The catch: we only had ONE month to collect everything a family would need in a new home … EVERYTHING! So, with only one month to coordinate everything, we hit the ground running!

To get the ball rolling, and to remind people of the commitment we made as a firm, I set up boxes labeled for each room or section of the apartment that would need to be furnished and stocked. With the boxes placed strategically in our lobby, I knew everyone would pass them daily and be reminded of their donation duty. There was no way they could miss ‘em!

As the weeks passed, we watched the boxes began to fill more and more.

While it was great to see that we had all these small items, we also needed to somehow obtain every piece of large furniture for the entire apartment! And that’s where The Furniture Trust (TFT) came in to save the day! If you don’t already know who they are – you need to, because their mission is amazing.

TFT is a non-profit that reinvests unwanted office furnishings back into the community. As a socially and environmentally responsible way of disposing excess office furniture, TFT gives furniture that would otherwise be disposed of to those who are in need. While many of their clients include schools and local businesses, I realized that partnering with them on this Up & Out could turn out to be a great benefit to all involved!

Prior to move day, I accompanied members of TFT to an inventory check at a recently vacated space. That’s where the fun really began! It was like walking into a ghost town. There were signs that life once existed – shoes, clothes, live plants, food, and even personal photos still attached to bulletin boards above desks. Even more alarming was that I was able to claim anything I wanted! I remember asking TFT every time I found something new, “Can the family take this?” and each time I got the same answer, “Yes! Anything you want – it’s yours!” Bless them for being patient and understanding of my excitement!
Roaming the floor I couldn’t believe how many pieces of furniture had great potential for a home environment. All-in-all I walked away with the following items:

• A couch and reclining chair (both from IKEA – they had seen better days, but I knew a quick trip to Ikea for new covers would make these bad-boys brand new!)
• A matching 3-piece coffee table and side table set with glass tops
• 3 different sized tables for the dining room (Don’t judge — we hadn’t seen the apartment yet, and I wanted to make sure we had options!)
• 2 rolling file cabinets with soft seat cushions attached to the top (I thought they would be perfect as a toy storage/seating option in the kid’s room!)
• An Ikea buffet table (This thing was huge! I didn’t know if it would fit, but HAD to take it…)
• White boards and bulletin boards
• Magazine rack
• A floor lamp and a desk/table lamp
• A giant wall clock
• A live plant
• A Bean-bag chair
• A lacrosse stick
• A ceramic Rooster (not kidding!)

To say the least, I got some pretty interesting looks on the Red line as I hugged a giant wall clock and lacrosse stick all the way back to MPA’s office.

After this trip, I realized we were in great shape – now all we needed was furniture for the bedrooms! Que the luck (again!), because Senior Associate John Pearson’s wife works for Circle Furniture. After a few emails and phone calls, we were the proud recipients of a beautiful bed for the mother’s room, and a dresser for the little girl’s room.

Piecing together a few loose ends, I knew we were in the homestretch to the big day and reveal.

With everything we had already accomplished there was still one more critical thing we had to do: we had yet to meet the family. So, with only one week left, we finally got the news we had been waiting for – our Up & Out efforts were going to jump-start a new chapter to the lives of a 25-year old mother and her 3-year old daughter.

When we finally met and sat down with the mother and her daughter at Heading Home’s office, I realized that what she had gone through was so far beyond anything I could have imagined. She explained the physical and emotional toll that homelessness had taken on her. The mother cried as she told her and her daughter’s story. She detailed the fear she experienced as a parent just trying to provide for her daughter, and the feeling of inadequacy while being unable to give or provide enough. With tears in her eyes, she emphasized her simple main goal in life: to be the best parent she could and give her daughter a life that every 3-year old deserves.

In her short 3-year life, this little girl had never had a home to call her own. And now, the wait was over. Now, she was going to have a home, and her own room. I couldn’t have been happier that we were going to be able to give them a home of which they had always dreamed and prayed.

Sunday  |  April 1, 2012   |  MOVE DAY!

Having loaded the delivery truck the day before with everything that had been donated and collected – from small toiletries, to toys and books to all furniture – the truck arrived at the family’s new apartment. We knew we only had three hours to get in, set up, and get out: the race was finally on.

The apartment is roughly 650 square feet. Despite its small size, we happily fit almost 25 people in there – all running here and there trying to help in any way they could while preparing the home for the family’s arrival.

I’m not going to lie – I thought we were going to cruise with 25 people helping, but it took the full three hours we had to get the job done! There is so much that goes into getting a first home set up. We cleaned everything, assembled and arranged furniture in each room, filled drawers and shelves with supplies, grocery shopped, filled the refrigerator and cupboards, decorated and applied finishing touches, and cleaned again.

And then, before we knew it, we were in our positions – just waiting for the mother and daughter to walk through the door and realize their new home was all ready for them.

Once the mother and daughter had been shown their new home room by room, we all began to file out. Our job here was done. But just before I walked out through the front door, I turned around one last time only to see the mother holding her daughter in her arms, crying. They were so deserving of a good life and finally they were where they belonged – home.

It was truly a day no one will forget. The ability and power to change someone’s life by contributing your time and effort is such an amazing thing.

Now, April 1st is not just reserved for MPA’s anniversary. It will also forever be the day that this family got a fresh start on a new life in their new home.

To see all the action that took place on the day of the Up & Out, please visit our Facebook album.

My mother, Jodi DeMuth, was diagnosed with Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC) when I was two years old. 

PBC is an autoimmune disease that affects the liver and causes excessive and irreversible scarring over time – often resulting in liver failure or the need for a transplant. For my mom, the disease’s progress has been slow. With the help of some great doctors, most notably Dr. Marshall Kaplan at Tufts Medical Center, she has kept the worst of symptoms manageable and her overall health – and quality of life – fairly good. However, in the last couple of years, things have started to get worse quickly. She’s exhausted all the time. A day with her grandkids or a long night of calls as a midwife, delivering babies, are enough to send her to bed for 48 hours. As she struggles with fatigue, abdominal inflammation, and severe itchiness, among many other side effects, her ability to truly live her life is diminishing.

Jodi’s liver function is rapidly deteriorating. Over the last year, we’ve started to talk more and more about something that always loomed on the horizon: a liver transplant. In September, my mother officially became “listed” as a candidate for liver transplant at Massachusetts General Hospital. After 23 years, it’s kind of surreal that we’re here.

Her best odds of getting a healthy liver and having a smooth recovery come from a live donor transplant. A live donor transplant allows her to have the surgery before it becomes a life or death necessity. When you have a willing donor, it is a great option. And Jodi has not one but eight willing donors–three siblings, three kids, one brother-in-law, and one son-in-law who are all blood type matches. A self-titled “Gang of eight” family members have already inundated the staff at MGH with donor-registration materials.

To this selfless crew, the decision to be considered for donation was not a question, but a necessity in order to see Jodi live and thrive.

Of course, live donor transplant is a major surgery with a difficult recovery for both the donor and the recipient, keeping each out of work for several months. It also takes a financial toll, costing upwards of $600,000 in surgical expenses in addition to ongoing costs for medication and treatment that will last the rest of Jodi’s life.

Even so, it was not a question in my mind to be part of this infamous “Gang of Eight.” I am part of what I consider an elite group including some of the most caring, generous and loving people I have ever been honored to know. It is also important for all of us to make the best of this situation, relying on both humor as well as love to guide us. We find strength in being connected and unified; our entire family is optimistic on what will come about over the course of the next several months. Knowing that there are people that care about Jodi as much as I do is genuinely reassuring. Everyone is looking at the same goal; to see Jodi happy and healthy.

This month, my mother left her midwifery practice in York, Maine for an extended medical leave. After a long career of “catching babies”, she is no longer working as a midwife. Jodi is loved and admired by the many family, friends, and patients whose lives she has touched with her gentle strength, generosity, and presence. A bond between a mother and child is something that she knows all too well. Throughout her twenty years of being a midwife, she has brought life into the world for hundreds of families in the seacoast area of southern Maine and New Hampshire. Jodi has also had three children of her own, as well as two grandchildren. As her youngest child and baby of the family, I can say that she has taught me the world and made me the person I am today; nothing is more important than seeing her receive the same life that she has given me.

My mother expects to undergo surgery in 2012. The “gang of eight” has started the process of a medical work-up to identify the best donor candidate, and family and friends are on the edge of their seats waiting to hear the outcome. As she prepares for her transplant, Jodi is both grateful for the full life she has lived and hopeful for the future.  Jodi is surrounded by a loving and supportive network of family and friends. She is humbled by all that they have done and continue to do to help her fight back and reclaim her life from this disease. 

We have been overwhelmed at the support and positive feedback we’ve gotten from the community. To read an article about Jodi’s story, “Life, Love, Hope: Midwife Needs Liver Transplant” from SeaCoastOnline.com, click here.

To hear from Jodi herself, check out this wonderful and emotional video:

To make a donation, or to find out more about Jodi’s story, visit HelpHOPELive.org

To connect with other adoring fans and supporters, make sure to “Like” Jodi’s Liver Team fanpage on Facebook

My name is Sara Rebeiro. I am 27 years old and an Architectural Designer at Margulies Perruzzi Architects in Boston, Massachusetts.  Over the past 8 months, my life has changed drastically – and for the better. I met my absolute best friend, who I will be marrying on May 26th, 2012. His name is Zachary Plante – a Staff Sergeant in the US Army and  Army Ranger currently deployed in Afghanistan.

