From the Desk of an Architect: Michael Malone, FAIA
Michael Malone, FAIA, shares his home office and tips for working from home this week for "From the Desk of an Architect"!
What is your favorite/most meaningful object at your workspace?
I think having my personal library at hand is very nice. It’s reassuring to look at the books I have collected over six decades and know that there are things more permanent than the situation we find ourselves in now.
What are your tips for staying productive while working from home?
I find that I am well prepared for work from home in terms of my personal productivity. For all of my career, especially since founding my firm, I have worked out my design ideas in sketchbooks at home, done my writing at my home computer, and made numerous calls while traveling in my car or on breaks from the office. The hardest part is doing the collaborative work with our staff. I can’t be there in real time to see what they are doing and offer ideas and suggestions.
How are you staying connected to your team? To your clients?
Ten days ago I had never participated in an online video conference call using any kind of software. Since Wednesday the 18th, when I did my first Zoom call, I have completed 19 (yes, I am keeping count). We use it both with staff calls and with clients. It has been a very useful tool and completely changed my perception of working remotely.
If you had a problem when the rest of your remote team was offline, how would you go about solving it?
Not sure yet but having a third-party IT consultant has given me real peace of mind.
What’s your biggest concern about working remotely?
Maintaining quality of our design work without direct collaboration.
What would be on your playlist of top 5 go-to songs for work? Have a favorite Spotify playlist for work?
Copeland, always Copeland.
How do you unwind after working from home?
Walk my beloved dogs, Rosie and Violet. I do it every night, weather permitting, and it gives me the release I need when I am coming home from my back house or the office.
How are you staying active?
See above. It’s all about three-mile dog walks.
Any tips for maintaining balance and separating work from home-life?
No tips yet. Still figuring it out. I have two kids who are normally in college now working from home. My senior in high school is also trying to do online classes. Add to that, my wife Amy works from home daily. We have five people working at our house right now and it’s going fine, but definitely different. Never thought we’d all be home for an extended period not during a school break. Guess that’s a real plus.
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