Audrey O’Hagan AIA, BSA president, on our time of challenge and of opportunity
“It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the most responsive to change.” —Charles Darwin
The BSA community can count strength and intelligence among its features, but 2011 President Audrey O’Hagan AIA highlights another trait sometimes overlooked: responsiveness to change.
Many are familiar with O’Hagan’s warm smile and upbeat presence at BSA events, but we rarely get to chat with her about her vision. O’Hagan shares her thoughts and ambitions below.
During the election process, you spoke of a time of challenge and opportunity. What opportunities do you most hope the BSA can take advantage of today?
The world, as we know, is changing, becoming more open and connected as boundaries are eliminated on many different levels. The profession is undergoing tremendous change. Disciplinary boundaries diminish as we see our profession becoming much more collaborative and integrated. In this regard, this is an opportune time to collectively re-examine our role, forging a new path to ensure continued growth, outreach, visibility and relevance.
Although maintaining the DNA that makes the BSA a leader is important, there are still undiscovered possibilities for progress waiting to be born. I look forward to working with members, the board of directors and all stakeholders to craft a new “masterplan,” reflecting current thinking and anticipating the future. I’d like to use our collective wisdom to better connect to the broader public, engage emerging architects and support practices through new programs, exhibitions and events.
You’ve mentioned openness and inclusivity as strengths of the BSA, ones which are not expressed physically. How do you envision a new space facilitating that?
For starters, the proposed new center for design offers visibility into the heart of the BSA space through large storefront windows, providing opportunities for street-level engagement.
Activities at the ground level—a coffee bar, bookshop and concierge for architectural boat tours and other events—as well as lectures, exhibitions and programs on the second floor, will be designed to promote happenstance, where the public may find themselves drawn in unexpectedly.
The center would enable extended public outreach and member services beyond our current capabilities, and facilitate cross-fertilization and serendipitous moments among those attending various events.
Through an open, flexible design, the BSA’s philosophy of openness and inclusivity will soon be reflected holistically in its physical space.
Beyond being an accomplished architect, it’s rumored you are quite an athlete and played Division 1 basketball and volleyball for Kansas. Any parallels between the two?
Well, I’m not sure about “accomplished.” I am, of course, still learning, growing and seeking knowledge, but it is fun to think about the parallels. I would say one of the key similarities is practice. Passionately working at one’s craft, re-examining often and critically, and seeking ways in which to improve is essential to achieving a level of excellence in any field. It also takes great team members (clients or coaches) to achieve a successful outcome. Architecture is a profession where collaboration is absolutely essential, and each member is an important part of the team, contributing his or her expertise, although each may play different roles.
We know the BSA as a unique and vibrant community; however, many people aren’t aware of all that our members are up to. What elements of the BSA would you most like to bring to a wider audience?
As architects and design-profession affiliates, we know good design makes a positive difference in how people live, work and feel. We are problem solvers. We hope our clients will share that fact after each completed project, and we hope they’ll spread the word.
Although it’s the members, not technically the building, who make our organization special, the building is where ideas are born, minds are expanded and knowledge is shared. It is also catalytic to initiatives such as SHIFTboston, Learning By Design, Common Boston, the Community Development Resource Center of Boston and others. A new center will continue our mission of intellectual exchange and investigation of broader issues facing design, practice and our communities—a place for creating connections.
I would like to see a great window opened up so that the BSA community’s commitment, expertise and dedication to design excellence in sustainable buildings and communities are visible.
