+ ABOUT US

Community Design Group (CDG) is the nonprofit research arm of PRACTICE, an architecture and design firm in Pasadena, CA. CDG investigates impactful new technologies, typologies, and community-based initiatives that work in conjunction with the projects of PRACTICE to build collective intellectual capital toward ensuring that every community thrives through access to innovative design.

+ DESIGN IS A POLITICAL ACT

Currently, access to design is privileged, reinforcing established power structures within our society.

+ Our Mission

WE BELIEVE in the power of design to engage neighborhoods and transform urban environments through access, education, and research.

WE ARE a research and education based non-profit dedicated to issues impacting under-resourced communities.

WE SEEK to provide venues for design dialogue that support enhanced equity, integrity, and empathy for all people.

+ Our Vision

IMPLEMENTING projects that serve under-resourced communities

PARTNERING with educational institutions to engage the next generation of design and thought leaders

ORGANIZING conferences and symposia to engage the public in critical dialogue

CREATING publications that distribute knowledge and thought leadership

CONNECTING design professionals with communities

+ Our Values

BELIEF that design is a vehicle for social change

ACCESS to design education

the POWER of community

Social and environmental JUSTICE

DESIGN that embodies integrity, empathy, and compassion

+ Our Board of Directors

Ali Barar, AIA

Brenda Berg

Armando Gonzalez, FAIA

Greg Kochanowski, AIA

Staci Nesbitt, AIA