Fwd: OST with architects; compiling os stories (Long)
Zelle Nelson
zelle at knowplacelikehome.com
Fri Jun 29 21:54:53 PDT 2007
Here is a list of stories involving architects compiled by Lisa Heft
almost a year ago:
with grace and love,
Zelle
Zelle Nelson
Know Place Like Home/Engaging the Soul at Work/State of Grace Document
www.knowplacelikehome.com
www.engagingthesoulatwork.com
www.stateofgracedocument.com
zelle at knowplacelikehome.com
work/home: (001) 828.693.0802
mobile: (001) 847.951.7030
Isle of Skye
2021 Greenville Hwy
Flat Rock, NC 28731
USA
> From: Zelle Nelson <zelle at knowplacelikehome.com>
> Date: July 6, 2006 2:21:04 PM EDT
> To: lisaheft at openingspace.net, OSLIST <OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>
> Subject: Re: OST with architects; compiling os stories
>
> Bless you Lisa!
>
> I was reading Jennifer's post and thinking, "When did I write about
> architects and open space and where is it so I can re-post to the
> list." And then I read your beautiful email and find it has already
> been done.
>
> Thank you, thank you, thank you!
>
> You truly are the Access Queen!
>
> The movie of my work with bp in Scotland is now on the website
> www.knowplacelikehome.com - there is also some info on Open Space
> there too.
>
> Also, what do you have in mind for compiling OS stories? At one
> point I was putting together a document for "those new to OST"
> looking at common questions and the many great answers given on the
> list (everything from non-convergence to voting to holding space).
> I get the sense that the stories are just that, stories and that
> the document I have (very unformatted, very proto-user-friendly) is
> something different.
>
> You are fantastic!
>
> with grace and love,
>
> Zelle
>
>
> On Jul 6, 2006, at 1:37 PM, Lisa Heft wrote:
>
>> Hello, again -
>>
>>
>> Jennifer wrote:
>>
>> < Hello everyone. I may be holding space for a group looking at
>> school design issues. The group will include architects, parents,
>> and teachers, and will be exploring the issues in general (not
>> designing a particular school). I know many people have posted
>> resources and links here before. Could someone point me in the
>> direction of resources about: 1. OST with children 2. OST around
>> architectural design issues 3. OST related to schools>
>>
>>
>> As I mentioned in my earlier email, I have been collecting OS
>> stories for a database I am building that you all will one day be
>> able to access for these questions. I have divided my response to
>> Jennifer into 2 separate emails with adjusted titles in case
>> anyone tries to find these topics in the future in our archives.
>> The first was for using OS with schools. This 2nd part of my
>> message shares with you how some of our colleagues have used OS
>> with architects and the organizations or communities they have
>> been working with…
>>
>>
>> Joelle wrote:
>>
>>
>> I have been working with an organization which is preparing to
>> move to a new building. In this case, the building design was
>> already finished (with much staff participation in the design
>> process).
>>
>>
>> About the time ground was broken for the construction, the entire
>> staff was invited to an all-day Open Space convened to discuss the
>> challenges presented by this move. Groups quickly self-organized
>> to plan the allocation of storage space, work out how to be
>> comfortable with the change to open offices with cubicles, talk
>> about the changes in work relationships that would come with
>> bringing together staff from two offices, security concerns about
>> the isolated rural site, and the generalized grief that always
>> comes with change.
>>
>>
>> Today, the building is taking shape (and it is beautiful!), task
>> groups that came together at the OS are continuing to plan the
>> various changes that will be required, managers are covering
>> people's jobs so that newly-constituted work groups can design
>> their own new jobs and working relationships. It has been
>> wonderful to watch this organization move from griefs and concerns
>> to ownership and excitement!
>>
>>
>> Joelle Everett JLEShelton at aol.com
>>
>>
>> Harrison wrote:
>>
>> Some time ago, Virginia Burt, a Landscape Architect from Canada
>> began the practice of using Open Space as the introductory element
>> for her consultations with clients. Initially, she did this with
>> Birgit Williams, and I am not sure whether she continues the
>> practice – but her stories were marvelous. I remember in
>> particular one in which Virginia had the assignment to do the park/
>> garden for a/the Canadian Military College, This was a large
>> project covering multiple acres, and apparently it had been under
>> intense discussion for years, and not very productively. As I
>> recall, she said that is was normal to spend several years on a
>> project with multiple changes and no small amount of hard feelings
>> all around. With Open Space, the design time shrank to 6 months
>> with few if any changes. And changes in design, once the project
>> has started are what drive everybody crazy, if only because they
>> inevitably drive up costs and time required to produce a finished
>> product.
