Every year Architecture Advantage holds a summer outing for the team, switching off between Duluth and St. Paul where our offices are located. The outing has always centered on team bonding, but in recent years we’ve added a volunteer component. We love our communities and the opportunity to give back to them in a meaningful way. In 2023, our volunteer work took us to the Como Zoo & Gardens in St. Paul to assist in set-up for an upcoming event. The following year, our team headed to the Legacy House in Duluth to jump in on deck staining, landscaping, and drywall installation.
This year’s volunteer work took us to the iconic Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. As always, Minnesota weather kept us on our toes, and all eyes were on the forecast leading up to the outing, as we prepared for either a wet morning outdoors or a quick pivot if storms rolled in. Luckily, the day brought perfect weather for a morning spent at the garden. Our team helped landscape and weed around the walking paths, keeping the space clean and welcoming for visitors. We had a great experience coordinating with the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board and the Sculpture Garden grounds crew, who provided clear directions and all the tools we needed to get to work.
Architecture Advantage team members hard at work in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Architecture Advantage provides employees with 16 volunteer hours annually, so it is extra special to spend some of those allocated hours together out in our communities. To make it a true team experience, organizations to volunteer with are typically selected in early spring and followed up with a poll for team members to vote on how the day will be spent. This poll also includes our afternoon social activity, which ended up being St. Paul Saints baseball game this year – right down the street from our St. Paul office.
We had a great time at the Securian Financial Club at CHS Field after a quick stop at the office to freshen up and celebrate the recent wedding of one of our team members. The indoor/outdoor space was a welcome feature for the August afternoon, making it the perfect addition to our day together. Even our non-baseball lovers enjoyed the game!
Architecture Advantage team at the St. Paul Saints baseball game.
These outings are more than just a summer tradition – they’re an extension of who we are. The same teamwork that helps us bring projects to life is what makes our volunteer efforts successful. Our dedication keeps us pushing through August heat and humidity to deliver on our volunteer commitments. Being resourceful and adaptable helps us take on new challenges (and the occasional unpredictable weather – thanks, Minnesota!), while being responsive ensures everyone’s voice is heard when planning how we’ll spend the day. Together, these moments outside the office embody the core values that define Architecture Advantage: Teamwork, Dedication, Resourceful, Adaptable, and Responsive.
We look forward to continuing this tradition and finding new ways to strengthen our team and our communities together.
