Bring Your Boldest Vision to Life

Special Commissions encompass projects that don't fit neatly within our standard practice areas but align with our expertise and values. These might include public art installations, specialized recreational facilities, unique civic structures, environmental interventions, innovative product designs, or conceptual explorations. The common thread is that each presents a unique design challenge requiring creative thinking and interdisciplinary expertise. If your project pushes boundaries in some way, we're eager to explore its potential.

When venturing into uncharted territory, we employ a structured creative process that balances exploration with rigor. We begin with extensive research to understand underlying needs and context, followed by collaborative ideation sessions that generate diverse possibilities. Promising concepts undergo feasibility testing through rapid prototyping and expert consultation. Throughout the process, we maintain transparent communication about challenges and opportunities, ensuring your vision evolves thoughtfully without losing its essential character.

Creative solutions must ultimately function in the real world. Our team combines blue-sky thinking with technical expertise and practical knowledge. We evaluate innovative concepts against multiple criteria: technical feasibility, budget parameters, regulatory requirements, maintenance considerations, and long-term performance. This balanced approach ensures your project is not just conceptually exciting but genuinely implementable. We believe the most creative solutions often emerge from embracing practical constraints rather than ignoring them.

We approach unique proposals with open minds and thoughtful consideration. Our evaluation begins with a discovery consultation to understand your vision, goals, and parameters. We then assess alignment with our expertise, values, and capacity. Projects that advance sustainability, innovation, and quality of life receive particular interest. While we can't accept every proposal, we provide honest feedback and, when appropriate, may suggest alternative approaches or potential collaborators if we're not the right fit.

Success metrics for unique projects can't rely on standard benchmarks alone. We collaborate with clients to develop custom performance rubrics and success parameters early in the process. These tailored metrics guide decision-making throughout the project and provide clear standards for evaluating outcomes. Beyond quantitative measures, we value the qualitative impact—how the project influences perceptions, creates meaningful experiences, and contributes to broader social and environmental goals.