The Positive Impact of Creative, Playable Spaces

826 Valencia Tenderloin Center. Image © Matthew Millman.

As designers we understand the powerful effect of creativity on ourselves and others. We challenge ourselves to create designs that inspire and connect people. We challenge ourselves to continuously seek new sources of inspiration, to create the new and unexpected. We do it because we love it, because it’s fun, because we form connections—with clients, partners and community members—and hope that our work is making even a little bit of a difference. But there is always the lingering question: does it matter? What is the actual impact of creative space?

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A Design Opportunity: Building #OurCityOakland

Image © Douglas Wittnebel

On Feb. 4-6, residents in Oakland, Calif. (from children to adults) will be able to build the future design of the city, literally. In an event that has taken place in cities across the United States, including Raleigh and San Francisco, the Our City festival is inviting Oaklanders to imagine, build, and celebrate the future of their community. To learn more about the Fair and how it can impact the future of planning and designing cities across the country, the GenslerOn editorial team interviewed Our City Co-Founders, Ray Boyle and Jake Levitas, and Gensler Oakland’s Design Director and Principal, Doug Wittnebel.

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