Don't Wait...DO

Samuel Mockbee has created a huge impact with the program he was able to build at Auburn University, The Rural Studio. Not sitting back and waiting for politicians to make a change, but instead using his abilities and education in the field of architecture to make the impact on his own terms. By using the knowledge and tools we have been given during our education, we have the power to create change in our communities no matter how small or large in scale. We see The Rural Studio at a larger scale being able to design and build affordable housing for specific areas in need, but even we, as new graduates, can use the knowledge we have learned to begin to make change. 

Personally, all the skills I have gained through our own CommunityBUILD program will give me the opportunity to begin to make change in the future. Being able to work with your hands and having experience connecting with community members is a valuable asset to have. During the build studio, we were able to use our resources and skills give Title 1 students the opportunity to learn about architecture and making something with their hands at such a young age. An opportunity that they would likely have never been given had we not prioritized the user. Following school being able to use these skills to do something as small as building a park bench or raised beds for a community garden to aid those who are trying to better serve the community is just the beginning of the impact we could make. Keeping these things in mind as we transition into the working world of architecture is critical. We have the power to take a stance and make a change, its up to us to use our titles as architects for something much more than designing another building around the block.