The Dyslexic Mindset and Architecture

Introduction

• The speaker views the world through colors, shapes, textures, and volumes due to their dyslexia.
• They recount a story that started during a vacation with family and friends, playing a card game that involved filling voids in phrases.

Discovery of Dyslexia

• The speaker used methods to seamlessly navigate the game, selecting short questions and paraphrasing.
• A friend asked the speaker to talk with their dyslexic son, leading the speaker to introspect and realize they have dyslexia at the age of 42.

Perception of Dyslexia

• Speaks against the term 'dyslexia' as a disorder; prefers to see it as a gift of thinking differently.
• Highlights that tests did not measure their talents accurately during childhood but were seen as a necessary challenge.

Schooling Experience

• Testing was seen as an unfair obstacle.
• Recognized the need to work harder to achieve average results.
• Understood the importance of adapting and overcoming barriers.

Career in Architecture

• Despite challenges, the speaker became a successful architect with firms in three major Canadian cities.
• Attributes success to dyslexic mindset, emphasizing the ability to think differently.
• Highlights the importance of collaboration with others who think differently.

Philosophy of Architecture

• Architecture involves more than just building; it's about influencing people's lives through the built environment.
• Uses verbs to identify architectural needs: "to be," "to eat," "to sleep."
• Emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions and listening.

Impact of COVID-19

• The pandemic has disrupted traditional thinking and architecture.
• Encourages rethinking and reshaping spaces: office towers, tech campuses, homes, strip malls.
• Believes this is a time of great opportunity if one embraces adaptability and change.
• Thinks buildings should respond to new realities and questions post-pandemic.

Message to Dyslexic Individuals

• Dyslexia is a gift that allows one to see the world differently, essential for innovation.
• Now is the time for dyslexic thinkers to make a difference and rethink existing concepts.
• Emphasizes the need for collective thinking and collaboration to achieve significant change.

Conclusion

• Speaker’s journey is ongoing, driven by the continuous desire to adapt, innovate, and influence through architecture.
• Encourages embracing change and welcomes the future with optimism.