How good are you at handling surprises?
Continuing the architecture theme from yesterday let me set the scene...
My wife was invited (I tagged along) to the 100th anniversary of the Oneida Public Library.
starting around 2010, she was tasked with designing a new library from the ground up.
building and designing civic buildings for an architect is pretty rare, especially in a small city.
Civic buildings are generally renovated, not built, because all the civic buildings were likely already built years ago.
And a Public library requires the public to "buy in to the idea", plus fundraising and funding.
We're talking about a building that could stand for a 100 yrs!!
So.....fast forward to today and at least 10 yrs of devoted effort, not only by my wife but many people involved, the Oneida Public Library is the gem of the community.
As we walked into the celebration event we were greeted by many people that worked with her on this project.
Right in front of room was a sign...
"Library of the Year"🥳
she was so surprised!
the award is not given because of outstanding design, that would be an award given by her peers.
This award was given because of its function, the centerpiece of the community..
Knowing how much sweat, tears and effort that went into this, I got a lump in my throat for sure.
But as big a surprise as that was
there was another one...
The presentation of 100 years singled out the pillars of the community that were instrumental in not only keeping the library going during tough economic times...
but having the vision to see a new one built.🤓
one of the pillars was a long serving director (now deceased) and some of his family was there.
when they introduced one of them, I recognized the name as my client..
someone I only had only met through emails and phone calls, thanks to the post pandemic way of doing business.🤑
I approached her afterwards and said "Hi S...., I'm David Marshall" 🤝
Surprise!!!😀
it was fantastic meeting her and when she put it together as to why I was there, she shared stories and certainly a great meeting!
So.....on this relaxing Sunday...
here's my question...
How good are you at handling surprises?
Good ones hopefully👇👇👇
#libraries #pillarsofthecommunity #civicleadership #architecture #civicbuilding #surprise
Project manager at 5-0 Productions and Model at Exclusive Model Management
3moIt always amazes me when people come here to Arizona and more specifically Phoenix, look down their noses at it and say we have no culture here. Well it’s no wonder considering we bulldoze down every bit of history we have. Sometimes progress has to take a backseat to true art and design from the past.