Before Zack, what I knew about war was that holidays couldn’t be the same for deployed soldiers. I figured they didn’t get the day off. But I eventually learned that soldiers, not only do not get holidays off, they don’t get sick days either. They endure things most people can’t imagine, including fighting, not just for their own lives, but for ours, too – sometimes losing their brothers and sisters in the process. Those are the days when I don’t get to talk to Zack. All I can do is hope and pray that he will call tomorrow. I never lose faith that he will come home to me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t worry.

This holiday season, I wanted to make sure Zack and his men at least enjoyed a little bit of Christmas. Together with my co-workers at Margulies Perruzzi Architects, we put together 28 Christmas stockings for some of the soldiers in Afghanistan.

After patrolling on Christmas morning, Zack got all his men together and played Santa, passing out all the stockings we had put together. Once they were passed out, Zack and his men had an hour of entertainment before they had to go back to work – hitting each other with sticky hands, enjoying the candy that was in their stockings and playing with flarp (if you don’t know what it is, definitely look it up it will give you a good laugh).

Zack said his men had a great time even if it was for a just an hour. They got to take a break from saving the world and enjoy the small things that reminded them of home. Just to know that Zack and his men enjoyed that one hour made my entire holiday.

After the sculptures are built, judged and the winners announced, the food is donated to community emergency feeding programs. Local food banks received over 2 million pounds of food in 2010 from CANstruction alone.

CANstruction is a great way to raise awareness for hunger. Some might say, “Well, why don’t you just donate the food?” My answer to them would be “By building these sculptures, it not only raises awareness, but it brings local communities together and recognizes the design communities’ efforts in helping in this cause.”

Much of the Margulies Perruzzi Architects’ staff were involved in different aspects of design. After a brainstorming meeting the team decided to construct the HOOD Milk Bottle located outside of our office. The Milk Bottle not only represents our firm’s location, but also is a widely recognized icon of Boston.

Tim Bailey and Rui Ribeiro used Google SketchUp to plan out the number of cans needed and their placement. Other team members researched which cans of food would be needed to build the structure, keeping in mind dimensions and colors.

Saturday morning, October 15, 2011, was build-out day. The construction team (Tim Bailey, Joe Flynn, Monica Moreira, Dan Perruzzi, Rui Ribeiro and I) met in the lobby of the Boston Design Center. In less than four hours we had organized, and CANstructed the HOOD Milk Bottle.

We ran into a few challenges along the way. The design was not only cylindrical, but it tapered up towards the neck of the bottle, therefore we had to place enough cans on the interior of the sculpture in order to build the neck. Because the sculpture was 8 feet tall, Tim and Rui climbed ladders and very carefully leaned into the sculpture to finish the neck of the bottle.

Throughout the construction we had our videographer, Duncan Lake, filmed the entire process (see the video above!). It is so great to be able to look back on that morning and see everyone working together to build this bottle; passing off cans, lining them up just perfectly, climbing ladders, reading plans, and drinking coffee!

By the end of the video everyone’s standing by the completed project with a new sense of teamwork and accomplishment.

CANstruction is not only a fun and interesting competition for the design industry but it raises awareness to such an important cause. It is a challenge to construct something out of canned food and it promotes team work and creative thinking in a new environment. Firms should get involved because it is a great way for colleagues to get out of the office and partake in such a fun exercise.

To see photos of all the action that took place that day, click here.

And for more information about CANstruction, or to learn how you can make a difference, visit their website or follow them on Twitter @Canstruction.

• “Mulled Cider.”
• “Anything alcoholic!”
• “Beer.”
• “Cider and Goldschlager.”
• “Eggnog (plain or spiked)”
• “Holiday spiced beer.”
• “Bailey’s on the rocks.”
• “Eggnog (the adult version).”
• “Starbucks’ Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.”
• “All of them, but if I had to pick one: Nog.”
• “Eggnog.”
• “Hot chocolate with Bailey’s.”
• “Bailey’s on ice.”
• “Irish Coffee.”
• “Martini”
• “Sherbet punch.”
• “Eggnog and rum.”
• “Eggnog.”
• “Peppermint hot chocolate with whipped cream and candy cane shavings.”
• “Hot spiced cider.”
• “Eggnog.”
• “Eggnog with Brandy.”
• “Hot chocolate.”
• “Jameson and Gingerale (it is my all year-long favorite drink!)”
• “Eggnog.”
• “Eggnog.”
• “Spiked Eggnog.”
• “Anything with alcohol in it so I can numb myself enough to muffle the sound of all the Christmas stuffed animals and toys that play Christmas songs over and over when squeezed by my kids (like Alvin & The Chipmunks singing Feliz Navidad). Just kidding, but I always start with Bud Light and finish with the foo-foo drink of some kind, like a White Russian.”

FAVORITE HOLIDAY SONG:

• “I prefer Thanksgiving, and I don’t think there really are any Thanksgiving songs … but Joni Mitchell’s ‘Circle Game’ always makes me think of Thanksgiving.”
• “Any of the Burl Ives songs that remind me of the Christmas movies growing up.”
• “ ‘Jingle Bell Rock’.”
• “ ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside’.”
• “ ‘Jingle Bells and White Christmas’.”
• “ ‘This Christmas’.”
• “ ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’.”
• “ ‘Carol of the Bells’.”
• “ ‘We Need a Little Christmas by The Muppets’.”
• “ ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ by Dean Martin.”
• “ ‘Mary, Did You Know?’ ”
• “My sister and Grandfather do a mean rendition of ‘O Holy Night’.”
• “ ‘Jingle Bell Rock’.”
• “ ‘White Christmas’.”
• “ ‘Santa Baby’.”
• “ ‘Snoopy vs. Red Baron’ by The Royal Guardsmen.”
• “ ‘All I want for Christmas’ by Mariah Carey.”
• “ ‘Silver Bells’.”
• “ ‘Christmas Wrapping’ by The Waitresses.”
• “ ‘Rocking Around the Christmas Tree’.”
• “ ‘Once In Royal David’s City’.”
• “ ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’.”
• “ ‘The Christmas Song’ by Nat King Cole.”
• “ ‘Feliz Navidad’.”
• “ ‘Dominic the Donkey’.”
• “ ‘Dreaming of a White Christmas’.”
• “ ‘Drummer Boy’.”
• “Anything other than ‘Feliz Navidad’ (by Alvin & The Chipmunks, as noted above). But seriously, I love all Christmas music, but mostly all of the classics: Bing Crosby, The Carpenters, etc.”

FAVORITE HOLIDAY RECIPE / MEAL:

• “Baked squash with apples.”
• “Prime rib.”
• “Honey Ham.”
• “My mom’s apple cranberry sauce.”
• “Rum cake!”
• “Ham dinner with gingerbread cookies.”
• “Kielbasa soaked in brown sugar and beer.”
• “Meat pie – my hometown is predominantly French Canadian, and they make a great (calorie laden) pie of pork, beef, and potatoes wrapped up in a light flaky crust. Their tradition is to make a huge batch of pies and gift them to their neighbors and friends.”
• “My mom’s carrots, with a little brown sugar, lemon juice and thyme.”
• “Homemade Christmas cookies.”
• “My Grandmother’s shortbread cookies.”
• “Any type of Christmas cookies (especially Russian Tea Cakes and especially when I get to bake them with my nephew).”
• “Mom’s chocolate and biscuit cake.”
• “Wood-fired ham.”
• “My own cranberry sauce.”
• “Christmas cookies! My favorites are the peanut butter kiss cookies.”
• “My dad’s Meat Bread – yum! … a Portuguese tradition.”
• “Feast of the Seven Fishes (adopted from Italian in-laws).”
• “My mom’s stuffed mushroom caps.”
• “Turkey, stuffing, squash, green beans, cranberry sauce, rolls.”
• “Stuffed calamari.”
• “Lasagna.”
• “There is a lot of Portuguese food cooked at my house for Christmas, so anything that falls in the category of classic Portuguese Christmas food tends to make me feel warm and fuzzy … except for octopus.”
• “My mom’s homemade fudge – don’t worry, there’ll be some at this office again this year.”
• “Rack of lamb.”
• “Seafood on Christmas Eve.”
• “The Family tradition – the turkey dinner (much like Thanksgiving) – with the associated chocolate chip cookies and brownies.”

FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION:

• “Staying up late watching Christmas cartoons on Christmas Eve.”
• “Watching the kids open their presents.”
• “Christmas Eve dinner with family and friends.”
• “Advent calendar, white lights and roping on the house, the tallest tree we can fit into the room, nutcrackers fill the family room, and candy canes on the Christmas tree.”
• “Unwrapping presents Christmas morning followed by watching basketball the rest of the day.”
• “Stocking exchange – stockings are filled with life mementos, not trinkets.”
• “Christmas morning breakfast. As kids, we opened stockings first (allow my folks to try to wake up after only a couple hours sleep). Breakfast would bake in the oven while we started opening gifts. Then, we’d break for popovers and muffins straight out of the oven.”
• “We always have an Italian Christmas Eve dinner.”
• “Decorating the tree. Least favorite: un-decorating the tree L”
• “Decorating for the holiday – especially getting the tree.”
• “Playing ‘Oh Hell’ and Poker (and always losing).”
• “Pulling Christmas Crackers after dinner.”
• “Snowy hikes in Vermont with my family.”
• “Christmas Eve party.”
• “Sitting at the top of the stairs until everyone is up to go open presents (Yes, we still do this and youngest one in my family is 20!)”
• “Opening our presents on Christmas eve.”
• “Cutting down a tree with the kids.”
• “Making pitzel cookies … my sister and I always eat them right as they are done cooking, so we usually get yelled at. It happens every year.”
• “Finding the pickle hidden in the tree to get one more gift on Christmas day.”
• “Dinner.”
• “Getting together with family.”
• “Proposed to my wife in front of the decorated tree on Boston Common December 23, 1980. We have been back every year since.”
• “Sneaking around trying to find gifts, if that can be counted as tradition.”
• “Opening my stocking from Santa. He always brings me new socks and chap-stick.”
• “Drinking eggnog and decorating the tree.”
• “Decorating the tree.”
• “Cruising around the neighborhoods to see the Christmas lights on Christmas Eve or me singing Christmas carols on home videos.”

FAVORITE HOLIDAY GIFT:

• “Definitely when I got my very first TV.”
• “My Pandora bracelet.”
• “Video game system.”
• “Fruitcake … the hard nasty kind … I love re-gifting it!”
• “Hot crossed buns that my neighbor Margie used to make; she’d bring them over to us fresh out of the oven with the glazing dripping off the edges – yum!”
• “When I was a kid, I received a Strawberry Shortcake sleeping bag AND a Cabbage Patch Kid. I fell asleep with my doll in my new sleeping bag under the tree, and I remember being over the moon about it!”
• “Ever received? Barbie’s Dream House, but more recently, hints about a surprise destination vacation … to Paris!”
• “One year my sister wrote on pretty little pieces of paper, memories we shared and they are one of my most cherished gifts.”
• “3-story, 3-piece Barbie house with all the furniture.”
•  “Snow on Christmas.”
• “Electronics.”
• “A little ceramic box my niece gave to me. She put a lot of thought into this when she was only 5 years old.”
• “My mom gave me this zebra print, fleece-like blanket one year in high school. It’s absolutely hideous, but is the warmest thing ever! That same year, she also gave me a giant frog pillow because I had just been dumped by my boyfriend and she said that the frog could be my prince charming. To this day, I still sleep with both.”
• “The Cabbage Patch Doll I got when I was 6 years old.”
• “Perfect book.”
• “Kayak, just a few years ago.”
• “As a kid: video games. As an adult: socks.”
• “Sapphire earrings from my finance. He made me open a present early this year!”
• “Anything in the stocking.”
• “Spongebob and Scooby-Doo boxers from the kids.”

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION:

• “My friend Zane’s house.”
• “Still to be determined!”
• “Home.”
• “Anywhere there is skiing!”
• “Staying home for Christmas.”
• “The tree at Rockefeller Center in New York.”
• “The Oak Room at the Copley Plaza.”
• “Mount Washington Hotel – there is nothing like an old world hotel nestled in the mountains and frosted with snow to put you in the spirit of the holidays, except of course, going for a horse drawn sleigh ride bundled in blankets and sipping hot chocolate!”
• “Mom and Dad’s house.”
• “Anywhere the snow is falling.”
• “A few years back, I went to Antigua and it was the best Christmas away from home that I have ever had.”
• “Sand Pond, my Grandparent’s lake house in Maine.”
• “Mom’s house, dining room.”
• “Vermont.”
• “New Hampshire.”
• “Home with family.”
• “My home.”
• “My parents place in New Hampshire.”
• “My Grandfather’s house in New Hampshire where we go skiing at Bretton Woods on New Year’s Day.”
• “Wherever my kids are, which is usually my house.”
• “Our house, Christmas Eve.”
• “Home.”
• “My sister’s house.”
• “St. Maarten.”
• “Going to Connecticut to see family.”
• “Snowy woods.”

FAVORITE HOLIDAY MEMORY:

• “New ones every year.”
• “Unwrapping presents in my grandparents living room as a child on Christmas Eve.”
• “Having dinner with my whole family before everyone started alternating holidays.”
• “Watching my first born come down the stairs and his eyes widen as he sees all the gifts under the tree from Santa.”
• “Sneaking a puppy into my dad’s hospital room on Christmas Eve.”
• “Growing up, I was a part of a kids, and then later an adults choir, which was accompanied by a bell choir. We would perform in various facilities across the area, the most notable being a large historic catholic church. There is nothing akin to hearing your voice and the resonations of hundreds of bells fill a space like that.”
• “When my whole family laid around in front of the fireplace watching Bob Hope’s Christmas Special. As a kid, I thought the show as boring, but I was really excited by a lively fire and being with my family.”
• “Waking up my parents super-early to come downstairs because Santa had come!”
• “Surprising my Dad for Christmas one year that he was not expecting me. I rarely see my Dad cry, but he had tears in his eyes that day.”
• “I distinctly remember sitting at the top of our stairs every year, sandwiched between my older brother and sister, waiting for my parents to wake up (and more importantly, the coffee to be ready).”
• “Dad testing out my sister’s mini electric bike at 6 am Christmas morning in his robe and PJs.”
• “Bonfire and sledding parties at our family friend’s house as a kid.”
• “Coming down the stairs to see the tree – when I was 6 years old. What a thrill!!!!”
• “When I was younger, my sisters and I would with our cousins to my Grandparent’s house to help frost cookies … we probably ate 2 cookies for every 3 we frosted!”
• “Too many to write down!”
• “This is gross, but when I was younger, my mom used to always take a picture of my face when I first saw the tree on Christmas morning. Well, I was sick one year, and as I rounded the corner to see the tree I projectile vomited everywhere. And in my state of being violently ill, all I could think about was whether or not she snapped a picture of me throwing up. She didn’t – thank goodness!”
• “Christmas Eve at my Grandparent’s house, when I was little. There are 8 of us grandchildren, and my grandparents and aunts and uncles would spoil us all. There would be so many presents spilling out from under the tree you could hardly walk into the living room. I remember staring into the room, before we sat down for dinner, with so much excitement! I was always so impatient for dinner to be over because I couldn’t wait for all of us to dive into our presents. It was always so much fun!”
• “Driving with three kids in a Volkswagen bug with hidden presents from Santa to Grandmother’s house.”
• “Watching ‘A Christmas Carol’ for the first time with my dad.”
• “Christmas Eve is a bigger deal at our house than Christmas Day, so the big family gatherings were always the best.”
• “I’d probably have to say the year I got the Cricket doll. She has a giant tape player in her back and we her sign New Kids On The Block all day. It was pretty hilarious, especially since I was about 5 and amazed I had a talking doll to begin with.”
• “Christmas dinner at Grandmother’s.”
• “Seeing the piles of presents stacked in the living room for us six kids, and then watching my own kids’ eyes light up the room when they first come down.”

FAVORITE HOLIDAY MOVIE:

• “Christmas Vacation.”
• “Elf.”
• “A Christmas Story.”
• “A Christmas Story.”
• “Home Alone.”
• “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
• “I don’t have just one – I just veg out to all the ones on Lifetime.”
• “Die Hard.”
• “Animated Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or It’s a Wonderful Life.”
• “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
• “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
• “Home Alone.”
• “Miracle on 34^th Street (both old and new).”
• “Elf and White Christmas … it’s hard to say which one I like more!”
• “Christmas Vacation! I’ve already seen it 10 times this season … followed by Elf.”
• “It’s a Wonderful Life (like there are any other choices).”
• “Elf … ‘I love smiling – it’s my favorite’.”
• “A Charlie Brown Christmas … of course!”
• “A Christmas Carol.”
• “It’s a tie – Christmas Vacation / Home Alone 2.”
• “Hands down National Lampoon’s: Christmas Vacation. They don’t make movies like they used to!”
• “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
• “(1) Scrooge, (2) It’s a Wonderful Life and (3) Elf.”

There are many Boston area organizations deserving our respect and assistance, and there is no shortage of need. United Way does a thorough review of any organization that it endorses to make sure the mission, management, and impact are up to United Way standards. For those organizations needing guidance or support to maintain the expected performance, United Way is a resource.

Equally importantly, everyone at United Way realizes that none of us can bring about important change to our community without working in partnership with each other, and United Way facilitates cooperation and dialogue between social services agencies who, together, achieve what they couldn’t separately.

United Way does a great job reminding us all that, regardless of the level of giving that we can afford, every dollar contributed toward community improvement makes Boston a better city. I’m proud that such a high percentage of the architects, designers, and staff at MPA have contributed to United Way for so many years.

I believe that we are actually making a difference. To find out more about how you can get involved with United Way of Massachusetts, click here.

For additional United Way updates and information:

• Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/supportunitedway
• Follow them on Twitter @speakunited.

