#Un(for)seen Changes
This year has been one of significant changes. In the wake of COVID-19 we have seen dramatic shifts in the way we have approached our daily lives. The ways we interact with others as well as our work environments have been significantly impacted by these changes. With so much happening, Urban Design Perspectives has continued to remain flexible and adapt our work environments to address the new social climate. Shifting our workplace to remote locations has caused us to develop new routines and has challenged our own sense of normalcy. As we have continued to function as a business through this pandemic, there have been unforeseen changes that we had to undergo in order to maintain and grow.
While we have continued working through our projects, we have also continued to think about our future as a firm. During this time, we at Urban Design Perspectives felt that now is a great time to re-evaluate who we are as a firm and what we want to portray to the world through our website. By having in-house discussions, we wanted to realign ourselves and shift focus as an Architecture, Project Management and Community Engagement firm to emphasize our role in our communities as advocates for equitable environments for all. Our new website reflects not only what we do as a firm, but who we are.
As an architecture firm, we are equipped with the tools of creativity to develop flexible solutions in such unforeseen times of uncertainty. This has truly been put to the test as we have shifted to remote work locations while managing our current and upcoming projects. Our annual architecture camp, Camp SEE Architecture, proceeded this year as a remote learning module. Adapting to this new model was a challenge as we needed to develop a new curriculum which could be mostly self-led by the students. From this set of obstacles, we were able to develop sustainable architecture kits which taught the students about design through workbooks and activities. These kits could be dropped off and distributed to the students. Although it was not the same as meeting with the students in person, we were happy we were still able to make an impact from a distance.
While this year has posed many challenges, it has also made way for great opportunities. Urban Design Perspectives is excited to participate in 2020’s AIA MN Conference on Architecture. In collaboration with Precipitate, we will be hosting a virtual discussion on The Ethics of Environmental Justice: Architects’ Call to Action. As a firm that is founded on equitable practices, both environmentally and socially, this is an exciting opportunity to share our knowledge and experiences with others. Although the conference is undergoing a shift, it is an exciting opportunity to reach even more people virtually than what would have been possible with an in-person format. We look forward to participating in an engaging virtual space.
With so many #un(for)seen changes happening in our field, it is important for us to maintain flexibility and remember that new challenges can lead to the most growth.