Lunch With An Architect

Sole Repair Shop: The host of Bloom! Seattle V

I recently attended Bloom! Seattle V, a fascinating seminar discussing various sustainable initiatives that were born from the grass roots level. Topics ranged from addressing urban food deserts to utilizing biomimicry in the built environment, and were presented by leaders in the field who are currently addressing these various subjects in their work.

While at this event, I had the pleasure of meeting an architect whose commitment and ties to sustainability were as deep-rooted in childhood lessons and experiences as my own. She was a featured presenter at the seminar, and shared her innovative project of designing and creating sustainable schooling spaces that would inspire and engage students. The subject matter caught my ear, as her enthusiasm and belief in the project made for a dynamic presentation. (Additionally, I had a similar design prompt my sophomore year of college, and it was exciting to see the concept in a real life application). While I was able to introduce myself after her speech, the crowded venue didn’t leave much room for questions; I expressed interest in learning more about her project, and she agreed to meet me for lunch a couple weeks later.

My sophomore project surrounding the prompt of designing sustainable modular classrooms.

On the day of our meeting, I was treated to an in-depth explanation of her project, as she elaborated on her life-long commitment to the environment, the inspiration, and her previous work experience that led to the creation and development of this project. I found it fascinating to listen to the process, development, and hard work that had made her project a reality. Her dedication and enthusiasm was inspiring, and I left our meeting with the reminder that big changes start from seeds planted on the ground level, and the hope that I too will spark positive impact with my designs.

I would like to extend a big thanks to Stacy Smedley for sharing a look into her work with The Sprout Collective! Please follow the link to learn more about the project. To contribute to the Sprout Collective, please click here to donate.