A Note From Moneca

Lets face it, none of us actually need more stuff in the west. We’re pretty comfortable from a material standpoint any way. Wanting can be a bottomless pit, like trying to quench our thirst with salt water,  and stuff is at best is a fleeting happiness. When I seek what is  true and intrinsically of value in all this want, it’s the desire to have a home, and for this home to be a place of nourishment, fortifying us so we can give more to our world and refuge. Such a place need to be harmoniously designed and built to last with healthy materials for ourselves and planet.

Beauty is perhaps the most sustainable element there is, for we treasure it and want to protect it. There’s an intrinsic delight and value in creating beauty, and tapping into natural harmonies. It is truly uplifting and wonderful to build something that lasts using precious resources in a conscientious, respectful and responsible way. To build something delightful that works really well. To rise to the design challenge and ask what does this intrinsically want to be and be carried to a place of harmony and inspiration, is  what I love about this work. And like this home we co-create together,  my  business evolves into  a place of harmony and refuge supporting everyone who works with us to give more to our world.

Permaculture which is a delightful design principle is applicable to anything, one’s business, economics and especially the raising of children. For me it starts with the question of what does this thing want to be?  It’s not really as groovy as it sounds, it’s more about tapping into the natural flow and path  of least resistance  in a multiple bottom line sense.  Meaning accounting for profit the traditional bottom line but also our contribution and impact on the community and environment.  I feel an enlightened kind of capitalism that is held accountable on all these levels would turn it all around and create a more equitable and kind world. When we start to value kindness and contribution as a currency almost like we do money, when we can equate a value to it on the scale of corporations this blind greed would be tempered and our economies would blossom. This is what I would be exploring if I was working on a phd in economics which I’m not and likely won’t. I do aspire to model it in my business and focus my volunteer energies in this area often. Most recently as a design mentor for HUB Ottawa - Part of Hub World – a global ecosystem of 5000+ social entrepreneurs and innovators in 28 cities, Hub Ottawa will be a new multi-disciplinary social innovation studio located in downtown Ottawa.

One of the films I want to make is about how socially responsible business can and is healing the world. When people see that they can make money doing the right thing its all gonna turn around and it’s already happening. People want to do business with ethical companies and business needs to catch up. We’ve always done it this way at Moneca Kaiser Design Build, my name is on everything we do. My word is my pledge. I have always taken business very personally and from the first day I have simply wanted to do business nicely. My vision is for Moneca Kaiser Design Build to evolve into something much bigger than just me. Something that truly reflects the sum, the exponential sum of all these brilliants parts, into a company that continues to tap into universal harmonies and model what having it all looks like in the best sense. Meaningful work in harmony with our values that supports our people who work with us, our clients and our planet.

What I love about  perma culture is that it encourages our designs to spring forth  from the question, “What does this (home, daycare center, garden, policy) intrinsically  want to be?”  So we begin from a place of respect, observation and even humility. Next comes, “What relationships need to be cultivated to nurture this along.” And not only between people and communities or entities but the way people who have lived in more harmony with nature or even Jung acknowledged an animation or spirit to everything.  Now I invite you to imagine how amazing the development of the little piece of land could be if you start from this place of humility and wonder and what might grow or emerge from such benign intention.