Perkins&Will supports small, focused explorations proposed by staff members with micro-grants of money and time through the Innovation Incubator program. The Innovation Incubator promotes the exploration and development of ideas that improve our work, open new areas of business and stretch our collective creativity. The results of these explorations further our design work, improve our design process and contribute to the knowledge base of our industry.
The program was launched in 2010 and was an immediate success. With more than 700 entries over 20 cycles, sustained interest in the Innovation Incubator at all levels of the firm is testament to its relevance in our ever-growing culture of innovation.
Browse some of the Innovation Incubator projects that have helped grow the profession’s intelligence over the years. Explore more at: innovation.perkinswill.com.
This article investigates the use of AI-generated images into architectural design. The research aims to assess the potential benefits, challenges, and perceptions of AI tools in architectural practice, focusing on their application during the initial design phases. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study comprised an initial survey, a hands-on workshop with the architects of Perkins&Will’s... Read more »
Transit-oriented development (TOD) is a crucial strategy for building sustainable and livable cities by promoting walkability, cycling, and transit use. TOD reduces the reliance on cars and minimizes its environmental impact while enhancing public health. Additionally, TOD can improve economic opportunities and social equity by providing inclusive access to employment, education, and services for all... Read more »
Girls and women experience the built environment distinctly differently than boys and men. They use and navigate it differently and face barriers to its use. Just as we’re starting to reckon with the fact that public spaces are not gender-neutral for adults, we must also realize this is the case for adolescents. This study aimed... Read more »
It is a well-known fact that for the last 50 years, minority representation in the architecture profession has barely changed and is still only less than 3%. After a brief survey, we discovered that most people of color were not exposed to architecture or related fields in their K-12 experience. With this in mind, “How... Read more »
In this Innovation Incubator, our goal is to craft a comprehensive framework to establish the concept of Wet Green Infrastructure (WGI). Two key focuses drive our exploration: – The relevance of green infrastructure and its interconnectedness, drawing upon ecological theory to better understand ecological networks. – The significance of wetland habitats in the UK and... Read more »
Addressing Emergency Department (ED) wait times necessitates a comprehensive strategy that considers the diverse factors impacting patient experiences and operational effectiveness. By reimagining the design of EDs, we can cultivate environments that prioritize patient well-being and empower healthcare professionals to deliver exemplary care. We endeavor to diminish wait times and enhance the overall ED experience... Read more »
This project proposes a collaboration with Schwarzman Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York to enhance dog welfare on the 4th & 6th floors of the medical center’s workplace. Aligned with AMC’s mission and responding to the increasing demand for pet-friendly workplaces post-Pandemic, the submission aims to develop a toolkit with the client’s expertise. This... Read more »
There is a known gap in architectural design between the ability to engineer acoustics and the need to design for the perception of sound, or “soundscape.” Equity falls through that gap, in terms of accessibility but also social cohesion. Because the Living Building Challenge is the only architectural certification to specify Equity in its standard,... Read more »
The purpose of this Toolkit is to start weaving together diverse perspectives and voices, each contributing to the creation of spaces that align with Indigenous values. It strives to provide a comprehensive resource that promotes collaborative, ethical, and culturally sensitive design practices that honour Indigenous perspectives, history, and sustainability goals. Nonetheless, the engagement tools and... Read more »
How do we keep our humanity at the forefront? This research project aims to uncover potential AI blind spots and set up a framework for using the optimal AI tools to reach equitable human-centric design solutions. As we move into a world of AI, our digital heritage becomes an important aspect of how our knowledge... Read more »
This project assessed a methodology for calculating a Bike Share Propensity Index (BSPI). The BSPI identifies areas within a city that exhibit characteristics favorable for bike sharing. The results and insights gained from this project will enable us to support better the cities we collaborate with. We evaluated and tested three different statistical approaches to... Read more »
