In this episode of Creative Mind, Sameena walks us through some of B.Lab’s projects in the San Francisco Bay Area including community builds for the NCH Community Garden and Point Perch in Hunters Point. Two projects that were aimed at revitalizing the lower income areas for the existing residents. A collaboration, between students and the actual residents of the area, that gives both groups a chance to find out what is possible, what is needed, and what is wanted. This thinking is at the soul of B.Lab, the Building Lab design/build program in the School of Architecture. Their goal is to cultivate and foster a spirit of diversity, equity, and advocacy for future public practice among students. Sameena also points out, “Architects don’t get a lot of opportunity to work directly with the client, there is always go betweens.” Such a community-forward venture has equal benefits for the students as well. “Our B.Lab students are working with the clients, with the neighbors, with the communities that are going to be using the piece that we are designing and building.”
