Why I Design

This has been an incredibly difficult week for many Americans. I live in a comfortable, safe suburb of Baltimore. I can leave my home to walk my dog, go for a jog and I don't worry about my safety. I wave and say hello to my neighbors and they reciprocate. My sons leave the house with a wave and I never concern myself with where they are going because we feel safe. Not all our neighbors feel that way. Many of our neighbors of color worry about their sons and daughters encountering racism and injustice at the hands of other neighbors and the hands of police. I cannot fathom the worry and pain that this causes. This week, I have spent many hours contemplating these things along with contemplating my white privilege. 

I am an architect. I am also a principal of a firm of 85 professionals, of which about 75 are design professionals. We offer design services in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, master planning and environmental graphics. Our architectural practice touches many different sectors including K-12 education, higher education, commercial office, student housing and multi-family housing. Our staff is not as diverse as I would like, but its getting more diverse each year. 

We were recently contacted by a company that manages the foundations of professional athletes. A well-known, former Baltimore Raven is interested in renovating community centers in our inner city neighborhoods. After showing our portfolio of community centers, we were hired on the spot.These centers will give our youth in these impoverished neighborhoods access to tutoring, access to counseling, access to athletics and an opportunity to improve themselves. Basically, these centers will give our youth a place to go after school where they are safe, nourished, cherished and welcomed. We are now considering how much pro bono work to do to assist the foundation. I’m in favor of 100% of our work being pro bono. However, given the state of our economy and the number of our projects that have gone on hold, that is a hard sell. I know the parents in these neighborhoods are working multiple jobs with long hours and everything we can do to help them will repay our City 10 fold, but we are a business that needs revenue coming in the door.

I support such endeavors for two reasons. First, Les and Mary Ellen Kemp raised me to be a kind, caring and compassionate people person. My mother pointed out to me today that my maternal grandfather, who died before I was born and who is my namesake, was the same. There are many stories about things he did for others, never thinking of the cost. Second, I was trained in architecture school that we can solve society’s problems through our designs. We can create more humane spaces that enhance the lives of all the users of our buildings. 

I had the opportunity to hear Robert AM Stern lecture a number of years ago. He pointed out that if we continue to design our primary and secondary schools and universities with concrete block, VCT and other hard materials, we are treating our students like animals and they will act as such. If we use softer, more humane materials, our students will reciprocate and treat the buildings with respect. That has always stuck with me and I bring that notion to my work. Nido Qubein, President of High Point University shares a similar view. He renovates his buildings every 5 years so that they are new and well maintained. He builds buildings on his campus that resemble Class A office buildings so that their graduates are used to walking into large sweeping, marble floored lobbies and are not intimidated walking into those environments for job interviews.

But across my career, I’ve had a struggle internally. Yes, we can design beautiful, functional and articulate spaces that enhance the lives of all the users of our buildings. We cannot solve societal issues like domestic violence, disenfranchisement of communities of color, racism, and many others. In some instances, homeless shelters and low-income housing are two, we can affect immediate change but generally, we simply create environments that support the work of the users of these buildings. 

The educational and laboratory buildings I work on are why I design. I don’t expect all members of our community to understand this. I don’t expect all of members our community to have these motivations. In Start With Why, Simon Sinek ponders how great our society could be if all workers understood and agreed with the “why” of the companies they work for. We have had this debate in our own office. About 30% of our work is market-rate, multi-family housing. How does that work contribute positively to our larger society? I can argue both sides. It does create livable, walkable communities in urban environments where not every one has to drive everywhere for everything they need. But, it also contributes to the wealth gap as many of these small apartment’s rent is larger than my mortgage in the suburbs. What should we do?

I have spent 25 years building a career in higher education and laboratory planning and design. Early in my career, I fell in love with working in that environment as I find faculty and administrators to be incredibly kind and passionate people who care deeply for their students and the success of those students. I love working with them, listening to their ideas and helping realize their needs. As I matured as an architect I began to realize that what I loved most about designing educational and laboratory spaces was the promise of what those spaces can bring to others. 