This is true to an extent and there are certainly several examples that are entrenched in one camp or the other. Ultimately though, architecture as a creative act and architecture as a pragmatic and performative one, are not mutually exclusive. In fact, I believe the charge for each camp is to have a greater relationship with the other. In my work, both with MPA and as architecture faculty at Northeastern University (NEU) and the Boston Architectural College (BAC), I strive to blur these boundary lines. The goal is to develop architectural strategies that are more holistic, more relevant, and by extension simply better.

As a designer with MPA, I’ve worked on several projects at various points ranging from early schematic designs to construction details. Much of my work has been at the conceptual level where many of the strategic decisions are made on a project.  This is where conceptual, “disciplinary” thinking has the greatest potential. 

A prime example of this was work on a large office complex outside of Boston. The task was to increase the floor area of the complex by 40% and the parking by as much as 70%. Given constraints on the site, a “turn-key” sprawling solution was not desirable. An iterative process focused on conceptual thinking was used to not only achieve the needs of the client, but unlock opportunities that would otherwise not be leveraged. We looked at density, spatial hierarchy, and openspace to develop coherent forms. From a functionality standpoint, we looked at creating shorter travel distances, developing spaces for informal gathering and collaboration, and access to natural light and nature among other things. Ultimately, the goal is to help the client see how the design could not only meet their needs for space, but help them actually work better. I try to teach my students at NEU and the BAC this process of addressing real problems and constraints through innovative means.  Blurring the boundaries balances the pragmatic with a utopian desire to find new possibilities for working and living better and more responsibly. I’m excited to be a part of two academic institutions that share this sentiment. 

Northeastern’s pedagogy is grounded in the co-op whereby students work in firms and develop a well rounded understanding of how a building is built and how to ground their ideas in a viable logic. I’m currently teaching an urban housing studio where fifth-year students are developing innovative strategies that are rooted with market driven prototypes. Code, constructability, and economics all come into play as the students realize that architecture works in concert with myriad of other forces that are typically seen just in practice.

My work at the BAC shares this same spirit. I’m leading a group of students in a design-build initiative for a community center. The students are navigating political and financial processes while learning how to interact with a client and designing a facility that will anchor a community. The students are realizing that it’s a balance and that one concern can’t be sacrificed in the name of another because they’re interrelated. The design has to be both awe-inspiring and affordable. Their work needs to be code compliant, energy efficient and also inspire collaboration and civic pride. 

Ultimately in any given day, I seem to see firsthand how each side of architecture benefits from the presence of the other. In both the office and the classroom, I’m excited by the possibilities of “bridging the gap” and making architecture both more grounded and innovative at the same time.

You see, I have always been an early riser and for years I would take the orange line into Boston or drive on occasion, often arriving to work by 7:30 or earlier. For all that time I was able to avoid the major traffic, and if I took the train there was plenty of parking spaces in the train parking lots. And when I got married, my wife Joanne and I would commute together via car in the HOV lane or take the orange line, still arriving early every day to avoid the mess.

But soon enough we had kids, and after a few years of daycare it came time for public school. Little did I know what I was in for when I told my wife “Sure, you can go to work early and I’ll take the kids to school.” The result? Yup, me sitting on route 93 with a million of my fellow commuters. By this time of day all the train parking lots are full, so I can’t get to the train. And there’s no sense in taking the Express Bus, which is not at all “express” because it’s sitting next to me on 93.

Then it hit me: I’ll buy a moped scooter. Boy am I wicked smaht! I saved my money and bought a Vespa. After dropping off the kids I go back to the house, jump on the scooter and zip in to work. I’m able to take all back roads, it’s a ton of fun to drive, and it only uses one gallon of gas per week (it gets something like 97 miles per gallon). And I can park it just about anywhere at no cost. Better yet, working at MPA I can zip over to job meetings anywhere in the city, in a heartbeat. It saves me time, which enables me to work more efficiently, and it’s saving the planet by burning significantly less fuel. Yup, my Vespa scooter saves the day, and I get to enjoy it 9 months out of the year. Okay, so I still have to deal with traffic in the winter, but it’s not so terrible in a warm car.

It struck me that if E=MC2 describes the relationship between energy and matter, and Special Relativity describes the relationship between time and gravity, then there must ipso facto be a relationship between Energy and Time. I have been troubled by the idea that the speed of light is absolute (there is a suggestion that this fact is about to be disproved), as we may be learning that nothing is absolute. We believe that the speed of Time is related to Gravity, in that it slows (disappears?) in a black hole. In the instant before the Singularity, there was no Time, but Gravity and Energy were at their maximum concentration. As Time (and the speed of Time) expanded, Gravitational concentration decreased, and Energy disbursed:

T↑=G↓, E↓; T↓=G↑, E↑

The corollary to that, as we observe Mass (thus Gravity) being diluted across a larger universe is:

G↓=T↑, E↑; G↑=T↓, E↓

… Which is why the universe seems to be expanding more rapidly; time is speeding up as gravitational pull decreases and Energy increases outward.

Finally, E↑=T↑, G↓; E↓=T↓, G↑ describes the same phenomenon, otherwise defined as:

E=T-G (G=T-E, T=E+G) where E = energy, T = the speed of time, and G = gravity.

I set up a spreadsheet to test the formulae, which I did get to work, but I obviously do not have the mathematical or physics training to test this hypothesis properly. The part of this concept that seemed most logical to me is that the Gravity, Time, and Energy each exist in relation to the other in a way that defines the fundamental nature of the Universe.

Here are the questions – and here are their answers.

FULL TITLE / CURRENT ROLE …

• Derek D’Amico, AIA, LEED AP: Associate, Architect
• Jessica Dubois: Architectural Designer
• Dianne Dunnell, IIDA, LEED AP: Associate, Interior Designer
• Jonathan Evans: Architectural Designer
• Joe Flynn, LEED AP: Senior Associate, Architectural Designer
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: Architectural Designer
• Barbara Hicks: Associate, Director of Marketing & Media
• Marnie Glover, LEED AP: Interior Designer
• Caitlin Greenwood: Architectural Designer
• Vivienne Kenny: Architectural Designer
• Duncan Lake: Videographer
• Christine Law Pestana, LEED AP: Associate, Designer
• Monica Moreira, LEED AP: Associate, Designer
• Janet Morra, AIA, LEED AP: Principal, Architect
• Sarah Nasznic: Marketing & Business Development Coordinator
• Melissa Panasuik: Office Manager
• John Pearson, AIA, LEED AP: Senior Associate, Architect
• Daniel J. Perruzzi, Jr., AIA, LEED AP: Principal, Architect
• Alvaro Ribeiro, AIA: Associate, Architect
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: Architectural Designer
• Sara Rebeiro: Architectural Designer
• Kim Smith, AIA, LEED AP: Senior Associate, Architect
• Jane Sullivan, IIDA LEED AP: Senior Associate, Senior Interior Designer
• Nathan Turner, LEED AP ID+C: Associate, Architectural Designer
• John Vining, LEED AP: Associate, Architectural Designer

HOMETOWN…

• Derek D’Amico: Waltham, Massachusetts
• Jessica Dubois: Whitman, Massachusetts
• Dianne Dunnell: Southern, New Hampshire
• Jonathan Evans: New York, New York
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: Gorham, New Hampshire
• Barbara Hicks: Born in Atlanta, Georgia; Raised in Medfield, Massachusetts
• Marnie Glover: Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)
• Caitlin Greenwood: Kennebunk, ME
• Vivienne Kenny: Dublin, Ireland
• Duncan Lake: Pawlet, Vermont
• Christine Law Pestana: Norwood, Massachusetts
• Monica Moreira: Naugatuck, Connecticut – home of the first Cadbury Egg, my favorite holiday candy!
• Janet Morra: Roslyn, New York
• Sarah Nasznic: Acton, Massachusetts
• Melissa Panasuik: Chicopee, Massachusetts
• John Pearson: Lynnfield, Massachusetts
• Dan Perruzzi: Dorchester, Massachusetts
• Alvaro Ribeiro: Monroe, Connecticut
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: Monroe, Connecticut
• Sara Rebeiro: Hudson, Massachusetts
• Kim Smith: Houston, Texas
• Jane Sullivan: The Berkshires, Massachusetts
• Nathan Turner: Lincoln, Massachusetts
• John Vining: Medford, Massachusetts

CURRENTLY LOCATED IN …

• Derek D’Amico: Waltham, Massachusetts
• Jessica Dubois: Boston, Massachusetts
• Dianne Dunnell: North Shore, Massachusetts
• Jonathan Evans: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Joe Flynn: Boston, Massachusetts
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: Bradford, Massachusetts
• Barbara Hicks: Quincy, Massachusetts
• Marnie Glover: Boston, Massachusetts
• Caitlin Greenwood: Somerville, Massachusetts
• Vivienne Kenny: Quincy, Massachusetts
• Duncan Lake: Portsmouth, New Hampshire
• Christine Law Pestana: Salem, Massachusetts
• Monica Moreira: Saugus, Massachusetts
• Janet Morra: Melrose, Massachusetts
• Sarah Nasznic: Framingham, Massachusetts
• Melissa Panasuik: Foxboro, Massachusetts
• John Pearson: Lowell, Massachusetts
• Dan Perruzzi: Weymouth, Massachusetts
• Alvaro Ribeiro: Newton, Massachusetts
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: Watertown, Massachusetts
• Sara Rebeiro: Haverhill, Massachusetts
• Kim Smith: Lynn, Massachusetts
• Jane Sullivan: Northwest of Boston
• Nathan Turner: Wollaston, Massachusetts
• John Vining: Woburn, MA

JOINED MPA IN …

• Derek D’Amico: 1997
• Jessica Dubois: 2011
• Dianne Dunnell: 1999
• Jonathan Evans: 2011
• Jonathan Evans: 2011
• Joe Flynn: 1995
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: 2003
• Barbara Hicks: 2004
• Marnie Glover: 2004
• Caitlin Greenwood: 2011
• Vivienne Kenny: 2008
• Duncan Lake: 2011
• Christine Law Pestana: 1996
• Monica Moreira: 1998
• Janet Morra: 1991
• Sarah Nasznic: 2011
• Melissa Panasuik: 2008
• John Pearson: 2000
• Dan Perruzzi: 1995
• Alvaro Ribeiro: 2000
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: 2010
• Sara Rebeiro: 2010
• Kim Smith: 2005
• Jane Sullivan: 2000
• Nathan Turner: 1998
• John Vining: 1991

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BUILDING/ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN?

