Art & Environmental Architecture, Inc. Community Design Charrette
🌟 About the Event
Join Art & Environmental Architecture, Inc. for a transformative day of reflection, collaboration, and creativity at our annual Board Retreat and Design Charrette. This full-day convening is open to board members, community collaborators, environmental designers, artists, and anyone passionate about equitable urban design and climate-resilient public spaces.
We’ll engage deeply with the legacy, challenges, and potential of our parks and public spaces—especially those in historically underserved communities—through storytelling, collaborative mapping, and future-forward design thinking.
🧑🤝🧑 Who Should Attend?
Board Members & Advisors of Art & Environmental Architecture, Inc.
Urban Planners, Landscape Architects, & Designers
Community Organizers & Resident Leaders
Environmental Justice Advocates & Educators
Artists & Cultural Workers
Students & Emerging Professionals in related fields
Whether you're a long-time partner or a first-time participant, your voice and vision are welcome.
🗓️ Retreat Highlights
🌄 Morning Session – Foundation and Vision
Coffee & Light Breakfast + Networking (9:00 AM)
Icebreakers & Introductions
Keynote: “The Park’s Past and Present Challenges” with environmental visionary Kirk Farris
Interactive Design Charrette led by acclaimed landscape architect Keiji Asakura
🌍 Midday Session – Placekeeping in Action
Lunch & Informal Conversations
Hands-on Community Mapping Workshop (2.5 hours) facilitated by Ryn Del Papa, including:
Personal Climate Story Circles
Creative Asset Mapping with local materials
Climate Risk Overlays and Visioning
Shared strategies for resilience and equity
🚎 Afternoon Session – Exploration and Inspiration
Optional Guided Bus Tour to key parks and project sites
Open time for reflection, networking, and discussion on how to move from ideas to action
🧭 Why It Matters
This retreat is more than a planning session—it’s a catalyst for building a shared vision for climate-resilient, culturally-rooted green spaces that honor the past, respond to the present, and inspire future generations. Come contribute your knowledge, creativity, and commitment to justice-driven design.