Our firm is an industry leader in the design of student housing which is providing high quality, clean and well appointed spaces for our next generation of leaders to live in while they learn and mature. I recently finished a highly specialized lab that is doing experimental work on blood cancers. These personalized medicine centers are making great progress in tailoring individual therapies to the exact patient. We have designed three accelerator spaces which are locations were start ups rent laboratory space to develop their products and therapies. Another recently finished building will provide workforce development to the African-American community in Winston-Salem, NC. The graduates of these programs can gain good, high paying jobs in the Piedmont Triad Research Park in Winston-Salem or any of the other research parks across the country. 

This is Why I Design. And this is what the AEC community should stand for. 

Don't Isolate Yourself, Nurture Your Network!

Vinca Minor ground cover in my yard

I had the good fortune to participate in a Zoom meeting hosted by the Central VA Chapter of CSI on Thursday evening that was focused towards young professionals. I am not a young professional but I'm one of the presenters for the May meeting and Thursday was the first of the series, so I wanted to see how it goes. It was an amazing experience with over 30 participants from across Central VA, NYC, Chicago and other areas of the country. 

One thing that came up several times was trying to connect about job opportunities. One participant was interested in moving away from his current permit expediting business and get back into the design professions. One was a student about to graduate and was looking for work in a development and design-build company. Another was doing contract design work and looking for more opportunities. This left me thinking of my own network and its strength in the time of isolation. 

Then, on Friday, I had two separate colleagues call me. One was interested in discussing a business opportunity and the other just wanted to check in and bounce some thoughts from his business off of me. It was great to catch up with both and in addition to the original point of the call, we also discussed our health, coping mechanisms and how the AEC community and economy is doing in our areas. Chatting with those two friends has caused me to realize that I need to catch up with more friends and colleagues to make sure I maintain and even strengthen my personal network. 

Since Thursday night, two of the folks on that Zoom have reached out to me, not directly looking for work, but to learn more about me and our firm and gain some insights on how to pursue their career goals. One of those, the student interested in development and design-build, I referred to a former colleague who now works for an architecture firm that is also doing some development work. It was nice to receive an email from the former colleague after the referral. He thanked me and then was just checking in on me and my family. 

Business is primarily about relationships, especially in the design professions. We sell our expertise and our time but our design and construction phases are highly collaborative and we work very closely with our clients, consultants and building partners. I can tell you from experience that when a team doesn't gel or when one or more players are not collaborative or are not trustworthy, design and construction can be a painful experience. I don't go to work each day for that level of pain. I want to work with clients, consultants and building partners that work collaboratively as I do, protecting each other, sharing the risks and sharing the rewards. 

Pink Dogwood in my neighborhood

Starting tomorrow, I intend to reach out to one person in my network each day. Someone that I haven't spoken with in a while. I plan to just say hello, hope you are well and that I'm missing our interactions. It might lead to something, it might lead to nothing more than a simple exchange that reminds us we are all in this together, feeling the same things, sharing the same troubles and working to come out stronger on the other side. 

Leading in Crisis

Sidewalk in Towson, MD

There are probably 6,000 books about leading in a crisis or leading in challenging times or leading during times of change. I think I have several myself, unread, on my book shelf. During the Great Recession of 2008-2009, I was a Senior Associate with our firm. I wasn't at the table making the tough decisions. I was watching those decisions play out and helping staff cope with them while my wife and I coped with them ourselves. I came away from that crisis with a tremendous level of trust in the folks who were making those decisions and respect for they process they went through to make those decisions. That trust and respect continues to this day. 

Now, during this Coronavirus Pandemic, I'm one of the Principals who, along with the Sr Principals, may be faced with making those tough decisions. Not something I relish doing, but it comes with the job and I did ask for this job. So, what have I been doing to prepare myself? Working as hard as I possibly can to prevent us having to make those tough decisions: reviewing A/R daily, contacting clients about paying us, contacting clients about new work, pursuing the RFP's that are out there with laser focus and trying to keep our team focused on producing work of high quality and doing it as efficiently as possible. I trust the other leaders in our firms, including our Associates and Sr Associates are doing the same. 

I think the firms and organizations that come out of this pandemic with strength will share one common trait: leadership. This is a rhetorical question because I really don't want this to turn into a political discussion but how do you feel about your local elected leaders? I bet your level of concern and knowledge about this pandemic and the level of trust in what is happening is related to how you feel about your local elected leaders. The same is true for companies and organizations. 

