Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

With Texas Wesleyan University's (TWU) desire to cast a long-term vision for student life while addressing the immediate impacts of the pandemic, the university sought guidance from Little on how to overhaul the residential area of campus and revitalize its campus life. Through a collaborative planning process, Little and the university worked closely with students, faculty, and stakeholders to create a "mini" master plan in less than five months that reimagined housing, dining, and communal spaces, fostering a stronger sense of community on campus.   On the blog today, Thomas Carlson-Reddig, Community Practice Leader at Little, and Carson Dinger, Director of Housing and Residence Life at TWU, detail the project's challenges and the strategies that led to its success. Originally published in the Planning for Higher Education Journal by the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), the piece highlights how, through extensive planning and thoughtful design, TWU has positioned itself for success in an increasingly competitive enrollment landscape, ensuring the university continues to attract and retain students well into the future.   Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eBegvyZY #masterplanning #campusplanning #highereducation #campuslife #studenthousing #TWU #texaswesleyan

The Park Circle Complex in North Charleston is a lively destination for recreation, education, culture, and community events. Its redevelopment includes a community center, farmers market pavilion, inclusive playground, baseball field, nature garden, green space, and walking trails. Park Circle Playground, recognized as the “World’s Largest Inclusive Playground” by the World Record Academy, spans 55,000 square feet and is thoughtfully designed to welcome children of all abilities. Every element, from sensory-rich play zones to wheelchair-accessible pathways, is crafted to ensure no child is left out. With 85% of the playground shaded by sun canopies and a cooling mist section, kids can beat the South Carolina heat as they explore and discover. Caregivers can assist at transfer stations, while wide ramps and sidewalks invite seamless interaction between children of all abilities. Even the baseball field is designed to support wheelchairs and walking aids, creating a space where everyone can play together. The 16,600-square-foot community building, home to the North Charleston Cultural Arts Department, offers classrooms, meeting rooms, and theater spaces for rent. Available to organizations, community groups, and individuals, these spaces foster connection and creativity, supporting workshops, classes, and events that enrich the North Charleston community. #parkcirclepark #northcharleston #charleston #inclusivedesign #parksandrec #recreationdesign #design #parkdesign #playgrounds

Our talented team of creatives is back at it, bringing new life to the beloved children's book If Buildings Could Talk with an exciting sequel. This new edition delves deeper into the world of sustainability, using imaginative storytelling and vibrant illustrations to ignite a passion for design in young readers. With a focus on inspiring future generations to think creatively about the built environment, this sequel promises to be a captivating journey into the wonders of sustainable architecture.   In celebration of National Read a Book Day, we're proud to share the digital version of If Buildings Could Talk 2 for free on our website at https://lnkd.in/ev_5PvyP And stay tuned, the hardcover edition will soon be available for purchase on Amazon! 📚   A special thanks to all the people at Little who helped make this book possible: Melanie Hawley, Author Elaine Ivey, Cover Artist Cory Hester, Layout Design Illustrators: Caitlin Blue, Maite Bruno, Courtney (Kasell) Downey, CID, LEED AP, WELL AP, Jennifer Todd, AIA, CPHC®, Russell Hopper, AIA, Rish_Ryusuke Saito, Shubham Chuhadia, Michael Magee, Libby Ulrich, and Shannyn Grandlienard   #nationalreadabookday #ifbuildingscouldtalk #architecturebook #inspirethefuture #childrensliterature #childrensbook #architecture #design #sustainability #sustainabilityforkids #bookworm #bookart #thisislittletome

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont's Shopton Road store in Charlotte, NC, is not your typical thrift shop. This innovative 21,000-square-foot prototype reimagines what a retail space can be, blending community support and charitable missions with a fresh, modern shopping experience. Unlike traditional Goodwill stores, this location is designed to enhance both customer enjoyment and community involvement with several standout features:   ✅ Eye-catching design elements that draw attention and encourage interaction ✅ A creative store layout that enhances the shopping experience and streamlines operations ✅ Upgraded donation drop-off areas that make it easier and more convenient to give ✅ Specially designed spaces that foster local community and support small businesses   Step inside what the organization is calling the “Store of the Future” at the following link: https://lnkd.in/eHBjayic

We're excited to announce Mark Van Sickle's promotion to Technical Principal! With over three decades of landscape architecture experience, Mark has been a cornerstone of Little's Land Development Studio for 16 years. In his new role, he'll champion quality assurance, spearhead the adoption of our Integrated Project Framework (IPF), and guide the next generation of talent. Mark will also continue to lend his project management expertise to our most challenging and complex projects. "Mark's promotion to Technical Principal is a testament to the exceptional contributions he brings to our studio," shares David Powlen, National Studio Principal, Land Development. “His expertise and leadership in this new role will undoubtedly enhance our ability to elevate the performance of our clients and drive excellence in every project we undertake." Drop a 👏 below and join us in congratulating Mark on this well-deserved achievement. 

