Looking Back at Chairity 2021
by Brian Buhl
The First IRL Industry Event in Two Years
After hosting Chairity 2020 digitally, putting together the 2021 event was completely nerve wracking. All the same questions everyone had came up. Would strict lockdowns be reinstated? Would our community feel comfortable gathering in person? Would there be the same enthusiasm we’d seen in years past, or were our friends and colleagues just too exhausted after weathering COVID personally and professionally for so many long months?
We organized about 70% of the event knowing that we may have to transition on a dime to a fully digital event. The true in-person aspects of Chairity—that final 30%, like the venue and photographer—were a leap of faith because even into the late fall we were still uncertain if additional governor mandated social distancing restrictions would be reinstated.
Luckily we were able to meet in person! After working from home for so long, we wanted this edition to be engaging and fun, so we chose The Roaring 20s as the first official theme for a Chairity event. What came to fruition was the first large industry event in almost two years. All the attendees were really excited to get into themed dress to go out and have a good time while supporting local initiatives. The stress and planning were well worth it.
The second half of 2021 was a really unique time in the architecture and design community, especially our niche—offices—a place many people were not going to. In 2020, the onslaught of postponed or canceled projects due to the pandemic forced many firms to cut staff. As projects ramped back up in 2021 smaller staffs got stretched to cover the incoming work. Our colleagues were maxxed out, more so than during the height of the pandemic, and frankly, more than in any years past. Undaunted by this unique situation, our local design community still showed a concerted effort to take part in Chairity, an initiative they’ve come to respect and truly look forward to. Many of the responses we got to 2021 invites sounded like this:
You know what? We've got a million things going on, but Chairity is still important to us, and we want to show our commitment by getting this executed and getting this done and showing up at the party, mask intact.
Every year, designers, makers, fabricators, suppliers, artists, and more join teams to make something beautiful out of a forgotten or discarded object. The design and construction process is documented online where each team also raises funds to support the selected charities. In November, participating teams display their work at an industry-attended event, where a fresh team of judges select winners and excited guests bid on the upcycled work, adding even more money to the fund.
Our takeaway during the digital 2020 pandemic edition of Chairity was—wow!—we’re strong as a community. In 2021 it was more like—wow!—our community is truly committed to giving back. They made the event happen during a time that was, and continues to be, really unprecedented in our business.
“This was my first Chairity event and I think this was such a fun project. As designers we got to stretch our abilities in both the making, and the fundraising. It was an exercise in resourcefulness and creativity, and I am super proud of how this project turned out. Thank you Two Furnish for being patient, supportive and so awesome!” -Paulina McFarland, HGA
We’re so thankful to all who participated, donated, attended, and supported Chairity in 2021, especially the 23 incredible teams who built show-stopping creations. Despite the very real constraints of an ongoing pandemic we were able to raise $93,00 for local Bay Area causes—the most we’ve raised at any Chairity event to date. As always an extra heartfelt thanks to our amazing sponsors: all Modular Systems, Skyline Construction, and Novo Construction.
2021 Winning Entries
AP+I
Fennie+Mehl
HGA
Pair
Together, but Apart : Learning from Chairity 2020
Chairity 2020 was truly remarkable. We partnered manufacturers with design firms to help keep networks alive. During this time of extreme social distancing, we were able to connect more people than ever before.
The digital aspect of what was previously an entirely in-person event was quite challenging, because even when you go digital people still have to come together. So, we were 100% focused on an experience, one that we’d never done before. We endeavored to bring participants close to the pieces and give them something really exciting to look at, even from their home screens. We encouraged all types of visuals, like concept sketches and design detail drawings.
Chairity 2020
Chairity 2020
Overall, our experience in 2020 only enhanced our ability to deliver valuable content, like increasing the way in which things are presented and how polished they look. In years past, before the pandemic, each team would come on stage and talk about their entry. This format made the event feel a little too stretched out, so we removed it in 2020 and in 2021. Eliminating the dead space between teams coming on and off stage gave people more time to interact with each other and the work. Ultimately the adjustments we made in 2020 helped us strengthen the experience of the event going forward.
Chairity in the Future
There’s a lot to look forward to when it comes to Chairity 2022! In addition to the November show and auction, we're going to add more events throughout the year as a part of Two’s giving arm, Chairity. We’re excited to expand Chairity beyond a one-a-year event.
We’re ambitious when it comes to fundraising goals. The amount raised between 2017 and 2022 doubled from $38,000 to $93,000. This year we hope to do that even faster—doubling the amount of money we raise to $200,000. We think this is realistic not just because we want to raise more money, but because we’ve seen that our Bay Area design community wants to contribute more.
We upped our game and improved the experience so much since our last in person event in 2019. Looking to the future, when we’re in a non-pandemic world where people are truly in a good place to show up in person and be a part of the event in earnest, we expect double the participation, enthusiasm, and fundraising!
Heading into 2022 there are some other strategic changes we’re also making; first up will be including design students on the judging panel. Students have big forward-thinking creative aspirations and can give valuable feedback to the participants. Ultimately they’re the future employees of the design firms and companies that participate, so we’re excited to start this connection.
We’ll also be moving up the timeline about three months this year—keep your eyes peeled for announcements—both selecting the list of charities and getting commitments from participants. Our hope is that this will reduce the amount of stress for all.
Finally, since the roaring 20s was such a hit this year we’re looking for an equally fun yet new theme next year. Stay tuned to find out what that will be!
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Chairity 2021 Photography: Andrew McKay
Save the date for Chairity 2022: October 13th.
Click here to learn more.