Season's Greetings from Rowell Brokaw!
Wow! It’s December 2020, and we’re ringing in the new year together, at a distance.
Rowell Brokaw has been very fortunate to stay busy this year and to be able to continue working (for the most part!) remotely from our homes. We’re deeply grateful to work with such dedicated and hardworking clients, builders, peers, and consultants – thank you all for being an important part of our community during this unique and challenging time.
I asked RBA staff to share some end-of-year reflections and season’s greetings.
Jim Collins said he “enjoyed connecting with friends from a distance with a holiday cookie exchange!” (Because I took part in Jim’s cookie exchange, I can wholeheartedly agree that it was an enjoyable “group” activity, with dazzling results! A new tradition, perhaps?)
Austin Bailey shared that one of his favorite perks of working from home this year has been relearning algebra alongside his daughter. He said, “‘Math-time’ comes sporadically throughout my week, inserted bit by bit between project to-dos and zoom meetings. I particularly enjoy the times when there appears to be some major disconnect between how I learned the subject and the approach her teacher is implementing. I like to believe she benefits from my old-school perspective. I love how these snippets of family life are just part of my work day this year.”
Tricia Berg wants to wish everyone at RBA and Opsis Architecture a happy holiday season. She says she’s been “so impressed with the North Eugene High School team, who never missed a beat,” despite the shut downs and both offices transitioning to remote work in the spring. Virtual meetings between team members and 4J School District have enabled coordination over the last 9 months as the team finishes up documents to be complete in January 2021. “It has been a positive experience and we all look forward to construction starting in Spring 2021.”
I’d like to acknowledge that this year brought on many unforeseen challenges and poignant learning opportunities. It has changed how we work, celebrate, care for our friends and families, and think about our role in the broader community. As this year closes, I’m looking forward to taking some time to reflect, connect with loved ones, and get ready for lots of hard work ahead in 2021.
On behalf of everyone at RBA, we hope you enjoy safe, relaxing holidays, and we wish you a peaceful, healthful, and prosperous new year.
Happy Holidays!