Resilient design is often narrowly linked to climate change and natural disasters, but its scope is much broader. True resiliency addresses infrastructure, economic, social, and environmental factors; it helps us prepare for both immediate shocks and long-term stressors. Our aim is to weave resiliency into every project. We strive to lead with passive design, as this design strategy provides the key to both reducing future climate emissions and improving livability and resiliency as the impacts of climate change take hold.

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Resilient design identifies and reinforces successful patterns of sustainable urban settlement, improves those that are less successful, and applies the lessons learned—from the scale of the city to the building, room, and individual experience. This approach also promotes the reuse and adaptation of existing buildings.

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Patterns of settlement that predate the automobile remain relevant models today. Even without a historic precedent, introducing walkable urbanism gives new places the best chance to become valuable, livable,
and high performing. Walkable communities are inherently more sustainable, as they support lifestyles less dependent on fossil fuels.

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To build a resilient future, we must not lose sight of these core foundations. This is the inherent resiliency of urbanism that we are working to harness.