Farrow Partnership Architects Inc.

TORONTO, November 25, 2011 — A recent “Monday Morning Manager” section of the Globe and Mail profiled Farrow Partnership Architects’ (FPA’s) approach to discovering better planning and design solutions. Developed over a period of fifteen years and based on leading-edge learning principles and group dynamics, some aspects of FPA’s process can be compared to television detective Lt. Columbo’s methodology.

In Harvey Schachter’s article, entitled “Try Columbo instead of Dragnet,” he homes in on how FPA describes its process. “We explain the virtues of not jumping to conclusions, making sure they are solving the right problem, not ruling out options prematurely, and verifying assumptions,” he quotes from FPA’s blog. “We bring this advice to life by citing Lt. Columbo as an example of someone who always ‘got it right’ by engaging in purposeful conversations.”

“Terms such as ‘collaboration’ and ‘listening to clients’ are commonly used to describe the interactive design process,” explains Sharon VanderKaay, FPA’s Director, Knowledge Development, who posts regularly on the FPA blog: The Nature of Innovation. “The quality of such interaction can vary widely, so we wanted to express a more vivid analogy by evoking Columbo’s spirit of inquiry.”

Farrow Participates in Globe and Mail-sponsored
Canadian Competitiveness Debate

Sharon VanderKaay was an invited panelist in a live online debate, which took place on November 23 regarding what the most important thing Canada should do to push competitiveness in a global marketplace. Participants included educators, entrepreneurs and inventors. 

In essence, Sharon advocated for a national innovation strategy that goes beyond funding and tax credits to communicate the messy, convoluted, bumpy, organic, true stories of successful innovators. 

“Most success stories skip over these details,” Sharon explained. “Canadians need to see that they can choose to work in fertile environments for innovation. Competition via low price creates an austerity mindset that is killing us. We can’t sustain competitiveness on a foundation of cost cutting – other counties have already claimed that niche.” 

She pointed out that today even Wal-Mart is rethinking its value proposition beyond lowest price. 

Sharon postulated that more Canadians can learn to identify innovative business opportunities in their everyday lives that add value. They can change the conversation from coping, complaining and cutting back to finding new methods, services, and products. They don’t need to be in a lab somewhere to do this.

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 About Farrow Partnership Architects Inc.

Farrow Partnership Architects (FPA) is a world leader in planning, architecture and design of places that uplift the spirit while advancing clients’ strategic goals. The firm’s planning process is based on research regarding group dynamics and adult learning principles. Drawing on roots established over 50 years ago, FPA’s practice areas include: health care, research, education, hospitality, institutional, multi-residential, seniors’ living, urban design, master planning, interior design, and knowledge development. www.farrowpartnership.com

559 College Street, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M6G 1A9 Canada / T:416-979-3666 F:416-979-3680