Click here to listen to Flake Radio Episode #1: Resilience Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. Related to the built environment, it describes the design strategies that can help buildings or communities survive natural or human caused disasters, and to thrive in their aftermath. In this podcast we reflect on our experiences with hurricanes Harvey and Irma and explore the resilient design strategies that will allow our projects to support their communities during times of crisis.

Congratulations to the Knox project team for delivering the first newly constructed campus facility since the early 70's and important part of the Knox College commitment to liberal arts education. "Our new building is a delight...designed for teaching multiple art disciplines, the abundance of light-filled open work areas, studio space, and a gallery-like two-story critique hall enhance student learning and imagination. It also directly impacts our effectiveness as teachers and promotes student’s ability to think of themselves as artists, not just students.” - Mark Holmes, Associate...

Ask “why did the chicken crossed the road?” and you’ll likely hear a common answer, “to get to the other side”. This may be true, but it's only part of the story. Aristotle described four “causes” that govern the process for change. Not only is the “why” or Final Cause important, but also the “what” (Material Cause) and the “how” (Formal Cause and Efficient Cause) Aristotle and his peers saw single events happening for diverse reasons. This is a useful framework, providing the ability to see a problem from multiple “causes” rather than just one. For example, using this framework: Why did the...

A group of Lake|Flatonians traveled to Orlando, Florida recently to participate in this year’s AIA Conference on Architecture. This year’s theme was “Anticipate” – what it means to anticipate need and change in architecture and design. The profession has encountered challenges around climate change , diversity , and social consciousness in recent history, so it was interesting to overlay those discussions with the conference theme. Perhaps the most anticipated conference event was Michelle Obama in her first public appearance since leaving the White House in January. Her keynote speech was...