Living-Centered Design

Let's dare to flourish

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We conceived Living-Centered Design as our novel approach to designing solutions for today's greatest challenges. It allows us to address not only human needs, but the increasingly complex interdependencies that exist across all life.

Inspired by the best attributes of human-centered and systems-based design methods, Living-Centered Design seizes opportunities through the lens of the broader ecosystems they exist within—helping organizations and communities realize more impactful, systematic change.

And while it originated within our company and is embedded in our DNA, it's not ours. We believe it's a better way to design and we're proud to share it with the world.

Read the Metropolis profile on Living-Centered Design
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Watch this video for a quick introduction into Living-Centered Design.

Living-Centered Design is fueled by a deep understanding of the core needs and connections that exist across humanity:

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People deserve to live inspired, safe and fulfilling lives.

Businesses should be constantly empowered to define new levels of success.

Communities need to support and nurture all citizens.

Society must create equitable paths for social and economic prosperity.

Our environment needs to be protected.

None of these needs exist in a silo. Our design process addresses the interrelationships across them all.

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In 2019, Fast Company recognized CannonDesign as one of just nine World-Changing Companies of the year because of Living-Centered Design and its impact on communities.
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Our firm's purpose is to help people continuously flourish.
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Our firm's purpose is to help people continuously flourish.
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Our firm's purpose is to help people continuously flourish.

Our world is facing big challenges—from public health to climate change, education and social injustice. It’s time to harness the power of design to create change and deliver lasting solutions that make for a better tomorrow, for everyone. That’s the driving idea behind Living-Centered Design.

Living-Centered Design in action

Testimonials

  • In the past, design was almost always about a specific spatial need. With Living-Centered Design, we're looking at the impact we’re making at every scale, from the intimate human scale of experience all the way to how it’s affecting the community, how it’s making societal change—and how it’s actually impacting the planet.

    David Polzin, AIA Executive Director of Design

  • For me it’s really about bringing as many voices to the table as you can, as early on as you can. Anyone can solve a problem. But if you dig deeper and ask more, ask the why and the why nots, you’ll get to another level, discovering the root of things and how to really make an impact at a much broader and sustainable scale.

    Monica Pascatore, AIA, LEED AP Design Leader

  • Living-Centered Design is about amplifying impact. Impact like helping organizations take control of their biggest challenges—to the enduring benefit of society and the environment. And the impact of people experiencing joy, connection, achievement, purpose and pride—to the benefit of their communities. These societal gains matter just as much as financial gains.

    Alejandro Stochetti, AIA, LEED AP Design Principal

  • In contrast to traditional or technically driven approaches, architecture that employs Living-Centered Design principles present a special opportunity to shape people’s lives and influence outcomes.

    Kevin Nyhoff Design Principal

Life-inspired perspectives

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Inclusion is the backbone of Living-Centered Design. We engage the diverse communities and stakeholders we’re designing for in every step of the process.
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Inclusion is the backbone of Living-Centered Design. We engage the diverse communities and stakeholders we’re designing for in every step of the process.
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Inclusion is the backbone of Living-Centered Design. We engage the diverse communities and stakeholders we’re designing for in every step of the process.

The opportunity for Living-Centered Design to change lives and communities is boundless. Its practice isn't confined by any sector, typology, geography, scale or area of expertise. It will evolve as the continuum of needs changes and new challenges emerge. And we invite bold thinkers, designers and problem solvers to help us realize the most impact possible.

Take the next step with us.

Get in touch.

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