This is Part 3 of a 10 Part Series, derived from my lecture at the Boston Architectural College Student Lecture Series “Just Futures”. My lecture was titled “The Power of Interior Design to Impact Positive Futures for People and Communities”. My message was that Interior Design has the power and responsibility to positively impact people, communities and their futures, that this can only be achieved through an equitable and inclusive design process, and that positive outcomes for people and communities are the measure of a successful design. I shared this message through stories of our partnerships with our clients and their communities. This is the story of the HAYNES HOUSE AT MADISON PARK
As with the first story I shared, this is another “small” project, we we had what at first seemed to be a limited scope. The full project was the full renovation of an entire existing apartment building, being completed by another architect. Our client brought us on for “just” interior finishes and furniture, specifically for “just” the common areas.
Here is a lesson – never think of interior finishes and furniture as “just” interior finishes and furniture. This is a really important part of any design environment.
So, we did our two schemes – flooring, paint, laminate – and they were lovely. And then we were asked to present at a residents’ meeting. No big deal, we’ve done this 1,000 times, haven’t we? When we arrived, I noticed that the residents were mostly speaking Spanish. I asked our client if Spanish was the primary language spoken here, and it was. Another lesson – always know who your audience is…. And what language they speak…
Fortunately, I was joined by an amazing team member Maria Martinez, who speaks Spanish, and we were able to quickly pivot and do the presentation bi-lingually. I presented in English, and she presented in Spanish.
All the residents were engaged. Everyone. And they had opinions! We had a great session, and we settled on a direction for the design.
But at the end of the presentation and discussion, we heard a comment that I will never forget. One resident stood up and thanked us for the presentation, and the design, and said that this renovation will show the community that they are respected and recognized, and that it will give people pride in their community. He said that this would especially affect the youth, who will now have pride and respect in where they live, and that this will affect how they act in the community – he went so far as to say that this could even reduce violence in the neighborhood. He ended by saying “this is what makes America great again”
Maria and I were speechless.
I know, that the resident’s excitement was not (only) because he loved the color scheme. It was about the process, and about being included in it.
Just finishes? Never think that what you are doing as a designer is insignificant, no matter how small a role you think you have on a project. Every part of a design is important, and it all is part of the impact a space will have on someone.
If we had any part of residents having pride in their homes, and the possible ripple effect that can have in the community, then I count that as a success
