Innovation begins with a single question. That's the idea behind our #InnovationIncubator, an internal micro-grant program that, for 15 years, has given our staff the time, funding, and freedom to pursue their passion projects. With over 300 projects to its name, the incubator has become an engine for producing research that addresses critical challenges in architecture, urbanism, equity, and sustainability. It has also promoted a culture of knowledge sharing and creative exploration that permeates our work and ripples across the wider industry.
What role can design play in achieving a net-zero, resilient future? One recent project, “Net Zero in Focus,” a Fall 2024 grantee, explored this question through a three-part podcast series. Hosted by Isha Mishra, Designer II in our Seattle studio, and PhD. Arch. Luis M Barajas, Sustainability Design Advisor III in our Houston studio, it featured voices at the forefront of this work, including Heather Burpee, Research Professor at the University of Washington’s Integrated Design Lab; John N., Senior Regenerative Design Advisor at McLennan Design Perkins&Will Bainbridge Island; and Christopher Meek, Professor of Architecture at the University of Washington and Director of the Center for Integrated Design. They explored topics ranging from climate-responsive design to the role of healthcare facilities in advancing green energy.
The series serves as a testament to the power of collaboration—how designers, policymakers, and communities can work together to build a resilient future. Watch the conversation with Heather below and learn more about our “Net Zero in Focus” incubator here: https://lnkd.in/g-3qpPBS
#DesignResearch #NetZero
