Stephen Wayland

Design is an important part of revitalizing communities because it allows for the community’s agency to be expressed in an effective, physical, manner. Design is about taking your priorities and desires and manifesting them to improve your environment. Good design incorporates these into improving their livelihood, and there is always a need for good design in communities that have traditionally not received it.

What has been most surprising, rewarding, or fun about your Collaborative experience?
Two things that have been rewarding and fun about working with the Collaborative; I am a big architecture and engineering nerd, so being able to witness many historic and architecturally significant places is obviously a fun experience. The main reward of working with the Collaborative is interacting with the many people who are working tirelessly to make their communities into better places for their neighbors to work and live. So often bad deeds get much attention while the many smaller acts of kindness and love that go on every day do not. I find that interacting with the people and groups that the collaborative works with restores my faith in humanity and our ability to create common good.

What do you love most about Philadelphia?
What I love the most about Philadelphia (and Philadelphians) is that it continuously surprises me with its resilience and love. While a great many challenges abound in the city, there is still such a strong desire to do good and help each other among the citizens. I am honored to do my part through the Collaborative in this regard and provide help to those that need it. I also love how flush our city is with art and music.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about yourself?
I am a big fan of urbanism and design and love to bike around the city and experience its many neighborhoods and communities. I am working on getting more art into my life and spending lots of time with my wonderful partner Danielle.

Make sure to connect with Stephen on LinkedIn!