Architecture
Great architecture is about more than how a design looks - it’s about creating environments that meet the needs of users and improve their quality of life. For us, it's also about envisioning what could be and forging a bold path forward for our clients and our practice.
Whether it's a sprawling educational campus or a single-building renovation, we create structures and spaces that are timeless and enduring. With each project, our goal is to balance functionality and aesthetics as we collaborate to understand the social and cultural context of each project and work together to develop design solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. By combining our creativity, technical expertise and collaborative approach, we seek to create imaginative, sustainable spaces that enhance the lives of users and communities.
Our Approach
For a design to be successful, we must first gain a clear understanding of each client's needs and goals. Our work starts with an immersion in your vision for the future of our project. During this planning process, we engage various stakeholders in participatory planning and charrette process to interview, discuss, listen, observe and participate to collectively define issues, explore options and arrive at a consensus. These charrettes combine fact-finding with an energetic and engaging atmosphere to nurture creative solutions.
We believe in a well-defined and rigorous process that draws on the expertise of our team members to conceptualize the project early in the planning process so guardrails for design and decision-making can guide the project to success. From the day we begin planning and collaborating with each client, our team starts to frame the overall project scope, phasing, cost and schedule.
Our process employs a tailored set of intuitive tools that can blend virtual and in-person experiences to reinforce collaboration and participation through the planning and design phases. This adaptable framework accommodates the “pivots” inherent in any process and can shift to meet a project's changing needs from planning through construction. From beginning to end, we lead clients through an exciting and collaborative design process that will stimulate creativity, challenge assumptions, inspire change and activate ideas.
Universal Design
Our work in a variety of people-centered market sectors has influenced our awareness and attention to the diversity of accessibility needs. Universal design is truly for everyone, despite widespread confusion that it applies exclusively to people who are disabled or elderly or solely as a strategy to address ADA requirements.
From higher education campuses and early childhood education facilities for children with special needs to medical facilities and senior living environments, our teams have employed universal design strategies that provide equity and comprehensively improve the user experience. Universal design increases the potential for a better quality of life for everyone - and reduces stigma by putting people with disabilities on an equal playing field.
"Top 300" Design Firm
Architectural Record named RDG as #86, maintaining the firm’s position as one of the top 100 design firms in the United States.
Ranked 43 by BD+C
Building Design+Construction Magazine's latest ranking of the Top 110 Architecture/Engineering Firms places RDG Planning & Design at #43.
"Top 500" Design Firm
Engineering News-Record‘s Top 500 Design Firms list ranks the largest engineering, architectural and environmental design firms in the U.S. RDG Planning & Design was ranked #398.