>>
>>
>> Harrison Owen hhowen at verizon.net
>>
>>
>> Birgitt wrote:
>>
>>
>> The actual turnaround time for the landscape architect design back
>> to the client after the OST meeting was only 40 days (incredible
>> when compared to the two years it usually took). When the client
>> was presented with the plan, 95% of it was immediately approved
>> (again almost unheard of in that industry). To read about the OST
>> process that was designed for Virginia to do her magic as a
>> landscape architect, go to http://www.openspacetechnology.com/
>> articles/landscape.html The article has a lot of tips on how to
>> design an OST meeting when a specialty such as a landscape master
>> plan is to be the end product. In this situation, the Military
>> were the client, AND Virginia was my client. If the OST meeting
>> had not generated enough data for Virginia to do her work, she
>> would have been in difficulty with her client, the Military
>> because she would have been unable to deliver on our promise of a
>> quick turn around time.
>>
>>
>> Two years after this OST meeting and the final approved landscape
>> master plan, I was leading a workshop in another part of the
>> country. Michael (a participant) said he had a story to tell. He
>> told us that when he was getting ready to attend the workshop, he
>> explained where he was going to his elderly father, assuming his
>> father would not be able to grasp OST (especially since his father
>> was a very traditional military man who liked order). As Michael
>> was explaining to his father, the father said "I know what this
>> OST is. I was in one of those meetings at the military college.
>> And it sure produced results." Michael then told us that a few
>> weeks before, his father had been the one to lead the military
>> parade in the opening ceremony of a new archway on the property---
>> the master plan for the landscape had been followed and Michael's
>> father was very proud of it all, including his participation at
>> the meeting where they came up with all the ideas. And he was full
>> of praise for the efficiency of the process of OST to get them
>> where they needed to go, and without conflict.
>>
>>
>> Birgitt Williams birgitt at dalarinternational.com
>>
>>
>> Zelle wrote:
>>
>>
>> My experience with Open Space and an architect/design project is
>> actually from a project I worked on with BP in Scotland. The 60
>> person business unit I was working with was moving from one part
>> of the building complex to another (most would agree the space
>> they were moving into was the worst space in the building). I
>> started with an Open Space Visioning meeting where in addition to
>> the usual markers and paper for Open Space I added magazines
>> (design, nature, home furnishings, etc.) a big roll of paper,
>> scissors, and glue. I invited the group to talk about what they
>> envisioned the ideal work space to be and to cut out pictures from
>> the magazines, use words, and pictures to create a collage of what
>> the new space might feel like.
>>
>>
>> We took this collage, along with the results from the Open Space
>> and shared this with the architects and designers (the designers/
>> architects were invited to be at the visioning Open Space)
>> assigned to the project. Some incredible ideas that I could never
>> have thought of on my own, along with the many concerns about
>> moving to "the worst space in the building" were folded into the
>> design process which also took into account budget constraints and
>> site needs/requests.
>>
>>
>> The design team then came back with a design for the new work
>> space (which included skylights and a "yellow brick road" gleaned
>> from the first Open Space). We took these sketches/blue prints and
>> went back into Open Space with cut out furniture options and
>> pencil and paper. Each team then looked at the areas available and
>> filled in the design details specific to their needs. Conversation
>> and negotiation took place between the different teams and a
>> consensus design was reached.
>>
>>
>> The final result was an exceptional work space that was loved by
>> the business unit and the "worst space" in the building is now
>> considered the best place to be.
>>
>>
>> Along the way, I worked with individuals and teams around learning
>> how to create places that work for them instead of trying to fit
>> into someone else's design. I gave them, tools and a language to
>> find the best mix between personal and team needs.
>>
>>
>> I have a digital story (mini movie) which describes the process
>> and the transformation in more detail. If you would like to see
>> that I could send it to you. You could also visit my website
>> www.knowplacelikehome.com to find out more.
>>
>>
>> Zelle Nelson zelle at knowplacelikehome.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I shall collect the rest of the stories you share on these topics,
>> my colleagues, and add them to the growing resource I am growing…
>>
>>
>> Cheers, Lisa
>>
>> ___________________________
>>
>> L i s a H e f t
>>
>> Consultant, Facilitator, Educator
>>
>> O p e n i n g S p a c e
>>
>> lisaheft at openingspace.net
>>
>> www.openingspace.net
>>
>>
>>
*
*
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