Kontext Architects

Mentorship

Mentorship.

For our little mission, a particular challenge accompanying the restrictions of the last year, was physical presence:   Our ability to lean over a shared drafting table, throw ink and ideas to tracing paper, and challenge each other’s conclusions.  Learn from each other.

“Iron Sharpening Iron”

Beyond the immediate insecurities of the market, finances and security, this was my #1 concern for our staff.  Of course, we were concerned about our health and physical well-being.   But fundamentally, as problem solvers, a significant part of our mental well-being is our engagement in this very gift, with others.

I was blessed with two incredible mentors early in my carrier.   Dale, a life coach and an incredible designer.   Paul, a gifted leader and connector.   Today, I believe that the seeds of success sowed by them are bearing fruit today.

As evidenced from my corner of the office, it makes me proud to simply listen to our work family exchange ideas, critique each other, and share experience.  Mentorship, not only for the purpose of teaching, but a unique opportunity to learn. 

“When one person mentors, two lives are changed.”  Kevin Sessums

Gratitude.

In this season, we are encouraged to focus on those things in our lives to be thankful for:  our health, family, friends, and opportunities.  Recently, I reviewed excerpts of a study that strongly suggests that modest beginnings may result in a more thankful attitude today.   As for the siblings and I, we would like to believe that despite our modest beginnings, the sincere gratitude for our successes would not be different.

Likewise, KONTEXT architects started in a makeshift office in a small home in Sun Prairie, at a time (2008) where some architectural firms did not survive.  Many of us, left the design profession altogether.    So yes, notwithstanding some stressful times, we at KONTEXT are extremely thankful for where we are today.   We have grown a small staff who enjoy working with each other day, found clients we cherish who hope for our success as we do theirs, met very gifted tradespeople who we respect deeply, and participate in fascinating projects. 

 After a year of unprecedented challenges and the uncertainty of what the next will bring, it is looking forward with a grateful heart that we always see hope.   Along the way, I believe that staying true to our core values, values grounding in our desire to “Build Relationships,” is our foundation.  However, it is those who give us a chance that we are sincerely thankful.

 (Thank you, Myranda, I think, for finally getting me to move on writing this little blog… And putting in my calendar to author another every other week..)  

Thanksgiving and Blessings

Season of Thanksgiving and Blessings.

Too often I forget to give thanks for the blessings I enjoy in my day-to-day; blessings inclusive of relationships, profession, and faith.   Seemingly like most, I get wrapped up in a harried life and distracted with the clutter of tasks, projects, leading a small firm, and races.

Partners in Preservation:  Saving U.W. Madison’s Historic Olin House

The historic Olin House is the official residence of the U.W. Madison chancellor and serves as a welcoming setting for various university-related functions. Yet not that long ago, preserving it wasn't necessarily the first choice. 

Celebrating Your Project with a Groundbreaking Ceremony:  4 Tips from an Architect

If you are designing a new building or the renovation of an old one for a business or nonprofit, congratulations! As architects, we are always honored to be part of a project from the very beginning.

Our family at KONTEXT architects has also been fortunate to build long-term relationships based on some of the extra services we provide, including simple but important things, like a groundbreaking or kickoff ceremony. It can be an inexpensive way to create a buzz around your client, and the project about to get underway. 

Building Relationships to Design a Home for Animals in Need

Our family at KONTEXT architects believes building relationships is the best way to do business. So when we learned about the idea behind Heartland Farm Sanctuary's mission, to provide care for farm animals in need, nurture people through the human-animal bond, and foster respect and kindness toward animals and each other, we knew we'd found the best kind of place to build a new relationship.

Back to the Drawing Board: 4 Reasons You Should Hire an Architect at the Start of Your Project

Starting a new building or remodeling project? Are you including an architect in the process? We are sometimes asked if an architect can make a difference in the type of support you receive, and success you have during the various steps of a project. We believe hiring an architect can save you time and money, streamline the building process, minimize any potential bumps, and provide an accurate design showing you how the project will turn out.
And while these may seem like typical reasons to hire an architect, at KONTEXT architects, we hope you'll consider one more -- the relationship we'll be proud to build with you over the life of your project, and beyond.

Building Relationships: Active Participation in Problem Solving.

Building Relationships: Active Participation in Problem Solving.

After all, it really is simple.

Our day to day contentment and sense of peace is often a direct result of who we spend our time with.  Yes, we should all experience joy and accomplishment in a product, in innovation, adequate resources; something tangible - something we can wrap our hands around.