These Things Are Hard

In September 1962, with these words, President John F. Kennedy challenged Americans to “embrace a new frontier, to dig deep and invoke their pioneer spirit, to choose their destiny rather than have it chosen for them.”  The times were difficult – the Soviets had launched the first satellite, America seemed to be losing the Space Race, and our prestige had been damaged by the Bay of Pigs fiasco.  Soon, we would be at the brink of nuclear calamity.  The result of the speech, however, was simply remarkable; a goal-setting vision that literally launched the US into the Space Age as leaders of the world’s technological future.

Kennedy’s “Moonshot” challenge rose out of innovations from the previous decade.  At the end of WWII, the government and Douglas Aircraft created the RAND Corporation (“Research and Development”) to work on solving a wide variety of the world’s problems. Its self-declared mission is “to help improve policy and decision making through research and analysis, using its core values of quality and objectivity.”  The new term “R & D” embraced the swell of progress at a pace unknown.

Today, we are challenged by so many issues – it’s difficult to maintain focus!  While we in the development community can’t solve everything, the one area we can provide leadership in is housing innovation.  Even within this specialized focus, there are numerous sub-topics to champion, including affordability, community planning, energy-consciousness, resistance to climate effects, and more.

WHA’s R&D Studio, which we call WHAt’s Next, is challenged with shaping the future of housing, based on the core values of quality and objectivity.  We look for innovative solutions to density that maintain open space and privacy (especially important in this COVID-19 world); conceptualize development patterns that allow residents to seamlessly participate in their community; and develop new construction techniques that enhance efficiency, cost, and time.  We are envisioning a near-future that’s less car-dependent; considering the reclamation of under-utilized retail into new town centers; and closely following the ever-changing regulatory requirements.  Our Studio features our young leaders, who have such a stake and ability to shape their future.

WHAt’s Next provides a platform for collaboration to envision trends, brainstorm solutions, and contemplate societal changes.  It is remarkable to see the results of this diverse team of creative people, putting their heads together, to make magic.

Yes, these times are hard, and these problems are hard.  But we are American problem solvers with determination and vision that tomorrow will be better than today.  As we work together, I think in about ten years’ time, we will look back on our remarkable achievements spurred on by these challenges.

I can’t wait!