Public spaces are more than just parks and plazas—they are vital hubs for social cohesion, cultural identity, and community well-being. Jr. Architect Sheinya Joseph delves into how public spaces can foster social equity and inclusivity, examining their journey from ancient forums to contemporary projects like The Underline, an innovative 10‑mile linear park, urban trail, and public art destination in Miami, Florida. By examining the historical barriers to accessibility, such as racial segregation and lack of consideration for people with disabilities, she highlights how thoughtful, inclusive design can create vibrant, equitable communities.   Tap the link below to learn about best practices and forward-thinking approaches shaping the future of public spaces and see how architects and planners are reimagining these areas to be welcoming for everyone. https://lnkd.in/d48Fx4-z   📸: Robin Hill // Source: The Underline   #publicspaces #communitydesign #publicspacedesign #socialequity #urbandesign #inclusivedesign

The AIA Potomac Valley's 2023 Emerging Professionals Awards Program (EPAP) presents "A Taste of Leadership," a series that celebrates diverse leadership journeys in the architecture and design industry. This inspiring series profiles remarkable female leaders who have paved their own unique paths to success. Among them is Carolyn Rickard-Brideau AIA, WELL AP, LEED AP BD-C, Partner and Chief Executive Officer at Little, who shares her personal journey and insights into leadership. Curious about Carol's story? Click the link below to read the full Q&A and see what drives her success. https://lnkd.in/e8ngMywB #aiapotomacvalley #leadership #womeninleadership #aia

People often assume carbon neutrality is difficult or expensive to achieve, but, in actuality, it is within everyone's reach. On the blog today, architect and project manager Abigail Allen breaks down the path to decarbonization in three simple steps and shares the inspiring story of Catawba College, a liberal arts college in Salisbury, North Carolina, making massive strides in reducing its carbon footprint.   Learn how they're doing it—and how you can, too! Tap the link for the full story: https://lnkd.in/e6dXdVpC   #regenerativedesign #sustainability #carbonneutral #decarbonization #netzero

We are proud to share that Little has earned top recognition in AIGA Design's "A Year in Design" competition, winning in the Environmental/Experiential Design category for our work at Atrium Health Levine Children's Specialty Center. This project sought to create a healing environment by designing spaces that ease anxiety and offer comforting distractions for patients and their families. Our Brand Experience Studio crafted a cohesive and immersive design with themed floors—City, Mountain, and Sky—that engage patients and their families. Themed illustrations double as a hide-and-seek game, making the space more engaging for patients. Post-occupancy surveys show a 90% satisfaction rate, underscoring the project's success in using environmental design to enhance the well-being of everyone in the facility. AIGA365 is a renowned annual competition that celebrates the passion, hard work, and dedication of the global design community. By taking a 360-degree look at the past year in design, the awards recognize excellence and innovation across all communication design categories, from print to web, in physical and virtual forms. This year, from 506 entries spanning 26 countries, the jurors selected 54 that exemplify outstanding design. 👉 Swipe for a tour of this engaging, healing space. #AIGADesign #AIGA365 #designcompetition #awardwinningdesign #designcontest #graphicdesign #designinspo #designers #creatives #designlover #designcommunity #typography #digitalmedia #experientialdesign #uxdesign #environmentaldesign 

We're proud to share that we have been recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as the #1 Top Interior Design Firm and #14 Top Architecture Firm in Central Florida. These accolades are a testament to our team's unwavering dedication, creativity, and commitment to excellence. We are grateful for the trust our clients place in us and the opportunity to shape the built environment in our community. Thank you to our talented team and valued clients for making this achievement possible! #orlandobusinessjournal #orlandodesign #interiordesign #architecture #orlandofl #orlandobusiness