Alexander Erikkson Furunes and Sudarshan V. Khadka, Jr.

Our Work Is A Lot About Understanding The Value Of Collaboration And Trying To Form Shared Meanings Within A Group Of People. We Use The Architectural Design Process As A Method Of Building Relations And Meaning In What We Make Together.

Beacon Academy Graduation Address,

June 6, 2018

Introduction

First of all, congratulations! Today is a big day for you and we can definitely feel the positive energy all around us. Soon enough you will be moving on to some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. We know it has taken a lot of effort for you to get here and we are honored to celebrate this occasion with you.

Today, we will share some ideas that we wish someone had told us when we were your age. It was not so long ago, but I remember at this time in my life, I was very concerned about the choices I would make, who I was, what would I become and how were these decisions contributing to the narrative or story of who I wanted to be.

We all play a role in various stories throughout our lives. The schools we chose, the professions we specialize in, and the people we relate to. In some ways, it is helpful to see our lives structured through a series of nested and overlapping stories. The layers of which relate to narratives of the self, of society, and of history.

The story of the self positions you in relation to others. It is rooted in your experience and knowledge, and helps you reflect on the decisions and choices that you make in life, to decide where you want to go.

The story of society is where our personal narratives have something in common. You are all here because of your commencement ceremony. This is what you have in common, and what you have in common can be a source for building new and collective narratives. These are stories about ambitions, values, and meanings that we take ownership of and relate to.

The story of the present is rooted in the past yet also related to the future. It is the duty of those in the present to mediate the narrative critically.