Tell Us Your Dream.
With the launch of our revamped website in 2012, we wanted to include something different – a piece that aims to visually capture the ethos and aspirations of SERA. After a number of collaborative sessions, “SERA Dreams Big.” took shape.
But more than a stand alone statement, SERA Dreams Big. is intended to spark a dialogue. In the spirit of a far-reaching community, let’s pool our ideas and see what happens.
So tell us: What are your dreams?
My dream is to someday become a successful architect. Please do not confuse successful with being either rich or famous. I strive to one day be an architect that deals with issues that our world is currently facing, issues like clean water, and how to connect communities that are inherently different in their beliefs. I want to create buildings that don’t just please the eye, but actually have a function for the people that inhabit that space. I believe that architecture can provide a solution to some of the worlds problems and through my education I want to help out people in need through architectural design. I think that being successful means giving back rather than expecting to receive something. The question will be how do I use my architectural education in order to give back to my community and the world at large?
Fantastic dreams, Ryan – thanks for adding them to the discussion! Your focus on selfless design that moves society forward is commendable, and this can certainly be explored in both the for-profit and non-profit realms.
On a related note, here are a few organizations to keep in mind as you progress in your design career:
The 1%: http://www.theonepercent.org/
Architects Without Borders: http://www.awboregon.org/
Architecture for Humanity: http://architectureforhumanity.org/
Awesome, thanks for the feedback SERA!
I dream of working for a company that thinks like SERA! But now I have that out of my system….
I dream of a world where people try different things rather than just saying ‘ it’s not done like that’ or ‘it can’t be done’ even if that means failing sometimes! Design should help show people all the opportunities for joy that are out there. Every great idea comes from the wreckage of a hundred bad ones!
I dream of a world where people want the best for others, not just themselves. In design I think this means trying to solve problems for people (not just clients) in a creative way but also thinking broadly and long term rather than short term.
I dream of a world where people and companies care about the reality not just the hype they spin. I think we’re getting there – I believe the world is becoming a better and more thoughtful place.
I dream of beautiful buildings that reveal something new every time you walk past them and every year that passes.
Ha – thanks for good vibes, Caroline!
Loved this >> “Every great idea comes from the wreckage of a hundred bad ones!”
My dream is to make people happier through research and to help create more people-friendly places. I hope to be a piece of the human-scale happiness puzzle for cities today and for the future.
“…the human-scale happiness puzzle for cities…” is an inspiring concept, Katrina. Thanks for contributing to the dreams!
I dream of a world of complete abundance! Completely sustainable and in direct function with it’s surrounding ecosystems. Where technology and society evolves around the physical, biological, and ecological environment. Where materials and property no longer become the daily, weekly, yearly, lively, incentive for the human race. Where each individual no longer has the fear of their capability to provide the basic necessities for themselves as well as for the uncapable, if modern science is unable to capabilize, hence each individual’s vocation is in direct response to what they love and who they are. With technology that infinitizes energy, such as the Keshe Plasma Generator, combined with LaserMotive’s transfer of energy via satellite. I could go on and on of how I’d like to connect the dots lol, but I’m glad to have came across your company you guys seem to be definitely revolutionizing your field.
My dream is to make downtowns much better palaces for children–and hence for the rest of us–by bringing more wild back into our core areas–including our downtowns. Utilizing concepts in the thrilling new draft Portland Comprehensive Plan, I suggested a vision for Portland in an article “CHILDREN & NATURE BELONG DOWNTOWN: Let’s Create a New Vision.” It was just published on the Children & Nature website blog: http://blog.childrenandnature.org/2013/03/27/children-nature-belong-downtown-lets-create-a-new-vision/.
I want to encourage readers to learn about some of the new concepts in the Comp Plan like design with nature, habitat corridors and greenways, then go to your neighborhood association meetings and start talking about how to apply them in your neighborhood. For those of you reading this in time, there’s a meeting on the plan for the environmental community on Apr. 3, 4-7 at PSU.