Camp Grimes, NC

Those who follow this blog know that I am active in my son's boy scout troop. This is a challenging time to be involved in scouting. The issues with our national organization have  put a strain on local councils, though many of them remain solvent, strong and active. Now all of a sudden, we cannot meet face to face or go hiking or camping. Our troop committee, which I chair, made the tough decision this week to not travel out of state for our week long summer camp but instead plan something ourselves with our scouts that we can execute locally and safely. 

The units that survive, I believe, will have strong and creative leadership. My own troop took a wait and see approach for the first few weeks our schools were closed. We then put a Zoom meeting together that was attended by every single scout in our troop. It was fun and silly and not much was accomplished but we saw each other and heard what was going on in each scout's life. We took the next week off for Easter, but this past weekend we did a camp out in each scout's back yard. My son collected firewood for our fire pit. I set up my tent and we had a fun Zoom with the scouts and then slept in my own back yard! We had another Zoom the next morning to see what everyone was cooking. My son made an excellent sausage and peppers omelet and we both ate outside. 

It was a fun overnight. I couldn't remember the last time I camped. It was probably September or October 2019. I miss it and this weekend was a great time for me and hopefully for my son and all our scouts. 

I have also been watching some of our local small businesses and what they are doing to survive. Our favorite Italian restaurant is struggling in a take-out only world. The son of the founder runs the kitchen and the times we've ordered take out, he and one other person are there. He has scant orders each night. Part of the appeal to the restaurant for us is the people. The wait staff is stellar and the food excellent, when you dine in. The food is not as good for take out. If as many loyal customers as possible don't support them now, they will close for good. 

On the other hand, my favorite local brewery seems to be doing good carry out business. About two years ago, they moved into a large, commercial building they own and recruited like minded tenants for the rest of the building, all locally owned, with one exception. There is a craft ice cream shop, distillery, coffee roaster and rock climbing gym all adjacent to the tap room and brewing complex. There is a pizza kitchen in the tap room. Its a very cool place to visit, especially when the weather is nice and the outdoor patio is open. Now, the climbing gym is closed and the other essential companies can do carry out only. The brewer took the lead, and utilizing the e-tail already in place with the pizza kitchen, are allowing visitors to carry out the beer, liquor, pizzas, ice cream and the wares of other locally owned merchants from their website and delivering or doing curb side pick up. 

We've made it a Friday night staple the past 3-4 Fridays where I go down and pick up beer and make-your-own pizza kits. I mentioned these in my last post and my son out did himself this past Friday. You pick up outside their tap room where they set up a table on the sidewalk under the cover of their awning. There are hand sanitizer stations on both ends of the table. They painted stripes on the sidewalk 6' apart to help us maintain safe distance as we wait our turn. The past 2 trips, the staff was wearing gloves and masks. I wore a mask the past 2 trips as well. They are making it known that they are open for business and keeping their people safe at the same time. 

Camp Grimes, NC

Look around at who is leading your company and the companies you do business with. Are they protecting their employees? Are they thinking creatively to solve problems, maintain their current business and perhaps expand that business? If they are, stick with them through this, support them and be safe while doing it. Companies that protect their employees and their business interests are worth supporting. 

How you doin'?

Beaubien Camp at Philmont Scout Ranch, NM

Its been a long time since I've blogged. Some of you have told me so. Its been over two years in fact - January 2018 was my last post though I have 3 posts in draft form! I felt like I had to take a sabbatical when I was elected CSI Board Chair-elect. Before that, I barely had time to keep up with family, work and CSI and knew I wouldn't have time moving forward, so I decided to moth ball the blog. I'm no less busy now, I just have some things that I want to put out there - not about CSI, but about leadership, world view and the changing landscape of society. 

So, how are you doing? What are the major changes you've made or been forced to make? Are you still working? Though many states have deemed construction essential which allows AEC professionals to keep working, I know one manufacturer rep who was put on 1/2 time with a commiserate pay reduction. I follow an architect on twitter who is struggling to keep her staff paid and busy so they are making masks. She, like so many others including my best friend who is a dentist, are frustrated by an inability to get answers related to applications for the Payroll Protection Program and other small business loans. 

