SCHEMATA WORKSHOP
annual report 2013
schemata workshop is passionate about supporting community, dedicated to social
justice & diversity and strives to create inspiring urban places for all .
2013
Dear friends, As we embark upon our 10th year of business, we realize our scrappy and small firm is growing up. We are thrilled with our trajectory and excited about where the next decade will take us. This is our first Annual Report and are proud to share it with you. 2013 has been a year of tremendous growth - in so many aspects of the firm. We’ve grown in number and physical space, as well as organizational structure. Our projects have become even more complex and varied; and our financial strength has improved dramatically over the past year. We were blessed to have a diverse workload, allowing us to work on exciting projects like the Seattle Central Waterfront; a multifamily modular construction project for the Renton Housing Authority; and a community center in Skyway. You can read more about these projects in the pages to come. In 2013 we bid farewell to Sree Iyer who moved to the Bay Area, and Katherine Willis, who moved to Boulder. We were pleased to bring on Karen Branick who graduated from Carnegie Mellon, Scott Nye from Phoenix, AZ; Roma Shah, a recent UW grad with dual degree in Architecture and Landscape Architecture; Troy Lacombe, also a UW graduate who originally hails from Louisiana; and Christopher Palms, a long-time friend of Schemata Workshop and affordable housing. We were joined briefly by interns Julia Mollner, Byron Martz, Jeff Hammerquist, and Elias Gardner. As with most firms around the nation, Schemata Workshop was hard hit by the recession. However, in the past few years, and markedly in 2013, we saw our revenue and back log increase substantially, which meant we could pay off our debt and increase employee compensation. We are well positioned for another good year. This year also saw a new organizational structure for Schemata - we added an Associate level to help us with the management of the firm. Congratulations to Peggy Heim, Jeff Busby, Emily Woods, and Christopher Palms! After years of being what might have arguably been the highest density architectural practice in Seattle, we expanded in June after our tenant moved out. Not only do we have desk space for all of us; we also have ample natural light, extra meeting space, and plenty of pin up space. Not only do we want to design ecologically sustainable buildings, but we want our business practices to support those objectives. And to keep us accountable, we are reporting on our progress on those sustainability objectives - both on an individual level as well as the firm. You will not only learn about about our environmental footprint, but also about the social capital that we raised through our volunteer efforts in our communities. A big thank you to our clients, consultants, family, and friends. We appreciate your support and continued confidence we couldn’t do the work we do without you!
we couldn’t do the work we do without you!
Grace H Kim, Principal
Mike Mariano, Principal
John Feit, Principal
What our staff did Employee Footprints were calculated using the The Nature Conservancy Carbon Calculator and are self reported.
16 27
CARBON
Staff Individual CO2 Footprint
CO2 Under the American Average
jeff
john
... assisted in bringing Kirkland Avenue Townhomes through permit and bid documents, successfully bid the project, and began construction on my first project since 2008! ... made great strides towards my architect registration exams ... reinvigorated my love for running
The exciting things I’ve done in 2013 include
... leading the schematic design effort on Union Street ... finally riding the Selkirk Loop on bike ... spending 5 days in the Enchantments Lakes basin ... having a great visit to New York City!
In 2013, I want you to know that I
guy
OVER750 PERSONAL HOURS SPENT VOLUNTEERING!
U.S. Average Per Person CO2 eq/year
I rocked it in 2013 because I
EVERYONE IS BELOW THE U.S. AVERAGE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF 27 !
... celebrated David’s high school graduation ... went to Maui and Montana ... said “goodbye” to friends at AJEM and “hello” to an incredible job at Schemata Workshop.
