Most of you are familiar with Boston’s District Hall, the world’s first public innovation center. But you may not be familiar with the building’s general manager and designer, Nicole Fichera. The creative force behind District Hall now works for the Venture Cafe Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting folks in the innovation community.
Fichera tells BostInno that she is “fascinated by the connection between innovation and space.” Not only has she served as part of the design team for District Hall at Hacin + Associates, but she also worked as Innovation District Manager for the City of Boston.
Here, Fichera tells BostInno how she spends her days collaborating, innovating and even, singing in the subway.
How do you spend most mornings?
On the best mornings, I wake up early enough to have coffee with my awesome boyfriend. Then it’s out the door and onto the Red Line. I like to carve out quiet time on the T, or at least time away from email. I listen to Radiolab or Freakonomics or the HBR Ideacast, or I read (right now I’m reading ‘Cubed: A Secret History of the Workplace’ — fascinating).
What are the top priorities on your to-do list right now?
We have an awesome team member who is on vacation for the week, so I’m just trying to stay on top of everything! Top priority: keep it all going until next Monday.
What is the best part and the worst part about your day?
The endless, fascinating, fast-paced, (sometimes frustrating!) variety! Running District Hall is easily the most challenging and constantly surprising job. In a typical week, we might have a tour from a foreign delegation looking at economic development strategies, an offsite meeting for a cleantech startup, a design workshop for high school students, a photo shoot and a clambake. The days are long and our team is small, but you just can’t ask for a more inspiring place to be.
What do you love most about your job as General Manager of District Hall?
My background is in architecture originally and I was on the design team for District Hall. I’ve been working on it in some capacity or another since 2010, from concept and design, through construction and launch, and now through operations, performance, business model. I love this little building, and what it stands for. And hey, it doesn’t hurt that we’ve got Gather and Brew here on site … if I’ve got a craving for local beer and grilled octopus, I don’t even have to leave the building.
Are there any companies or entrepreneurs that have inspired you during your time at District Hall?
Too many to name! Right after we first opened, we hosted a group called the Hello World Foundation that teaches kids how to build their first websites. The Together Boston festival is such an amazing effort. Who else could host an event where plants make music and the Mayor drops the first ceremonial beat?! MassChallenge is a constant inspiration, with their incredible energy and convening power, and their relentless focus on impact.
If you could impart one piece of advice to our readers, what would it be?
Love your city, and it will love you back.
What would you do if you were suddenly granted a day off from work tomorrow?
I would enjoy every minute of being at home. Laundry, wearing stretchy pants all day, no email, playing guitar. If I was feeling extra motivated I would go and sing in the subway. I’m a licensed subway performer, and it’s one of my favorite things to do. I have a rule: any money I make in the subway goes toward musical equipment: recording stuff, a happy new blue ukulele. Which is obviously now called a blukulele.
If you weren’t answering my questions, what would you be doing instead?
I’d be on Apartment Therapy, or perusing Craigslist for random furniture finds. I’ve always loved furniture and I always have some new design scheme going for my apartment — I have floor plans, spreadsheets, budgets. It’s a very organized obsession.
