Haiti Mission Possible: Day 5

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 – Today was another long work day. Sarah worked on the site’s master plan, while Phyllis worked on the designing the work team facility and I worked on space planning and determining appropriate square footage allotments for the clinic & hospital. When Bob (our eMi project team leader) told me I’d be on the architect team, I didn’t really know how my skills (as an interior designer) were going to be put to use on the project; designing basic needs facilities in third world countries is far different from what I’m accustomed to working on in the states. I knew that my space planning skills could be used, but aside from that there is no priority placed on interior finishes and materials on such a project; we aren’t designing to attract business, we’re designing to fill a basic need for the less fortunate.

Both Sarah and Phyllis have both previously participated on eMi projects and were both architects; I didn’t know how the team dynamic would work. After 3 days of working together thus far, I’m pleasantly surprised at how we’ve all come together to fill specific technical needs on this project. I also garnered a stronger sense of respect and appreciation for what architects do. It wasn’t until working with Sarah and observing how she had to effectively communicate surveying and civil and structural engineering concepts to even begin properly planning the site and building locations and design. She has to have such a strong understanding of all related disciplines to do what she does.

This trip has afforded me the opportunity of reflecting on my attitude towards some of the behavior attributed by architects I’ve had to work within the past. It’s now a matter of perspective for me and not about trying to make them understand my importance on a project. I can now make an effort to better relate by understanding their challenges and needs, which will ultimately lead to reciprocity of their offering the same consideration to me. Who knew I’d learn such a lesson while in a rural village in Haiti. God never ceases to amaze me on how he chooses to reveal himself to us!!!