Stories of Place

Storage Places – Where Stuff Lies in Darkness and Indecision

2012-02-27T16:18:00.000-06:00

The designated weekend had arrived. Weeks ago I saw these ‘free’ days on the calendar and promised myself that this would be the time to tackle the storage room. This was a job that would require energetic focus with no distractions. The task itself would produce its own distractions –which I call the inevitable exit ramps to pause and consider what to do with ‘this and that’. I was planning to stay the course until it was done.

The goal? To bring order out of chaos. To make decisions about what stays/goes and why. To clean – ridding the area of cobwebs, dead bugs, insulation and dirt. The storage area consumes half of our basement. It houses our art supplies and serves as our workspace, it holds infrequently used household items (turkey roaster, Crockpot, serving trays), clothing and coats for other seasons, good books worth keeping for work projects but not our faithful texts, recreational gear (golf clubs, ice skates, tennis rackets, camping supplies, mini-tramp, hula hoop, rowing machine), memorabilia and family artifacts, ‘important ‘ documents, household repair items (tools, tubes of fix-it goo, paint, extra flooring tiles ) and probably even more. So wanted to run away, but I couldn’t. I made a cup of tea, took a deep breath, and opened the door into the overwhelming vastness awaiting me.

Dear Reader: Maybe this is the time for you to pause and list the items in your storage space. Wonder if we have the same things?

I was prepared for this task with empty boxes to load for Goodwill, my camera nearby to document items for Craig’s list (anyone interested in part of my Katharine Hepburn collection?), and the Shop-Vac! Before long I was bringing like items together – all paint supplies landed on the same shelf! I was seeing improvement! I was making decisions around what stayed and what went like how many casserole dishes I really needed. Two quickly moved to the Goodwill box. A butterfly net? To the grandchildren it goes! I was feeling empowered! The Shop-Vac was busy sucking up knowns and unknowns, making it almost fun to keep going. I was so thankful for its huge black hose and the sound it made when finding things!

I had made an early decision to NOT open every ‘important’ document and memory box. Too much information for this weekend’s task. Too many decisions and emotional exit ramps to navigate in this narrow timeline. I was so thankful for making this clear boundary. A new stacking and ordering of boxes was in place for another time.

Then it happened. Depression and guilt set in as I realized that we hadn’t used our tennis rackets in three years, the camping gear had not made it to a state park but once last summer, and those beautiful golf clubs - too long ago to remember. This required an emotional ‘exit ramp’ from the task at hand! A huge sigh came first, then a reality check about why this was true, a bit of cheerleading was heard around the edges, followed by a new resolve that this year would be different! Please!!! Whew! So grateful to get out of that closet alive!!

Now the rest of the story . . . days later I am still feeling empowered by the results of that intense weekend. Yes, there is more to do. Those boxes of ‘important’ documents and family memorabilia are clearly visible when walking into the storage room. I know they are patiently waiting and that another day will find me courageous and ready to explore their contents. Just know it is not today!

Rocks and Their PLACES

2012-02-14T07:29:00.000-06:00

I don’t know when it began. It just did. Suddenly I was seeing rocks and finding them ever so interesting. Sometimes it was the color that caught my attention. Sometimes it was the shape that made me pick it up and remove it from its ‘place’. Whether I kept the rock usually depended upon how it felt nestled in my hand. It was this tactile experience that issued the invitation for a rock to join my beloved ‘rock family’. (I simply cannot call it a ‘rock collection’ for that sounds so heartless – implying they are acquisitions intended to grow in number without discretion which is not the case.)

Rocks decorate our home . . . on window ledges, in pottery bowls, in baskets and plants . . . fortunately my husband appreciates rocks as well. On our recent trip to England – independent of the other – we were both picking up rocks from our land of lineage to bring back with us. In Dover I requested three hours to savor and sense the rocks beneath my feet as I ‘walked the rocks’ along the beach. My eyes were glued to the textures and shapes that tantalized - then touching – holding them in my hands – rubbing them between my fingers. Each taught me something about my homeland – about me. The Dover stones – so unusual because of the chalky cliffs and the English Channel – still felt familiar. A reminder of a place deeply known in my bones.

On one English ramble in the Cotswolds, we picked up what is known as a Cotswold stone – a beautiful butterscotch color found in so many of the buildings and homes in that part of the country. It feels like a worker stone – rough and angular - one that is intended to be part of a community to create a place, a structure. It’s not a stone you quickly notice by itself, but corporately - in the finished product. Just seeing it takes us back there.

Our trip to the Pacific Ocean last summer found us fascinated by rocks that were round and smooth and flat. Again, I spent hours walking the rugged coastline. My ‘family’ started growing and I began stacking them one on top of the other. I remembered the importance of ‘stacked stones’ to the Intuits living in the frozen tundra. Called INUKSUK’s, the stacked stones were a means of communication – letting others know the way to find shelter or food in a land of snow and ice. What were my stacked stones communicating? Was there more than just my awe of such simple beauty? Why do I have altars of stones throughout my home? Why do I find rocks so captivating?

On the southern edge of Lake Superior we came upon a small bay that gifted us with a unique rock called a 'concretion' - the word coming from the Latin con, meaning 'together', and cresco, meaning 'to grow'. According to the Wisconsin Geological Survey, these grown-together rocks began forming about 20,000 years ago in Lake Superior. Concretions remain something of a mystery to geologists, who believe they formed when minerals crystallized around a decaying plant or fish bone. Water pressure and wind erosion helped create their interesting

shapes.

To describe a concretion is somewhat difficult as they vary, but each one looks rather odd and interesting – reminding one of ‘something’ else. One might look like a crescent roll while another is very flat and resembles ripples in a lake. To the Native Americans in this part of the country, concretions are deeply respected for the wisdom and uniqueness they are believed to hold. They are called ‘spirit stones’ or ‘grandfather rocks’ with each rock holding a special spirit and message gifted to the one who finds it.

So perhaps my yearning and fascination around rocks and stones is to find the spirit within. Each holds the mysteries of how it was formed, why it landed in a certain place, and now, that it allows itself to be found by me. When daughter, Kate, left for college – I searched for a rock that perfectly fit into the palm of my hand and gave it to her with these words: “If you need me for any reason, just wrap your fingers around this stone and know I am with you.” A ‘spirit stone’ for sure, infused with a mother’s love.

To each of my stones, rocks and pebbles now living in a new place – far away from where I found you . . . thank you for gifting me reminders of the places you once lived, of the ‘spirit of place’ within you!

What’s Involved in an English Ramble? LOTS!

2011-12-08T09:11:00.000-06:00

One of the most anticipated aspects of our recent trip to the English countryside was to take several ‘rambles’. England and Wales have over 140,000 miles of public footpaths that make ‘walking for pleasure through the countryside’ a guarantee. These footpaths are considered a public right of way and only traveled by foot. “Legally, a public right of way is part of the Queen’s highway and subject to protection in law as other highways.”

My amazement was how these footpaths traverse over private property where the “ landowner has a duty to prevent crops from making the path difficult to find or follow AND a rambler has every right to walk through crops growing on or over the path as long as one follows the correct line.” It’s a rule of the road!

Having an official guidebook to chart a ramble was imperative to our experience. Both map and narrative were keys to making the journey. Here is a section of the directions that made our travel from Bibury to Coneygar achievable. Truly – we would have lost our way otherwise! I love how ‘care for the traveler’ includes notations on places to eat, resting spots for catching your breath, landmarks to keep you confident that you are on the path, walking conditions, and when to take in the view!

Distance: 4.5 miles Allow: 2.5 hours

Park near the bridge over the River Coln in the center of Bibury, as the walk starts and ends opposite the Swan Hotel. This walk has eating and drinking places at the beginning and again at the end. . . Set off from the bridge, following the B4425 road towards Burford, keeping the River Coln on your right. . . Leave the main road and walk straight ahead into the 'no entry' road and head for the church, still keeping the river on your right. . . Along here the tiny cottages seem to crowd in on you from both sides as you climb the gentle slope. Ignore the track going off to your right and continue straight ahead up the slope.

