Our Mission

We partner with communities and organizations combining local knowledge and design research expertise to create equity and resilience through inclusive, transferable, innovative strategies and tactics.

The Community Design Lab is a partnership between Iowa State University College of Design and the Office of Extension and Outreach. Our team is led by co-directors Carl Rogers and Nadia Anderson. The ISU Community Design Lab encompasses many fields of expertise including landscape architecture, architecture, sustainable agriculture, community and regional planning, and community engagement. Partnership with communities is the foundation for our work; while we bring professional expertise and research-driven methodology to the table, the local knowledge and decision-making provided by our community partners is essential.