Why I created MOA Architecture
Growing up, I loved to draw. My love for art is what sparked my interest in architecture because it could bring my drawings to life. The idea of drawing a building, and six months later being able to walk into it and touch it, was thrilling. It still is.
What I didn't fully understand when I chose architecture was that designing space is about much more than creating a beautiful and functional building. In my 19-year career, I have learned that design has the power to shape how we experience life as individuals and communities.
The weight of that realization led me to a turning point last year. I decided to create a firm where I – and others who feel the responsibility of improving lives and communities - could design freely toward that end.
I opened the doors to MOA Architecture, Inc. in October 2019. My initials – MOA – are part of the name because it was important to me that three core values guide us in our approach to projects.
Listening
Our first priority on any project is to listen. We meet with our clients several times, walk the project site with them, and check for understanding before we begin to think about a design.
We encourage our clients to include all voices impacted by the project in the design process. When the vision is not yet defined, we convene a charrette – a collaborative session to define the challenge, discuss ideas, and discover the ultimate solution.
The Echo Theater project came to us earlier this year. The building has a long and troubled history in the community, and the owners want to turn the building into a community center that celebrates diversity.
There are many important voices involved in redesigning the building, and the end-user of the space is the broader community of Laurens, South Carolina. So, we started with a charrette, listening to why this project is important to them and the community.
Once the vision was more clearly articulated, we were equipped to face the challenge of marrying the function and modern components and features of the building with the historical value.
Relationships
I find that relationships built around a project are short-lived. But relationships built on mutual trust and understanding continue long after a project is completed.
The process of active listening in the beginning of our client relationships builds trust between us. It creates a confidence in one another and a bond and a long-term relationship.
Whether standing in the lobby waiting for a meeting to start or enjoying lunch together, I build my knowledge for the project and strengthen our relationship with our clients. Every conversation matters in designing an idea to reality.
Changing the World for the Better
It is important to us that our designs make the world better by:
Creating inclusive spaces and communities.
Architecture can be used to separate, or it can be used to welcome and include. Our designs welcome and include.
We take the client's wants and needs and create a design to make every visitor feel natural and comfortable. We incorporate the culture of the community into the design process. Ease of access, colors and textures, and signage into public spaces make a difference in feeling like you are welcome in a building.
Making sustainability a top priority.
We understand that our designs directly impact the well-being of our planet. We use creative land planning, energy efficient daylighting, and sustainable materials to ensure lower consumption of resources and less waste.
We like to help clients choose a location on the site that gives the appropriate visual impression and minimizes impact to the natural environment. For example, choosing natural materials like wood and stone helps the Camp Daniels building at South Carolina State University feel naturally placed.
Clients and Partners
It's been a busy and rewarding first year as the founder and CEO of MOA Architecture, and I am looking forward to many more. Our partners and clients have made this first year possible. We thank each of you and look forward to many more projects together.
CASA Family Systems
City of York, South Carolina
Boulevard Consulting Group
Northside Traders, LLC
Sodexo
South Carolina State University 1890 Research and Extension
Starbucks
The Echo Project
Join our Journey
I invite you to join MOA Architecture, Inc. on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We would love to have you with us.
Michael Allen is the founder and CEO of MOA Architecture, Inc. He is a Liberty Fellow (Class of 2014) and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.