• Derek D’Amico: “Chrysler Building/Art Deco.”
• Jessica Dubois: “Any of Alvaro Siza’s projects. I appreciate his design approach and that his projects always have a great dialogue with their surroundings. His interpretation of Modern Architecture is truly unique and his projects are always intriguing. And at the risk of sounding like a cliché architecture student, I still love the classics of Frank Lloyd Wright and Adolf Loos.”
• Dianne Dunnell: “I really do not have a ‘Favorite’ building/architectural design. What I try to take away from the designs I see is their source of inspiration and the abstract use of form and space. Other sources of inspiration come from nature plus developments from industrial & fashion designs.”
• Jonathan Evans: “Impossible to just have one.  I’m a big fan of OMA’s work and their attempts at pushing the discipline forward.  I appreciate that their projects are cleverly immersed in cultural and contextual forces.  They’re bold but grounded with a position on society, or the user, or the place  it’s in.  Their most recent project for the Architecture School at Cornell is a great example of that.  The building certainly has a presence and is formally bold but it respects its surroundings without being reductive or mimicking it.  Many of the building’s more striking features are a result of optimizing the various functions of the building.”
• Joe Flynn: “The Gold Rush Steak House at the Madonna Inn, San Luis Obispo, California.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “Not sure I can name just one, there are some really fantastic Dutch modern buildings and I saw a number of great designs when I did my study abroad and visited the Czech Republic, Austria, and Germany. At the same time though I love the look and feel (the textures) of old historic structures, I think there is real emotion that gets captured in something that has been built by hand.”
• Barbara Hicks: “Although I work for architects, I’m more apt to notice environmental graphics instead of buildings. My favorite fonts are Deftone, Bodoni, and Helvetica (I know, how boring). Death to Comic Sans!”
• Marnie Glover: “It’s too hard to pick just one. Some of my favorite buildings are the Vancouver Library Square, The Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa and The Chrysler Building IN NYC. I also like the work of Douglas Cardinal, particularly the Museum of Civilization.”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “My favorite architectural design is anything by Herzog & de Meuron, their work with facades and textures has always been something I have been drawn to.”
• Vivienne Kenny: “Berkowitz house, Martha’s Vineyard, Steven Holl. Has a great story behind it.”
• Duncan Lake: “I’m going to leave that one to the architects … I’d rather not embarrass myself.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “My favorite design styles are modernism and mid-century modernism or organic modernism, both in architecture and furniture design. The usual suspects of Wright, Corbusier, Aalto, Gropius, Kahn, and Saarinen are some of my favorites. I am really getting into this more in the renovation of my house which is a post and beam modern style with sort of a Joseph Eichler feel to it. Eichler was a builder and real estate developer who was instrumental in bringing Mid-Century Modern architecture to subdivisions in the Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area. I love how Wright was so ahead of his time in terms of designing to work with his surroundings as almost the first “green” architecture rather than against it in his residential design which I have had the pleasure of visiting while in CA, IL, MI and AZ. I also think the fact that he was such a diva is pretty funny.”
• Monica Moreira: “Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s one of Wright’s best work that captures art with nature. I have been there twice in my life and each time was taken back how much detail went into this home, of course down to the silverware.”
• Janet Morra: “I have always thought that Villa Rotunda in Vicenza, Italy was the most perfect building on the most perfect site. I was lucky enough to go to Vicenza and see it, and got as close as peeking in the windows, without getting arrested.”
• Sarah Nasznic: “Rem Koolhaus’ Seattle Public Library. What isn’t awesome about this building?”
• Melissa Panasuik: “My favorite architectural design has to be the Gilded Age period, and in particular the mansions of Newport, RI. I always find it amazing that all that opulence was put into what at the time was considered ‘summer cottages’.”
• John Pearson: “Machu Picchu, Peru. Perhaps more a city than a building. Or is it more a building than a city? Glorious, high, sacred space. Also, Pantheon in Rome. Sydney Opera House. Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Trinity Church in Boston. Academy of Arts and Science, Cambridge. Wright’s Oak Park studio and residence.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “There is so much great work out there, but three that I have visited stand out for me. The Boston Public Library in Copley Square commands that urban space like no other building, and the courtyard is a wonderful contemplative space. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Template in Oak Park is an amazing interior space, small yet housing a large congregation. Borromini’s Saint Ivo in Rome is a tiny geometric jewel.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “Alvaro Siza – Casa de Chá, and Leça Swimming Pools complex in Leça de Palmeira, Portugal.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “This is a really tough question to answer as it always seems to be changing and I haven’t seen nearly enough. The Pantheon had a lasting impression on me. The Jubilee Church, by Richard Meier, on the outskirts of Rome, is an incredible space to be in as well.”
• Sara Rebeiro: “I definitely have a thing for old Victorian houses. There were three in my hometown that had been renovated when I was probably in elementary school and they painted them all these funky, bright colors – colors that an architect/designer actually would cringe at. I just that that they were so neat. I just loved all the details and I always wondered how long it took to attach all the woodwork details. That would definitely be the style of my dream home, with a giant wraparound porch.”
• Nathan Turner: “Querini Stampalia – Venice, Italy (designed by Carlo Scarpa).”
• John Vining: “I just enjoy figuring out the nuts and bolts of putting a house or building together …”

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE (FAMOUS) ARCHITECT(S)?

• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “Favorite Architect – Alvar Aalto & Bohuslav Fuchs. Although not well known here in the states, he’s quite famous for his avant-garde design and buildings in the Czech Republic. If you look at his buildings today they don’t seem too fantastic but when you look at them in light of the political situation of the day and what was being built at that time, he really expanded architectural design to another level.”
• Jane Sullivan: “Tadao Ando – his buildings are pure form – just beautiful.”
• Kim Smith: “From a historical point of view, I like most projects by Carlo Scarpa. His attention to detail and integration of architecture within the exisiting context and/or landscape is amazing. In terms of present day, I’m a big fan of Renzo Piano’s work.

IF YOU COULD BE ANY ANIMAL, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

• Derek D’Amico: “Tiger, because they’re fast and strong.”
• Jessica Dubois: “I would be a bird so I could see the world from above.”
• Dianne Dunnell: “I’ve been called ‘The bag lady’ by a client since I have been known to carry a lot of samples to meetings. Maybe being a Kangaroo with a pouch would be helpful.”
• Joe Flynn: “A black bear – They get to hibernate in the winter.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “A cat; who else gets to lay out in the sun all day and relax?”
• Barbara Hicks: “A monkey, I enjoy my thumbs (I won’t fling anything or steal wallets though).”
• Marnie Glover: “An eagle, to be flying freely seeing things from a higher perspective.”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “A bear, I would like to hibernate when it’s cold out; I love naps.”
• Vivienne Kenny: “A kangaroo, I could jump around all day and no one could yell at me ”
• Duncan Lake: “A polar bear because they get to play in the snow all day long.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “I would like to be a cat. At least my cat seems to have a very relaxing and happy life. Plus, they are smarter than dogs.”
• Janet Morra: “I don’t know if I would go as far as saying I would want to be Sponge Bob, but I totally love watching it (even though my kids have long outgrown it). I particularly like the episodes where they go onto dry land, and Sponge Bob is just a kitchen sponge.”
• Sarah Nasznic: “A bear … I’d love to take a nap for a few months.”
• Melissa Panasuik: “A squirrel. They are high energy a bit scatter-brained and rather obsessive compulsive – like me.”John Pearson: “Eagle. Other than the messy diet, pretty spectacular lifestyle.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “A jaguar or cheetah. Speed beats a lot of things.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “A dolphin. They seem to really enjoy life and spend their days swimming carefree in the ocean.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “A dog. They have all of the benefits of being human (love, shelter, food and healthcare) without really having to do anything.”
• Kim Smith: “A cheetah, they’re graceful, the fastest animal on the planet and they don’t have any enemies.”
• Jane Sullivan: “A tiger – I’m thinking it’s better to be on the top of the food chain!”
• Nathan Turner: “An eagle – great view of things.”
• John Vining: “I’d be an eagle, so I could gracefully soar to the heavens and back (sounds sweet … plucking rodents up and chomping them would be pretty fulfilling).”

