12.02.2011

The Innovation Incubator

Three Featured Projects

Our Innovation Incubator program cultivates an invigorating culture of innovation by supporting small, focused explorations proposed by staff members through micro-grants of money and time. These micro-grants provide opportunities for proactive idea investigation, technical development and design collaboration. Results of these explorations further our design work and contribute to the knowledge base of our industry.

As the Innovation Incubator awards its fourth round of micro-grants, we look back at the many inspiring projects from the first three rounds and feature these three exceptional examples.

Innovation Incubator: Computational Shading

Through our Innovation Incubator program, we investigated the potential of parametric modeling to resolve and control a performative shading device, responsive to a unique context and solar exposure. The proposal illustrates a new approach to computational design techniques focused on performance-based configurations by coordinating complex relationships and conditions specific to context. Read more and download the Computational Shading report.

Designing into the Fabric of Culture

An exploration of the potential for rebranding clinical uniforms worn by practitioners, care givers and staff at the new Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Read more and download the Designing into the Fabric of Culture report.

San Francisco Parklets

Local design firms, non-profits, community organizers and residents of San Francisco have inspired a recovery of paved spaces recreated as urban oases. In an effort to contribute to this new movement and lend our expertise in design and urban planning, a team in our San Francisco office has proposed to design and implement a parklet in the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood. Read more and download the San Francisco Parklets report.