Communitecture

About Communitecture

The Firm's History

Communitecture began in 1998 as an organization formed by several young, energetic designers and planners who wanted to create a dynamic atmosphere in which to pursue sustainable design projects and try out experimental ideas. It quickly became a design firm, undertaking numerous publicly-driven and private commissions, and many civic-collaborations with the non-profit City Repair Project. From the beginning our work has been collaborative, incorporating sculptural themes, historic sensitivity, ecological design, and community gathering places into our focus. Since our inception, our work has been a popular focus for the media because of our successful design integration of cutting edge and often neglected ideas. This has resulted in a steady stream of interesting and creative opportunities, each of which we have made the most of.

Our Mission

Our goal is to build community relationships as we build structures. Whether we are engaged in speculative projects or community development processes, our work always results in an expanded network of community relationships and economic opportunities. We are successful with this guiding vision because we approach each challenge collaboratively, playing leading or supporting roles as each situation requires.

How We Work

We established Communitecture as a new idea in how to work with people, and how to work as an office. While we maintain professional standards for efficiency and responsiveness, we also enjoy an informal working atmosphere and a flexible attitude in order to make the process enjoyable every time.

The firm is part of an interconnected network of firms and can grow to include many members in large teams depending on the scope of a project. Our community networking has resulted in an ability to draw any number of talented friends into our processes, including enginneering specialists, green and natural builders, community facilitators and organizers, city and neighborhood leaders, artists, performers, teachers, and many volunteers. Our projects are innovative and affordable, because we believe in making our community stronger by making our considerable services available.

In every project we look for ways to do more with less, as we work to accomplish multiple client benefits with each design decision.

Our firm size ensures close attention to and integration of each project phase. Each member of Communitecture is involved in all the steps in the development of the project in which they are involved. They are involved from start to finish, ensuring continuity and eliminating risk. By allowing access to the whole process, we ensure that the best ideas can come forward, whether it concerns big ideas or construction details.

Our Role

Communitecture is a full service design firm, typically leading projects from the conceptual design stage, supervising construction to completion. Our clients often look to us for creative, innovative solutions to conventional or unconventional design challenges. While we are able to generate surprisingly creative and practical building design and urban design solutions, we are also technically adept, comfortable with all construction materials and processes. We are able to provide additional related services as necessary.

Services

Communitecture has the experience to provide the following design/construction services:

• Site Analysis
• Master Planning
• Vision Planning
• Ecological/ Sustainable Design
• Community Involvement Processes and Facilitation
• Special Gathering Place Design Expertise
• Feasibility Studies (with other consultants)
• Existing Facility Analysis
• Fundraising Support
• Land Use Review Application and Processing
• Code/Zoning Review and Processing
• ADA/Analysis/Upgrade
• Full Building Design and Documenatation
• Space Planning and Interior Design
• Graphic Presentation Material
• Construction Document Preparation
• Post Construction Consultation and Assistance