Shaping Spaces

This edition brings you inspiring design stories, from iconic football stadiums that energize game-day experiences, to our lighting design that transforms a stone church into a beacon of hope, and education projects that prioritize student wellness. Discover how we’re using augmented reality to preserve queer history and leading the conversation on lifestyle retail design in the Middle East. Here’s your rundown!

1. Kicking Off Football Season: A Look Back

Kicking off football season by looking back: these two historic stadiums are given new life through strategic renovations. Over 100 years, the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has played a part in history-making moments, and thanks to the effort to restore it, this track record will continue. Our $315-million renovation reinvented the game-day experience for fans, preparing the space for the 2028 Olympic games.

Halfway across the country, 美国密苏里大学哥伦比亚分校 Department of Athletics is ready to balance the storied tradition of Mizzou football with a new era of functionality and community. Our design focuses on the North Endzone, transforming Memorial Stadium into a dynamic space equipped for diverse needs. How do you think these renovations will shape the future of game-day traditions? Let us know in the comments.

2. Prioritizing Students Through Design

Comfort and dignity: our design for the new Boys Town Education Center captures the community’s unique spirit to provide safe and inspiring learning experiences. The driving forces of the design stem from a special consideration for the mental health and wellbeing of students and faculty. Listen to Principal and K-12 Education Leader Vanessa Schutte, AIA, ALEP, as she shares some of the choices designed to empower learners.

3. New York City Design Honored with 2024 Special Citation Award

Illuminating Engineering Society recognized our lighting design for St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church with a 2024 Special Citation Award – discover how our lighting design for St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church is transforming architecture with the power of light.

“This win recognizes how light can be used as the most important material in architecture,” says Principal and New York Studio Leader Tom Gallagher, AIA. Appearing “to be lit from 10,000 candles,” the design goes from a solid stone church by day to a luminous beacon of light and hope by night.

4. Essence Highlights Queer Harlem Renaissance App

Essence Communications Inc. magazine spotlights the Queer Harlem Renaissance app created by Associate and Designer Abriannah A. and Terry Vallery, II. Developed through our Personal Development Grant program, this interactive app recreates historic places through an augmented reality experience, highlighting the legacy of important queer spaces.

5. An In-Depth Look at Lifestyle Retail in the Middle East Region

Principal and Middle East Design Director Scott Pryde, RIBA ARB, joins Design Middle East to discuss the evolution of lifestyle retail design. A leading figure in the Middle East’s retail and mixed-use landscape, Scott shares his expertise in creating vibrant spaces that cater to modern consumers’ needs.

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