IF YOU COULD BE ANY CARTOON CHARACTER, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU BE AND WHY?

• Derek D’Amico: “Spiderman.”
• Jessica Dubois: “Betty Boop. I just love her.”
• Dianne Dunnell: “Dora the Explorer – To cash in on all the product endorsements she has! Besides who wouldn’t want a pet monkey that can talk?”
• Jonathan Evans: “Not sure who exactly, but I think I’d want to be on The Simpsons.  Cartoon or not, I think that’s one of the best shows ever.  It’s been around for decades and is still funny and sharp.”
• Joe Flynn: “Fred Flintstone … isn’t it obvious? He got to scream ‘Yabba Dabba Doo!’ while sliding down a brontosaurus’ back every time he got off work.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “He’s a puppet not a cartoon character but since he’s not alive does it still count? – I’d have to say Scooter from the Muppets. He’s quirky, funny, and a bit dorky sometimes – just like me! Oh, and for some reasons unbeknownst to me. Dan gave me that nickname back when I started at MPA. After hearing ‘where’s Scooter?’ at the office all the time, his image is just cemented in my mind.”
• Barbara Hicks: “Stewie – I, too, seek world domination and think I could be good at building robots.”
• Marnie Glover: “This was a real tough one, I would have to say the Care Bear Tenderheart because I always want people to be themselves around me no matter what they are feeling or going through.”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “Betty Boop – I just think she’s so cute!
• Vivienne Kenny: “Stewie Griffin, I would love to be a baby trying to take over the world.”
• Duncan Lake: “Tin Tin; he went on some awesome adventures.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “When I was little I wanted to be Wonder Woman but that was a long time ago. I even had the bathing suit and Underoos. If you don’t know what Underoos are then you missed out. I also like Hoops and Yoyo from the Hallmark cards which I guess count as cartoons. They crack me up. I would have to pick Hoops because he is the cat.”
• Monica Moreira: “People that are always negative with anything.”
• Janet Morra: “I’m a little bit ‘tightly wound’ about proper spelling. When I see mistakes (on printed signs and menus for example) it just drives me nuts.”
• Sarah Nasznic: “Velma from Scooby-Doo – she’s just so cute and clearly the brains of the group.”
• Melissa Panasuik: “Probably Louis Griffin from Family Guy. We have a lot of similarities. Sarcastic sense of humor (check), parents who live in Barrington, RI (check), husband who does crazy things sometimes (check), baby who is planning to take over the world (check)…”
• John Pearson: “Linus, in Peanuts. Brilliant pianist in spite of the fact that the black eyes are just painted on. And the wisdom of sage.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “Bugs Bunny, the ultimate wise-guy. Not that I’m a wise-guy or anything.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “Archer. He’s got an exciting job.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “Bugs Bunny seemed to have the world figured out pretty well, but probably Rocko from Rocko’s Modern Life.”
• Sara Rebeiro: “I would have to go with Popeye. It would definitely give me more incentive to eat health if I grew huge muscles every time I ate spinach and think about how easy carrying groceries in the house would be.”
• Kim Smith: “Kim Possible … co-workers at my previous office used to tease me by calling me this. Now, it’s Kimchi.”
• Jane Sullivan: “The ‘Road Runner’ … Beep! Beep! I’m typically running late, so sometimes I find myself running out the door and practically knocking people out of the way.”
• Nathan Turner: “Road Runner – couldn’t catch him it you tried.”
• John Vining: “I’d be Popeye the Sailor Man (minus the spinach, plus the massive forearms).”

WHAT’S YOUR PET PEEVE?

• Derek D’Amico: “People speaking too loud on the phone.”
• Jessica Dubois: “When people are unprofessional or just care about their work.”
• Dianne Dunnell: “A colleague of mine was looking at a room I had available (back in the days of apartment living) and had indicated her pet peeve was a wet sponge in the sink. I‘m thinking… Really, out of all the things to be concerned about when living with a roommate and her top one is a wet sponge. That’s when I knew life is too short to have pet peeves. I try not to sweat the small stuff.”
• Joe Flynn: “People who misuse the word ‘orientated’.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “People being lazy or inconsiderate (I guess they kind of go hand-in-hand).”
• Barbara Hicks: “The sounds of people eating, jingling change, and the screech of packing tape.”
• Marnie Glover: “People littering especially when there is a trash can close by … who do they think is going to pick it up?”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “I’m not a big fan of negativity, even when it comes from me. I try to surround myself with positive people.”
• Vivienne Kenny: “People who chew with their mouth open. When people drag their feet, and when people drive the exact speed limit.”
• Duncan Lake: “People that leave their blinker on when they aren’t turning. Stupid … I know.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “Bad drivers, texting while driving (people still are doing it), people who need to be on their phone all of the time.”
• Monica Moreira: “People that are always negative with anything.”
• Janet Morra: “I’m a little bit ‘tightly wound’ about proper spelling. When I see mistakes (on printed signs and menus for example) it just drives me nuts.”
• Sarah Nasznic: “When people leave their blinker on while driving – specifically the left blinker in the fast lane. Please don’t take a left into the guard rail …”
• Melissa Panasuik: “The ‘breakfast club’ on the commuter rail. You know the people … The one’s that sit at the center tables and carry on extremely loud conversations, laughing and kibitzing at 6:45 in the morning. Anyone with that much energy, that early in the morning, needs a serious psych evaluation.”
• John Pearson: “Telemarketing. Receiving, or giving!”
• Dan Perruzzi: “Being late. For me, it’s the most disrespect you can show to others.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “The misuse of the words ‘masonary’ and ‘iregardless’. And, wobbly tables at restaurants, too.”
• Sara Rebeiro: “My biggest pet peeve is when people chew with their mouth open. It grosses me out, big time.”
• Kim Smith: “I’m annoyed by people who litter. A close second would be indecisive drivers.”
• Jane Sullivan: “I have a couple of pet peeves … 1: When I’m working with people who say they’ll do something and then they don’t … and 2: Anyone who is negative – I find them totally ANNOYING! Life is too short to be complaining and negative. I always look at the world as the glass is half full … from my point of view, it’s never half empty.”
• Nathan Turner: “Laziness.”
• John Vining: “Lack of consideration: Be on time, call people back, don’t leave me hangin’.”

IF YOU COULD LIVE ANYWHERE BESIDES HERE, WHERE WOULD YOU LIVE?

• Derek D’Amico: “California.”
• Jessica Dubois: “Europe. France is my top pick. The culture is so creative and inviting and I find the language so beautiful.”
• Dianne Dunnell: “I’ve been asked to think about this question a few years ago and I could not determine what other area would have a ‘balanced’ 4 seasons. The farther north you go the shorter your summer is. The farther south you go the shorter your winter is. The Midwest does not have access to the ocean. Enjoying all the seasons is important to me and is an experience I wish to share with my family. Maybe Northern California or Washington might be worth exploring. I did have a period time, before kids, where I thought living in Tuscany or a Greek Island would have been a great experience.”
• Jonathan Evans: “New York City.  It’s full of energy and constantly evolving and reinventing itself.  On the flipside, I love a place like Vermont for its natural beauty and charming scenery.”  
• Joe Flynn: “Chicago, Illinois.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “Brno in the Czech Republic. My maternal grandparents were from the Czech Republic (well Czechoslovakia at the time) and when I visited in college I fell in love with Brno. It has a great mix of the old and the new (both the traditions and the architecture) and just has a real comfortable feel.”
• Barbara Hicks: “California … so laid back, easy going, and the chance to run into endless celebrities.”
• Marnie Glover: “I would live in Bali. I loved it there.”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “Anywhere in Western Europe would suffice but I especially love Barcelona, it is one of my favorite places.”
• Vivienne Kenny: “Florida.”
• Duncan Lake: “Breckenridge, Colorado.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “Chicago; even though my first visit was in the middle of February and even colder than Boston. The people were nice, I loved the architecture, museums, different neighborhoods, parks, etc. Just not sure that a big lake could take the place of the ocean for me!”
• Monica Moreira: “Chicago is one of my favorite cities! It is any easy city to navigate around, the architecture is phenomenal, and the people are so friendly.”
• Janet Morra: “Probably Chicago – I think it is a great city and combines the best aspects of both Boston and New York. Also a great place to be an architect!”
• Sarah Nasznic: “Salt Lake City, Utah – If only being a ski bum was an accepted and legitimate way to make a living …”
• Melissa Panasuik: “Switzerland. I would get fat off the chocolate all spring and summer, and then lose it all by skiing the Alps all winter.”
• John Pearson: “British Columbia, in the mountains. Nova Scotia. Or on a boat.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “Italy, either in Florence or on the Amalfi cost. I live in Rome for a year, and the Italians really have living figured out. Barring that, on a beach.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “Anguilla, it’s as close to heave as anywhere could be.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “In Europe, somewhere. I have family in Portugal, lived in Italy before, and really loved the people in Ireland.”
• Kim Smith: “Australia.”
• Jane Sullivan: “I love France but would probably choose to live in London … my French isn’t very good and France would be a short trip from London.”
• Nathan Turner: “The Peloponnese.”
• John Vining: “It would be, ‘I DON’T KNOW, PLEASE GET ME OUTTA HERE SO I CAN EXPLORE THE WORLD AND FIGURE IT OUT!’ ”

IF YOU COULDN’T BE IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ALTERNATE CAREER?