Here is a good opportunity to catch your breath and look back on a truly unforgettable view of the river, valley and manor house . . . At the top of the slope the track becomes a muddy path which sweeps off left and you continue to follow it, still with the river on your left. Ignore any paths going off to your right. You have a wood and a dry stone wall on your left for the next part of the journey. When the path peters out go through a wooden gate and continue in the same line with the wall still on your left. Remember this is a well used 'bridal way' so if the weather has been wet this path can become very muddy and slippery.

Gates and stiles are part of the journey and the excitement. Because the footpaths travel through pastures, animals are in the vicinity and need to be protected. A known ‘rule of the road’ is to close all gates behind you. Sometimes a stile rather than a gate is encountered. Stiles are designed with primitive steps to require you to step up and over the fences. We discovered that these rambles also demanded agility and flexibility!

Indeed, our rambles exercised both our muscles and hearts. Breathtaking views, charming stone walls, the dash of pheasants in the field, the curiosity of sheep suddenly needing to share the path, the giddiness of our voices has we were constantly referring to the map and our location in the narrative directions. (Once we found ourselves facing the sign BULL LOOSE IN FIELD and quickly diagnosed we had most certainly lost our place!)

All in all we held a deep respect for the gift that private landowners give to the people of England. We felt a sense of responsibility to honor the code of that civic and long held covenant meant to share and provide enjoyment of the English landscape. And just as English rocker, Led Zeppelin’s words invite us to Ramble On, I eagerly look forward to my next ramble, my next visit to the English soil.

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LOOKING UP

2011-11-18T19:40:00.000-06:00

It dawned on me when in England recently, that in looking at buildings I do not often find myself looking up. I could speculate on a number of reasons why this might be so, but in general I would say, is the top of a building interesting enough to catch my attention? Usually not. What I do know is that when I landed on the English soil, suddenly I was drawn to the tops of buildings. I was constantly ‘looking up’. They were interesting and unique. Each building ‘top’ had a personality that made me smile. Some called for respect and dignity while others seemed more playful and artistic. All claimed importance as a finishing touch to the building served.

While my camera kept catching the chimneys, my writings described them as ‘a line of pottery jugs sitting on a shelf’. I found them charming in every way. No two were the same. Even on the row houses – each chimney was a bit different. The number, the shape, the height of the ‘pottery jugs’ . . . each chimney claimed its own voice as it spoke to the sky above. I began to think of buildings that make us look up - that seem to speak to the sky above.

Cathedrals! Anyone who has visited a European city, village, or town knows that the church steeples can be seen from miles away. Often it is the ‘top of the church’ that we see before anything else. They stand out. They are noticed. They claim an importance.

Historical information indicates that the design of the steeple was to make the church visible from every part of town - similar to a tracking device that helps one navigate and find a location. Steeples were to be the tallest structure in the town which also spoke to the importance of the church to the community’s life as a place to gather, discuss, connect, learn, and worship.

There were two other important features of church steeples and both relate to communication. It is in the steeple that the bells are located. They were sounded at times of potential danger such as fire or an attack on the town - just as they were rung for religious celebrations and high holy days. In some cases the steeple also acted as a lantern, providing light to the center of the town.

The words of Karl Phillipp Moritz ring true for me as well as I reflect on English buildings . . . Westminster Abbey, the Tower, a steeple, one church, and then another, presented themselves to our view; and we could now plainly distinguish the high round chimneys on the tops of the houses, which yet seemed to us to form an innumerable number of smaller spires, or steeples.

The tops of buildings! Personalities like artwork. Certainly makes it worth ‘looking up’!

And thus begins a series of blogs on English place stories . . .

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THE STORY OF SIMPLICITY - Our American Foursquare

2011-09-14T08:08:00.000-05:00

‘According to ancient Roman belief, every independent being has its guardian spirit.

This spirit gives life to people and places, accompanies them from birth to death, and determines their character or essence.’ (Phenomenology)

To think of each place as having a guardian spirit, a character that is basic to it, reminds me again of How Buildings Learn by Stewart Brand. In this book he takes a look at the multiple lives a building has in its lifetime. Some buildings are designed to be adaptable, but most are built for a specific use that defines its character. A home, school, church, and an office building each have a specific use and thereby creating a different human experience. Historical buildings have committees who advocate for the ‘character and essence', but many others do not. When the building’s spirit or character is compromised, we can experience it as miss-matched or it may produce a negative or confusing feeling within us.

In 2001, my husband and I purchased an American foursquare house. This style of home architecture was built from 1895 – 1930 and had distinctive qualities: a box shape, five panel doors, simple in design, and suited to make use of every inch of the house and lot. We named the house ‘Simplicity’. She was built in two parts - the first structure at the turn of the century and the back section added in the 1920's. With each home decision we have attempted to keep the intention of its character, its essence. The simple lines of the window molding have not been hidden by draperies when possible. Carpeting has not been laid over the beautiful wooden floors. The three open porches are used as outdoor living spaces. Simplicity’s front door graces a hand-turned rather than an electric door bell. One of the bathrooms houses a claw foot tub that welcomes relaxing bubble baths. Everything is simple, minimal, and yet enough.

Each of these decisions to maintain its essence as ‘simplicity’ has invited us to live simpler lives. The first floor's ten and a half foot ceilings grace us with expanded space to breathe. One of the rooms contains floor to ceiling shelving, more than likely intended as a pantry. In our current lifestyle, this room was first transformed into the library, offering us a quiet and reflective place. Now one of our offices resides there. The living room is arranged for storytelling and conversation. Chairs and sofas, lamps and tables create inviting nooks to hold the entertainment of one or more. Our front dining room is used on most days and invites us to linger over a meal, share with others, and host celebrations. The kitchen is large and in the middle of the house. Tall double-hung windows invite natural light from the East and the West into this hub of the home - the place where people gather and from which smells of hospitality come as meals are prepared and shared.

Simplicity has had other lives. Stewart Brand says, ‘The house and its occupants mold to each other twenty-four hours a day, and the building accumulates the record of that intimacy.’ Prior to being rescued from demolition, moved to its present site and then remodeled, Simplicity housed a hair salon and tailor’s shop on the first floor with an apartment above. Earlier the house was the family home of a well-known elementary teacher in the village. Each of these ‘lives’ has been recorded in this place.

‘This spirit gives life to people and places, accompanies them from birth to death, and determines their character or essence.’

People seem to enjoy coming to Simplicity. She holds their stories and lives well. She has been described as hospitable, uncomplicated, calming, safe, refreshing, and inspiring. She sits well on her new lot. We have added flowerbeds, trees and shrubs to complement her. When we are seated on the front porch we often hear, “We love your house” from those who walk by. Perhaps this is because we have tried to listen and honor her ‘spirit’ in the transitioning of a turn of the century home into twenty-first century living.

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BUILDINGS SPEAK A LANGUAGE

2011-09-07T07:37:00.000-05:00

“ . . . When you build a thing you cannot merely build that thing in isolation, but must also repair the world around it, and within it, so that the larger world at that one place becomes more coherent, and more whole; and the thing which you make takes its place in the web of nature, as you make it.” From A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction

Take a look around. How often do we see buildings that stick-out and feel strange in their environments? In the same breath, we also view buildings that are well matched to their settings. Some buildings have gardens or green space around them. Others are found in the midst of change. In transitional neighborhoods an historic or older building may still be trying to hold a place of dignity. It is also very likely that it is serving a different purpose than when it was first built. It is living a second or third life.

A Place in the Neighborhood

The way a building sits in its 'neighborhood' speaks volumes. Our human condition intuits whether this is a place we wish to enter. We look for places that welcome. Seeing the exterior of the building and how it is involved with its environment shapes a first impression. Is it complimentary with the other buildings in the area? Does it enhance the site? Is there the possibility of planned green space? Is the signage fresh looking and easy to read? Have people cared for the facility? Buildings that have been given care suggest that the people inside will do the same for us.

