This week, we’re highlighting Tamam Tarrabain, who’s passionate about creating a sustainable and inclusive future. She shares how she incorporate eco-conscious choices into their daily life and discusses the true meaning of diversity in a professional setting.
How do you incorporate sustainability into your daily choices?
Sustainability is essential for nurturing our planet, benefiting us and future generations. One practice I prioritize in my daily choices is mindful consumption. In the workplace, this could mean reducing paper usage, encouraging recycling, and supporting local suppliers. I focus on quality over quantity, support local businesses, and strive to select and promote eco-friendly products. In a rapidly changing world, it’s crucial to uplift our community and foster a sense of stewardship that strengthens our shared environment. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.
Share an instance where breaking conventions led to the emergence of innovative ideas and creative growth within your team or project.
One of my favourite projects was the AE Workplace Strategy Redevelopment, where we had the incredible opportunity to create the Office Facilities Planning Guide in 2023. The previous guidelines dated back to 2015, and we all know how dramatically the workplace has evolved since COVID-19. This new guide aimed to reimagine what office spaces should look like, considering the amenities and environments that truly support our teams when they come together.
What made this project so special was our commitment to collaboration. We organized virtual workshops with user groups, fostering an open and inclusive atmosphere where everyone felt empowered to share their thoughts and experiences. It was inspiring to witness the strong desire for guidelines that didn’t just adhere to technical standards but also sparked creativity and innovative problem-solving.
The insights we gathered were invaluable, helping managers and upper staff grasp the significant changes necessary to meet the needs of employees and users alike. During this project, I saw the magic of innovative ideas and creative growth blossom—within our team at S2 and Associated Engineering.
As the workplace and our world continue to change, we broke free from conventional thinking to craft design guidelines that ensured functionality and compliance and ignited a spirit of collaboration and innovation. This experience was a testament to the power of change and collaboration. It enhanced our team’s creative journey and reinforced our dedication to a more integrated, holistic approach to design for our clients. It was a thrilling reminder of the impact we can have when we embrace change and foster collaboration!
What does diversity mean to you in a professional setting?
Diversity in a professional setting is about embracing and celebrating a vibrant tapestry of perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. It’s more than just meeting quotas; it’s about creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and genuinely heard. Diversity isn’t limited to what we see; it extends deeply into the realm of thought. This means bringing together a variety of viewpoints, ideas, and problem-solving approaches that stem from our unique backgrounds, education, experiences, and beliefs.
Cognitive diversity is essential. When we collaborate with people who see the world differently, magic happens. We challenge the status quo, spark innovation, and create solutions we might never have thought of alone. It helps us avoid the pitfalls of groupthink, opening our eyes to opportunities we might otherwise miss.
This is the power of diversity in action, enhancing our problem-solving and innovation capabilities. By nurturing this diversity of thought, we can elevate decision-making, drive better outcomes, and cultivate a dynamic, resilient workplace. It’s about honouring demographic diversity and the incredible richness of ideas that emerge from our varied ways of thinking. This is what truly propels us forward and makes our work meaningful! I am fortunate to work in a place like S2 Architecture, where I have the privilege of embracing the diversity surrounding us.
“We are greater than, and greater for, the sum of us.” – Heather McGhee (Writer, ‘The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together’)
