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A Poem on Care by Anna Sullivan

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Anna Sullivan is a Senior Associate and Senior Architect at HTA Design. Anna is a member of the LGBTQ+ group at HTA Design, and has expressed her views on 'care' with the below poem.

I care about what I do. I care about the way I do it. I care about the people I work with. I care about the people affected by what I do. I care about what the resident will feel from their home. 

I don’t care to pollute the world. I don’t care for lazy design. I don’t care to see people undervalued. I don’t care to see my profession undervalued. I don’t care for bullies. 

I take pride in my work. I take pains over my work. I make myself vulnerable with creative expression. I want the Chippie to get job satisfaction. I encourage the young Architect to challenge herself. 

I wonder what’s the point sometimes. I despair sometimes. I hate to set aside something good. I feel strongly because homes matter. 

For some it will be home, for some it’s about people. For some it’s just a site, for others it’s a real site. For some it matters, for some it’s just this one. 

But it matters. But you see we must think of each other. But you see we scar the earth to build. But you see we must touch the earth lightly. But you see we must think of those before and after. 

 

I care about what I do, and the way I do it. I care that people give their best and enjoy the giving. I care that the decisions made become tomorrow’s childhood memories.  

I don’t care to leave people out. I don’t care to hear it’s not what was done before when it’s what we’re doing now. I don’t care to lose the heart of a place. 

I take pride in crafting a spatial experience. I enjoy sharing the journey with the enthusiastic. I look forward to delivering something they’ll like. 

I wonder if everyone has heard the residents. I worry it falls through the cracks. I hate the stress when I sow on stony ground. I hate the greed. 

For some it matters their street is to be smashed up. For some it’s a frightening place to be at night. For some the promise of change is hollow, for others it is hope. 

But it’s not right to be casual, to ignore, to be a victor. But it is right to be thoughtful and include. But sustainable design is right, and these are my instructions. 

I care about what I do. I care about the way I do it. I care about the people I work with. I care about the people affected. I care about the resident in their home.


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