40
Volunteer hours
80
Volunteer hours
ard forw k o o Il ring untee l o v to 14! in 20
120
Volunteer hours
35
Volunteer hours
ward k for o o l I ng teeri n u l o to v 14! in 20
120
Volunteer hours
The things I did that made 2013 stand out are
peggy
... becoming co-chair of the Women in Design AIA Seattle committee ... attending the AIA Women’s leadership conference ... getting my avalanche certification ... learning how to backcountry ski
I ‘m awesome because in 2013 I
... finished all the architectural exams and finally got licensed. ... assembled all of our family photos - 4,500 photos in 444 pages! ... bought a goat (no, that’s not true) ... moved to a great new job ... survived a heart attack (this is true) ... finally finished paying off my grad school loans
christopher
In 2013, I was an athletic genius because I
... placed 1st on a volleyball team I put together for a tournament ... placed 1st on another volleyball team for a city league ... placed 1st in tennis singles AND doubles ... feel proud to have made these accomplishments after years of hard work
kurt
I had a smashing 2013 because I
... got licensed in Alaska ... spoke at 2 senior housing conferences and a national lighting conference - not my typical conference audiences! ... raised $700K in equity for CHUC to make the project a reality once more ... was appointed to the Seattle Planning Commission
grace
Noteworthy accomplishments of 2013 are
mike
... getting CHUC back on track by hiring a developer consultant, raising equity and moving the design team forward ... finding some time to sail with my dad ... helping Ella transition into kindergarten ... finding a co-chair to assist me with the AIA Disaster Preparedness & Response Committee.
My proud moments of 2013 include
troy
mira
roma
... graduating with a Faculty Award for Design and Scholarship for my BA in Architectural Studies from the University of Washington ... applying for graduate school (I got in!) ... starting my first job in the architecture industry at Schemata ... designing and building a beautifully crafted coffee table ... producing watercolor renderings for Skyway Solutions
In 2013, I spent my year
... planning a wedding 2000 miles across the continent ... raising a rambunctious puppy named Jameson (aka J-Mo) ... completing an 8 month internship program at Olson Kundig Architects and starting a new job at Schemata Workshop ... engaging youth at model building workshops through the Seattle Architecture Foundation
My outstanding 2013 highlights include
... becoming the first UW grad to complete the formal dual Masters degree in Architecture and Landscape Architecture ... getting involved with the Miami, FL River commission and helping them develop legislation to ban styrofoam in Miami. ... becoming part of the Schemata Workshop team! ... getting involved with the Emily Project (www.emilyproject.com)
70
Volunteer hours
ard forw k o o Il ring untee l o v to 14! in 20
130
Volunteer hours
ard forw k o o Il ring untee l o v to 14! in 20
! m a e t r u o Proud of
80
I’m feeling good about 2013 because I
dom
... finished my first year of MBA in Sustainable Food and Ag Systems ... volunteered for the creation of a survey of fruit trees on Capitol Hill ... celebrated 3 years at Schemata Workshop!
Volunteer hours
80
Volunteer hours
rd orwa
kf I loo ring untee l o v to 14! in 20
6
Volunteer hours
I ‘m proud to share my 2013 accomplishments which include
... finishing all my Architect Registration Exams ... volunteering with Design in Public at the “Design in Health” event ... constructing the first modular Habitat for Humanity home. ... running my 2-door Golf primarily on biodiesel ... fabricating a series of lanterns from a parametric model ... running my third (!) marathon
emily
I’m proud to say that in 2013, I
... received my M.Arch from Arizona State! ... moved to Seattle, after living 30 years in Phoenix. It was a BIG MOVE, but I’m feeling good about it.
scott I am excited to say that in 2013 I.
... got an architecture job! ... started the ARE and registration process. ... learned more about opportunities to engage through the AIA ... settled in to Seattle, and took time to get to know the city.
karen
KIRKLAND AVENUE TOWNHOMES
Featured projects
WILL BE THE largest
AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN WASHINGTON STATE TO BE DESIGNED AS MODULAR CONSTRUCTION, AND THE FIRST IN KING COUNTY.
