We believe that through thoughtful and intentional planning and design, institutions such as museums and civic buildings can celebrate diversity in our communities; enhance the collective culture through visual and performing arts, music, literature, innovation, and entrepreneurship; and promote inclusion and equitable opportunities for all.
At the heart of our practice is always community. We believe every space should reflect the people in that community, and be tailored to their needs. Our team believes that, as designers, we are uniquely positioned to advocate for the quality of the built environment. This passion, along with our immersive design process and client-centric collaboration, informs our approach for the design of libraries, museums, civic buildings and other community spaces.
While every community space—whether a museum, a library, or a multi-use space—starts with with a deep dive into its end users and its purpose, all of these spaces require unique approaches. City Halls and municipal spaces can benefit from a fresh perspective on workplace design, libraries must speak to different generations of users and provide the flexibility to be the “front porch” of their communities, and museums provide enriching experiences for children and adults alike.
We also want every space to be inclusive and without barriers. Every space should give a sense of belonging and of welcoming.
Our team has made a commitment to promoting inclusive design and equity as part of our firm cultures. It is especially important that public buildings are designed without barriers. People from all backgrounds should feel welcome. Engaging all parts of a community in the design process creates a sense of belonging and ownership and facilitates the identification and elimination of barriers that shapers of the built environment may not readily see.