Rather than imposing arbitrary guiderails onto our design process, R3A practices a design and project management approach that puts both the client and end-user in the driver’s seat. To this end, the client’s pressing challenges and enthusiastic vision provide the scope for a project, and the end-users’ needs and expectations comprise the foundation upon which that project is built.
Often, the client and end-user are one in the same. Equally as often, they are not. The more diverse the stakeholders of a particular project, the more care must be taken to consider optimal outcomes are created for everyone. We practice radical listening as a foremost design principal — this means that our work is driven not by a designer’s ego or aesthetic preferences, but by a data-driven understanding of the project’s goals and a duty of service to those who will use it. In pursuit of the most efficient, effective outcome possible, we prioritize user research, stakeholder interviews, community programming workshops, and continuous feedback to guide our work.
PROGRAMMING APPROACH
Our approach to the programming and analysis phase will focus on information gathering, which will support a variety of uses, for both in-person and digital work. The information gathered in this phase is critical to the project success as it forms the foundation of the design process and helps us clearly understand the main objectives and priorities. It will also serve as the road map for all subsequent phases and designs.
DESIGN APPROACH
Every project is driven by a number of critical forces that need to be reconciled through a faithful design campaign. This can include context, sustainability, functionality, durability, performance, and technology. Each of these considerations offer unique design options and challenges. Our team not only appreciates the need to carefully evaluate and address these considerations, but also to view these constraints as the framework that sparks our creativity.
TECHNOLOGY AS A DESIGN TOOL
Technology is a critical aspect to our design process. Whether in the form of analytic tools, project management tools, or visualization tools, we leverage technology to enhance not only the efficiency of our process but more importantly to enhance our client’s experience working with us throughout the design process.
SUSTAINABLE + WELL DESIGN
As architects, we are in the business of creating spaces that last. At its point of completion, a building is not a static entity, despite the iron and concrete involved in its construction. In order to ensure that these living ecosystems are well-situated for success in the greater environment and across time, we implement responsible practices whenever possible.
PLACEMAKING + FLEXIBLITY
As organizations evolve, their space requirements change. Space is a multi-dimensional resource that facilitates and responds to changes in technology, methodology, human resources, and more. To accommodate this continuous evolution, we create spaces which can adapt alongside an organization’s needs. Flexibility equals future-proofing and we design spaces that last.