1 minute read
EXPERT INTERVIEW
MICAH SHADOWEN, ARCHITECT AT EMI
The goal of this interview was to understand not only the expert’s personal experience with the subject, but also to gain further insight on the topic at large. Answers will provide knowledge on the application of this topic, and its interaction with built environment.
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QUESTIONS:
1. What does your job entail? What role do you serve for eMI?
2. What does a typical project scope look like? What is the end goal of the projects you work on?
3. What do the facilities you help to build look like, in terms of layout?
4. Are there any specific innovations you employ in the design of your education facilities?
5. How is the organization you work for funded or how are individual projects funded?
6. Who is impacted by these projects? In what way? How do you ensure that this is a positive impact?
7. How do you avoid notions of cultural appropriation?
8. How do you ensure the local culture and vernacular is the driving force of the project?
9. How do you ensure your projects are completed in a sustainable and ethical way?
10. Do you typically utilize local labor or materials in the construction of the projects you work on?
11. How do you design for a culture or group of people in which you are not directly affiliated/related to?
Key Takeaways
• In order to design for a culture or group of people in which you are not directly affiliated/related to, extensive research regarding the community’s culture, beliefs, and general routines should be conducted
• Local labor and materials are
• Funding can come from a number of people or places. EMI is a religious affiliated group, so most of their funding is raised by church associations and programs
• Developing a layout for a project is highly specific to the intended occupants of the project; eMI’s process includes an analysis of the funding, project scope, an detailed research on user needs and wants
12. Have you ever received specific feedback from the community located in the place where you built the facility?
13. Do you have any additional questions or comments for me?
M.S.O.F. LEGACY CAMPUS