Mary, I think you’re right on. Getting involved in your community process and advocating for what you want to see locally is the most effective and direct way to make change happen. It’s working in my community, slowly but surely. It takes perseverance for sure, but indeed it’s worth it!
I had a dream the other night that there was this apartment building and each unit had a balcony area that had grass and trees. It inspired me to look more into this and I found out about LEED architecture. I will be studying service design for the next 2 years and I hope to collaborate with a firm such as Sera Architects. I really like your vision.
I hope you’re well on the way to your dream, Jennifer! Thanks for your comment.
A – It is compulsory, as a pseudo-nerd to recognize the Battlestar Galactica reference in that top most mosaic. Well done.
B – I am excited to see this trend of emerging trend of architecture offices opening up their mouths and dedicating time to products like this. It definitely is no ‘white paper’ but is a format that resonates so much better with Generation ‘why’. I am enthralled by the ideas of a future with greener cities, endemic food capabilities, and performance methods that create harmony. I truly believe that in the future LEED will cease to exist as the message becomes binary to the way that we develop and execute design. So SERA. A+
A – Great catch, Liam!
B – Thank you. We agree about the future of sustainability – it can’t be an add-on or bonus strategy. We have to continue helping clients see it as a key asset to each project. This involves tapping into our hopes for the future and sharing what’s possible today.
Thanks for your comment!
Architecture has an incredible ability to foster and enable community. Through careful spatial consideration, passive and active systems, material choices, and careful programming, spaces can bring people together and activate useful and community-growing conversations. This is true on a smaller scale for commercial offices (e.g. open-plan spaces and the clever placement of the dining/break areas) to the placement of structures and surrounding negative space(e.g. break and gathering spaces along a major path through a plaza).
My dream is that architects recognize this and use place making methods to activate sustainable communities that engage and enliven the inhabitants.
Thanks for commenting, Artur. We’re glad you’re a part of the SERA team!
I’ve amassed roughly 18 years working in architecture. Here in Pennsylvania one is not required to be a licensed architect to do residential projects.
~ My dream is to find a firm that keeps me employed for longer than a few months. A firm that doesn’t hire to complete a few projects then downsize their staff.
~ My dream is to gain licensure to be able to use my skill, talent and experience to do a variety of projects that I can take pride in knowing I helped my clients.
~ My dream is to pass on my skill and knowledge to a new generation in a way that Frank Lloyd Wright did.
You deserve your dreams, Will, and they’re quite admirable! Make sure to check out our Careers page: http://seraarchitects.wpengine.com/careers/. You may be a good fit for SERA!
Thanks for sharing.
To stop forcing people in NYC to use their lungs each day to filter pollution particulates. Bring carbon sequestration, 100% conversion waste-to-energy and electrification to the urbanscape.
Thanks for your comment, Rafael! New York is lucky to have forward-thinking individuals like you pushing for change.
“Nature runs on solar energy.
Nature uses only the energy it needs.
Nature fits form to function.
Nature recycles everything.
Nature rewards cooperation.
Nature bet on diversity.
Nature values local expertise.
Nature limit the excesses from within.
Nature transforms limits into opportunities.”
Janine Benyus, Biomimicry
I dream to replace “Nature” by “Architecture”
Hi, Léa! That’s a beautiful and 100% actionable way to approach our work. Thank you for sharing.
Success is not measured by the fame and fortune one amasses in their lifetime, but on the lives that they have touched and the good they were able to provide. As a structural engineer, my measure of any success is based on how well I was able to make my client/owner look successful. Yes that is my dream and it transcends all areas of my life.
That’s a great dream and an awesome approach to business and life, Mike. I liken it to the Boy Scout rule about leaving the campsite better than you found it. We strive to create projects that look, feel and perform better than envisioned; and clients happier because of their experience.
Keep the dream!