Meyers+Associates

I am so grateful to share a recent piece I wrote for Spaces4Learning: “The Permanence of Change: Why Hybrid Is the New Baseline.” This topic hits close to home, both as a parent who lived through remote learning with five children each at different stages in their education from grade school through college, and also as an architect helping campuses rethink space in real-time. Hybrid learning has become a lasting reality, and our spaces need to evolve to support it. I don’t dive into every answer in this article, but I do share some of the questions that are shaping how we design learning spaces going forward. I would love to hear if it resonates with you, I am eager to discuss more about how we might approach these questions in your own space and help create environments where students can thrive. https://lnkd.in/e8WfU8hS #HybridLearning #CampusDesign #EducationArchitecture

Every time I walk into a space with well-considered lighting, I’m reminded how much it shapes the experience. Over time, we saw a consistent pattern: the projects with strong lighting design simply functioned better day to day. Spaces were easier to navigate, meetings and gatherings ran more smoothly, and people actually spent time in the areas we hoped they would use. The lighting supported the purpose of each room instead of working against it. It has so much impact on how a space functions and how people feel in it, which is why we stopped treating it as optional. I’ve learned a lot from working with Amanda Bennett and the Ambia Lighting Design team. Walking through a space with them and listening is always useful. They point out the things I may not notice on my own — small adjustments that change how people gather, or a fixture that turns an unused corner into a spot people gravitate toward. I’m thankful for the partners who help us get this right. Their work makes a real difference in the outcome of our projects. I am proud to say that impact and work were recently recognized! Our Toscana project, where thoughtful lighting played a key role, won a Merit Award from IIDA Ohio Kentucky Chapter – Columbus City Center. It’s a reminder that small design decisions, especially those related to lighting, can significantly transform how people experience a space.

Universities today aren’t just competing on academic programs - they’re competing on experience. When a student steps onto campus, the decision they’re making is deeper than choosing a major. They’re asking: Do I belong here? I recently wrote about this for @University Business, reflecting on what we’ve seen firsthand - from varsity locker rooms at @Vanderbilt to adaptive reuse projects at @Ohio State University. Every square foot can either create community… or miss the moment. In the article, I share insights on why we design matters just as much as what we design - especially now, with rising wellness needs and increased pressure to attract and retain students. Take a read and let me know what spaces on your campus helped you feel like you belonged. https://lnkd.in/ee-Rj_T2 #CampusDesign #ArchitectureMatters #StudentExperience #UniversityDesign #HigherEd

Not long ago, I was walking through a campus that we have worked on. I passed a group of students, standing just feet from each other, heads down, lost in their screens, headphones on. They were close but disconnected. I thought of the oddity of solitude while surrounded by others. Seems like they are missing out on chance encounters and engaged interactions and it got me thinking about how architecture may be part of a solution. When we designed the WOSU Public Media building at Ohio State, one of the features I was most excited about was a set of podcast studios that are open to all: students, faculty, friends. Some people use them to record, others just want a quiet place to talk with someone far away. What matters isn’t how the space is used. It’s that people feel comfortable enough to use it and how just one of many spaces in the building are designed to draw you in and prompt engagement. We often talk a lot about “magnets” in our work, the spaces that quietly pull people in. A cozy lounge, a coffee nook with a view, a reason to pause, all are invitations to connect and be human together. I’ve always believed that good design has the power to bring people together. When a space feels easy to walk into and hard to walk past, that’s usually a sign that we got something right and maybe if we keep introducing opportunities for interactions and spaces that foster connections, the phones may go into pockets, the ear buds too and a conversation with a new friend may suddenly happen.

In my profession, relationships are everything and building them is one of the greatest joys. Over the years, I’ve been given countless opportunities to engage in projects that many might dismiss as too small, lacking design, or offering little financial reward. But I’ve come to see these projects differently. These seemingly modest opportunities have often led to some of the most meaningful relationships I’ve built, both professionally and personally. And, in many cases, they’ve resulted in some of our best work. Small projects matter. They give us a chance to help, to demonstrate our skills, and to foster a spirit of service. Not long ago, a young staff member walked by and saw me sketching on a simple, somewhat mundane project. “What are you making?” he asked. I smiled and replied, “Not much, just eating broccoli.” He looked puzzled. “What?” he said. I explained, “You have to eat your broccoli before you get dessert.” That moment stuck with him—and with me. Not everything we do is for awards or magazine features. Sometimes, we take on “broccoli” projects to build trust, to show we care, and to simply help. And often, those projects become the seeds of something greater. For that young professional, something clicked: building relationships may start with broccoli, but dessert always follows—and it’s always worth the wait.

I really enjoyed being interviewed by Top Hotel News, it's a publication I refer to often, hope you can check it out. THP - TOPHOTELPROJECTS https://lnkd.in/ea-tiN_h