• Derek D’Amico: “A stock broker.”
• Jessica Dubois: “I would want to travel the world and photograph. (Planet Earth crew, maybe?)”
• Dianne Dunnell: “I’d love to be retired right now from the sale of an invention (or website) I had created, or an industrial designer for IDEO, or A TV host on the Travel Channel. I’ll even take being a Megabucks winner and becoming a philanthropist!! A little known fact: I contemplated being a Biologist with a focus on genetics before selecting a college and was a Biology peer tutor while in college.”
• Jonathan Evans: “Alternate career would be teaching architecture.  Outside of design altogether, I’d have to say sportswriter.  I’ve dabbled in it off and on over the years and I appreciate the challenge of telling the story and documenting all of the personalities, feats, failures and triumphs in a given game.”
• Joe Flynn: “Gondola rower in Venice.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “Probably a teacher, helping and assisting people comes natural to me and I love learning and sharing new things with others.”
• Barbara Hicks: “A retired lottery winner.”
• Marnie Glover: “I would work with children – not sure in what capacity – but with children.”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “If I could somehow travel the world and get paid for it that would be great. (If someone could let me know it/how that is possible, that would also be great.)
• Vivienne Kenny: “Hair stylist.”
• Duncan Lake: “Photographer or perhaps an audio engineer.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “I would love to refinish mid-century or Danish modern furniture and resell it. Not sure that is a career but it sounds like fun to me. I’m also interested in carpentry. I might be trying my hand at a bit of this in the renovation of my house.”
• Monica Moreira: “Biologist. I loved biology/science in my younger years, but designing spaces for people was definitely the career path for me. While my sisters were playing with Barbies and other dolls, I was drawing, sketching plans and elevations of my parent’s house. I was always trying to figure out how to create better living spaces at the age of 10. Just ask my mom! I never owned a Barbie doll ”
• Janet Morra: “Huh? Are there other careers?”
• Melissa Panasuik: “I would love to be a professional flower decorator, like the people who work at Winstons. Can you imagine going into someone’s mansion of a home, and having free license to decorate it for Christmas?! – So much fun! As long as I don’t have to care for the flowers then it’s perfect. Ask anyone here, I have a divinely given ability to kill plants within days, if not hours of them getting into my care.”
• John Pearson: “A design-build contractor.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “A photographer. I’ve dabbled some, but would love more time to do it.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “A sculptor or a real estate developer.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “Billionaire.”
• Sara Rebeiro: “I think I would be a gymnastics coach. I did gymnastics for 14 years, competed for 8 and taught kids, ages 4-6, gymnastics during high school. It was a great experience watching them learn and grow. I just love the sport.”
• Kim Smith: “A floral designer or artist.”
• Jane Sullivan: “An Art Curator in a modern art museum.”
• Nathan Turner:“A chef – Still get to work with hands, limited by available ingredients, have demanding clients and have tight deadlines. BUT get to taste the results along the way.”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?

• Derek D’Amico: “Steak.”
• Jessica Dubois: “Pizza – anytime, anywhere.”
• Dianne Dunnell: “Anything with garlic – Garlic Mash Potatoes, Chicken Piccatta, and White Pizza to name a few – yumm!!”
• Jonathan Evans: “Cheeseburger and fries with Buffalo wings coming in at a close second.  Basically I’ll love almost anything on the menu of a sports bar.”
• Joe Flynn: “Snyder’s Seasoned Sourdough Honey Mustard & Onion pretzel nibblers.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “Mmmmm, gnocchi. It’s the perfect combination of my two favorite foods – pasta and potatoes.”
• Barbara Hicks: “Salmon with capers … and obviously chocolate.”
• Marnie Glover: “I love so many different kinds of foods … Seafood, Indian, Mexican, Greek, Thai, Italian … not to mention dark chocolate. It’s way too hard to pick one. I just love food!”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “Eggplant.”
• Vivienne Kenny: “Funyons and Steak!”
• Duncan Lake: “Japanese and French Cuisine.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “Pizza and ice cream. There are so many different kinds that I don’t get sick of them.”
• Monica Moreira: “Italian and Thai – love pasta!”
• Janet Morra: “Seafood – lobster, shrimp, crab in particular.”
• Sarah Nasznic: “Sushi. I actually bought all the materials, and now I make my own. A much cheaper alternative!”
• Melissa Panasuik: “I’d have to say steamers. You haven’t seen me eat, ‘till you’ve watched me toss back three pounds of steamers all on my own. I’ve scared people at restaurants doing this.”
• John Pearson: “Popcorn. Fried clams. ‘Delights of Three’.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “Pasta generally wins, and there aren’t too many ways I don’t like it. The ultimate is probably pasta with vegetables like spinach, asparagus.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “Pizza. It’s rich in anti-oxidents, and can also be part of a complete breakfast.
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “Pizza.”
• Sara Rebeiro: “Favorite food would definitely have to be any type of Mexican cuisine. In college, I would run a mile to Ana’s Taqueria to get a burrito and run home so I wouldn’t feel guilty about eating it.”
• Kim Smith: “French or Italian.”
• Jane Sullivan: “I love most all foods! Maybe my most favorite is Italian – and a favorite dish: Osso Buco.”
• Nathan Turner: “Anything homecooked.”
• John Vining: “Yup, my favorite food is meat and potatoes, just like my Dad. A juicy steak with mashed taters and carrots will suit me just fine. Bud Light, bottle of course – and junior mints to finish it all off.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND/SINGER/SONG?

• Jessica Dubois: “Favorite song: Gavin Degraw – We Belong Together. Favorite Band: Kings of Leon.”
• Jonathan Evans: “A Tribe Called Quest and Wu-Tang Clan are a couple of my favorites.  Groups like that were part of the soundtrack of growing up in the 1990s in New York City.  Over the years, my parent’s love of Coltrane has rubbed off.   His work is both mainstream and avant-garde and you can tell he’s using the music.” 
• Joe Flynn: “Cocteau Twins.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “Anything from Pop and Rock to Jazz and Country, there is almost nothing that I don’t like.”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “There are far too many, but the short list includes: The Beatles, Mumford and Sons, As Tall as Lions.”
• Vivienne Kenny: “Favorite song that makes me want to dance – Push it, MC hammer.”
• Duncan Lake: “The Talking Heads.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “The Clash.”
• Monica Moreira: “OMG, Def Leopard! Still listen to them a lot – they’re on my iPod!”
• Janet Morra: “Well, I saw the Ramones perform live in college. That was a life-altering experience!”
• Melissa Panasuik: “Band – Lady Antebellum; Song – Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson. The lyrics of that song were so me back in high school. I couldn’t wait to break away from my little backwater town in Western Mass. If you’ve never heard the song, look up the lyrics and you’ll know what I mean.”
• John Pearson: “Bob Dylan. The Band. Nora Jones/John McPhee.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “Bob Dylan is my favorite artists, and I can’t pick one of his songs as a favorite, there are so many, although, ‘Forever Young’ and ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ are two of the best.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “Beethoven. Fur Elise.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “311 is my favorite band.”
• Sara Rebeiro: “Favorite singer would have to be Miranda Lambert. Favorite song at the moment is, ‘Making Plans’ by Miranda Lambert, so figure. Both of these are always changing though. I love music, yet I have no musical talent what so ever. I sadly can’t whistle or hum a tune.”
• Kim Smith: “I don’t have a favorite band (I like so many!) but, I do have a favorite radio station. I listen to WERS every morning. Billie Holiday is my all-time favorite female singer; Miles Davis is my favorite jazz musician.
• Jane Sullivan: “Benny Goodman – I love swing music! My favorite song by him … Sing, Sing, Sing. I know – how corny!”
• Nathan Turner: “Band = Beatles; Song = Hotel California (Hmm, why do song and band not line up?)”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

• Derek D’Amico: “Man on Fire.”
• Dianne Dunnell: “I’m impressed with directors and movie makers who can create movies that play on your emotions – Who knew a cartoon cowboy and astronaut action figure can get grown-ups verklempt (Toy Story 3). I also thought the last episode of Six Feet Under was the best way to direct a ‘Final Episode’ – I had a tough time holding back my emotions!”
• Jonathan Evans: “As far as movies, I’ll have to say either Heat with Pacino and De Niro or Coming to America – my friends and I always end up quoting that one.”
• Joe Flynn: “It’s A Wonderful Life”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “Life as a House”
• Marnie Glover: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”
• Vivienne Kenny: “Dumb and Dumber”
• Christine Law Pestana: “Clueless”
• Sarah Nasznic: “ANY Chris Farley movie … I think I cried from laughing the first time I watched Black Sheep.”
• Melissa Panasuik: “Bed of Roses. It combines all my favorite things: Christian Slater (back when he was adorable), romance, and flowers.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim. The best version.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “Dumb and Dumber (not joking) is my favorite movie.”
• Nathan Turner: “Tombstone”

IF SOMEONE WERE TO PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE, WHO WOULD IT BE?

