Adaptation: Lessons from a Hard-Headed Duck
At school, my daughter Savannah recently studied animals that have adapted to survive in changed environments. She and her friend Ada chose to learn about the hard-headed duck. One of the coolest facts she relayed to me was that it developed oil on its feathers to fly straight after diving underwater as the water didn’t soak in.
It got me thinking about how humans have adapted to thrive in changing environments over time.
The construction industry has undergone massive change lately, with rapid cost escalation, complex regulations, and challenging client expectations. Adapting our processes is crucial for progress.
We don’t need to discard old ways; we need to adapt them. I propose that the two key adaptations to bring significant improvement are:
Preparation—Helping homeowners understand the process and costs early.
Collaboration—When homeowners, designers, builders and supporting consultants work together and value one another's contribution, it leads to better outcomes.
So, let's learn from the hard-headed duck and adapt to build incredible homes in our changing environment.