Many buildings simply look sad. Rather than being complimentary and enhancing their neighborhood, they look tired, out of place, or as a keeper of the past. It looks as if all energy has left. We may be hesitant to enter. We may make assumptions about the people and businesses inside. A building’s place in the neighborhood is important. It shapes the neighborhood by being involved in the life of that land, location, and space.

Buildings Speak a Language

Our buildings speak a language. They tell us whether they are loved or ignored. They tell us of the energy and spirit of those who use them. They easily invite or distance a guest. They encourage or complicate new ideas. Does this building look tired and out of date or refreshed and vital? Is everyone able to enter safely, comfortably, without hesitation? What is this building saying to those who pass by? What does it say about what we do, who we are? In designer Helen Berliner’s words, “What is the MOST we can GIVE to users of this place, to its surroundings and community, to the future, and to all of life?” A building is carefully planned by paying attention to the lives and needs of people. What is the MOST our buildings can GIVE to the people they house and the neighborhoods in which they live?

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A PLACE on the Calendar

2011-09-01T13:44:00.000-05:00

It’s September lst. Its PLACE on the calendar means that today is the first day of a new month. In our culture, September has long been thought of as the beginning of the fall season. Summer is behind us. The time for vacations and summer activities has come to a close. The summer foods begin to fade away (fresh sweet corn comes to mind), while apples and squash begin to make an appearance.

The PLACE on the calendar tells us that a new schedule awaits us - a new rhythm to our days and weekends is before us. In some ways it invites a renewal of the everyday and ordinary life. The days of living outside are changing. We begin to plan indoor house projects, clean the closets, schedule our lives differently. Meetings that were on hiatus during the summer start up again. A new eight week yoga session invites us. Just as the children purchase new school supplies and clothing, even we, who are long past living in the cadence of the school year, start anew as well.

Today on my walk/run, I felt like that familiar phrase – ‘Today is the first day of the rest of my life!’ Yes, I can do this. It is good for me. Begin the day with yoga then walk. I can do this! I know how great I feel when I do. Certainly this can be my every day morning practice. Yes! (By the way - I am not lending an ear to that inner voice that doubts the renewed commitment to fitness by saying – Wonder how long this will last?)

What is it about a PLACE on the calendar that gives energy, intensity, a readiness for something new, a commitment to that which makes us a better person? What fall foods are you eager to taste? (Oh my – pumpkin pie and caramel apples come to mind! Never think about them in the summer.) What favorite sweaters are about to replace those summer sleeveless shirts? Have you traded your allegiance from baseball to football? What flowers have had their day in the sun and now those that have waited for this PLACE on the calendar are becoming colorful? What new ‘thing’ are you about as this PLACE on the calendar announces its arrival? Let me know . . .

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The Kroger Building - A Building that Learned

2011-08-11T07:54:00.000-05:00

Recently I was at a networking event held at the Kroger Building in Madison, Wisconsin. Walking into this former grocery warehouse was witnessing both the present and the past in a beautiful partnership. That led me to interview the partners of Delta Properties, Bruce Wunnicke and John Koffel, about their remarkable building.

Taking an old building and helping it learn is what these two guys are about. I was most curious about the process involved in selecting a building. “We look for quality. We also must have an affinity with the space because we will be working with it for a long time. Each of our buildings reflects us and what we believe in.”

What Bruce and John believe in is valuing the natural elements that are evident in a building. In fact, it was the design intention to incorporate the ‘art of the building as art’. This meant to keep as much as natural as possible and as simple as possible – allowing the art of the building to be seen and showcased. “We love the natural elements – especially wood. Day-lighting opportunities and the ability to have all windows able to be opened for natural air flow are key components. It’s our job to highlight these natural attributes and then expand them. In addition, at every level we look for ways to recycle the natural materials found in the building.”

This led me to ask: What does a building tell you as you begin to work with it? Bruce quickly answered, “Whatever the building presents to us is what we embellish. In the case of the Kroger Building it was the heavy wooden beams that excited us. It’s also a building that is big and mysterious. The beams give it definition.” These strong beams are evident throughout the building and as the spaces for offices were designed, it was the beams that Bruce and John wanted to accent and showcase. Old wooden floors and hallways that curve add to the charm and mystique of this big and mysterious building. The structure and design embody minimalism and simplicity – allowing us to experience the old and the new.

Originally the building was oriented toward the train tracks since its earlier life was a warehouse where goods were loaded and unloaded. In its new life the main entrance is now off the parking lot - located on the opposite side of the building. This makes the arrival by car of its current workers and their clients to be just as effortless. An awning, reminiscent of the original trackside loading dock, has been added to not only identify the new entrance but also protect its guests from the weather.

Stewart Brand, author of How Buildings Learn, asked everyone he interviewed this question: What makes a building come to be loved? Brian Eno, the British rock musician and avant-garde artist, shared this response. “We are convinced by things that show internal complexity, that show the traces of an interesting evolution. The signs tell us that we might be rewarded if we accord it our trust. An important aspect of design is the degree to which the object involves you in its own completion. Some work invites you into itself by not offering a finished, glossy, one-reading-only surface. This is what makes old buildings interesting. I think that humans have a taste for things that not only show that they have been through a process of evolution, but which also show they are still a part of one.”

I think this is true of the Kroger Building. The gifted developers, Bruce Wunnicke and John Koffel, have allowed us to see and be part of the process of the evolution in this building, have highlighted its strong and unique art forms, and have given this building the respect it deserves. I asked one of the new tenants why they moved their business from their previous location to this building. His response: “Our former space no longer reflected who we were. This space is who we are and who we are becoming.” I cannot think of a better compliment. Can you?

HOW BUILDINGS LEARN

2011-08-04T11:06:00.000-05:00

A number of years ago I discovered a book by Stewart Brand called How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built. This title has continued to fascinate me. The idea that buildings ‘learn’ was a most interesting concept and the more one truly thinks about it, it makes so much sense. Buildings learn all the time!

Take our house for example. Built around the turn of the century as a family home it served in that capacity for years. Then – as the neighborhood changed – the use of the house did as well. It learned to be a hair salon and tailor shop on the lower level and an apartment on the upper floor. When some major changes were happening in the development of our village – it was scheduled to be demolished because it was in the way of progress. Two souls not only saw its potential but had financial and handyman gifts to offer. They saved the house by moving it to a new neighborhood. Once again it ‘learned’ to be a single family dwelling. That’s when we entered the picture.

And we have asked it to learn and stretch in the ten years we have lived here. Last summer our son and family moved into our second floor while their home was being built. To keep everyone’s privacy intact, my husband and I moved our offices, library and bedroom to the lower floor. Our offices have been in four different rooms over those years! Our daughter’s bedroom has become the ‘visiting artist’ overnight retreat space.

Just think about your own spaces . . . how have they learned to be something different as your needs have changed? Hmmmm . . . What did your bedroom turn into when you left home?

This learning happens to commercial buildings all the time. The original owner builds it as a fast food restaurant. Over time, the restaurant fails and the building then becomes a real estate office. Interesting that when it becomes ‘whatever is next’ – we often still SEE the fast food restaurant’s shape and identity. It’s as if the DNA of the building is still present.

“Commercial buildings have to adapt quickly, often radically, because of intense competitive pressure to perform, and they are subject to the rapid advances that occur in any industry. Commercial buildings are forever metamorphic,” says author Stewart Brand. He further comments that buildings get pushed around by three forces – technology, money, and fashion.

Perhaps technology means the ability to adapt to what is new and current. This is often complicated and costly for buildings to update to the new regulations in order to protect workers and community. Just think of the short list around electrical, air intake, fire requirements, plumbing, and the basic structure. These are the unseen adventures of a building’s life span that are a must to keep it safe and functional.

Fashion is what we see and more frequently react to – is it appealing, unique, inviting? Does the ‘look’ suit the new intention? When the technology, money, and fashion adapt to meet the new use, the new day - it very frequently changes the original neighborhood.

So here is your homework assignment . . . begin noticing buildings that have learned and buildings in the process of learning. Are you able to detect the original DNA??? Let me know what you learn!

