Soapbox

As my parents were hinting from the gift of "Oh the Places You'll Go,"  I knew they expected me to move to another city or maybe even another country.  Actually, I was ready to leave Cincinnati as soon as I graduated high school, and although I stayed in Cincinnati to attend college, I never even considered staying in Cincinnati after graduating.  I was ready to create my own path in a bigger city that supposedly would have much more to offer a young designer.  It wasn't until traveling to and living in plenty of other cities that I started to consider what Cincinnati had to offer.  Don't get me wrong, I've fallen in love with many other cities, but I'm happy to be able to call Cincinnati home.

The opportunities I've discovered here are so immense.  Whether it's getting a grant to start your own business or finding an affordable place to live in the most diverse neighborhood in town, Cincinnati has so much to offer.  Over-the-Rhine has become my home and the support I've received from the neighborhood is so encouraging.  The area has tons of potential; it seems like the buildings sit here quietly, waiting for people to fill them and create a vibrant, hip neighborhood.  The more I ride my bike around, exploring OTR, the more this seems possible.  I feel so proud to have this opportunity to be a part of the Over-the-Rhine's growth into lively place to live, work and play.  

I didn't really think about it until now, but there were plenty of people that seemed to think the odds were stacked against me.  When I would tell people of my plan, these were the obstacles they saw:

1- You're opening a store in Over-the-Rhine
2- You're choosing to locate on Main St. and not joining the critical mass of stores on Vine St.
3- You're opening a retail store during a recession
4- You have no personal experience working retail
5- You're 23 years old and just graduating from college
6- You majored in product design, not business
7- You're going to sell second items that have no definitive value

I guess they thought I was supposed to graduate from college, get a job as an Industrial Designer, and not take a risk.  But I knew what I wanted to do and tried to surround myself with people that thought I was capable of achieving my dreams. Like Dr. Seuss wrote "And will you succeed? / Yes! You will, indeed! / (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.) / Kid, you'll move mountains!" 

I knew without trying I would never give myself a chance to succeed. So after lots of hard work, Atomic Number Ten opened its doors September of 2009.  We've been in business almost 6 months, and when someone asks me what I do, still to my surprise, I can say, "I own my own business."  I'm doing things my own way, and that's something I'll always be proud of.  With that said, the interior of my store became an outlet for self expression.  My design education helped me to create a unique, fun retail atmosphere, full of neon colors, eccentric skeletons, and chalkboard walls. This became my way of wearing my heart on my sleeve.

I received "Oh the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss, as a high school graduation present from my parents.  I didn't really have a plan then; I knew I was going to the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Fashion Design and that I'd eventually find my way.  Two quarters into college I decided to change majors to Industrial Design, and although I still didn't know what was in store for me it felt like the right move.  After co-opting in Cleveland, OH, Benton Harbor, MI,  Palo Alto, CA and backpacking through Europe for 3 months, I knew I hadn't found the right path.  Looking for inspiration I thought of Dr. Seuss's advice, "You can steer yourself any direction you choose. / You're on your own. And you know what you know. / And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."

I did find one constant during my travels. My first objective in each city was always to find the least trodden thrift store or the most absurd flea market.  I've always been a little shy and I discovered the best way for me to express myself was through fashion.  The search for one-of-a-kind items, led me to developing a fondness for vintage clothing.  I began to wonder about the items I was buying.  Who owned that gold foil jacket before me?  Did they wear it to an extravagant gala or just to take their dog for a walk?   As this appeal of second hand objects grew, I decided I'd like to open my own vintage store... "down the road."  I told my dad my dream and he said "Why not do it now?"  I replied, "Are you for real?!"  It seemed so far out of my reach that I didn't know what to think, but he reassured me I could make it happen.

So that was it, I resolved to start my own business in Cincinnati after I graduated college.

There's a lot of talk these days about companies adopting a corporate conscience and the role of social responsibility in improving corporate culture and contributing to bottom-line profits. Lots of companies and leaders of industry are lauded for subscribing to this philosophy. But what about nonprofits? Where do they fit in all this? 

Of course, nonprofits by nature are generally organized around the whole principle of a social benefit, or giving back, according to their mission statement. But is there more to the story than that traditional notion of a one-way street? Should there be? 

