Mary T. O’Connor, Peace Corps Response Volunteer

Stairway Foundation, Inc.

Brgy. Aninuan, Puerto Galera

Oriental Mindoro 5203

Philippines

Phone for Stairway Foundation +63-9178431922

www.stairwayfoundation.org

Letter from the Architect

Working collectively on bringing Stage II to life is a peak experience, not only of my professional life, but my entire life.  That is not a statement that I express openly, for we are all in the midst of the project, and there is no need to say such things.  It simply is the truth. 

I am a New York City-based Architect on a six-month residency with Stairway Foundation as a Peace Corps Response Volunteer.  Peace Corps made an extraordinary match in this case.  The majority of my practice has been in the not-for-profit realm, and most of that in theatre design.   However, I had never been to the tropics, let alone try to build something in such a climate.  The first week I was here, I just listened and wandered around the entire site over and over, making a site plan and trying to feel and understand Stairway Foundation and this new environment. 

Lars, Monica and I had long discussions in the evenings on those early days.  Our fundamental connection and ease in working together made those evenings very productive.  They responded to my sketch proposal and we were able to build from there.   It was a joy to engage in the process, because we would keep refining and building the dream without stress or resistance.  We did not need words like “could” or “should”, it was all “will” and “can”.  

Within that initial month of planning prior to their departure for Europe, we also evolved a ceremony to honor the stage before it was removed.    The stage, “the heart of Stairway” has been a cradle for all the aspirations, dreams and achievements of The Stairway Foundation.  The entire Stairway community participated in a ceremony where the memories and hopes for the future stage were shared together.

Expanding the circle of collaborators to the general contractor increased the collaborative effort.  The contracting company selected for the construction has a history with Stairway Foundation.  Knowing that Lars and Monica would be off-site for two months, clear lines of communication, decision making, honesty and respect would be critical to the process.  The performance of the contractor and all the workers involved in the project has been on a level that exceeds my previous experience.    

I thought that our major challenge in the project would be the tight schedule.  We had made a goal that the Christmas play could start rehearsals on the stage on December 1.  I made a “critical path” construction schedule in order to keep that goal always before  us in our work together. 

However, our major challenge has been a very aggressive rainy season.   In many ways we were fortunate not to suffer the hardships of other parts of the Philippines, but we lost many working days to rain.   Though we undertook substantial excavation at the site, we only suffered from one minor slide during the heaviest rains, and the damage was minimal.

Geraldin Bacay, the general contractor and engineer and I developed a very open communication throughout the nine weeks we have been engaged in construction.   We are truly a team.   There is no reluctance to make a suggestion, and many times I have been thankful to take a new approach to what seemed right on paper.  

The mission of Stairway and the site itself have constantly been a presence to us throughout the process to date.   We are able to listen and respond to the environment with Stage II in a very easy fluid way.  There are days I feel that the facility was just waiting for us, that the landscape itself is directing our hands.

The project has also generated a re-examination in the electrical service.  We will be upgrading the delivery of electricity to a secure, more direct service.  The new facility will also include a new generator in a more appropriate location.  These changes will result in energy savings and fewer brownouts. 

An increase in energy savings will be provided through the installation of two solar-powered devices.  The cost of these devices was outside of the budget, and The Peace Corps has accepted it as a “Peace Corps Partnership” Program.  This program allows donors to contribute directly, through the Peace Corps website, to the “Environmental Awareness Project at Stairway”.  It also will raise awareness of the work of Stairway to a new constituency in the United States.   The devices will also be incorporated into a global warming teaching module for the resident boys. 

The solar devices may offer an additional opportunity to the local community.  There is a great deal of new development in the local community, and the need for site planning on the community level is critical.  Inviting the community to see the devices may provide an opening for a broader discussion on environmental issues.

We have been sensitive throughout the design and construction process of protecting substantial trees and maintaining slopes and channels for runoff water.  As a result, the construction appears to float within its surroundings, not dominate them.  With the installation of the cogon roof and wood stairway, the new construction will fit seamlessly into the hillside.  

It will bear no signature but Stairway, for it is the result of a true collaboration.  It will honor those it serves.  It says to everyone who comes to Stairway, “You are important.  You have a voice and we want to hear it.”   It will look as though it has always been there.