P.S. The photos are of ‘once upon’ cabins that have learned to be an ice cream shop and women’s boutique.

Learn more at www.spatialimpact.com

Part II – The Nature of a Porch –Its Exterior Life

2011-07-25T15:03:00.000-05:00

Porches are making a comeback! The front porch provides an ‘interface between inside and outside, private and public, viewer and viewed.’ It is this in-between aspect that makes the front porch not only an architectural place but also a social one.

Here is a little history for you . . . For a full century, until immediately after WWII, the front porch remained a vital ingredient of American architecture. It was the place people gathered news of the world – an outdoor parlor where gossip and information were treated as one. But as Americans took to their cars, this arena for casual social interaction became obsolete. The layout of the suburbs was built to be driven through, not to be walked in. (Geography of Home – Akiko Busch)

Another author puts it this way: The porch goes back to antiquity, but Americans since Washington and Jefferson have embraced it with special gusto. The so-called piazza was first popular in the South, where it provided cool shade. People sat on their steps or benches and in time, the stoop grew larger, acquired a roof, and became a porch. The Victorian period, which venerated both fresh air and pale complexions, was the golden age of porches. . . Until the 1950's, the front porch was America's sitting room on the street. (House Thinking - Winifred Gallagher)

Where once the front porch was a way of life for the American people, in recent years we have begun living more privately in the back of our homes. Patios and decks became popular and the new styles of homes being built were void of a front porch. Also evident during this time was the disappearance of the front sidewalk. We drove into our garage to enter the house and the ways of bumping into a neighbor became much more involved. The gain in privacy often meant a loss in community.

Sociologists, architects, community developers, and urban planners took note of this trend and its effects. Intentional neighborhoods began to be designed with front porches on the houses, sidewalks, alleys, and detached garages. The study discovered that people became much more aware of their neighbors because they knew each other by sight, sound, and story. It continues to be the hope that this ‘design’ will assist us in more natural ways of being ‘neighborly’ - friendlier and interested in the welfare of those around us.

I can speak to this personally. Our home has three porches – one in the front and two on the side. We have noticed that no one ‘bothers us’ when we sit on the side porches even though we can be seen. The positioning of the location of this porch says ‘private- do not disturb’. But when we sit on the front porch, those who are walking or pass by in their cars will wave, say hi or strike up a conversation. A remarkable difference!

When I asked others about front porches, many responded with its importance to community.

The porch space opens up the mind and spirit to conversation, thoughtfulness, and friendship. It lets you sit still and build a community through conversation, song, and prayer.

Big wrap-around porches on old Victorian houses are great places for neighborhood children to put on summer plays.

A place for friendliness . . . A place for neighbors to run into you.

Every Friday in summer a neighbor couple with a gorgeous front porch has ‘open porch night’. Great conversations, great times together.

As we speak, our front steps (1950’s cement with wrought iron rails) are being torn out and replaced with a larger wooden porch with room for chairs, flowers, and neighbors!

So if you have a porch, lucky you! And if not, the front stoop might be just as magical. Wishing you ‘good times’ and Happy Porching!

Part I - The Nature of a Porch - Its INTERIOR Life

2011-07-07T07:25:00.000-05:00

When I say the word PORCH what images, memories, feelings immediately come to mind? Now - hold those thoughts for just one moment. When I talk about PORCH, I am talking about that covered platform at an entrance to a home – often with its own roof. It can be small or large – with a single chair or many - open to the outdoor elements or enclosed. Are more porches coming to mind?

In her book Geography of Home, Akiko Busch acknowledges that how one feels about a porch begins this way. Is a porch to be a seasonal experience - open to the natural elements only when the weather is warm or is a porch to be enclosed - able to be used all year round? However a porch is used, it seems to invite a transition in how we live. It slows us down, provides us with a different perspective than we have in the midst of the four walls of our house. The porch opens us physically to the outside and mentally into dreaming, imagining, and remembering.

Lee Krasner, the wife of abstract expressionist painter Jackson Pollock and herself a gifted painter, reflected on the ‘nature of a porch’. With Jackson there was quiet solitude. Just to sit and look at the landscape. An inner quietness. After dinner, to sit on the back porch and look at the light. No need for talking. For any kind of communication. I was curious how others felt about the ‘nature of a porch’ so I returned to my great and rich resource of Facebook friends by asking them ‘Why do you love porches?’ Here are some of their responses:

· It’s a place for transition!

· Outside yet still sheltered; inside yet partially exposed. Speaks to the needs of the emerging spirit.

· Porches are like a hand rolling out an invitation to come sit and rest for awhile....the heart is open ...making time and space.

· It's place to go to rest, relax, and unwind. Solitude. Always looking for new ways to make it even more comfy.

· There's nothing like a porch that helps people slow down, to be present in the quiet, to sip some lemonade or coffee, and let go of the outside world. The porch space opens up the mind and spirit to conversation, thoughtfulness, and friendship.

Others shared memories. As you read them, you may find yourself relaxing with them - drawn to a time seemingly slower and simpler.

· I love my screened in porch. I love the daybed for reading and the porch swing. I grew up with a porch swing and had a lot of relaxing times on a porch! We also have my husband's family's old hutch out there that made its way from Nebraska on a covered wagon. If it’s just right porch weather it really expands the space of our home!

· Thinking of sitting on my grandparents' screened in porch. Gentle breezes; a way to listen to one's surroundings without having to be physically connected to them; fun place for lunch or dinner; rocking; thinking; relaxing to the point of almost sleeping; a feeling of protection while watching a storm stir up and the rain fall.

· A porch changed my life! Seriously!! It was a porch where I could look out into the hills and write in my journal, sit with my friends and have the most amazing talks, dance in a square to some traditional mountain music, laugh so hard I cried, and almost always feel a sense of peace. It was the right place to be at that time. That porch reminds me of a time when I was trying to figure out how to live my life, how my work could reflect my values, and how I figured out that simplicity was the way I knew I wanted to live. That porch in Jonesville taught me to be myself, to appreciate God's great earth, and to always be mindful and thankful for its simplicity.

This is the power of a simple appendage to a house - introducing us to that space between two worlds – that of being inside and outside at the same time. This simple space that brings a sense of calm, rest, and the opportunity to think on life, does amazing good to our natures!!

Coming Soon: Part II – The Nature of a Porch – Its Exterior Life

This Taco John's is a Great Good Place

2011-06-16T07:54:00.000-05:00

When you think of fast food restaurants have you ever used the words welcoming, comfortable, and accommodating to describe the space? Not likely! That is until you walk into Taco Johns in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. This is not your ordinary fast food franchise! This space invites you to linger (yes, you heard me correctly -LINGER – the word fast food places do NOT want their customers to engage at any level). This Taco John’s could easily be a ‘third place’ – a place to meet others, enjoy spending time together while lingering over food and conversation.

I was so impressed with this space that I took notes and sent a letter to their corporate office! Here is what stood out to me:

· The exterior appearance is delightfully pleasing – especially the lighting which adds interest as well as safety at night

· The layout of the dining space is inviting, varied, and has good flow

· Brown wooden chairs (wonderfully moveable to accommodate

customer needs) add warmth and a sense of home comfort

· Restrooms are clean and very roomy – Please note that extra space in restrooms is always appreciated by women!

· Brown tin ceiling tiles bring interest to the center space and make it unique from the rest of the room

· Warmth and texture are added by the stone fireplace

· The TV, located over the fireplace, is visible but does not intrude or invade the entire dining space

· Varied seating provides support and accommodation to many uses and needs for single diners, just for two, families, and groups by its high bistro tables, small café tables, booths, a large circular table for conferencing, and a curved booth that is open on one side for easy access

· The first impression is CLEAN and ORDERLY

· A sense of quality is evident in the attention to each detail

George Ritzer, author of The McDonalization of Society, has argued that the fast food industry has valued efficiency over other human values. A restaurant consultant once shared with me that the lingo used in the industry is to create ‘an experience’ for the dining customer.

