Purpose...

 
Sometimes we do things for a purpose...Back in late March (2012) I was with a colleague in Fresno, Art Dyson (http://arthurdyson.com). Art and I have been involved in a high school master plan, programming and design in Fresno, CA. The project started in late 2010 and is now through Schematic Design. There have been many, many community and committee meetings, all of which Art and I have either lead or participated in. Art is great community supporter, as evidenced by his many awards and certificates. You can see a list on his web site. Although not nearly as active as Art, I too believe in supporting the community, no matter where you live and no matter what you do. I believe that one of the keys to the success of our educational system is in the support the school community gives to its schools by volunteering. In March, I noticed Art was sporting longer hair and forming a pony tail. I recalled that not too long ago he had a similar doo, but then it was, one day, shorter. Upon questioning, Art informed me that he was on his second pony tail, all in support of Locks of Love. (http://locksoflove.org) There are so many things that I can't do, but one thing I can do is grow hair. There is a restriction on grey hair, but they do accept white hair and that is what I have. Thanks Mom. I'm not a hap-hazard kind of person. I generally think things out, analyze the potential outcome and strategize about the best approach and then implement. However, there are times when I abandon all of this and just do something. Was this one of those times.? I remember a community member at one of the high school planning meetings asked about my now increasing in length very white hair, she was kind, and said it was "going to look good, once it grew out". Oh and how about the reactions from my buddies at home...simply put they can't stop giving me a hard time. (perhaps they are jealous, if you know what I mean). As I step into Starbucks for coffee, into my favorite neighborhood cafe, or restaurant, or as I walk through the airport, I get lots of looks...or at least it feels like I do. So, you might ask by now, whats the point? I really believe that everything we do in life is for a purpose, consciously or unconsciously. As an Architect who programs, plans and designs public buildings and in particular schools, I carry a great deal of responsibility. Listening and understanding how people work, learn, deliver educational programs and other public services is critical to designing effective and efficient facilities. Architects are in a position to be the first line of defense when it comes to spending the public money on facilities. On purpose we need to be committed to early definitions, early visioning, and creating public facilities that are relevant, promote program success and are long term attributes to the community. We can not afford to be hap-hazard. So, in thinking about the decision to move ahead with the long hair, it was not a hap-hazard decision. It was a decision made based on a purpose. Sometimes, when making these kinds of purposeful decisions you need to be prepared to take the heat. I'm prepared.