I traveled to a warm seaside destination on a chilly, damp day. Even with the rain coming down, the area seemed beautiful. The sun shined brightly the next morning, and as I turned the corner, I saw several apartment complexes with gorgeous plants and trees giving color and warmth. And there was a well-designed set of stairs with an accessibility ramp. It wasn’t only functional; it flowed. It fit with the surroundings. Over the next couple days, I saw people come and go. Because of the design, it almost looked as if people were climbing into the sky, due primarily to the vibrant blue sky peeking through the buildings.

There was a playground tucked into the landscaping to one side of the staircase in front of one of the buildings. I thought it was a typical playground at first then realized there was exercise equipment, a great addition for a primarily outdoor-friendly setting for families. There were two very tall slides, which is when I realized the staircase I’d admired for two days served yet another function. They were the path to the top of the slides. Brilliant. I imagined families coming down from their apartments, and the kids peeling off to take the quick trip to the playground. Designing the slides off the stairs saved space and made getting to the top of the stairs much safer than the usual ladder. And because there were side by side slides, more than one person could descend at the same time.

Why did it matter to me? I was only there a few days. I didn’t live there and will likely never see that specific area again. But it was a reminder of thoughtful and intentional design, not only in architecture and landscaping but also everyday life. How intentional are we in our decisions? We can’t map every detail of our plans, but we need to reflect, consider, discern, and adjust. How well are we creating an environment for people around us, both in function and form? How accessible are we to others? Are we inviting some fun within the routine? How can we improve our surroundings, including our relationships? How well are we doing community?

It’s worth considering today.

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