Ella Howard, Associate Professor, History, Wentworth
The FutureLab is kicked off with Ella Howard [Wentworth], who has deep expertise in urban renewal, suburban growth, gentrification, and the roles these played in public health in the past, and how they may reshape the future. She brings the power of historical thinking and exploration of past public health disasters to the present, what lessons were learned, which forgotten and how they can inform our current COVID-19 crisis.
Dave Mareira, Executive-in-Residence, Business Management, Wentworth + Partner, Roadrunner
Ella Howard, Associate Professor, History, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #2 Ella Howard [Wentworth] explores with Dave Mareira [Wentworth/Roadrunner] how COVID-19 has impacted communities and neighborhoods in Boston. Dave Mareira is a community and political activist and shares how the State and local governments have responded to the crisis, and what communities themselves are doing to support their neighbors and create systems to combat inequalities and care for each other.
Inez von Weitershausen, Research Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Monique Fuchs, Associate Vice President, Innovation + Entrepreneurship, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #3 Inez von Weitershausen [MIT] shares with Monique Fuchs [Wentworth] what the Work of the Future may look like and what key aspects are at play to consider interactions between humans and machines, humans and work, and humans and humans during COVID-19 and beyond. Inez von Weitershausen has researched at Sloan School of Business for the Good Jobs, Good Companies initiative and focuses on cross-national differences around training, education and re-skilling. She encourages younger generations entering the workforce to innovate, remove inequalities highlighted during the crisis, and invest in social impact.
Greg Friedman, Vice President, Leadership/ Organization Development + Analytics, Paraxel
Monique Fuchs, Associate Vice President, Innovation + Entrepreneurship, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #4 Monique Fuchs [Wentworth] discusses with Greg Friedman [Paraxel] how COVID-19 impacted effective collaboration and communication across organizations and what new work models have been created – and may be here to stay – as a result of this crisis. Greg Friedman is a thought leader when it comes to organization design and uncarving talent. He shares, which competencies the workforce is relying on now and which will continue to be needed after-COVID and what organizational innovations may be plausible in the future.
Larry Chan, Principal, Chan Architecture + Urban Planning
Anne-Catrin Schultz, Associate Professor, Architecture, Wentworth
In FutureLab Talk #5 Larry Chan, from Chan Architecture & Urban Planning, took us through a discussion on urban design and planning. The discussion focused on the effects of social distancing and increasing space as well as defining the limits of urban design in order to keep cities accessible to those from lower incomes, age and those who have immigrated into the United States. Larry’s keys to re- entering and designing cities require will, creativity, and funding. Larry has a wealth of interdisciplinary insights and philosophical underpinnings when approaching cities and urban planning and he provided thought-provoking concepts.
Tom van Arman, Founder & Director, TAPP/Netherlands
In FutureLab Talk #6 Tom van Arman [TAPP] shares smart city solutions especially in light of COVID-19. He is an architect and urbanist based in Amsterdam who works with local governments, industry leaders, and maker-communities to create living labs. In 2010 Tom founded Tapp, an award winning agency enabling local governments and industries to become leaders in bottom up digital revolution. Using agile and lean start-up methodologies, Tapp works with public and private partners to rapid prototype solutions to solve urgent urban problems. In 2018 Tom co-founded CITIXL (City Innovation Exchange Lab) to share solutions with municipal partners from around the world. By utilizing living-labs, city officials can reduce risks and costs while empowering their citizens to co-create easy, simple and effective solutions for a more participatory process to think, create, share and nurture future cities.
Kristian Kloeckl, Associate Professor of Design, Northeastern University
Monique Fuchs, Associate Vice President, Innovation + Entrepreneurship, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #7 Monique Fuchs [Wentworth] connects with Kristian Kloeckl [Northeastern University] on the convergence of workplace design and the public realm before COVID-19 and how it may influence our connected and interdisciplinary environments in the future. Kristian serendipitously published his new book “Urban Improvise” just before the crisis emerged and it has now more relevancy than ever. Times of disruption always carry the opportunity and perhaps accelerate experimentation and iteration, which is precisely what improvisations are about.
Lynette Panarelli, Associate Professor of Interior Design, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #8 Lynette Panarelli shares how architecture and interior design firms have responded to the rapidly changing design needs in the wake of the pandemic and the future of the industry. From sneeze guards to mudrooms, Lynette showed some real-world examples of how architecture firms everywhere are acting quickly to try to adapt workspaces to address new social distancing guidelines. Lynette’s examples demonstrated the close link between the development of apps and software that coordinate spatial use and occupancy patters with the configuration of furniture and spaces that keep the workforce safe. She also discussed the need for innovative, permanent solutions rather than a sole reliance on reactionary design. Lynette commented on the need for innovators and on how the architecture and design industry is sought after as it is in high demand to support companies and businesses transitioning and adapting their workspaces.
Taylor Cain, Director, Housing Innovation Lab, City of Boston
Wandy Pascoal, Housing Innovation Lab Design Fellow, City of Boston
Monique Fuchs, Associate Vice President, Innovation + Entrepreneurship, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #9 Monique Fuchs [Wentworth] welcomes Taylor Cain and Wandy Pascoal [City of Boston] to discuss some of the housing challenges Boston is facing such as: Aging in place, mixed use housing, multi-generational housing, navigating socio-economic divisions and challenges to secure housing and current regulations. They also discuss an ongoing project the FutureDecker, which is re-envisioning the Triple Decker as a housing/living unit. This project took place in collaboration with Prof. John Ellis’s Architecture studio at Wentworth in the Spring of 2019 and will be expanded through other workshops in the City.
