As we begin our final push for the design of the commercial kitchen, we want to take a step back, look everything over, and talk it all through. Combining the ideas and methods between two talented groups can be frustrating at times, however this current Studio V team is certainly embracing the new comradery in southern style! To bring us all together, and to fill our minds with ideas and stomachs with delicious food, Paul Mosher prepared a low-country boil the studio! So, we pushed together some tables, grabbed some trace paper, and start eating and sketching!
The precedent for this was this past weekend when Paul, Nolan, and I were working on our project and I made spicy shrimp tacos at my house. But this is not a food blog now is it. However, there are some inherent qualities about food that connect us to this project and connect us as a group. To the project, spending a little more time in the kitchen may open our eyes to how we actually use it. This can inspire us to design something that we might find convenient and accessible, and that we wish we had in our own kitchens! Feeling the space, the movement around it, the arrangement of the sink, stove, and fridge, all can give us a reflection of what we should and should not do.
As a team, there is no better way to bring people together than with good food and good conversation. Each play off of each other, hand in hand, so if we have some good food, the good conversations will come. It also makes something that is known to be a little stressful and uptight a little more casual and comfortable. As we sat there hashing out layouts and new plans, you could see the two groups come together as one, as if they never were separated at all. Each scheme has its advantages and disadvantages, but as playing around with some ideas, we know what direction we want to head in. This team is working very hard and will be working even harder as the semester progresses, so to be honest, a good team meal is deserved after a review or deadline.
I hope we continue this tradition and continue to become the great team we are and need to be.
TEAM BUILDING as you describe it above, is the single most important element of any project team. This is typically undervalued by “management” and of course by the paying client. As you know I am an engineer by education and brain-function. The value of team synergy did not occur to me in my early career, but after +30 years in practice and managing projects, I stand behind my statement above. Sometimes you really have to work to develop your team cohesion. Sounds like your off to a great start. Great teams produce great work! Greg Overstrom
One last thought: you should share some chicken speedies at your next event. They are a unique dish to central NY!