Working From Home – Hapa Collaborative

This has been one big learning experience – about the world, our profession, technology and most importantly ourselves. How will the concept of work transform in the future? What about play? What changes do we expect to see in public realm design? Covid_19’s implications are yet to manifest themselves in our built environment, and we are paying close attention to the developments. One thing is for sure – integrating technology and data into our workflow and decision-making process is crucial, as is engaging digitally with the public.

We have also been getting better at connecting digitally with each other. Most of us have not shared a physical space in over a month, but we seem to have gotten even closer since we moved to working from home. With a bit of adjustment, new workflows and VPN tutorials (thanks Ryan!), we learned some personal things about each other too…  for example, we found out that Pengfei bakes something delicious every day and confirmed that Lukas likes to wear many hats (figuratively AND literally).

To add a thousand more words, we present you with everyone’s remote workspace – each one as unique as the Hapster that occupies it. Welcome to 15 locally distributed Hapa Collaborative locations around greater Vancouver area (in alphabetical order). If you’re talking to one of us, there’s a good chance we are sitting right (t)here.

Annie

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Working from home has been great for the most part besides the communication hurdles. Special perks? I can wear PJ bottoms and take breaks on my own time.

Allie

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Most of the objects in this photo are gifts from friends and family, near and far. It’s nice being surrounded by these little physical reminders during this time of social distance; it helps the distance seem less distant.

Breanna

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Working surrounded by plants and listening to music without the headphones has been a perk but I do miss the walk to and from the office.

Glenis

ASSOCIATE

My work-from-home set up is complete with toddler tantrums, “Robert Plant” the bird of paradise, bum pillow, crystals, our former dining room table, laundry basket, crib and polka dot play tent. Not gonna lie, working from home and balancing childcare has been tough; days are endless and sometimes I work into the night, but more family time has definitely been a plus.

Joe

PRINCIPAL

This is the original Hapa studio where it all started with me, Sarah and Katherine Wimble, so it’s great to return to our roots. No commuting and developing a new routine with family is very nice.

Kevin

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Working at home has been a lesson in adaptation. Connecting and collaborating digitally has presented its challenges to be met with new tools and skills. After some rearranging and calibration my hallway has become my studio and boardroom – somewhere between bedroom and kitchen is now “work”, and it works. It also has the special perk of feline company and snacks aplenty. No complaints there.

Lukas

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

I enjoy having a short commute to work when it rains, and having an easy time picking what to wear to work.

Linda

CONTROLLER

It took some adjusting to working from home and full time childcare, but it’s doable.  Overall, I appreciate that we have our family, health and a job to do during this time.  It can difficult to focus when you are constantly being interrupted by a 3 year old, it just feels like the new norm.  I do love that I can work in my comfy clothes.

Mingjia

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Since working from home, my days feel much longer, and I actually work more since I don’t have to commute or go out and buy lunch! I also feel like I’m working on low-energy consumption mode since I don’t eat as many snacks as I do in the office! The biggest perk for me is that I can take a nap when I feel like I need to refresh my brain.

Peggy

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

My office sits between the fridge and front door, which means constant easy access to both food and fresh air. My snacking intake has increased significantly in this new work from home situation!

Pengfei

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Working under the same roof with an architect (my husband) saves me from some email sending. When I need to pose questions to the project architect, I will ask him first and he can answer most of them without much context…

Ryan

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

My apartment has a nook between the living room and kitchen that works as an office. The biggest perks are the personal balcony with a view to the river and and an espresso machine in the kitchen.

Sarah

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Getting to spend more time with my family… sometimes a perk, sometimes not 😉

Slava

VISUAL DESIGNER

I have repurposed our den into my personal hq – it has a door, which helps keep things in and out. I am enjoying the flexibility and ingenuity of our team, as we find ways to collaborate and bring laughs despite the distance.

Tatum

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

Our dining table is now my desk, though to be honest it didn’t see much dining use before anyway. I like to turn my desk to face different ways on different days. It makes zoom meetings with collaborators more fun. They never know what part of my apartment they’ll see! Plus, the act of physically moving my desk in to ‘work’ position, and then putting it back against the wall at the end of the day helps with that much needed life/work balance that is now even more important. One of my favourite perks of being at home so much is being so aware of all the new growth on my house plants – and sneaking in some gardening at lunch time.