How are architects adapting to the new normal? A new coffee machine, plants and a reliable interconnection all help, says Hayball director Sarah Buckeridge, in the latest installment of #iworkinproperty.
Sarah Buckeridge, Director, Hayball
What I love most about my job… I am currently involved with a number of large residential and mixed-use precinct projects which incorporate social and community housing. I find this particularly rewarding as we desperately need to increase the supply of good quality affordable housing in well-serviced areas of our cities. The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the importance of safe housing that is accessible to the more vulnerable members of our community.
How my work has changed since Covid-19… Hayball staff across our three studios have been working from home since mid-March. Remote working at this scale and in this context is work-in-progress.
There are certainly a lot more calls and meetings, but, interestingly, collaboration is now visible through screen sharing and software such as Miro which works well for design workshops.
How I’m adapting to the “new normal” … I would like to say relatively well. I have a busy family life with three boys so, like all working parents, that first week of home schooling was quite an adjustment.
This time has also been an opportunity to think carefully about the future of our practice. I have been more focused on our strategic priorities and considering how we can work with our clients to be nimble and adapt to changes within the industry and broader economy.
My new workday essentials are… Our new coffee machine, plants in my home workspace and a reliable internet connection!
The innovative technology or idea I’ve embraced is… All staff and studios have embraced Microsoft Teams. Although MS Teams was implemented earlier this year, WFH has accelerated the uptake from all staff.
Hayball is participating with several other large architectural practices in the Male Champions of Change Program which is focused on how to make the workplace more flexible and reduce structural barriers for women in their career progression.
The relative ease of this technology has allowed all staff to adopt it quickly. It is a working demonstration of how more flexible arrangements can operate.
My advice to others looking to implement this… As a large practice, we have found it extremely valuable for our group of nine directors to meet regularly, agree on strategic responses and to track our progress. Everyone has had to move very quickly in this crisis and having this structured approach has been extremely helpful.
My most valuable skill in challenging times… Communication skills, which are more important than ever. I think being calm, optimistic and timely in how we provide information to our team is extremely important.
My biggest inspiration… Seeing how hard everyone is working to keep Hayball productive and creative during this time. We have had some inspiring initiatives come to life with everything from home yoga sessions to hosting virtual seminars with international guests. It has been great to see staff continuing our strong culture as it is more important than ever to stay connected.
One way I’ll work differently on the other side of this crisis… I think we can be more ambitious about how to connect with different perspectives from our collaborators from around the world. We have already seen the benefit of remote working bringing together our three studios in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and we can extend this thinking to our external and international collaborators.
What I’ve learned so far from 2020… That we are more adaptable and resilient than we might think.
How are your people stepping up to meet the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis and finding a “new normal”? To share your stories or be featured in our #iworkinproperty series, contact [email protected]