As designers, it’s easy to get caught up in the complexity of a large project – there are so many factors, decisions, so many pieces to the puzzle of design. But sometimes a small move, something we do every day and may take for granted, is as powerful, if not more, than something large and complex.
Some of my favorite moments as a designer are the small moves – I often tell students about one of my favorite stories as a designer. We were working on the renovation of patient rooms in a hospital, and because the hospital was so busy, the renovations had to happen just a few rooms at a time; this meant that some people were there long enough to be in one of the old rooms, and then be transferred to a new room. The scope of renovation was “cosmetic” – included new flooring, new paint, new lights, new curtain – some of those “small moves” that some might think trivial. Warmer colors, natural textures and elements transformed the institutional, stark room to a healing environment. What seemed like simple interventions actually had a huge impact – we were delighted to hear comments from a family of a patient, that their loved one felt more comfortable in the new room, and they felt that the space helped them heal more quickly. There’s lots of evidence-based research and data that shows the impact of design in a healthcare environment, but hearing it from a person, about a person, makes it real.
Last week I had some special moments. In the midst of so much going on all around us, this one experience, this one comment brought a re-focus to why we do what we do. Maria Martinez and I were at a community design presentation for a housing project in Roxbury. We have been hired as interior designers, working with the architect on the selection of finishes and furniture. Sounds easy, right? Just finishes, pick some paint and floor. First of all, it is not so easy. Selecting finishes is not simple. They require us to have technical knowledge about composition – what is the material made of, is it healthy, sustainable? We need to think about durability, maintenance – how do we clean it, will it perform in the space? And we have to think about the aesthetic – how will it contribute to the overall look and feel of the space – how will it make PEOPLE feel.
So as we always do, we took it seriously, and proposed thoughtful, appropriate finish materials for the space. Our presentation was to about 15-20 residents. While we were setting up, we noticed that some of the residents were speaking Spanish; we offered that Maria and I could do a bilingual presentation, making it possible for everyone to participate equally in the design presentation.
After a spirited discussion, we reached a unanimous consensus. Then, one resident stood up, thanked us, fist-pumped us, and told us and the group how important the design was to the community; that the design showed care for the community, that it would make people, especially the younger residents, proud to live here; that having pride in your community is what can change the neighborhood, which has been experiencing violence and crime; he said that “this is how you make America great again”. Just a few finishes?
A few days later, we were at the Bodega Makeover’s Healthy Foods Neighborhood Block Party in Roxbury (STA is redesigning a neighborhood bodega, helping to make it the heart of the community, feel more welcoming, and be a center for healthy living). Our team was inside and outside the store, explaining the new design to the community. Standing outside the store, I saw a young man in a wheelchair come by, pause, and then continue on. Later I was in the store, explaining our video walk through of the design to a woman. I asked her what she would like to see in the redesign, what was on her wish list. She answered that she would like for her son to be able to come to the store. It turns out that the young man we had seen earlier was her son, and because of the existing inaccessible store entry and layout, he cannot come to this important community place. Of course we were going to solve the accessibility in our design, but it is one of those things we might take for granted – follow the code, meet ADA, clearances, heights, etc. – we do this every day. But to see a person whose life and daily routine is negatively affected, and will be positively affected after our design, and to hear his story – it makes it real, it makes it worthwhile, it is why we do what we do.
I treasure moments like these that are real reminders of how we impact people, but this is in fact happening every day to everyone we touch. Let’s not take for granted any of the design moves we make – they all matter, and they all will impact the lives of our people.
-Felice