KIRKLAND TOWNHOMES RENTON HOUSING AUTHORITY
[STATUS] IN CONSTRUCTION
THE KIRKLAND AVENUE TOWNHOMES, developed in partnership with the Renton Housing Authority, will provide 18 homes for low and moderate income families. Nestled into a residential neighborhood, these energy efficient homes are appropriately scaled to be good neighbors. The design was focused on providing equality for all tenants, providing similar daylighting and natural ventilation through its massing strategy.
Accessibility was a priority as well, with each unit being visitable, and 2 units fully ADA accessible. Working closely with civil engineers and landscape architects, innovative storm-water solutions were employed to re-appropriate monies typically allocated to below-grade storm-water detention vaults into attractive rain gardens and pervious paving. These gardens would serve the functional requirements of storm-water retention, while providing additional landscaping at no additional cost.
THE ENTIRE WATERFRONT TEAM HAS ALMOST 50 consultants! SCHEMATA IS EXCITED TO BE PART OF SUCH A TALENTED GROUP. THE SEATTLE-BASED FIRMS INCLUDE: BERGER PARTNERSHIP, CH2MHILL, SHIELS L OBLETZ L JOHNSEN, DARK L LIGHT, GREENBUSCH GROUP, RUSHING, AND BRIGHT ENGINEERING.
CENTRAL WATERFRONT CITY OF SEATTLE
[STATUS] SCHEMATIC DESIGN COMPLETED
After over a decade of involvement in advocacy for the now emerging transformation of the Seattle’s CENTRAL WATERFRONT, Schemata Workshop has joined the design team led by CH2M Hill and James Corner Field Operations. Although new to the team, members of Schemata Workshop have had deep involvement with helping to craft a new vision of the waterfront since the opportunity first presented itself in the aftermath of the February 2001 Nisqually earthquake that raised awareness of the vulnerability of the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
Continuing the tradition of local architects Lee Copeland and others in the late 1960’s under Action:Better City, Schemata Workshop founding partner Mike Mariano worked with a small group of A:BC members on some short films in the early ‘00s, including one in 2003 that focused on bringing greater public awareness to the opportunities presented on the Central Waterfront and removal of the Viaduct.
“IT HAS BEEN SO REWARDING TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE PEOPLE OF SKYWAY AND SEE THEIR enthusiasm FOR A MUCH DESERVED COMMUNITY CENTER
ESPECIALLY SINCE THE COMMUNITY REMINDS ME OF THE TOWN I GREW UP IN.” - TROY
SKYWAY COMMUNITY CENTER SKYWAY SOLUTIONS
[STATUS] COMMUNITY VISION AND CONCEPT COMPLETED
THE SKYWAY COMMUNITY, organized through Skyway Solutions, has been investigating ways to invigorate itself. A series of workshops in 2009 resulted in a community agenda that outlined ways to revitalize the city. The idea of a community center arose in concert with other ideas that emerged during that process. The community is looking for a place to engage with their neighbors, learn new skills, teach others, share resources, and gather to dance, cook, exercise, read, and celebrate. The spaces will be flexible, and will change throughout the day; the community center will be a
place for all ages, a living room for an extended family, a gathering place at the center of the community that will be full of life - the community’s social hub. Schemata Workshop’s role has been to develop a conceptual plan and perspective image that grasps the community’s vision. Through three workshops we have been able to gather some exciting ideas about how the community center should be organized by collaborating with the people of the Skyway neighborhood.
COHOUSING IS A TYPE OF COLLABORATIVE HOUSING IN WHICH RESIDENTS actively
participate IN THE DESIGN
AND OPERATION OF THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOODS. COHOUSING RESIDENTS ARE CONSCIOUSLY COMMITTED TO LIVING AS A COMMUNITY.
CAPITOL HILL URBAN COHOUSING [STATUS] PERMITS SUBMITTED
CAPITOL HILL URBAN COHOUSING is an inter-generational urban community committed to sustainable living on Seattle’s Capitol Hill. Participating households range in age from 3 to mid-60s, including both families & singles. The design is composed of a 9-unit mixeduse building on an urban infill lot. The physical design encourages both social contact and individual privacy. Private homes contain all the features of conventional homes, but residents also have access to extensive common facilities such as open space, courtyards, a playground, and a common house.