• Derek D’Amico: “Vince Vaughn.”
• Jessica Dubois: “Zooey Deschanel.”
• Dianne Dunnell: “Julie Bowen (Modern Family) – I think she’s got most of my character down pretty well.”
• Joe Flynn: “John Hurt.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “Probably Melissa Joan Hart, the kids I used to babysit always said she looked like my twin.”
• Marnie Glover: “Jennifer Grey – people used to tell me I looked like her.”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “Mary Elizabeth Winstead.”
• Vivienne Kenny: “Tina Fey.”
• Barbara Hicks: “My mom tells me I look like Trisha Yearwood, but I’d probably say Julia Roberts not just because I like her as an actress, but because my laugh is just as loud and obnoxious as hers.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “I don’t know about a movie but sometimes people say that I remind them of Elaine on Seinfeld. More personality wise than looks wise. I’m not sure that is always a compliment!”
• Monica Moreira: “Myself, of course!”
• Melissa Panasuik: “Katie Holmes. But not the current Tom Cruise loving, posh, sophisticated, ‘my husband I are going to take over the world’ version of her. Rather the Dawson’s Creek, sickly sweet, country bumpkin version of her. Why? Because back when that show was on, she was the only actress my husband would admit to thinking was cute.”
• Sarah Nasznic: “Rachel McAdams.”
• John Pearson: “Harrison Ford or Sean Connery. They can fight it out.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “Robert DeNiro. The mix of brains and barely concealed anger is very compelling and scary at the same time.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “Zak Galifinakas.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “If only Seth Rogen and Johnny Depp could have a child …”
• Sara Rebeiro: “This is probably one of my favorite questions to ask people, I always love to see what their answer is. I would have to choose Rachel McAdams; she is one of my favorite actresses.”
• Kim Smith: “Hillary Swank.”
• Jane Sullivan: “Katherine Hepburn.”
• Nathan Turner: “Robin Williams.”

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR?

• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “Harlan Coben.”
• Melissa Panasuik: “Nicholas Sparks. I love that his books always have some sort of twist at the end. Too bad it usually ends up being that someone dies, but I appreciate a good tear jerker.”
• Kim Smith: “David Sedaris.”
• John Pearson: “Mark Twain. E.B. White/Finlandia by Sibelius.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “My favorite author is John Updike, although my guilty pleasure is Robert Parker’s ‘Spenser’ novels about a Boston-based detective.”

DO YOU HAVE A NICKNAME?

• Christine Law Pestana: “To some of my family and friends and their kids, it’s Bean or Auntie Bean. At work, Claw which actually started a little in high school art class as that is how I signed my drawings not really even thinking about it, but made a strong comeback thanks to it being my email address.”

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?

• Jessica Dubois: “Go outside, rock/ice climb. Hiking is one of my favorite ways to get away and relax.”
• Jonathan Evans: “I love to teach.  With students they’re often unencumbered by the realities of a professional project.  With that critical distance, academia is a great venue to research and test out ideas for the evolution of architecture.  I really enjoy helping  students realize their ideas. Beyond Architecture, I’m big into watching and playing sports.  Wherever there’s a pickup basketball game or a New York Mets game on TV I’m there.”
• Cyndy Gibson Murphy: “I’m a big gardener and took up running a couple years ago. Pending no more injuries, I hope to run my first half-marathon later this year.”
• Barbara Hicks: “I love the movie-going experience. I also switched from a PC to a Mac about a year ago, so I’m still learning the software on there in my spare time. Last night I played around with GarageBand, editing music. I had a blast.”
• Marnie Glover: “I like to cook, read, hike, dance and spend time with friends.”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “Any opportunity that I get I like to hang out with my friends; it doesn’t matter what we are doing.”
• Vivienne Kenny: “Paint, run and Zumba.”
• Duncan Lake: “Skiing, fly-fishing & mountain biking.”
• Christine Law Pestana: “Go to the beach, look at design blogs for inspiration and ideas (and because I am nosy in general), listen to and see live music, go out to eat with the hubby, family, and/or friends, watch Boston sports teams win everything! A design blog that I love because it lets me set up “idea books” for my house renovation is www.houzz.com. You can search for ideas by room, style, part of the country … very cool.”
• Monica Moreira: “Spending as much free time with family and friends. I have one particular person I met this year that has made my life very special and complete. I also love to play golf, but by my own rules. If you have golfed with me, you might know a few of them!”
• Sarah Nasznic: “Play with my 5-month-old puppy and attempt various DIY projects … currently attempting to turn a Toboggan into a bookshelf.”
• Melissa Panasuik: “The better question is, ‘What did I used to like to do outside of work?’ And the answer is: relax and read a good book. Now, though, with the new baby – it is sleep, which is such a rare commodity in my life.”
• John Pearson: “Hiking, canoeing, backpacking, travel. Throwing sticks for my black lab. Working with Andover Community Trust to build permanently affordable single family homes.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “I enjoy cooking, especially for others. I can’t think of a better way to spend a day than cooking for family and friends. I have also been renovating my house for the past 10 years (don’t laugh). I’ve gotten reasonably skilled with carpentry, plumbing, drywall, and electrical.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “Spend time with my family especially my 8 month old daughter, Olivia. Hang out with the Beanz (my two Boston terriers), the art of Bonsai, playing/watching soccer, snowboarding, camping, hiking, fishing, and reading.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “Watch and play soccer.”
• Sara Rebeiro: “Outside of work, family and friends are definitely a big part of my life. In the summer, I spend a lot of time up at lake Winnipesaukee with the family.”
• Kim Smith: “In my spare time I like to bike, run, hike, dance, socialize with friends or work on my condo.”
• Jane Sullivan: “I like to entertain and cook for family and friends – the more people, the better. I find it great fun and relaxing to design a dinner!”
• Nathan Turner: “What don’t I like to do …?”
• John Vining: “That’s easy: I play with my kids, ride my bike, go to the gym, play hoop in the driveway, play drums in a band, build things, look for the next antique car to buy, go camping, hit the cape at Falmouth Heights, and on and on …”

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT MPA?

• Derek D’Amico: “Being out of the office.”
• Jessica Dubois: “The people and the experience. I have learned so much in the last 14 weeks and have gotten to work with some pretty amazing people.”
• Dianne Dunnell: “I appreciate that it is a family oriented firm & a firm that spends a lot of effort to enrich our professional careers in current design and technology.”
• Jonathan Evans: “The people, there’s a wealth of experience and different perspectives here.  It makes collaborating on projects exciting and rewarding.” 
• Joe Flynn: “Honestly? It’s the people. They make it all amazingly worthwhile (except for that one person who wheezes when they breathe. Jeez that’s annoying!)”
• Marnie Glover: “Definitely the people. It is by far the best firm I have ever worked for.”
• Caitlin Greenwood: “I really enjoy the atmosphere and the people especially the collaboration and the fact that every designer gets to be involved in phases of design.”
• Vivienne Kenny: “Monica Moreira’s positive attitude, and bugging Derek – haha! The atmosphere, enjoy working with such great people and learning so much.”
• Barbara Hicks: “Our roof deck!”
• Christine Law Pestana: “I sound like everyone else so far but the main reason is the people. It’s so important because you really spend so much of your week in the office. There are a lot of fun people here!”
• Monica Moreira: “Can’t leave out my conquests of getting a hug now and again from Derek. It’s challenging, but someday he’ll break down and give me the biggest hug, right D’Amico? He’s like my OLDER brother I never had.”
• Janet Morra: “The fact that I have been able to balance work and family. I was the first ‘MPA mom’, so we kind of figured things out along the way.”
• Melissa Panasuik: “The atmosphere. It’s everything, from the office space, to the work we do, the people who work here. I’m seriously not kissing up here when I say: it’s the best place I’ve ever worked. But I once worked in a funeral home, so anything would be better than that – HAHA!”
• Sarah Nasznic: “The people.”
• John Pearson: “The people. The freedom. The clients.”
• Dan Perruzzi: “I love the variety of projects we work on, and we have many great clients who are just plain fun to work with, but more than anything I enjoy the people at MPA. I think of them as family. I worry about them, I am thrilled when they are successful, and we are all there to support one another in difficult times. The last three years have not been kind to many architectural firms, but we’ve come together. We are stronger together as a result.”
• Alvaro Ribeiro: “The depth and variety of projects we have, the opportunity to work on, as well as, the ideas and process of the people I work with. I’ve learned a great deal from them and will be forever thankful.”
• Rui Miguel Ribeiro: “The people.”
• Sara Rebeiro: “I don’t just have one favorite part about working at MPA, but I would definitely have to say the people and getting exposure to all different clients/projects.”
• Kim Smith: “There are actually several things I like about MPA. I like the fact that the work ranges from interior renovations to new buildings; the clients are fun and interesting and my co-workers are really great people.”
• Jane Sullivan: “I feel very fortunate to be working with such a great group of people. I’m also very fortunate to be doing what I’m very good at … creating interior tactile space!”
• Nathan Turner: “Multiple views on the same thing.”
• John Vining: “Coming into the city with its hustle and bustle, cranking out some work, sharing jokes and laughing with my co-workers, and going home to my family!”