Thoughts on CAE 2015 Spring Conference Agenda
Educational design is the cornerstone of Hollis and Miller Architects; as a firm, we strive to be leaders in education through innovation and understanding the way people learn better than anyone else. There is no doubt that the excellent program you have set up for this conference will enhance my knowledge as an individual, which will, in turn, strengthen our firm. As our credo states, “grow the individual . . . grow the firm”.
Like most architects, I am interested in place, specifically how place as an impact on the ability of people to learn. I am very excited to visit the storied Cranbrook Educational Community, and specifically interested in listening to Cesar Pelli on Friday.
Equity in education is of profound interest as an architect in greater Kansas City. By comparing two local districts, the quality of education is clearly tied to inequalities of race, income. Blue Valley Schools is a top-performing district: 77% Caucasian, median household income of $101,824. Contrast that with the district that I live in, Hickman Mills- our district is improving, but is currently provisionally accredited, 78% African American, median household income of $24,000. The correlation is clear, moving forward is somewhat more difficult.
A bit about me
I began my experience with educational facilities design during a summer internship after my second year of architecture school, over fifteen years ago. Since that time I’ve worked with numerous project typologies, but I have always focused on educational design, borrowing from those other experiences to look at education in a different light. For me it is the realization of purpose that comes with helping a community by educating its youth.
I have been a community leader, focusing on the betterment of place through education, architecture and simply service to others. I am currently running for school board in my District and maintain involvement in our excellent, local AIA-KC chapter, focusing on outreach to educate those outside our profession about what architecture is. I have participated in numerous forums, community charrettes, and planning events, which I believe has given me skills that will be beneficial to fulfilling the expectations of a scholarship recipient.