Certainly this franchise, owned by Kevin Vance, has given considerable thought to the importance of the space in adding to a customer’s comfort and experience. This Taco John’s provides a welcoming, comfortable, and accommodating place for a lonely traveler, a tired single parent, a celebration, a staff meeting, and a first date. It is my hope that many more fast food places will give thought to their spaces! Thank you, Kevin Vance, for this great good space!

To read more about how our spaces impact our behaviors visit www.spatialimpact.com.

Finding a Great Good Place

2011-06-09T15:10:00.000-05:00

When I first moved to Madison I was lonely. In finding my way in this new community, I often landed at Barnes and Noble. I began to realize that by simply walking through its doors, I no longer felt like a new person in town in need of friends. The smell of coffee, the invitation to learn and enjoy life in each book, the overstuffed chairs to snuggle into for an hour or more, and other people doing the very same thing felt good. Here I was among total strangers, but I felt welcomed - not pressured or asked to quickly purchase and move on; but invited to linger, be among others, to join this ‘community’. Here I felt included, creative, productive, and at peace. It was in those overstuffed chairs that I shaped and formed my business, Spatial Impact.

What makes a public gathering place feel so good? This was the key question that a sociologist by the name of Ray Oldenburg sought to answer in his book, THE GREAT GOOD PLACE. As he says in his preface, “My interest was in those happy gathering places that a community may contain, those ‘homes away from home’ where unrelated people relate.” What drew people in? Why did it feel like home? What happened that made it different from other public places?

Oldenburg named them ‘third places’ and defined them “after home-first, and workplace –second, these are the informal public gathering places that serve community because they are inclusive and local.” His research discovered several qualities that seemed to be present in every ‘third place’. If you remember the TV show, Cheers, you begin to have a good understanding of what Oldenburg discovered. A ‘third place’ becomes such both by the space given to that purpose and the atmosphere created by those who gather there.

Here is a checklist of some of those ‘third place’ qualities:

ü Serves as entry points for newcomers. A remedy for stress, loneliness, and alienation.

ü Business is often conducted here, networking happens. (How many coffee shops can you name as ‘third places’?)

ü The entertainment is provided by the people being themselves. The main activity is conversation! Third places are where people talk about their problems – listen to each other in a caring way.

ü A place for all ages to gather. They provide a means for retired people to remain in contact with those still working and allows the oldest generation to associate with the youngest generation. (Have you walked into a McDonald’s lately? You’ll see the retired business men gathering for fellowship and moms in conversation while their children play.)

ü Inclusive of differing thoughts, ages, sexes, and vocations. Accessible to general public with no membership or exclusion.

ü Allows people to come and go. Third places that render the best and fullest service are those to which one may go alone at almost any time of the day or evening with assurance that others will be there.

ü Access to them must be easy if they are to survive and serve. Location needs to be within walking distance or easy parking and open long hours.

ü Typically a non-pretentious décor which encourages the abandonment of social pretense. Regulars of third places do not go home and dress up. They come as they are.

ü The persistent mood of a third place is playful, cheerful, upbeat. One goes there to feel better and usually leaves in a good spirit.

ü The regulars make a third place come alive. This defines the character of the place – providing an infectious and contagious style of interaction. Cheers style!

The back cover of Oldenburg’s book says . . . “Third places or great good places are the many public places where people can gather, put aside the concerns of home and work (their first and second places), and hang out simply for the pleasures of good company and lively conversation. They are the heart of a community’s social vitality and the grassroots of democracy. . . This is a compelling argument for these settings of informal public life as essential for the health both of our communities and ourselves.”

What’s your favorite Third Place? Would love to know what makes it a Great Good Place for you!

What WOMEN Want

2011-06-02T08:23:00.000-05:00

Paco Underhill, founder and CEO of Envirosell, Inc., has a new book called

WHAT WOMEN WANT- THE GLOBAL MARKET TURNS FEMALE FRIENDLY. In this book he takes us on a tour of the world’s marketplace for what makes a package, product, space, or service ‘female friendly’. He also cautions all men to pay close attention and start making changes.

I was particularly aware of his insights regarding women and spaces. In his introduction he quickly puts it on the line . . . “If your store, restaurant, bank, hotel lobby, mall, or other public space or amenity doesn’t acknowledge the female factor, if it doesn’t invite women in and make them feel at home, at ease, safe, hygienic, respected, and in control, if it doesn’t take into account what women want and expect (which is a whole lot different from what men want and expect), well, then, it’s bad business.”

He names the top four qualities women want in the spaces they enter.

CLEANLINESS . . . “Am I in a clean environment? is an intuition, a vibe that women pick up about every room they enter.”

CONTROL . . . Not only women, but most particularly women, want to have control of their spaces. This allows them to create the space to suit their needs. Movable seating, temperature and noise controls are important to women.

SAFETY . . . This is a most important factor to women as they engage their environments. Hotel windows that don’t lock, bulbs that are burned out in the parking lot, lighting levels in the lobby all make women feel vulnerable and unsure of their personal safety.

CONSIDERATENESS . . . While politeness is certainly a character that is valued, Mr. Underhill is speaking about signage that addresses the questions women have regarding specific next steps. This would include a sign that mentions assistance is available to load a heavy purchase into the car or that tipping is not accepted. This signage calms the anxiety of what comes next and allows women to confidently navigate their spaces.

Let me summarize using my three key questions we ask of a space: 1) Am I safe? 2) Am I welcome? 3) Now that I am here, what is expected of me? Now really, guys, isn’t all this important to you, too? It’s very difficult for us to SEE our own spaces because they are so familiar to us - we already know that we are safe, welcome, and what is expected of us. This is where I can be helpful to your business.

Take advantage of my FIRST IMPRESSIONS service. I come to your place of business, observe and then share a checklist of my findings that assist you in better understanding how your space is experienced by your clients. You will hear the positives and the challenges of your space as well as several suggestions for improvement. And because I am a woman, you will be immediately updated with all the Paco Underhill criteria. What a deal!!

Read more about the impact of spaces on our behaviors and consulting services available at www.spatialimpact.com.

A Place or A Space?

2011-05-12T10:40:00.000-05:00

Where is ‘place’ within the spaces we live and see? Walls, streets, buildings give us place. Sky, fields, and open water offer vastness of space. Are ‘space’ and ‘place’ the same? I think not. Space is vague, inclusive, and universal. Place is named, determined, recognized. Space holds dreams. Place holds memories.

Space allows breath and breathing. It awakens the imagination and creativity. It invites the deepest part of us to trust and explore. It begs for nothing. It is the absence of ‘what might be’ that gives it freedom. It has no demands. Space is uncommitted, unnamed, without story and specific memory.

Place is very different. Place offers suggestions by its very nature. Place defines as it becomes a sounding board for the many memories it may invoke. Places hold and invite stories. While a place may be silent, the story that is recalled will be full of sound and movement, color and dynamic. Places remember a relationship, moods and feelings.

Not too long ago I invited my Facebook friends to share familiar phrases with the word ‘place’. Listen for the clarity in direction and purpose. Hear the stories they hold. What memories come to mind?

Your place or mine?

A place for everything and everything in its place

Are you in the right place?

Between a rock and a hard place

What’s taking place?

A place at the table

Peyton Place

Place your bets

Placeholder

Place of worship

It's not your place.

No-place; Some-place

There's a place for us, somewhere a place for us. - West Side Story

Right-place; Wrong-place

We’ve got to get out of this place!

Put the placemats on the table near the fireplace.

I can't quite place the face.

Place your hands on your head and step away from the car.

What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?

Ah, but that was in another place and time."

Placesetting of silverware

She put me in my place!

A place in the sun

A place of my own

Place-based training

They'll never place me at the scene of the crime!

I landed in 1^st place.

No place like home

I'll go in your place

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. - Abraham Lincoln

And now . . . what PLACE phrase comes to your mind? This is the PLACE to post it!

