A Decade of Firsts
From a “watershed moment” to a decade of firsts…
Here we are on the eve of 2020 – I can’t believe I’m marking the end of Watershed’s first decade! It feels like yesterday that we launched this new, experimental business, hoping to prove that green building could be pragmatic, affordable, beautiful, and accessible, in south Alabama.
Watershed was founded with the idea that the recession could become a “watershed moment”, an opportunity to turn away from wasteful building and development practices and chart a better course. Since our founding, we’ve sought out projects that had the potential to reframe what’s possible. To that end, our first 10 years have been a decade of “firsts.”
These “firsts” are not an end in themselves. They challenge norms, raise expectations, and thereby transform the market.
Each “first” demonstrates the leadership of our clients, helping them to pursue their mission and to tell their story. For many of our clients, this has also been their first experience with green building, and for some, their first experience working with an architect.
The most rewarding aspect of our architectural practice is the opportunity to dream with our clients, to imagine the possibilities for their new business, new mission, or new life as a family, empty nesters, or retirees. Our plans have been used to launch businesses, and even to propose marriage! We take this very seriously – it’s a huge responsibility and privilege to design the vessel for a new phase of business or of life.
As Watershed enters 2020, and our second decade, I am filled with gratitude for the projects we’ve been able to support through our consulting and education, the projects we’ve been able to plan and create through our architectural practice, and the relationships we’ve formed with our clients and community.
In the spirit of giving back, we are rolling out a series of workshops in 2020, intended to help every building support a healthy lifestyle and a healthy environment. Stay tuned for information on local sessions for realtors, homeowners, organizations, and businesses.
If this decade of firsts is a foundation, I can’t wait to see what we can build in the next ten years!
Happy New Year, and Cheers to 2020!
Click to learn more:
1st LEED school in Baldwin County
1st LEED school in Fairhope
1st LEED home in South Alabama
1st LEED home in Central Alabama
1st LEED Fellow in Alabama
1st Living Building Ambassador
1st Fitwel Ambassador in Alabama
1st Certified Backyard Wildlife Habitats in Fairhope
1st Fortified Commercial buildings in the world
1st SITES hotel in the world
1st SITES project in Alabama
1st Living Building Challenge project in Alabama
1st Zero Energy Ready Home in South Alabama