smell – while this would affect the sense of taste also, it seems like this would have the least detrimental impact on day-to-day life.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why? 

This is such a hard question.  I am all over the board wanting to choose a water animal or an animal that can fly.  In the end, since I have to choose, it would be a Kestral.  Being so small, fierce, and able to fly would be such a different experience.

Do you have any pets? If not, what sort of pet would you like?

Currently, I have a 5-year-old border collie mix named Lanka.

Name a gift you will never forget. 

My birthday is at the middle/end of March, and in 2020 it was on the Saturday of the weekend that the Sacramento area really went into full lockdown. I have some friends who brought me a bunch of frozen food, and we hung out at separate ends of my driveway and talked.  It was a period when it really meant so much for them to go out of their way to do something nice. 

What is one of your favorite family traditions? 

This isn’t a tradition, but making sure that people around me know how I feel and my appreciation.  This is something that my father has always emphasized, and I feel is very important.  This sort of thing is too often taken for granted in everyday life, and people should know you care or that you are appreciative.

What is your favorite thing to do in the summer? 

In the last couple of years, it has been going for a ride, in less populated parts, on my motorcycle.

An Ode to the Porch

African Americans have made contributions to American architecture long before they were considered architects and the porch is one of many relics that remind us of just that.

There have been numerous studies on the origin of this architectural fixture. Most analyses and research lead us to believe that the concept of this bridgeway that connects the interior and exterior of a home originated in Equatorial Africa.

Although its initial intention was to provide shelter, with technological advancements and ever-changing architectural trends, it has since evolved into a meeting place for residents and the community at large. This element is also used to showcase the decorative details of the structure’s architectural style.

In a New York Times article, community members in Detroit share the various roles porches play in their lives both physically and symbolically. For some, it is a place to gather and share stories, while for others it serves as a sign of success. All in all, it is apparent that this simple fixture bears a huge weight within African American culture. To read their testimonies in full, click here .

As a collaborator on projects located in historically black neighborhoods in Seattle and Tacoma, we engage with community members and consultants and have found that our clients share similar sentiments to those mentioned in the article. In response, we have prioritized the inclusion of this element in our designs not only for its function but also due to its cultural significance.  

Overall, we are grateful for the opportunity to have a hand in the process of preserving the presence of African American culture in both the Hilltop and the Central District and look forward to more opportunities to continue our mission to create spaces that are culturally relevant to their environment.

Project Spotlight: School Based Health Centers

This is the story of two SBHCs, both in existing spaces at both Lowell Elementary and NOVA at Mann High School, to replace temporary centers that Schemata had also designed. Both SBHCs expand the services offered to students, their families, and faculty.

The Lowell Elementary SHBC

The Lowell SHBC is the direct outcome of outreach to the school administration and PTA to see how our Capitol Hill EcoDistrict (CHED) Steering Committee (SC) could best advocate and make a positive difference in the lives or the students and their families at the school. The concept of an EcoDistrict is a comprehensive approach to addressing Equity, Resilience, and Climate Protection, and the Capitol Hill neighborhood we call home was certified under this rigorous protocol in 2022. For the Lowell SBHC, the SC invited PTA and school leadership to share their challenges, eventually leading to connecting the school with funders, operators, and the Seattle School District to coordinate this effort. Schemata Workshop provided initial conceptual design and cost estimating which led to an RFP issued by the District, and were selected in a competitive qualifications and interview process.

This past year, we collaborated closely with Community Roots Housing, Country Doctor Community Health Centers and Odessa Brown Clinic to renovate existing classroom space at Lowell ES, and a separate project to build-out a permanent SBHC at NOVA at Mann HS.

At Lowell Elementary, we collaborated with Community Roots Housing to define the program scope, develop concept designs, and perform a feasibility analysis. The design was inspired by Lowell Elementary School’s values and culture of inclusivity, and includes a reception area, a large meeting room, and two examination rooms, as well as spaces delegated to healthcare providers and the social work professionals. This expanded SBHC provides students, their families and faculty easy access to affordable, conveniently located health care providers. The center also provides translation services for patients for whom English is their second language.

NOVA@Mann High School SBHC

Schemata designed both the temporary space, and the permanent  Nova Wellness Center at NOVA@Mann HS with a program similar to the Lowell SBHC, but customized based on input from students and faculty. The NOVA SBHC includes a reception area, multiple office spaces, examination rooms,  blood draw & Lab, and a group therapy room and resting space.The NOVA Wellness Center offers no cost comprehensive, trauma-informed, and gender affirming care, provided to students at the school.