Making a House a Home

2011-05-04T07:56:00.000-05:00

Several times a year I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity by offering a workshop called MAKING A HOUSE A HOME for their new homeowners before they move in. The style of the workshop is conversational and I usually begin our time together by asking for a definition of ‘home’. As they snuggle into the reflective nature of this workshop, I find that they also snuggle into their hopes and dreams for what this new space will gift their lives.

Defining home seems to remind us all that a home is a special and important place. Phillip Moffitt, former editor of Esquire magazine, said A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul. Writer, Victoria Moran speaks of home this way. A home is a signature - distinct and recognizable. Home is where you go to refuel - physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Here are some of the frequent responses from the Habitat for Humanity families:

· home is about being able to be who you really are

· a home provides privacy

· home means having a sense of freedom

· home is a place to call your own

· it’s where family gatherings happen

· a home creates a cozy feeling

· a home brings peace and comfort into our lives

· a home is a safe haven

Then we go through every room of the house, identifying how life will be fully lived in that space.

· How will you enter your home?

· What activities will be happening in the living room, kitchen, etc?

· What special furniture, art, or memorabilia will enhance your spaces?

· How will you live in the outside spaces?

· What colors are you eager to paint the walls and have around you?

· What personality do you wish each room to express?

· What room do you think will be your favorite and why?

In some ways this process is asking What is it that you need from this house to be the best and happiest you? How do you want ‘home’ to feel when you walk into each and every room?

In addition to naming what will be packed to take to the new home, it is equally important to decide what will NOT be moving. Stories of a readiness to ‘let go’ and ‘start fresh’ begin to be shared. Laughter and wild gestures accompany the telling of what will not be coming with them and why. The sorting of life memories and daily habits seems to happen naturally, just as the decisions of what does and does not go into the new home – the new life.

I once heard these words . . . “Your home is sacred space – a sacred space with your address.” Each of these families has a new address, a new place, a sacred space to live a wonderful life! Welcome Home!!

Featuring TOTAL CARE DENTAL

2011-04-13T17:32:00.000-05:00

A patient of Total Care Dental on Odana Road in Madison, WI called me to say, “You need to see this place. What a great reception area!” I made an appointment to visit and hear the story of how it came into being.

TCD moved to a new location and in doing so had the opportunity to make their space really work for them. Knowing that many people are fearful of going to the dentist, they wanted their reception space to calm those fears. The use of warm browns, beiges and taupe, accents of wood, and colorful wall artwork complement each other beautifully and speak of the natural world. ‘Cozy’ became the key quality they wanted their reception area to express. Even the table lamps enhance a cozy light that makes the room more welcoming. And what could be cozier than a fireplace? Rather than placing the fireplace in a corner where only a few could enjoy it, they positioned it to allow three sections of the reception area to have direct access to its warmth and ambience.

Cozy was also implemented by creating several spaces for seating - like small living rooms. A variety of seating options and the way they are configured is instrumental in offering places for personal space. From simple upholstered chairs with arms to open benches and angled seating, patients can find a ‘fit’ to their body shape and privacy needs.

Care for the patient is also accommodated in other ways. In thinking of the patient’s needs, it was important to create comfort, ease, and personal space. A partitioned room designed for children is stocked with books, games, and TV - including a cocktail table arcade game. Just outside is an upholstered bench for a waiting parent to be mindful of her child without having to be in that space. I was told that this bench, located closer to the entrance and the reception desk, is also a favorite ‘sit’ for the elderly as they wait for their appointments. All in all – the entrance, the children’s area, and this bench are able to be easily monitored by the staff at the front desk.

Patient care is exhibited in available WIFI and a separate desk computer for use. Both magazines and beverages are easily accessible and uncomplicated to acquire. A large wall screen shares about Total Care Dental, its staff, and educates around good dental hygiene. Visible, but without sound, this opportunity’ to learn’ is non-invasive to the reception room activity.

Two of my favorite spaces in this reception area are its entrance and the reception desk. As a patient comes in from the outside, he comes into an inviting second entrance. Here the beautiful Total Care Dental logo is etched into the window, a welcome sign instructs patients to check in at the front desk, and the door into the reception space is positioned at an angle – adding interest and uniqueness. This is a simple space with a powerful impact.

The design of the reception desk space is extraordinary. Care has been taken to not have patients see and hear the work done behind the scenes. The curvature of the wall keeps the office area from sight, yet very accessible to those who are working.

This reception area has accomplished ‘cozy’ in a way that cares for patient needs. And the bonus – it inspires beautiful smiles to happen!

Special Note: Furniture and Photographs by Lerdahl Business Interiors

Clutter, Clutter, Clutter

2011-04-07T06:52:00.000-05:00

I recently presented a seminar on The Psychology of Clutter for the State Department of Health Services staff. Everyone was amazed at the record breaking attendance, but it speaks to the hold that clutter has on our lives. It touches our homes, cars, and work spaces. It affects us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

What happens to our bodies when we enter a cluttered space? We feel that we cannot breathe - in fact - our breathing indeed changes in cluttered spaces. We breathe with tighter and shallower breaths. When clutter surrounds us we have trouble focusing. We are distracted. It impacts our vision and our thinking. Sometimes all we know is that we ‘need to get out of here’. The space has not offered room for us to enter with all that we hold in our minds, bodies, and spirits. The space has been filled for us and we often leave in frustration.

Karen Kingston is a consultant who works with clearing clutter from homes and businesses. She offers four categories of clutter:

1) Things you do not use or love

2) Things untidy or disorganized

3) Too many things in too small a space

4) Anything unfinished.

Are you thinking what you would put in each of those categories?

Let’s see . . . 1) a collection of salt and pepper shakers that I inherited, 2) the storage room in the basement 3) my closet 4) the remote that doesn’t work

Are things beginning to come to mind?

For some, the issue of clutter seems simple - just toss things out or give stuff away. However, the issue of clutter has deep emotional holds on us. It has a power in our lives that can cause harm.

In Karen’s book, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, she has an impressive list of the ways that clutter affects us. Think with me through this list. What is true about you and your clutter, your spaces?

1. Having Clutter can make you feel tired and lethargic

2. Having Clutter can keep you in the past

3. Having Clutter can congest your body

4. Having Clutter can affect your body weight

5. Having Clutter can confuse you

6. Having Clutter can affect the way people treat you

7. Having Clutter can make you procrastinate

8. Having Clutter can cause disharmony in relationships

9. Having Clutter can make you feel ashamed

10. Having Clutter can put your life on hold

11. Having Clutter can depress you

12. Having Clutter can create excess baggage

13. Having Clutter can dull your sensitivity and enjoyment of life

14. Having Clutter can cause extra cleaning

15. Having Clutter can make you disorganized

16. Having Clutter can be a health or fire hazard

17. Having Clutter can cost you financially

18. Having Clutter can distract you from important things

19. Having Clutter can create undesirable symbology

Nineteen ways ‘of being’ we can purposefully avoid in our lives if we deal with our clutter! Amazing!!

If we were to re-write the above list by saying ‘Eliminating Clutter Can . . . give me energy, prepare me for the future, help me lose weight’ wouldn’t this be a wonderful life? Who is willing to give this a try? Count me in!!

Visit www.spatialimpact.com to learn more about our spaces and behaviors.

Forming an Impression of a Business - What's Involved?

2011-03-23T16:16:00.000-05:00

How is an impression formed?

The work of two marketing professors suggests that a customer’s impression is formed by a process that involves integrations, inferences, and attitudes (Schmitt & Simonson, 1997). Integrations involve taking the known information about a particular business or profession and creating a logical understanding of what it is and how it is to be engaged. Information that is not known but is added by the customer’s previous experiences is called inference. As the customer fills in these blanks of factual information with his own understandings from earlier situations, it also fills in the impression. Attitudes then project a feeling or response that can be positive, negative or neutral. The internal processing of these three parts forms the overall impression.

These three aspects of the process are difficult to delineate because they reference each other’s information. When entering any place of business, an impression is formed. Earlier thoughts and experiences about this profession cannot be extracted from the mind. A preconceived idea of what and how this business and its staff are to be experienced has already been formed in the client’s mind. If the first impression matches or exceeds this, the client feels they have entered a professional environment and will likely transact business. If not, it is possible that the client will not elect to do business.

