business actualization - a maiden voyage

Architectural Reuse – A Visual Metaphor for the Sustainability Movement

coreyaldrich — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:31:27 +0000

Though not new, the idea of reusing architectural materials in new building design is taking on a new life as attention to our environmental habits and a need for change become more predominant in the forefront of the public mind. Salvaged materials are inherently durable and adaptable. Important relics of our past can become symbols of commitment holding back premature destruction. As such, incorporation of such elements into our lives challenges us regarding our preconceived ideas of beauty and causes us to rethink our ideas about waste and renewal.

The Green movement in general involves finding ways to recycle and reuse previously used components as well as incorporating alternatives to materials that create environmental hazards. At a recent project that I was involved with in the NYSERDA STEP Park in Malta, New York, (United STEP 1, a Class A Commercial Building) functional items such as the lobby reception desk have been carved from pieces of old sand mold forms salvaged from a disused train factory in Western New York. As relics of our industrial heritage, they are imbued with the patina and sweat of past generations. Through new applications these components become functional in new and adaptive ways. The uniqueness of items such as this when taken out of their original context and submitted to new ones creates a tangible artifact to the philosophy, and pursues the spirit of the adaptive reuse movement. When making the decision to go in this direction, we were trying to make a bold statement about the concept and direction of the STEP Park mission. The juxtaposition of industrial history with the technological conservation efforts of the tenants that qualify to occupy The Park, sets the stage for a new approach, a new way of thinking about how we interact with the world around us.

Raw salvage components used to create functional lobby items.

Finished lobby with reclaimed items on right...

Beyond the aesthetic beauty and a sense of responsibility, it can be practical to be Green friendly. The use of recycled materials in new commercial structures provides valuable points in the LEED™Certification process. LEED™ is a program developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). This program is the most widely accepted system in the United States to assist architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners and operators in creating “Green” or “Sustainable” buildings. LEED™ is a voluntary program that brings the building industry beyond the minimum requirements of building and life safety codes. Ultimately, LEED™ buildings are better buildings in terms of energy, resource use and provide healthier environments for building occupants. The LEED™ rating system has become the definitive standard for what constitutes a Green Building.

As with most things that are new or involve a change of thinking, education is imperative to help the general population understand the value and importance of a new direction such as Green friendly initiatives. Recently, I had the privilege of addressing this years class of Tech Valley Leadershipstudents with Joe Volpe, a Principle at EYP(Einhorn Yafee Proscott – Architectural Firm). Joe was also the architectural Project Manager on the United STEP 1 project. When touring individuals through the space we found it interesting to note the reaction that people had to the reuse components in the building lobby. There was a sense of “What is this?!” It was only after explaining the history and significance of the metaphor and value of the LEED™ certification that they then began to see things from a different light and actually get excited about what they now understood to be a forward thinking approach to a new way of looking at the choices we make and how they affect our mindset towards the environment.

As we continue to move forward it is imperative that we pay attention to the changes around us. By embracing principles of an environmentally responsible lifestyle, we take charge of our own futures in a way that benefits us as we become better stewards of the planet that provides the things that we need to sustain us. Business can play a key leadership role in this area. The choices we make can inform, educate and have a dramatic impact in the way people act and think in their daily lives, making us an important part of the solution for the future of the sustainability movement and in turn the health and wellness of our planet.

Footnote:

Corey Aldrich currently works at The United Group where he serves as Director of Market Development and was part of the lead design team at United STEP 1. Recently, The United Group, EYP and United STEP 1 were recognized with a 2008 Regional Merit Award for design excellence from the North Eastern Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. United STEP 1 is a LEED™ Silver certified design.

Posted in Business Actualization Tagged: 2008 Regional Merit Award - AIA, Corey Aldrich, EYP, Joe Volpe, Leadership Tech Valley, LEED, NYSERDA STEP Park, sand mold forms, The United Group, United STEP 1

The Importance of Pattern Recognition in the Conceptual Age

coreyaldrich — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:52:25 +0000

What is Pattern Recognition?

