Citizen's Institute on Rural Design
To Be Done Studio is committed to rural capacity building and the sustainable development of local communities, exemplified through our lead design role in Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD).
CIRD, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the Housing Assistance Council (HAC), is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life and economic viability of rural America through planning, design, and creative placemaking. As the design lead, TBD brings decades of expertise in community engagement, creative placemaking, and project development to support CIRD workshop communities and design learning cohorts. We assist them in developing innovative design solutions and consensus-building strategies tailored to their unique challenges.
Beyond direct design support, TBD plays a pivotal role in CIRD by delivering creative placemaking curriculum, shaping program branding, and stewarding graphic design efforts.
“The CIRD workshop process brought us new insights into what can be done. And its given the community a voice in this process.”
- 2024 Design Workshop Community Member
Architecture & Community Impact
Since 2021, TBD has driven CIRD’s rural design oriented mission by deeply engaging with rural communities to address their most pressing design challenges. Through multi-day workshops, we guide community-led design processes, providing actionable design strategies, implementation roadmaps, and funding recommendations to bring projects to life.
At the conclusion of each workshop cycle, TBD compiles and edits the Design Book—a vital resource documenting the community engagement process, project goals, design strategies, and assets. This comprehensive guide empowers communities to communicate their vision effectively to decision-makers and funders, ensuring project momentum and long-term impact.
“...the workshop has catalyzed the community conversation around what is possible. And I know that people can see it and there’s still a huge lift as a community to actually get it done. But this got us so far past the starting line that I’m just so grateful…it’s been a really good experience.”
- 2024 Design Workshop Community Member
“We’re trying to envision how we might make spaces where we can gather and celebrate life”
- Robin Whitfield, Grenada, MS, 2024 Design Workshop Community Member
“I am really excited to see this building become a place for our community to grow and learn, from each other and experts, and to see it become a place for our community to flourish once again. - Bethany Abbots, Boswell, IN, 2023 Design Workshop Community Member
Experienced Leadership in Community-Centered Design
At To Be Done Studio (TBD), we lead transformative design workshops through a structured, hands-on approach that fosters meaningful community engagement and delivers actionable results. As the workshop design lead, we guide the process from initial site visits to virtual collaboration and a dynamic, three-day in-person workshop—ensuring every project is deeply rooted in local insights and priorities. For the CIRD design workshop communities, we collaborate with local design and engineering firms to provide local and regional expertise in approaching each design challenge.
Our process begins with a site visit, where we immerse ourselves in the project site and community dynamics to refine priorities and shape a strategic design scope. Through virtual meetings, we work closely with local teams to define project goals, assign workshop roles, and craft engagement strategies, setting the stage for a well-informed and organized design process.
During the three-day design workshop, TBD facilitates focus groups with residents, business owners, and community leaders, gathering essential input on community needs, challenges, and aspirations. Our team conducts in-depth discussions, develops initial design concepts, and refines strategies in real-time based on community feedback. By the workshop’s conclusion, we present a clear roadmap for implementation, ensuring alignment with local priorities.
Back at our D.C. office, we synthesize the workshop’s findings into a comprehensive Design Book—a valuable asset that documents the engagement process, design development, and strategic next steps. This deliverable empowers communities to secure project funding and build key partnerships, ensuring that visionary ideas translate into tangible, lasting impact.
With our expertise in participatory design, strategic planning, and community-driven solutions, TBD is a trusted partner in creating meaningful, well-executed design projects.
Follow this link to learn more about the 2024-2025 CIRD Design Workshop Community projects.
“The CIRD workshop process helped catalyze a conversation our community circled around for decades — what do we do with our waterfront? During the workshop, the emphasis on community input directly impacting design concepts was exhilarating for everyone involved to witness, especially when the design team presented their thoughtful, well-designed concepts at the end of the workshop, making it was clear that they had listened carefully to needs of the community as well as our city and county leaders. Being part of the CIRD program has been a vital stepping stone in a process that will take many years, and we’re so grateful for the work they provided to lay down a healthy foundation.” - Jolene Brink, Two Harbors, MN, 2024 Design Workshop Community Member