The client picks up non -verbal messages through the design of the office space. Many businesses are unaware of how important this area is to their image. The business reception area introduces the business to the client – positively or negatively.

Previous research results indicate that people may form quick impressions on limited information. This information may be too easily placed into categories which create stereotypes and form an impression about the qualities that a professor, a dentist, or a lawyer possesses. This stereotype is then transferred to the place of business. The combination of the stereotype and the environmental impression influences a person’s thinking about the person and place.

Think about what a client ‘expects and has experienced’ in your line of business. Does your place of business meet or go beyond those integrations, inferences, and attitudes of your clients?

(BTW - the photo above is of a children's dental office. Now there is a place to make SMILES happen!!)

Silent Space - The Value of 'What is NOT'

2011-03-17T08:27:00.000-05:00

Let me introduce you to a concept I call ‘silent space’. While much is written about ways to bring silence into our daily patterns by meditation, prayers, and quieting the technological noises around us – the idea of silent space has gained little attention. Silent space is more than space without sound. Silent space is a visual emptiness that pulls us from our busy lives, calling us to focus our attention, quieting us, and even changing our breathing. The medical profession has discovered that silence can lower blood pressure and steady the heart beat. Perhaps silent space can do the same by inviting our bodies into restfulness.

Silent space allows us to see the beauty of the natural elements and asks our senses to be involved. We want to feel the smooth marble, watch the magic in the prisms of light, be amazed at the artistry found in the wood grains, listen to the water as it babbles, and marvel at the architectural designs of the built environment. Each of these elements of nature can be savored, allowing us to be present in the moment, in the space.

Perhaps it is helpful to speak of what might be the opposite of silent space. Let me suggest crowded, too full, demanding, and cluttered. Clutter confuses and distracts us. It is much more difficult to navigate our thoughts and bodies through clutter. Clutter often happens because our culture is not comfortable with emptiness. We want to fill every wall, nook, and corner with ‘something’ or ‘anything’. We are uncomfortable ‘seeing silence’.

Seeking emptiness as a ‘presence’ is to acknowledge the artistry of that which is both ‘in’ and ‘not in’ the space. An art gallery values the silent space around a painting or sculpture in order to see and appreciate its beauty. The notes of music need pauses to hear the rhythm. We speak of the importance of white space on a page in order to easily comprehend the message. Silent space allows so much more to be seen and experienced.

Business marketing guru, Tom Peters, suggests that all good design conveys the qualities of simplicity, beauty, clarity, and grace. Inherently these qualities help to design for silent space. Simplicity invites putting only what is needed in the space for that moment and time. Focusing on simplicity eliminates clutter and putting too much in a single space. Beauty is introduced by the integration of the natural world and seeing the natural elements as part of the art expression within the space. Clarity seeks to name a focus and intention of each space and what happens there. Grace is the uncomplicated flow of whatever activity happens in the space with whatever physical attributes are there. The quality of grace as a design principle is the ease of using and being in the space.

Simplicity, Beauty, Clarity, Grace, Silence. Where are these qualities found or challenged in your spaces? Are you beginning to think about your spaces differently? Hope so!

A Great Place to Wait . . . Affiliated Dentists of Monona, WI

2011-03-03T09:35:00.000-06:00

I have entered the waiting area – waiting for my name to be called- waiting for my appointment- waiting with thoughts of hope and optimism – no major dental work please! Why is it that as my dental appointment nears, all my teeth suddenly show indications of potential trouble? Does that happen to you, too? My thoughts quickly turn to the end of the appointment when I am handed my new toothbrush and my entire body sighs with relief!

But meanwhile I am waiting . . . I am the only one in the waiting room. As I let go of my ‘dental phobia’, I suddenly notice what a wonderful space this is. It’s up to date, contemporary art on the walls, plenty of space for people to sit. A TV is on the wall in the corner, backlit shelves display artwork and dental information. Magazines are easily visible and accessible in an acrylic rack on the wall. What a great idea for keeping magazines orderly! From across the room I am able to decide which magazine will engross me while waiting. WOW! I notice that it holds not only magazines but also brochures on various dental concerns.

The U-shaped room gives enough distance from the open reception desk so that I am not drawn into their work conversations. I can watch the TV or read or be deep in my own thoughts and be perfectly at ease. Plenty of ‘personal space’ here. Lighting is varied and makes the space feel more living-room-like. Table lamps, the lighting from the shelves, track lighting, and wall sconces all add to this multi-layered and very pleasant illumination. The overall lighting makes reading comfortable and creates a softening that quiets the nervous dental patient who is waiting. Windows line the upper part of the interior wall and invite the light from the hallway to come into the waiting space.

Chairs are simple and offer good support. There is a mix of ‘chairs with arms’ and ‘chairs without’. What good thinking! This accommodates those who need assistance while getting up as well as those who may not comfortably fit into these supportive arms. Two signs acknowledge that there is1) free WIFI and 2) If you do not wish to watch television or if you wish to watch a different channel, please let us know. Both signs give the ‘patient in waiting’ permission to do so.

A small picture of the team of dentists is on the shelf to make them very recognizable. The artwork adds interest to the room. The greenery on the tables softens the angles of the room and its furniture while also adding an enjoyable aspect to the space.

Five others have joined me. ‘Susan’, the dental hygienist smiles as she calls my name, “We are ready for you.” The waiting is over and what a curious thing – my teeth seem rather normal now!

(Permission has been granted to feature this business.)

Making an Entrance!

2011-02-24T07:52:00.000-06:00

When a client is able to enter a building or place of business with confidence, another step of hospitality has been accomplished. Doors can either be welcoming entrances or inhospitable barriers.

There are two definitions of ‘door’ that are applicable to this conversation. The word ‘door’ can be defined as a ’swinging or sliding barrier by which an entry is closed or opened’ - identifying it as a piece of furniture or part of a structure. This is the way we usually think of a door. The second definition, ‘a means of access or participation’, speaks of opportunity.

I particularly like this second definition, especially when thinking of the entrance into our business space as being welcoming to our clients. A door is an invitation to participate in our business. Suddenly this makes the door very important.

Here are a few tips:

1. Is the door well marked by color, style, size, an awning, lighting, and signage? In other words – is the door easy to find in order to identify your business? A door is a focal point that tells us where we wish for people to enter. Let’s not make it difficult to locate!

2. If there are two or more doors, be sure that all doors are unlocked. This sounds like a no-brainer, but have you ever noticed how frequently you reach for the right hand door – only to find it locked? So why is right door locked and the left side open for business? Here’s my theory . . . We are a right handed culture and most of our daily habits navigate to the right. The ‘business’ unlocks the right door from the inside which is the left door to the client. Again –thinking from the client’s point of view offers valuable information. A locked door gives many messages to your client including 'not open for business' and ‘you are not welcome here.’

3. Being able to see in and see out is important for everyone concerned. It is how we first begin to navigate a space. Doors with full length glass allow us to physically and emotionally feel safe by seeing where we are going. We are able to note whether others are about to open the door or be in our path when entering. We can start to assess where to check in, where to wait, how busy the space is. Each piece of information we gather before entering, helps us feel more confident and secure.

With every step of a client’s movement to the building, into the building, and within the building, we must create spaces that offer hospitality. Let’s give thought to what makes a great entrance for our clients so theirs is a confident entrance!

Does the Reception Area Influence Your Clients?

2011-02-17T09:01:00.000-06:00

Yes, indeed!

While 1) service and 2) a trusted recommendation were valued more than the look and feel of the reception area, the twenty-four subjects in my research study said they would be influenced by 3) the reception area in their decision to retain a business.

They also voiced that the quality of service expected by the business was sometimes prejudiced by the appearance of the reception area. Caring for a client’s comfort level was a key factor in their responses.

Here are some of their remarks and observations. Listen carefully . . . Does the reception area influence a person’s decision to retain the services of a business?

