Design Values: Joy

Do we feel like we’re achieving the best and highest use of our own life’s energy?

Health, happiness and satisfaction through the integration of personal values with design outcomes, these are just a few of the rewards our work provides. Our work ethic is based on the alignment of personal values with the task at hand. We seek internal satisfaction in the effort we’re making. When we ask ourselves tough questions — Why am I an architect? What type of work really drives and excites me? Am I using my strengths and doing my best work? The answers vary. But to the question of finding joy in the process, we aim for a universal “yes.” We believe people do their best when they want to be exactly where they are, doing what they’re doing. They feel valued and are able to contribute fully. We also know that our most exceptional work is a result of teaming with clients who share this perspective and consistently challenge us to be our best.

Example: Norton Sound Regional Hospital

Many members of our team delight in travel and learning about diverse cultures. When the firm was selected to design a new hospital for the native Alaskans of the Bering Strait region, the project team embarked on an intensive two-week trip to visit the remote villages that would be served by the new facility. By immersing themselves in local culture, the team gained valuable insights about what the community would value in a facility to support their health and wellness. Through experiences like sharing tea with village elders and witnessing a herd of musk oxen in the wild, the team found inspiration for the hospital design and renewed passion for their work. Moreover, they captured the experience in a book called Moon of the Bird Sling that honors the native Alaskan people.