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.
The current processes around Project Specifications may feel tiring and have a steep learning curve for novices. Recent advances in natural language processing (NLP), such as ChatGPT, enable human-like interaction with AI-bots that can quickly parse large amounts of text. We hypothesize that incorporating Conversational AI into product submittal reviews can lead to quicker responses,... Read more »
This research delves into the impact of AI, particularly AI-generated images, on architectural design processes. Initially exploring the dynamic and iterative nature of architectural design, the study emphasizes the pivotal role of traditional and digital tools. Focusing on the application of AI, the research contends that when effectively employed, AI enhances creativity by swiftly providing... Read more »
In North America, the queer community has seen their identity in the public realm contested over the years, bringing out anti-queer activists protesting queer presence in public spaces. These ongoing efforts to oppress queer use and expression have contributed to a decline in the physical and mental health of queer individuals. This research project brings... Read more »
The detrimental effects of climate change due to the increase of carbon emission into our atmosphere have led to several issues in our cities and impacted the health of residents. The high use of motor vehicles, the long distances of transit, and the increased number of impervious surfaces have not helped mitigate the heat island... Read more »
‘The Meanwhile’ is an engagement toolkit for temporary interventions on sites undergoing development. The toolkit is a conversation starter to prompt stakeholders with tactical urbanism ideas that can activate the site prior to the project construction phase. This is done through a suite of cards which are categorized based on parameters such as: size, cost,... Read more »
The first step to understanding the regenerative potential of mass timber involves assessing the lumber supply chain and forestry best management practices. This paper explores these topics, beginning with an overview of the carbon cycle of wood products and the role designers play in protecting the earth’s resources through material selection. While sourcing sustainable mass... Read more »
For years, the lab bench has be considered the ‘rockstar’ of the laboratory. But are scientists using it as much as they have in the past? Is the type of science, flow within the lab, or reliance on specialized laboratory spaces and equipment making the lab bench in need of a makeover? We targeted interviews... Read more »
Increased opportunities and the ability to work from home supported by unbroken technological connectivity have allowed the stressors and anxiety of the workplace to creep deeper into our personal lives. Hence, it is essential to reset the brain while increasing separation between work and personal life. TRANSITion is a passenger-focused solution that helps regain control... Read more »
“Confronting the Sexist City” is a study that helps reimagine our cities and understand how we can create better opportunities for women, girls, and other gender-diverse individuals in the public realm. This first exploration involved a group of participants traveling along a 2.2km stretch of Queen Street in Toronto, documenting their range of emotions and... Read more »
The post-acute care space is in dire need of innovation. Post-acute care facilities provide rehabilitation and long-term support for patients’ continued recovery and management of chronic illness or disability. With the increasing need to improve patient care and demographic shifts, healthcare systems have been focusing on quality improvement. However, there are several instances where patients... Read more »
The architectural model is both a tool for communication and a vehicle of exploration; not only does it reflect a formal design idea, but also ethics in material selection. Just as the building industry can generate enormous amounts of waste, so too can the ideation process. Copious amounts of single use materials are used and... Read more »
