Results
Each of these projects and events began as a Think.
RESEARCH
Cultural Preservation
Safeguarding Traditions
Cultural preservation helps maintain cultural diversity, promotes intergenerational transmission of knowledge, fosters a sense of identity and belonging, and contributes to sustainable development. It recognizes the value of cultural heritage and the need to protect and pass that heritage on to future generations — ensuring that unique cultural expressions and identities continue to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Cultural Preservation maintains our integrity as a people, it is the the wealth of knowledge, skills, and beliefs that are passed down to each generation.
This protection, conservation, and safeguarding of cultural heritage, traditions, artifacts, knowledge, and practices for future generations — that is Cultural Preservation. It involves efforts to ensure the continuity and survival of cultural expressions, values, customs, languages, and historical resources for all peoples.
Trauma-Informed Design
Creating Spaces that Heal
Trauma-informed design is an approach to creating environments that takes into account the potential impact of trauma. It involves designing spaces and experiences in a way that minimizes triggers and promotes safety, inclusivity, and healing.
The principles of trauma-informed design are rooted in understanding and acknowledging the prevalence and effects of trauma. Trauma can result from various experiences, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or natural disasters, and it can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Trauma-informed design can be applied in a variety of settings — including healthcare facilities, schools, public spaces, workplaces, and digital platforms. By implementing these principles, designers aim to create environments that support healing, reduce potential triggers, and promote the overall well-being of individuals who have experienced trauma.
Ambassador Workshop
Listening to Community Voices
Ambassador Workshops are a unique consensus-building tool that we have perfected over the past two decades. Through this process, we aim to understand the true lifestyle and values of a group, and we work together to assess a unified vision for growth.
Much of our planning for the workshop goes unnoticed in order to create an informal and fun environment that is conducive to collaboration. Guided by the firm, selecting participants is the first important step. Our goal is to create a true cross section of a group. Then, through a series of workshop sessions, we lead the group through a process assessing current activities, community image, and issues related to potential growth. The introspective process results in “design drivers” that become the foundation for all design work.
Throughout the process, the group is called to represent what they experienced to their constituencies. This keeps the larger group that they represent knowledgeable, and informed. The visioning report, design drivers, and phased program become a stable and strong foundation for design to proceed.