For our part, we've made "green efforts" a major priority in our development. Zaha Hadid's design for the ContemporaryArtsCenter was not only stunning aesthetically, but energy efficient. And we've taken it further, ensuring all the cleaners and custodial supplies we use are green certified, the paint on the walls are nontoxic, and the light bulbs we use run cool. Last year alone we recycled almost 4.5 tons and saved 75 million BTUs of energy and 78 trees. But we can do more. There are initiatives that, at the moment, are cost prohibitive, or for one reason or another aren't viable right now. But that's okay. This isn't a one-time decision, it's a process we navigate along the way.  

However, environmental awareness should encompass more than just being green, and we can lead on that front too. What about the space we inhabit and the relationship we embark on with the people there? At nonprofits, you can volunteer. You have the opportunity to participate in more ways than just being a consumer if you want. That's special. 

At the CAC, our volunteers, members and supporters are part of the family. They are a driving force behind the decisions that get made here. So are the visiting artists. Our fundraiser, THE EVENT on May 22, is a perfect example of that synergy. We are throwing a huge street party in the alley behind the CAC where Shepard Fairey will DJ. It celebrates the artists: the second phase of Fairey's Cincinnati mural project and the opening of two new exhibitions; it celebrates our neighborhood; and it's in response to what we heard from our members, volunteers and supporters this year. Tickets go on sale next week. Let us know if this is the type of party we should keep throwing for you! 

The funny thing about doing what I do is that people sometimes have a misconception about my relationship with art.

I am the first one to say that you don't have to love everything you see. Nobody loves all food, all movies, or all colors - so why would we think we need to love all art, or even all contemporary art? Contemporary art is an experimental field by definition. It celebrates and demonstrates the ongoing creative process that is happening across society RIGHT NOW. That it offers unique, diverse viewpoints of the world in its current state, to me is one of contemporary art's most important-and intriguing-features. And as an epicenter of creative R&D, the ContemporaryArtsCenter is where we, as a community, can participate in that process. People of all ages and backgrounds cross paths here because the CAC provides a space where creativity, as one of society's most transformative forces, can be an integral part of our lives. Some come to find new inspiration or see things in new ways. Others come to plug in and recharge, feed their soul or contemplate. 

And still others come to be part of a bigger conversation. In my job I'm privileged to witness a phenomenon that unfolds here every day: art as a means for people to connect to each other and to the world around us. Because contemporary art facilitates dialogue about contemporary issues, the CAC is where our neighbors come to discuss differing viewpoints, it's where our region's parents and grandparents bring children to open new channels of communication, and I'm told it's why we're considered the best "second date" spot in town! This is where conversations happen.

In my opinion that is due in large part to our environment. Cincinnati is extraordinary because there is an enormous level of committed civic investment being made by the people who call this region home, and a great vibrancy here that just keeps growing. That hive of energy is especially apparent around places like the CAC. It's a remarkable thing to observe - but even more, it's an exhilarating thing to be a part of.

On my way to work I sometimes take Reading Road. Yesterday was one such day, and as I was approaching downtown, I saw a young woman standing on the street with a camera. She was photographing Shepard Fairey's incredible murals that wrap around HighStreet's facade.

This scenario is not out of the ordinary--a quick internet search reveals just how many people are engaging with his works in this community, whether through blogs, pictures or scavenger hunts. In doing so, they not only discover Shepard's artwork but they see our city through the lens of his imagery, his thinking, and his messages. His art is his activism. Red, Black, Cream....crisp and clear from far away, yet detailed and layered when viewed up close. Finding, then experiencing, these public works of art becomes a journey of discovery for the entire community. This, to me, was one of the most exciting aspects of bringing Shepard to Cincinnati.

Shilpa Gupta is another artist showing at the CAC right now. She also engages in a form of artistic activism. Using different types of technology, she creates very intimate situations that help the viewer personalize the various messages she articulates. One of the projects we worked on with Shilpa was a t-shirt, which I am wearing today. Earlier, a woman asked me what the writing on the shirt said. I replied, "And I live under your sky, too." After a moment of silence, and still staring at the shirt, she simply responded "yes, exactly." Again, like the woman photographing the Fairey mural, most people are moved in one way or another by Shilpa's work. She is fantastic at getting us to contemplate big ideas in new ways.

