At LS3P, Design Excellence Means We Catalyze Change in the Built Environment
Designers have long needed a better yardstick for evaluating the impacts of the work we do. An assessment of whether buildings rise to the subjective definition of “beautiful” is inadequate (and sidesteps the issue of whether everyone is welcome in the most “beautiful” places).
Espy Harper, EDAC, Six Sigma GB // Project Designer, Innovation Leader ©LS3P 2023
Designers have long needed a better yardstick for evaluating the impacts of the work we do. An assessment of whether buildings rise to the subjective definition of “beautiful” is inadequate (and sidesteps the issue of whether everyone is welcome in the most “beautiful” places). We can raise the standard, and we begin by setting the expectation that the buildings we design, at a minimum, impact their communities for the better. The adage “first, do no harm” emphatically applies to architecture as well as to medicine, and design gives us the opportunity to envision and support a better future.
Community-First Design Thinking
The first step in this process is to listen to, and deeply understand, the communities in which we’re building. Who are our neighbors, and what do they need? Even if they’re not the client or the end users of the project, they will be impacted by its presence. Is our project in an established neighborhood with a legacy of deep community ties and taking care of others? Is it in a more fluid community where newcomers rotate in and out for job opportunities and are looking for activity and connection? Is it in a walkable urban center close to a range of amenities, or is it in a more remote area with local needs which we might be able to address? Our work can honor and celebrate our communities by leaning in, listening, and reflecting their deeply held values outward through design.
Connectivity & Opportunity
Our buildings also send strong messages about how we want people to behave and interact, and as such, they can be powerful places for connection. Historical patterns of racial and economic segregation in our cities have led to persistent disparities in access and opportunity. As our built environment evolves, we can design for communities which are more cohesive. When our communities are better integrated across the full spectrum of residents, we can create better economic stability and more equitable options for employment, housing, and education for all. How can our designs serve as connection points between existing neighborhoods and nodes? How can we open avenues from, say, one 20-minute radius to another? How can we think about the evolving built environment as a real driver for new opportunities? What does full inclusion and accessibility look like in our public parks, our educational and healthcare facilities, our transit systems, our workplaces, and our civic spaces?
Inspiration & Manifestation
Excellent design has the capacity to inspire. Designers are skilled at translating concepts into design solutions, and we know that our buildings embody human aspiration. When we talk about big concepts such as human wellness or inclusion or justice, we have to be conscious about imbuing our designs with the values we want to see in the world. What does it mean to create a healthy place within a landscape, a streetscape, or a business district? What does justice look like in a healthcare environment or a cultural center? How can we design for equity in a classroom or an apartment building? How do we support opportunity in a workplace or civic building?
The work we do as designers – our buildings, our interior environments, our master plans or our campus designs – is about placemaking. Our investments in creating humancentered, inclusive, and aspirational places benefit not only our clients, but also their communities.
The values we inscribe (or fail to inscribe) in the built environment send powerful messages to the community. Excellent design can and should be beautiful, but more importantly, it should champion our fundamental values with the goal of bringing about meaningful, positive change.
Meet the Author
LS3P’s Innovation Leader Esperanza Harper EDAC, Six Sigma GB, is Associate Principal with the firm. Since joining the firm in 2018, Espy has consistently elevated our practice and our presence through her unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions. Her innovative spirit has brought fresh perspectives to our work, enabling us to tackle challenges head-on and seize new opportunities.
Espy is known for her history of energetic collaborative engagement, and she has consistently demonstrated a passion for working harmoniously with both internal and external teams on solving significant challenges. As Innovation Leader, Espy will strive to leverage the unique skills that each team member brings to the table, harness diverse strengths, and build consensus by creating an environment where innovation thrives through collaboration. Her expansive vision encompasses technology, process, and design.
In her 20+ year career, Espy has made significant contributions to the profession, earning her the respect of her colleagues, clients, and the industry.