Pattern recognition can provide endless hours of entertainment for the curious mind. In a graphic design capacity I am constantly looking for patterns that will stimulate the eye, to drive an emotion or sense of purpose in my creations. The basic principles of repetition in patterns can be transferred to many other disciplines…

“What distinguishes the person from the house is the pattern of how his constituents are arranged, not the individuality of the constituents themselves.”
(Roger Penrose, The Emperors New Mind, p. 25)

Though seemingly elementary on further examination Mr. Penrose is making a profoundly useful statement. The mind relates to things through pattern recognition. In fact, you could say that the brain is a pattern recognition machine! Studies regarding brain cognition have determined that how an individual perceives an object for identification is by breaking it down into its most basic or elemental primitive shapes. It is then the unique combination of these shapes that allows for an identification as to what the actual object is. One can especially note this process in a small child. At times objects that are similar in nature can be difficult to differentiate. (For example: a shillouhette of the head of a dog with a long snout as compared to the head of a horse). It is through experience and repeated exposure that the unique combination of shapes becomes identifiable for what it actually is. The principles behind the basis for recognizing visual patterns translates across the senses and is multidisciplinary. Whether it be music, landscape architecture or cultural movements, patterns are developed that become the characteristics that allow us to identify specific things.

Parallels – An Artistic Approach

“Thus cubism may be defined as the breakdown or disintegration and arbitrary reassembling of the object.”
(Art has many faces, The Nature of Art Presented Visually by Katharine Kuh, p. 120)

When artist championing the cubist movement such as Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp looked at objects to recreate on canvas, they approached them very much as individual components, at times even from various perspectives – simultaniously! (see the concepts of Cubism and Simultaneity) This in turn created endless variations and opportunities for new and creative representations of a simple and everyday object. Imagine now that we took that concept and applied it to our business practices and understandings, or the way we viewed our markets, or business processes and you begin to understand the power of pattern recognition in what Daniel Pink has coined the Conceptual Age.

“…the Conceptual Age is being built on people’s right hemispheres. We’ve progressed from a society of farmers to a society of factory workers to a society of knowledge workers. And now we’re progressing yet again – to a society of creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers, and meaning makers.” (Revenge of the Right Brain by Daniel H. Pink, excerpt can be found at http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.02/brain.html)

This type of ability is an apt skillset in a new age and world economy that will increasingly favor those with the ability to take existing things and combine them in new ways (or new patterns) that create value. In fact, one of my favorite descriptions of this approach is quite simply, ‘the creation of new value through the combination of existing items.’ With knowledge so readily available today, it will be increasingly difficult to stay ahead of competition based soley by staying ahead on the knowledge curve. Rather, the ability to apply that knowledge in new and unique ways will provide substantial advantage in allowing one to adapt to a rapidly changing business climate that can now be measured in months or days rather than years, moving ever forward in the direction of an Actualized Business.

Posted in Business Actualization Tagged: Brain Cognition, Business Actualization, Cognitive Behavioral Principles, Conceptual Age, Corey Aldrich, Creative Market Strategy, Cubism, Daniel H. Pink, Katherine Kuh, Pattern Recognition, Roger Penrose, Simultaneity

and so it begins…

coreyaldrich — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 20:36:40 +0000

and so from humble beginnings shall i endeavor to enter the world of earnest (or semi earnest) commentary. having cut my teeth on blogs of a less serious nature i am now compelled to begin writing regarding topics of a hopefully more enlighted nature. as we see the business/organizational models that we have become so accustomed and endeared to begin to give way to what appears to be a more chaotic way of things, we begin also to see glimmers of hope as new and more interesting structures form in their stead. i look forward to postulating and perhaps discussing these models and changes in a public forum that will allow for what i hope to be stimulating and edifying dialogue…and so it begins, complete is my maiden voyage into the serious blogshere!

coreyaldrich

Posted in Business Actualization Tagged: Business Actualization, Cognitive Behavioral Principles, Creative Market Strategy, Pattern Recognition