November 8, 2017 by CallisonRTKL

Diversity, Passion and a Little Bit of Gumption

CRTKL’s Fernando Arteaga discusses lessons learned from the ARCHMARATHON event in Miami.

Architecture is more than just a profession. And it’s more than just a passion. Architecture changes the way we see and interact with the world around us. It’s a political statement, a form of social awareness and a way to make a difference.

This October, I attended ARCHMARATHON in Miami. The goal of this event is to showcase the most important aspect of architecture and interior design: the relationship between design and human beings.

This message really resonated with me, and while at the event, I started to notice a few inspiring trends.

You don’t need to be an icon to make a difference. In the architecture field, we have a tendency to always look to big-name firms to make the biggest discoveries, but smaller firms, students and individuals have just as much power to create game-changing designs. We have to remember to not always be star-struck by just names, but also by the incredible minds of our peers.
Diversity is imperative. And I’ve never seen a more diverse group than I did at this event. With representatives and projects from all over Canada, the U.S. and Latin America, the diversity of thought, skin tone and gender was truly inspiring. Promoting diversity is a major issue in our field, so it was good to see winners that span the gambit.
Taking risks has never been more important. Young designers just entering the industry are often afraid to take risks, but if we never take risks, we’ll never see just how much we can impact our society. In the face of climate change, social injustice and massive globalization, we have to take a stand—and some risks—to create a more safe, sustainable and equitable society.
All good design comes from passion. And passion comes from a deep-seeded desire to make a difference. I’m most proud of this event for showcasing so many unique social work projects. If we put all our focus and passion into solving the world’s biggest issues, the results could be huge. When we all work together with passion, diversity and just a bit of gumption, there’s nothing we can’t do.

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CallisonRTKL

For more than five decades, Callison and RTKL have created some of the world’s most memorable and successful environments for developers, retailers, investors, institutions and public entities. In 2015, our two practices came together under the Arcadis umbrella, expanding our sphere of influence and the depth and breadth of our resources. Our team is comprised of nearly 2,000 creative, innovative professionals throughout the world who are committed to advancing our client’s businesses and enhancing quality of life.