At SR/A, we pride ourselves on staying on top of what’s happening in design news. It helps us keep tabs on what’s fresh, inspiring, and happening in the world—and we make a few headlines of our own, too. Here are some recent articles delving into design, experience, and what’s buzzing in our community:
The Dying Mall’s New Lease on Life: Apartment
I’m always interested in conversions since they signify hope to me. Instead of seeing something negative, they signal people thinking with a growth mindset. Instead of destroying something, bringing rebirth and life to something that has essentially died. I thought this quote from the article is so accurate, “the Covid-19 pandemic isn’t as much changing real estate as accelerating existing trends,” and it is encouraging to see someone capitalizing on the decline of retail to provide affordable housing that is so needed.
– Drew Garfield, Business Development Lead
Minneapolis Solar Installation Blends Public Art and On-site Generation
Multifamily buildings in other areas of the world are quickly turning to vertical gardens and green facades to help with energy use and sustainability. Though it has not caught on here quite yet, it looks like support for solar panels on building envelopes might be growing. I love that the MoZaic East building in Minneapolis found a way to also use the solar panels as a public art installation – sustainability and community place-making in one!
–Jennie Crouch, Certified Designer + Brand Coordinator
39 Creatives Talk Being Black in the Design Industry—and What Needs to Change
Talent Isn’t ‘Human Capital’: Why This D&I Recruiter Won’t Help You Tick A Box
Both on a personal level and as a part of the SR/A team, I am striving to both be and stay anti-racist, and one of the key ways of doing that is to listen. Articles like these feel important to keep the conversation going on diversity and inclusion, but also to be wary of the trap of making Black creators feel like they are being victimized or tokenized for their skin color when they bring talent and powerful work to the table. Differing viewpoints, tastes, and skills are always going to make life and art more interesting and beautiful!
–Katharine Gatz, Senior Designer + Project Manager
Unused buildings will make good housing in the world of COVID-19
As a result of the pandemic, many workers may transition to working remotely permanently, leaving a lot of unused office space. This article has some interesting ideas on adaptive reuse how to convert empty office buildings into housing.
– Courtney Bradshaw, Design Intern
7 Tips For An Eco Friendly Interior Design Makeover
An Introduction To Sustainable Interior Design
Eight design brands leading the way in sustainability
These are some links for one of my favorite subjects (eco-friendly interior design) as I am all about health and using natural material!
–Wrishmina Zurmati, Junior Architect
Virgin Hyperloop Is Designing Travel That Will Enable You To Work From Anywhere
How cool would it be to live in Oregon and work in San Francisco?
–Sabine Roy, President + CEO
Thoughtful design can create high-quality affordable multifamily housing
With affordable housing being a top need in our communities, it is important to remember that with intentional design, these properties can still be functional and beautiful for those that reside in them as well as a welcomed addition to the neighborhood
–Jessica Watts, Creative Operations Director
How Design Will Shift to Accommodate Post-COVID-19 Multifamily Living
How can we create a renewed sense of community, hearth and home in the wake of a pandemic. As technology allowed us to grow closer during this fight many of us realized the space we used to come home to rest became modular overnight. The interior aesthetics that once satisfied the senses fell in line with sterilization, sanitation, and no visitors. The team at SR/A is working together vigilantly to contribute to a global design philosophy that multifamily building designs should be progressive, innovative, and healthy for a post-COVID-19 world.
–Josh Sizemore, Office Manager