In addition to extensive green building systems, the rooftop farm will be built to teach the community children about where their food is sourced. Schemata Workshop has forged partnerships with a local community college and private university to work closely with their urban farmer who is contracted to grow food on the rooftop and facilitate the educational outreach with the two schools. Through extensive integrated strategies, this building is designed to minimize energy and water consumption. The compact homes will have an open floor plan with optimized daylighting and cross-ventilation.
Our project values Community ... deeply rooted in and contributed socially to their communities. Many of them involved significant community engagement.
Water ... incorporated innovations to stormwater treatment or other improvements of domestic water systems.
Site ... located on infill lots or brownfield sites that prevent the further loss of greenfield land.
Mission
Energy
... completed for mission driven clients who share similar values as ours.
... included innovations to energy use or production.
Urban Life
Material
... contributed positively to a vibrant pedestrian environment and further the broad mix of services needed to create strong urban neighborhoods and Transit Communities.
... aspired to use materials of high environmental sustainability standards i.e. Evergreen Sustainable Development Standards, LEED, Built Green, Passive House, or Living Building Challenge.
Inspiring
Transportation
... inspired us and others by exploring innovative ideas in the industry.
... contibuted to the development of equitable, ecological and sustainable transportation, reducing reliance on automobiles.
Equity
Building Reuse
... helped provide affordable housing, equal access to transit, civic amenities, and public investments.
... extended the useful life or adaptively reused an existing building.
Community
Mission
Urban Life
Inspiring
Equity
Water
Site
Energy
Transportation
Material
Building Reuse HASCO MILLWOOD ESTATES
VELMIER CVS QUEEN ANNE
VELMEIR CVS WEST SEATTLE
VELMEIR CVS WALLINGFORD
SKYWAY SOLUTIONS
RHA HOUSER TERRACE ROOF
SEATTLE CENTER KEY ARENA ADA
PHA MT. ANGELES VIEW PHASE 1
KCHA VALLI KEE OFFICE CONVERSION
KCHA CAPITOL NEEDS ASSESSMENT
BRENNER TI
MCCLASKEY SOLA 16
HANJI EXHIBIT
RHA PIHA
UW BURKE GILMAN TRAIL
CAPITOL HILL HOUSING OFFICE TI
HOPESOURCE PORTFOLIO
CAC PORTFOLIO
RHA SUNSET TERRACE PLANNING
WASTE MANAGEMENT CARLSBAD
SOUND TRANSIT S. CORRIDOR
HILLTOP HOUSE
KCHA VALLI KEE BLACKWATER
HASCO PACIFIC CREST BLDG
MELROSE PROMENADE
KCHA VICTORIAN WOODS
KCHA SHOREHAM
HOFFMAN SEA WALL STUDY
SEATTLE CENTRAL WATERFRONT
SDOT BIKE STUDY
SOUND TRANSIT LYNNWOOD LINK
UW BIKE FACILITY MASTERPLAN
NORTHAVEN APARTMENTS
RHA KIRKLAND TOWNHOMES
SALVATION ARMY CORPS
CAP HILL URBAN COHOUSING
SOUND TRANSIT NORTH LINK
Community outreach
Diversity Workshop
Office Party Time
Schemata is committed to helping create socially just and diverse communities. This starts at the most basic level; our office.
We hosted two open house events this year and each was attended by over 100 clients, colleagues, collaborators, and friends. While one of the primary reasons for having an open house is to catch up with Schemata friends, we also took advantage of highlighting the work of one of the organizations we support.
This year Peggy Heim organized a workshop around race in partnership with the Seattle Center Exhibit “RACE: Are we so different.” Schemata staff, a few of our clients, and community members participated in this important and lively discussion.
