the first project that I was fully engaged in as an interior design manager. We were very intentional in integrating the Fijian culture into the temple. We wanted to design a building that touched their hearts. We had a similar experience at BYU-Hawaii, when we were hired to rebuild the McKay Complex for students to have a home away from home. Specifically, we start with a precedence study. I go to libraries and check out books, watch documentaries and go to local museums. It is exhausting but fulfilling to be able to create a space that reflects the culture. Jesse: I have an ongoing project: a new high school in Saratoga Springs. The district had done the same thing over and over — we saw the possibilities in branching out a little bit and exploring other pathways. We developed what we would consider a conservative design, but was the most design-forward building they have had for 20 years. By asking “What about this? What about that?” we were able to get them outside of their comfort zone and find some space for innovation. The students who will go to that school will have access to some things that are almost subconscious: expansiveness and a volume of life that enables the students to see each other and be more comfortable and less stressed out in their spaces. We’ve been able to increase the amount of daylight that comes in as well as improve the quality of the furnishings and the air. All of those things are not consciously accessed, but in the end, make a difference for our clients and the generations of students and educators who will go through that building. How do you know how to produce a safe, efficient, aesthetically pleasing building economically? Jesse: A considerable amount of our success comes from the firm having its business practices together. A well-organized firm allows for patience in the process; you are not always scampering, with everyone trying to get stuff out the door. Coreen: We start every project with the square footage. We back it up with our knowledge of prior projects. We are very detailed. We have to be very strategic about putting together the teams and schedules, especially with all the likely starts and stops. A new project type makes it difficult, and the competition is fierce. We ask what we can do as VCBO to stand out from other firms then elevate each other. Jesse: We build consensus and stakeholder trust by evaluating and generating our ideas, then honing them together toward solutions that work best for them. Can you talk about how VCBO approaches responsible environmental design and how that is integrated into the firm’s ethos? Emma: I was brought in January of last year. Sustainability has been a part of all our designs, but it was time for a dedicated role. We have been integrating sustainability into our workflow. That means establishing baseline sustainability, as well as energy monitoring, and reporting on 2030 Challenge targets. We want to be a voice for sustainability and a resource for clients, other designers and anyone who has questions. The VCBO sustainability brand goes back to collaboration with our clients. For so many clients, maintenance, durability and reduced running costs are their key project drivers. Our goal is to save our clients money and reduce negative influences on the environment. Of course, we start by getting the low-hanging fruit, but VCBO’s goals are related primarily to reducing harm in our overall portfolio. We generally have 20% harm reduction on our projects. How do you sell sustainability to clients? Emma: It depends on our clients. We try to be data-driven. Some clients are not willing to embrace it; they don’t value it. However, efficiency language feels more relatable, and that is a way in. We try to mesh our sustainability goals with their overall project goals. For instance, we had a healthcare project where we specified window shades that were much more expensive than standard shades. The reason is that a lot of textiles have Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in their synthetic materials, adhesives, colors and fire North Capitol Building, Salt Lake City L.S. Skaggs Integrated Wellness Center at Westminster University Spanish Fork Recreation Center
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