José Manuel dos Santos, Head of Design and User Experience, Signify
Monique Fuchs, Associate Vice President, Innovation + Entrepreneurship, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #10 Jose Manuel dos Santos [Signify] shares with Monique Fuchs [Wentworth] future scenarios around cities and living and working from home, what challenges it may entail, how we can learn from other cultures and their living arrangements and seek inspiration in nature. Jose has significant international experience and is passionate about design education and entrepreneurship. He has incubated lighting innovations for Signify around our interactions with light defining how light will impact our everyday life at home, at work or in public spaces.
Disclaimer: The opinions and thinking expressed are those of Jose dos Santos as a Designer and citizen, and not as the Head of Design of Signify. No inference will be taken, or connection established to opinions expressed and those of the company or any of its members.
Andrea Burns, Director, Age Strong Boston, City of Boston
Anne-Catrin Schultz, Associate Professor, Architecture, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #11 Andrea Burns [City of Boston] joined Anne-Catrin Schultz [Wentworth] to discuss the initiative to build an age – friendly Boston. She shared initiatives such as intergenerational housing where graduate students and recent college graduates are matched to an affordable, multi-generational home. This initiative contributes to both parties having affordable housing and helps address some of the issues around isolation of elder populations. Although COVID-19 has exploited the issues that many communities face, it has challenged the community to accelerate work in making sure the aging adults of Boston are not shut out and left behind. Innovations in technology can still leave some behind which is why projects such as cooking classes and Boston Public School art exchange are critical to helping older adults maintain connections with their community.
Ami Bowen, Director of Community Relations, Harbor Health Community Health Center
Monique Fuchs, Associate Vice President, Innovation + Entrepreneurship, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #12 Ami Bowen [Harbor Health] discusses with Monique Fuchs [Wentworth] the accessibility of community healthcare, social determinants of health, and the barriers preventing individuals from receiving proper and consistent healthcare. While COVID-19 has only highlighted disparities, Ami shares how telehealth is an alternative with limitations and how the future of care could look like on a local level. Harbor Health Community Health Center was the first of its kind in the nation considering a more holistic approach to health care and creating greater accessibility to health care services while giving greater consideration to barriers impacting overall well-being such as nutrition, transportation, affordable housing.
Cynthia Williams, Assistant Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #13 Cynthia Williams [Wentworth] discusses the effects of globalization and COVID-19 on resiliency and what it means to be sustainable. It is imperative to be able to serve our needs now without compromising the future. Cynthia is also the Director for Sustainability across the Colleges of the Fenway and reiterates how critical sustainability initiatives that are holistically focused and inclusive of underserved communities while activating creativity and adaptability.
Leon David, Massachusetts Senator’s Office
CJ Valerus, Farmers Collaborative
Monique Fuchs, Associate Vice President, Innovation + Entrepreneurship, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #14 Leon David [MA Senator’s Office] and CJ Valerus [Farmers Collaborative] share with Monique Fuchs [Wentworth] the impact community farming can have on the urban fabric, healing neighborhoods, creating connections, collaborating across organizations and educating residents. The Farmers Collaborative has developed community gardens and offers workshops to residents with a vision to eliminate food insecurity and increasing access. Especially during COVID-19 these initiatives have been a lifeline and connection hub for many neighbors.
Maarouf Barry, Co-Founder, Eleis Farms, Guinea/Senegal, Africa + BSM Student Wentworth
Monique Fuchs, Associate Vice President, Innovation + Entrepreneurship, Wentworth
In the FutureLab Talk #15 Monique Fuchs [Wentworth] discusses with Maarouf Barry [Eleis Farms + Wentworth] his ventures in Senegal and Guinea focused on agriculture, cooperative farming and, most recently, urban farming solutions. During COVID-19 the original focus of Eleis Farms, the production of palm oil for the African diaspora, was inhibited due to disrupted supply chains. As a result, the team started pivoting to offering farming tables and collaborating with the Senegalese government to support the Green Wall project.
Carlos Vargas, Independent agent, Vargas and Vargas Insurance, Former President, Lower Mill Merchant Association
Greg Affsa, Director, Accelerate, Lead/Coach, FutureLab
In the FutureLab Talk #16 Carlos Vargas [Vargas and Vargas Insurance/Lower Mills Merchant Association] explains how consumer behaviors are changing due to COVID-19 and why quick adaptation to new circumstances is a key to sustaining business. Carlos has been the past President of the Lower Mills Merchants Association in Dorchester and shares how important local connections and strong relationships are to not only building a business, but also adapting to changes during these times, and fully understanding the community’s needs while serving them well.
Travis Underwood, Principal & Engagement Manger, Chopwood Mercantile
Greg Affsa, Director, Accelerate, Lead/Coach, FutureLab
In the FutureLab Talk #17 Travis Underwood [Chopwood Mercantile] joined Greg Affsa [Wentworth] to discuss how COVID-19 is shaping the retail experience both as a consumer and as a business owner. Alongside consumer trends shifting to support local businesses, he talks about how post-COVID consumers will seek out their smaller, local retailers to both support the community and to connect with community members. Travis talks about the power of brand and storytelling. Word of mouth and businesses living by a set of values foster stronger connections and trust with consumers.