Congratulations go out to John Meegan, firm principal, who has been accredited by the United States Green Building Council through their Leading in Energy and Environmental Design program. With John’s accomplishment, the firm is now proud to have over 25% of our staff accredited. We look forward to helping all of our clients achieve a higher level of sustainable design.

Columbus was so fortunate to have Rosalyn Cama, FASID in town on Wednesday to speak on evidence based design. This topic is very threatening to the architect. Traditionally, architects have been trained and educated to seek their personal creative expression through design. But, evidence based design asserts a theory that we simply don’t just know best, and encourages the designer to apply a rigorous research component on projects as a foundation for design decision making.

It’s called Programming…and we have been doing it with our buildings for years. But, we have seldom sought to gain any information beyond quantitative information. The fact of the matter here is that the most important information is QUALITATIVE. The quality of the space is what it is all about…and today’s owner and user is demanding a responsive architect who considers their qualitative goals for the project. So, the architect of the future will not simply become an expert and impose their viewpoint on the design.

At WSA Studio, we have employed a process on our projects for years that is based upon design that helps solve complex problems for our clients. And, most of the time, we gain access to solutions to problems through the qualitative programming content. During the early phase of any project, we make it a primary goal to elicit information from the users that will assist in the resolution of complex problems. And, then, through the process, the design actually helps to change the nature of client organizations. We believe that if there is a proper foundation of qualitative data compiled, the design will create positive change…..through design.

Over the next six months, we hope to use this website to roll out case studies that highlight the successful application of design based upon research and complex problem solving techniques. Stay tuned.

My understanding of sustainability began in the Appalachian foothills a long time ago. During my first four years of college, I worked on a natural gas pipeline crew for my Dad and brother’s company in the summer, and learned more than I ever imagined that I would about the power of natural energy, inertia, the sun, and gravity (I fell in the ditch quite a bit). Boy those summers were a grind, and every morning the thought of facing that muddy/earthy mess and standing in a hot ditch or the baking sun did not make me jump out of bed. For me, architecture school was my route to control nature, distance myself from the simplicity of the earth, and create order out of all of the chaos…and I could not wait for the summer to end. However, over the years of summer work, I grew to actually like the work (well, not enough) and to understand that the best contractors where those who listened and watched what was going on…they had a keen instinct for how things work, and they successfully flexed to adapt to the changing natural conditions. They simply were in touch with the earth. And, they knew that they had to work with the earth to gain an advantage in their work process. The harder one tried to control the situation and stay on course, on schedule and overcome the unpredictable, the more our crews would fall behind. By the end of each summer, I would be ready to go back to OSU, but I would return with renewed energy and an informed approach to design. But, rarely would I recognize how the two experiences could inform one another. It seems that it took me until my forties to fully understand how my work experience in construction really had influenced my design approach. There is a natural process of decay that impacts all of our buildings, and it is best to respect nature…embracing her rules. All things need to breathe…air is vital. We don’t evolve without light. Light is critical to the growth of living things. And, best of all…if we can do without disturbing the environment, then we should. The best buildings hold back out of modesty…they don’t shout out and dominate. They sit back in deference to the majestical power of Mother Nature and are much better for it.