This year we invited the Women’s Funding Alliance to give a brief presentation of the work they do in Washington state to support and advocate for women and girls. We are continually inspired by their hard work. We look forward to featuring other organizations at our upcoming office events.
Park(ing) Day Schemata Workshop led a Capitol Hill wide effort to coordinate and promote four Park(ing) Day locations this year. As well as promoting a neighborhood effort, Schemata partnered with Urban Bee Company, Eltana Bagels, Hello Robin’s Cookies, and Regan and Associates to host a Park focused on Pollinator Education. Our site even had a live beehive thanks to Urban Bee Company! Schemata Workshop continues to participate in events such as Park(ing) Day to help re-frame how we think about our urban spaces; specifically what could we do if we had less cars. We are looking forward to supporting our neighborhood’s participation in the years to come.
Bike to Work Month Schemata Workshop continues to have a strong biking culture. While not everyone does or can bike to work, about three quarters of our staff participate in the yearly Bike to Work Challenge that takes place in May. The city wide challenge is organized by Cascade Bicycle Club. This year we combined forces with Central Physical Therapy to host a Bike to Work Station that included bagels, games, coffee, and general merriment. The “Bullfrogs” biked 400 miles, burned 19,000 calories, and saved 370 pounds of CO2!!!
CHS Blogging John is a regular contributor to the Capitol Hill Seattle (CHS) Blog. John’s blogs feature in-depth, informative, and fun musings about our neighborhood and its architecture. 2013 Blog highlights include: Bertschi School, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Saint Mark’s Greenbelt “Thanks for this detailed and informative article about this building which is indeed truly stunning.” -RainWorshipper “Another brilliant and highly detailed piece by John Feit who is becoming a neighborhood treasure. We are fortunate indeed.” - Art Loverto come.
19000
calories burned by staff for bike to work month
Office nitty gritty... Office Supplies Purchasing
• Small format paper - 70-100% recycled post-consumer content on in house printing • Plotter Paper- 0-10% Recycled post consumers content in-house • Prioritize recycled content and green purchasing choices whenever available • Fair-trade coffee purchased 80% of the time • Energy star office appliances • Natural cleaning products purchased
Office Practices
• Minimize printing whenever possible • Track and report office wide carbon footprint yearly • Double-sided printing • Composting and recycling programs on site • Use of a hybrid office vehicle
Carbon Calculations
This year the office began using the Office Carbon Footprint Tool developed by the ICF International to develop a benchmark for our future carbon neutral goals. Available Online at http://www.epa.gov/smm/wastewise/ carboncalc.htm
In 2013 each sw staff used about 24” of paper
2013
2015
2020
5.3
4.2
2.1
2025
2030
1
2013 BENCHMARK AND GOAL OF CARBON NEUTRAL BY 2030
Contribution to Community Organization Schemata contributed fiscally and/or was an active member of the following organizations in 2013: Bellwether Capitol Hill Champion Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce Capitol Hill EcoDistrict Capitol Hill Housing EAMES Foundation Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Housing Development Consortium Interim CDA KEXP KUOW Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI)
Mountaineers New Futures Northaven PEACE for the Streets PPUNC Land Use Committee Seattle Architecture Foundation Seattle Chinatown International District CDA (SCIPCDA) Seattle Planning Commission The Service Board Women’s Funding Alliance
Office Environment
Small and disadvantaged business outreach
All employees are paid a Living Wage as defined by livingwage.mit.edu
Schemata hosted two outreach events this year with the purpose to get to know our local DBE firms and let them get to know us. We hope we can include these and other DBE firms in our future work. As a small business ourselves, we value supporting other small businesses in our local economy. Next year we hope to increase the reach and attendance of these event.
All employees receive fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance Upgraded office to include shower to support alternative commuting and staff fitness.
Commitment to social impact...
Thank you and ...
...until next year!
schemata wo r k s h o p