Both Shilpa and Shepard are among the contemporary art world's most noted thought leaders, pressing the boundaries of creativity, expression, and activism. And both have created something very special for us here at home. If you encounter a Shepard mural or a Shilpa t-shirt, will it cause you to see things differently? When you visit their shows at the CAC, does it change your perspective? There's only one way to find out.

Someone asked me recently how our company managed to grow its business building "green" in the heart of the Midwest. Truthfully, it never occurred to me that "green" construction was something out of character for the Midwest. In fact, I believe sustainable building fits hand-in-glove with our Midwestern values.

A frugal, no-waste approach reflects our roots. One of my first jobs as a teenager working for my family's business was to pull nails out of old studs so we could re-use the wood for concrete forms. It was an old-school approach to construction, but that thrifty attitude still works well today.

Midwestern values rooted in a German heritage tell us not to waste. We value the energy and effort spent in making something well; why would we want to toss it? So, we look for new uses for old things. If we remove an old window in a historic building to replace it with a new Low-E double-glazed window, we work harder not to throw away the old window. We re-use it, like we did in our HGC offices where old windows serve as interior walls.
Where knowledge and creativity collide is at the intersection of knowing when something is worth keeping and re-using, and when it should be tossed. That requires technical expertise. If you don't know how to apply the latest technology, you can't create the most efficient solutions for constructing sustainable buildings.

At HGC Construction, we employ creative thinkers and project managers, and we believe in giving them space to develop creative solutions. But we also believe you have to acquire technical training. That's why as a company we set out a couple of years ago to get more LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) training for our project management staff. SHP Leading Design provided us that training, and we're grateful for their leadership in the professional community.

The technical knowledge in LEED enables us to complete successful projects like the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden's Historic Vine Street Village, for which we won a national construction award and which was certified LEED Platinum. Who would believe that here in the heart of the Midwest we now have the "greenest" zoo in the nation?! This project at the Cincinnati Zoo can serve as a model for zoos in other Midwestern cities, like St. Louis, and across the United States.

What we've done in Over-the-Rhine also can serve as a model for other cities. There is little difference in the architecture of Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis and other cities settled by Germans along our great rivers. They have the same masonry construction, similar urban environments and energy demands. We've demonstrated here in Cincinnati that eco-friendly buildings will attract buyers to urban neighborhoods. The LEED-Silver condominiums -- the Lofts of Mottainai -- that we constructed from a pair of historic, four-story buildings in Over-the-Rhine sold out quickly. They are a model for what can be created in other Midwest cities.

Our German heritage and Midwestern values establish a solid foundation for the "green" revolution. What we have done at HGC is build on that foundation, acquiring strong technical training and on-the-job experience in green construction. In this revolutionary time, that -- and good old-fashioned hard work -- has been the catalyst for HGC's success.

Third Lesson: Work harder. If you're going to retrofit historic structures with tighter building envelopes, low-voltage lighting, low-flow plumbing fixtures -- like we did at the first LEED-Silver condominiums in OTR -- you've got to know your stuff. Re-using the old is creatively challenging. It's harder to salvage trim, to save window frames, to renovate while preserving the building's value.

We work harder to do that. Sure, it makes sense to harness sunlight by installing new windows in an old building, like we did at UC's Teachers College/Dyer Hall. But it takes know-how. It makes sense to reinforce public garages in Clifton and Uptown rather than having to tear down and rebuild, but it takes know-how. Technical precision is not an option.

Fourth Lesson: Get experience. How do you budget for the unforeseen complications in working with old buildings? Experience teaches you how. Nothing can take the place of the experience gained by working on venerable structures like Union Terminal, Hughes Center, Covington's Ice House and Cathedral Basilica. That's how you learn. Sure, there are many ways to fix a cornice. But how do you fix it the most efficient way? What's the most efficient way to hoist structural steel 11 stories high above busy downtown streets as we did in the Mercantile Library's renovation downtown? Nothing prepares you for the next challenging job more than experience.

Those are four lessons to get started in the new economy. Not easy work, perhaps, but rewarding.
Still, are you weary and wary of "green"? Do you believe "sustainable design" is simply a catchphrase that will soon fade.

I can tell you -- after our company has completed a number of LEED projects in the past 18 months, including two that earned the highest LEED-Platinum certification -- that the revolution is real. It's here to stay.

So, be frugal; be cool. Engage in the future

Learn about Huseman's midwestern values in Thursday's blog.