6
P R O F I L E
Stand for something: Jay Brotman Managing partner of Svigals + Partners (New Haven, CT), an architecture and art firm that helps communities thrive by creating environments that build upon who they are.
By LIISA ANDREASSEN Correspondent
H is fascination for design started at an early age. While growing up in Dallas, Brotman spent a good deal of time dreaming up ways to build complex structures from model kits. Who knew this passion would turn into a lifelong career? Today, he dedicates his energy to finding the right balance of strategic and creative endeavors, cultivating client relationships and mentoring a highly productive team. “We’re creating a culture that stands for something,” Brotman says. “We pursue projects we excel at and that we want to work on. Our decisions are not based on the bottom line. Of course, we need to stay healthy in that regard, but real sustainability comes from bringing meaning and relevance to everything you do.” A CONVERSATIONWITH JAY BROTMAN. The Zweig Letter: In 2018, you testified before Congress about school design and safety and detailed best practices – specifically in the redesign of Sandy Hook Elementary. What
affect did that testimony have on current and future school design? Have you worked on additional school safety designs after that? Please explain. Jay Brotman: For background, the overall message to Congress and to communities following the Sandy Hook tragedy was that communities need to understand that increasing security is not all about hardening. We do not advocate turning schools into fortresses. Schools are much more effective when they are open and transparent – more supportive of learning, health, and safety. We need to shift away from the language of hardening to the concept of layering. The architectural community is here to help with that. Specifically, going into the Congressional hearings, the AIA had three goals: 1. Create a national clearinghouse/database where schools can find the latest information on school security and how to improve school safety.
THE ZWEIG LETTER DECE
Made with FlippingBook Annual report