Difference between revisions of "Metromode - The Role of Community at the Green Garage"
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We have just finished the design phase of our building project, and we would not have arrived at this point without 40-plus dedicated volunteers who believe in the project and came week after week to participate in design sessions. People from all walks of life, from engineers and architects to students, arrived at our doorstep asking how they could help. Our only requirement, we told each one, is that they do what they love to do. And they took us up on the offer. One day, as I was sitting in on a net zero energy design session (not my area, but I was writing a report on it), I began drifting off, only to snap back to attention when one of the engineers, with tears in her eyes, told the group how excited she was to participate in something so deeply meaningful to her. She had found her sweet spot. | We have just finished the design phase of our building project, and we would not have arrived at this point without 40-plus dedicated volunteers who believe in the project and came week after week to participate in design sessions. People from all walks of life, from engineers and architects to students, arrived at our doorstep asking how they could help. Our only requirement, we told each one, is that they do what they love to do. And they took us up on the offer. One day, as I was sitting in on a net zero energy design session (not my area, but I was writing a report on it), I began drifting off, only to snap back to attention when one of the engineers, with tears in her eyes, told the group how excited she was to participate in something so deeply meaningful to her. She had found her sweet spot. | ||
| − | We are undergoing the construction phase next, and community is equally important. When we hired the various contractors, we warned them that this would not be your typical job. First, they needed to participate in a series of community meetings ahead of the work, getting to know the design people and, most importantly, the other contractors they would be working with. As we finished off the details of the design, they would all have an opportunity to discuss possible problems with each other, before the first swing of the hammer. In addition, we are asking each contractor, in addition to members of the original design team, to meet every Friday for lunch and participate in a weekly review. We are also asking that they continue to work with us long-term as we monitor the building's functioning, to see if it matches our expectations, and then to help us make adjustments if it does not. | + | We are undergoing the construction phase next, and community is equally important. When we hired the various contractors, we warned them that this would not be your typical job. First, they needed to participate in a series of community meetings ahead of the work, getting to know the design people and, most importantly, the other contractors they would be working with. As we finished off the details of the design, they would all have an opportunity to discuss possible problems with each other, before the first swing of the hammer. In addition, we are asking each contractor, in addition to members of the original design team, to meet every Friday for lunch and participate in a weekly review. We are also asking that they continue to work with us long-term as we monitor the building's functioning, to see if it matches our expectations, and then to help us make adjustments if it does not. Because of the various roles each of these individuals will play, we are renaming them, calling this team the 'building community.' |
| − | Once the building is open for business, we plan on running it like a cooperative. One of the major faults of our current green design (like LEED certification) is that no one monitors the building and the practices inside once it is up and running. You may achieve LEED certification upon opening, but the people inside may continue wasteful habits (like adjusting the thermostat). So we will be asking tenants to be partners with us in allowing the building to reach its full potential. They may need to open and shut windows depending on outside conditions. They may need to shut off overhead lights and use task lights. They may need to adjust the way they bring food into and out of the building. | + | Once the building is open for business, we plan on running it like a cooperative. One of the major faults of our current green design (like LEED certification) is that no one monitors the building and the practices inside once it is up and running. You may achieve LEED certification upon opening, but the people inside may continue wasteful habits (like adjusting the thermostat). So we will be asking tenants to be partners with us in allowing the building to reach its full potential. They may need to open and shut windows depending on outside conditions. They may need to shut off overhead lights and use task lights. They may need to adjust the way they bring food into and out of the building. In short, we'll be looking for clients who want to work cooperatively with others. |
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| + | We are also part of a [http://www.greengaragedetroit.com/index.php?title=Green_Alley_Project Green Alley project]. We plan on turning the alley just south of our building into a pedestrian-friendly greenway, lined with Michigan native plants that will not only beautify the alley but also absorb much of the rainfall. This project was also community based. We needed the approval of all of the residents and businesses to proceed. We are developing a collective trash/recycling center. We want this to be a place where people will want to gather. | ||
Revision as of 16:13, 31 August 2009
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At the Green Garage, we are developing 3 things: a building, a business and a community. The people who rent space will not just be renters, but part of a cooperative community. And we intend for the community to stretch far beyond our physical walls. In fact, this has already begun.
We have just finished the design phase of our building project, and we would not have arrived at this point without 40-plus dedicated volunteers who believe in the project and came week after week to participate in design sessions. People from all walks of life, from engineers and architects to students, arrived at our doorstep asking how they could help. Our only requirement, we told each one, is that they do what they love to do. And they took us up on the offer. One day, as I was sitting in on a net zero energy design session (not my area, but I was writing a report on it), I began drifting off, only to snap back to attention when one of the engineers, with tears in her eyes, told the group how excited she was to participate in something so deeply meaningful to her. She had found her sweet spot.
We are undergoing the construction phase next, and community is equally important. When we hired the various contractors, we warned them that this would not be your typical job. First, they needed to participate in a series of community meetings ahead of the work, getting to know the design people and, most importantly, the other contractors they would be working with. As we finished off the details of the design, they would all have an opportunity to discuss possible problems with each other, before the first swing of the hammer. In addition, we are asking each contractor, in addition to members of the original design team, to meet every Friday for lunch and participate in a weekly review. We are also asking that they continue to work with us long-term as we monitor the building's functioning, to see if it matches our expectations, and then to help us make adjustments if it does not. Because of the various roles each of these individuals will play, we are renaming them, calling this team the 'building community.'
Once the building is open for business, we plan on running it like a cooperative. One of the major faults of our current green design (like LEED certification) is that no one monitors the building and the practices inside once it is up and running. You may achieve LEED certification upon opening, but the people inside may continue wasteful habits (like adjusting the thermostat). So we will be asking tenants to be partners with us in allowing the building to reach its full potential. They may need to open and shut windows depending on outside conditions. They may need to shut off overhead lights and use task lights. They may need to adjust the way they bring food into and out of the building. In short, we'll be looking for clients who want to work cooperatively with others.
We are also part of a Green Alley project. We plan on turning the alley just south of our building into a pedestrian-friendly greenway, lined with Michigan native plants that will not only beautify the alley but also absorb much of the rainfall. This project was also community based. We needed the approval of all of the residents and businesses to proceed. We are developing a collective trash/recycling center. We want this to be a place where people will want to gather.
