Mixed Use

How a building fosters community

Many cities–large and small, urban and rural–are reimagining how new and existing buildings can serve as authentic expressions of their communities and engines for vitality. Mixed use projects create unique opportunities for public and private entities to realize those goals by exploring how people connect to space and how space connects people to each other.

HGA’s holistic approach to design considers the lasting impact buildings have on the wellbeing of individuals, neighborhoods, organizations, and the environment. We engage community stakeholders throughout the research and pre-design process to build a stronger sense of ownership and pride in the project, as well as learn how questions of equity, capacity-building, sustainability, and urban revitalization might be addressed through design, including:

• How do we foster integration, density, and compatibility of diverse users?
• How do we create a healthy, safe, and pedestrian-friendly environment?
• How do we balance job and affordable housing availability?
• How do we reduce embodied and operational carbon?

Whether a new landmark building in an urban center or a sensitive historic restoration in a small city, by embracing the level of thoughtfulness in our design these buildings can be successful for all-involved: valuable for our clients, treasured by their communities, and responsible to our world.