Interface Studio LLC

This plan aligns and empowers downtown residents and businesses with a unified, diverse vision for change for our common future, said LaShana Lewis, Board Chair of the Downtown Neighborhood Association and member of the Design Downtown STL Advisory Committee. We were honored to lead the planning process for Downtown St. Louis, and are excited to see the draft available for public comment. The Plan brings together strategies for creating more green space, safer streets, reu...sing vacant spaces, and more, to spur economic development. Two overarching themes shaping the plan are inclusive entrepreneurship and COVID-19 recovery. In order for Downtown to recover from the economic conditions of the pandemic, public and private investment will have to come together to use creative, equitable solutions for increased opportunity. Check out this news story for more: https://www.stlmag.com//design-downtown-stl-seeks-public-/ See more

"We wanted to provide a tool for thinking at the district level." Check out Sarah and Scott's interview on retail recovery during COVID with Ninigret Partners. Thanks for having us, Building Design + Construction! https://www.youtube.com/watch

From planning into action: It is great to see development in Pittsburgh’s Uptown neighborhood taking shape alongside our EcoInnovation District Plan. This new building is replacing a surface parking lot and incorporating a green roof, bike parking, energy efficient windows, and consideration of plans for a Bus Rapid Transit corridor. The 2017 Pittsburgh EcoInnovation District Plan serves as a blueprint for development that is environmentally sustainable, supports the needs of existing residents, and expands entrepreneurship and job growth. Check out this Next City story for more info: https://nextpittsburgh.com//construction-starting-this-su/

Last week, a vote of the Macon-Bibb commissioners approved a resolution supporting several components of the Macon Action Plan (MAP) including removal of a statue at the location of one of Macon’s slave markets. Our work on MAP emphasized the need for an inclusive and dignified plaza at this location to help Downtown build a better community from the ground up. We’re extremely proud of the work by the Macon Bibb Urban Development Authority , NewTown Macon and their many partners to continue to make bold changes in Downtown Macon. To view the resolution and a detailed list of MAP improvements, check out the news story at the link: https://wgxa.tv//macon-bibb-commissioners-to-vote-on-movin

With this framework, the city is changing the way we do business, said St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson. We worked with the residents of St. Louis and Mass Economics to create Vision 2020: Equitable Economic Development Strategy Framework. The plan boldly addresses the racial wealth gap through investment in people and place-based strategies catered to each neighborhood. Read more about the plan at the links: ... https://www.stltoday.com//article_ffa7ffbc-1c8d-5caf-9e4f- https://www.constructforstl.org/citys-strategic-framework-/ https://news.stlpublicradio.org//st-louis-seeks-public-inp

In a time when public spaces couldn’t be more essential, we’re excited to share that Reimagining the Civic Commons is investing in 5 new cities, and we will be helping each to measure & share the impacts of their transformative public space investments on local communities. We believe hard data can tell the story of success more effectively and increase broad-based support for these investments in cities across the country. . In the new phase of Reimagining the Civic Commons, Lexington, KY; Macon, GA; Miami, FL; Minneapolis, MN; and San Jose, CA, are joining the original cohort of Akron, OH; Memphis, TN; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; and Philadelphia, PA. . Pic of & by Memphis River Parks Partnership. Check out the article for more: https://www.smartcitiesdive.com//reimagining-civic/578712/

Public parks, playgrounds, trails and public spaces produce tremendous social benefits for their communities, but it can be hard to make the case for investing in these places without the data to prove it. With Reimagining the Civic Commons, we designed do-it-yourself measurement toolkits so any organization can track how public space improvements impact things like park visitorship, local stewardship and advocacy, socio-economic mixing, the environment and economic development. Check them out here: https://civiccommons.us/2019/01/measure-matters-diy-toolkit/

Interface collaborated with Ninigret Partners to release a framework for economic recovery. COVID-19 has fundamentally changed the retail environment in our downtowns, commercial corridors, and main streets. We must respond to new economic patterns and customer behaviors to develop retail recovery strategies that are unique to each place. Let’s use this unprecedented time to develop tools and policies that offer better support to the unique needs of small businesses. Check out the the full document here: http://interface-studio.com//restart-reset-retool-refill-c

We felt we needed to do something more immediate, to provide immediate assistance to the nonprofits we work with that are on the front lines. So, they created Design A.I.D., short for Design Assistance in Demand. Check out this Philadelphia Inquirer article to read more about Community Design Collaborative's great work with Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission during COVID-19 that Interface's own Yoona has been a part of. https://www.inquirer.com//philadelphia-design-aid-communit

The American Planning Association has awarded a National Excellence in Sustainability Award to the Pittsburgh EcoInnovation District plan! Focusing on the Uptown Pittsburgh/ West Oakland neighborhood in Pittsburgh, the EcoInnovation District combines sustainability with economic innovation and is designed as a blueprint for equitable, economically and environmentally sustainable development. Team: Sam Schwartz, Stoss, Mondre Energy, Sci-Tek Consultants, Duane Morris Government Strategies, Ninigret Partners, and The Tactile Group. Read more: https://apascd.wordpress.com/awards/

Exciting to see these new bike lanes on Greenville Avenue in Richardson, TX! This route connects their Core District to their Innovation Quarter (that we helped write the plan for!). Cycling is sustainable, convenient, low-cost, and socially distant, which make it a great transportation option. #bikelanes #increasingmobility #realrichardson #innovationdistricts #downtown

Looking for ways to play safely while practicing social distancing? While we can’t enjoy ourselves in all the same ways as before, we can still spend time outside with loved ones doing fun activities that keep everyone safe while adhering to social distancing guidelines. Try getting outside to cycle, skate, hula hoop, jump rope, hike, or fly a kite! What's your go-to activity for getting outside safely? Leave your thoughts in the comments below! Resource guide here: https://docs.google.com//13GTo6uo0WqrcEsWtktXlAf_JAl/edit

The public Open House for our Design Downtown STL Online Open House plan is officially online (and in the news!). Restrictions on public gathering due to COVID-19 forced us to think differently about public engagement. In Downtown St. Louis, our online open house is full of information you’d find at an in-person event. Online activities invite users to help us prioritize ideas and comment on six different goals of the plan. Check out the Open House at the link: https://downtownstl.org/design-downtown-stl/ The project was also in the news! Check out this Fox2Now article for more info on the project: https://fox2now.com//how-you-can-weigh-in-on-the-future-o/