· “The lack of design for comfort and the busyness of the space would make me pause about retaining them.”

· “I would go if the doctor was recommended. The space makes me wonder about how they view their clients. I might also be a bit uncomfortable sharing any information verbally because every word can be heard in that space.”

· “I am not likely to come here. If your place is not up to date, is your service up to date?”

· “I would feel tentative on my first visit because of the reception space. This would prompt me to think – is this the right person for me?

· “Would give them a chance - it is a relaxed place. The casual look of the space would have me think that this is the way the practitioners are as well.”

· “I would feel well cared for here – feels personal and not so clinical but still professional giving me confidence in their ability to provide good care. The only less than comfortable feeling I had was in regard to the exterior of the building. It looked a little dumpy, but seeing a professional directory on the wall upon entering the building made that feeling go away.”

· “Yes, the business wants me to be comfortable while I wait. I like the open space and the order. I will probably be treated well here.”

· “Yes, I do not question that this is a good place. The music and couch tell me they want this to feel like your living room. Come in and make yourself at home.”

I was enlightened by their explanations. How about you? Did you pick up some helpful tips for your reception area? Hope so!

A Professional Image - Spatially Speaking

2011-02-10T19:09:00.001-06:00

Many businesses are unaware of how important the reception area is to their image and even the perceived quality of service. In several research studies, hospital waiting rooms that were viewed as attractive were given higher marks for the service received. It was revealed that if the waiting rooms were not given care, then a patient’s care might be in jeopardy. When I asked my research subjects what physical attributes found in the reception area most contributed to a professional image they responded:

1) Appropriate Identification

2) Caring for Client Needs

3) Congruence with the Nature of the Business

Appropriate Identification

Visible identification such as credentials verifies the legitimacy of a business. Seeing the names of the practitioners by use of signage, credentials, or business cards and brochures, provides clients with a sense of security that a business is official and has qualified staff. It is interesting, that a significantly higher professional status is given to a person when credentials are displayed.

A study by the Michigan Ross School of Business discovered that professionalism is also determined by the fewer number of personal artifacts that are found in the office (such as family photographs and items related to personal interests). If too many personal items are seen, the person is viewed as not being professional. While this study was conducted in personal offices and not the reception area, it may suggest that the separation of work and home life is a criterion for determining a definition of professionalism.

Caring for Client Needs

My research subjects commented that a professional image is seeing indications that a client is valued. The ease of accessibility and being able to immediately see the reception desk was significant for a client’s comfort level, but it was also crucial that the activity of the office be removed from those who were waiting. Too much awareness of office activity was viewed as inappropriate for a client to see and hear. Comfortable seating, magazines, and beverages indicated that the business had given thought to the needs of their clients.

Whether the professional image was a positive or negative impression relied on the quality of those individual physical attributes. Simply having each of these physical attributes was not enough. Out of date and messy magazines detracted from a professional image. From the viewpoint of the client, the quality of each attribute reflected on how the business valued and cared for its clients.

Congruence with the Nature of the Business

The third physical attribute named was congruence with the nature of the business. In this study, both businesses were required to respect personal confidentiality which was expected to be supported in the reception space. A seating arrangement that provided for some personal privacy as well as background music to privatize conversations was appreciated. It was also important that the style of music and any smells match the kind of business and be appropriate in preparing the client for the professional services. Signage that spoke to the issue of confidentiality was clarifying. Providing tissue boxes in the reception area was congruent with the nature of a counseling business and also said that they understood the needs of their clients. Having magazines that matched the nature of the business were greatly appreciated and might even assist the client’s readiness in working with the professional.

Places speak to us. What they say affects us and influences our behaviour. Their messages stem from the underlying attitudes with which places are planned, made, used, and maintained. Few of us consciously acknowledge these messages, but subliminally we all experience them, are all affected by them. Christopher Day

May these guidelines be insightful as you plan and maintain your reception space.

First Impressions Count

2011-02-03T09:55:00.003-06:00

I have often said that the reception area is the ‘Room of Introduction’ for a business. In this space a client begins to ‘see’ who you are and first impressions are formed. Have you ever wondered what physical attributes about a reception area prompt our first impressions? I certainly have and set out to discover what they were. I hired 24 adults as my research subjects - asking them to visit two different reception areas. Their findings suggest four key areas that prompt our FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF A PLACE.

1) Size and Density

2) A sense of Order

3) Seating Arrangement

4) The Unusual

The research subjects’ first impressions used the words spacious and open, small and crowded to reflect how they experienced the SIZE AND DENSITY of the two reception areas. Business A was referred to as small and crowded which produced a negative first impression. The space had too much in it that immediately confronted a client. (Where to check in, too many signs to read, where to sit, credentials, brochures, magazines, office activity) In Business B the majority of all subjects named a quality (inviting, welcoming, and comfortable) about the reception area. Here the size and density of the room were not confining which allowed the subjects to slowly engage and navigate their surroundings.

In both reception areas the SEATING ARRANGEMENT was noticed and assessed for privacy as well as comfort. Business B’s seating options were varied and accommodated the need for personal space. Business A's chairs were not only too close to each other, but very uncomfortable. The nature of these two businesses was related to confidential areas of physical and emotional health where the subjects expected that to be reflected in the reception area. Seating that allowed for some space between people was important. Several subjects in the study commented that the reception area can help to create an environment for a client’s readiness to receive the services offered by the business.

All subjects found crowded and cluttered spaces disturbing. A SENSE OF ORDER and cleanliness established a positive first impression of the business and a negative impression when not present. Cleanliness also referred to the fresh and new qualities of the décor which included flooring, wall color, artwork, and furnishings. It was evident that while keeping a room uncluttered is a constant task for a business, the efforts are noticed and do affect clients.

UNUSUAL physical attributes (meaning out of place, extreme or exceptional) were quickly noticed by the research subjects. This indicated that any one item can stand out, be noticed and that the smallest physical attribute can be instrumental in the formation of a first impression. In these two businesses, subjects viewed an out of control plant that traveled around the room as ‘extreme’ and a wall clock more appropriate for a children’s bedroom as ‘out of place’. What they noted as ‘exceptional’ was the use of varied lighting which made one reception space more enjoyable.

Now - what about YOUR reception area?

Your Business Space is Talking. What's it Saying?

2011-01-26T08:17:00.001-06:00

When I moved to a different state it required securing new professional services. In entering each place of business I found myself quickly deciding whether this was a place I trusted and whether I would choose to do business. Lighting, sounds, smells, seating, care of the reception space, wall décor, and promotional materials all spoke to me. I formed an opinion about the professional nature of this business and whether it met my standards. In some cases I could not name why the feeling was so strong, only that the ‘feeling’ was a significant factor in my decision.

I chose not to do business with a particular bank because the space was not private or confidential enough for me to trust the care of my information. While waiting in the reception area, I could easily hear customers discuss their financial affairs with a bank employee. I felt uneasy knowing about a person’s private financial matters. It was similar to eavesdropping, but without the option to remove oneself from the situation. I also had opportunity to watch people enter the building. The arrangement of the space and the signage were confusing to people, making it unclear where they were to go to transact business.

At a mortgage company my husband and I were taken into a cluttered conference room to discuss our financial questions. Unused equipment and boxes lined the edges of the room indicating that this room was more frequently used as a storage area. Information from a recent staff meeting was left written on the white board. It seemed inappropriate to see this in-house conversation about staff goals, client relationships, and problem solving. Papers covered the conference table requiring us to ‘make do’ with a corner space. We felt as if we had accidentally entered the staff break room.

I became increasingly curious about how specific physical attributes of a space factored into our trust, ease and use of it. I also wondered, ‘Who helps businesses SEE themselves?’ What resulted was starting a business called Spatial Impact: Interpreting the Language of Space. Stories of Place will invite you to see familiar places with new eyes. It will introduce you to businesses that have planned and maintained their space with their clients in mind. You will pick up tips for your place of business, your home, and places you frequent. In addition, may it welcome your own Stories of Place.