Crooked Lake, Quetico Provincial Park, Canada

I'll give some of the answers to those questions for me. I'm doing well. My notebook tells me yesterday was work from home day 22. My sons and wife are also at home in our three bedroom row home. We are all physically and mentally healthy. We are cooking a lot more which means eating healthier. I try to get out of the house to walk the neighborhood at least once per day. What started as 1 to 1-1/2 miles has turned into 2-1/2 to 3 miles at lunch lately. If you're interested, give me a follow on Instagram - I usually post a photo from my walks. I also listen to Marketplace and Make Me Smart podcasts while I walk and both are very good!

We're trying to support local businesses where we can. We knew that my favorite local brewery has a pizza kitchen in their tap room. We have discovered that our oldest son can take their make-your-own pizza kits and do some really tasty things with them. That's been a treat. We try to order take out from our favorite places when we can, though several of them have closed, we hope temporarily. 

Both our sons, sophomore in college and freshman in high school, are adjusting well to their on-line learning environments. Our freshman has to meet virtually with two classes each day and my wife has enjoyed listening in to them. Our adult daughter is still employed in the non-profit sector and living in her apartment downtown. We text, talk or FaceTime with her frequently. 

Our office instituted its business continuity plan on March 13, 2020. We provided work from home opportunities to all staff, restricted non-essential business travel, instituted liberal leave policies and other items to allow our staff to make the best decisions, work safely and maintain our business. That was a Friday, I continued to work in the office the following Monday through Wednesday but by then realized it wasn't a good idea to continue to drive downtown every day. 

I set up shop in the dining room, taking an old TV out of the basement and using it for a large monitor, which my wife thinks is excessive. She set up shop in our daughter's old bedroom so we stay apart most days while each of us attend back to back Zoom meetings. I had 4 on Thursday and 2 more on Friday. Our FiOS internet is screaming fast and we've had only a small handful of issues. We're lucky and we know it. 

Another way life has changed is I'm reaching out to my parents and some friends more. I used to try to call my folks every Sunday. Many weeks, I did not. My sister lives up the street from them and I was relying a bit too much on that. Recognizing the unfairness in that and at the same time struggling that I cannot see my own daughter as often as I'd like, I have made a conscious effort to call more. We set up Zooms with them the last several Sunday evenings and I usually call mid-week or FaceTime sometime.  

Downtown Baltimore, MD

I do miss going downtown. I've spent 20 years in three offices and two firms all along Pratt St in downtown Baltimore. Even the three years I was on-site architect for the construction of the new Dental School, University of Maryland Baltimore's campus is downtown, just north of Pratt St. For those that don't know, our office is in the old power plant - its the red brick building in the foreground of the photo above. The 4 smoke stacks you see travel up through our office. 

As design professionals, we work closely with each other, collaboratively designing and detailing buildings for our clients. Our teams are communicating more regularly now, but its remotely - email, phone and Zoom. I miss the energy, intelligence and talent of our staff. I miss hearing about their trips out of town, their children and what else they are doing around the coffee pot in the morning or walking out to the garage with them in the evenings. 

I'm getting pretty good editing and marking up drawings in BlueBeam, but I miss being able to do a large hand drawing, have it scanned and emailed out. Most of the lab planning I do is initially drawn by hand. I did a large hand drawing for a client, shot a pic with my phone and emailed the pic to the client. It worked okay, but not the same. I could really use a scanner larger than the 8-1/2" by 11" all-in-one we have at home but it works fine so I don't see a need to upgrade to a larger model.  

We are lucky. Our workload remains strong and we have had only three projects go on hold and one delay a start. That's in a firm of 85 people. I attended a virtual pre-proposal meeting for a series of 10 enabling projects at a university client of ours. The drawing I mentioned above was for a kick-off meeting for a lab project. We are monitoring our revenue projections and cash flow. I'm doing more collections calls than I ever have. I have mostly public sector clients and you can guarantee they will pay in 30-45 days. I'm now calling to make sure invoices are received, approved and moved down the line towards payment. 

Sunset of Sarah Lake, Quetico Provincial Park, Canada

In all, 5 weeks into our isolation, quarantine, work from home, whatever you call it, my family is healthy and doing well. How about you? Feel free to comment on the blog or hit me up on Twitter. My handle is @mpkemp