Our Process
At SODA, our work begins with people. Every project—whether an installation, a public space, or a community-based architectural initiative—starts by listening closely to the voices of those who will inhabit, use, or steward the environment we are helping shape. We believe that meaningful design emerges from genuine relationships, not assumptions, and that spatial justice requires a process that is transparent, collaborative, and deeply engaged.
Grounded in collective vision.
1. Community Engagement & Collaborative Discovery
We start by building trust. Through workshops, interviews, on-site visits, and hands-on activities, we create space for community members to articulate their histories, challenges, hopes, and definitions of success. This is not a check-the-box exercise—it is the foundation of everything that follows. SODA treats community knowledge as expertise, and we design frameworks that allow residents, stakeholders, and local organizations to play an active role from the very first conversation to the final unveiling.
2. Research, Mapping & Contextual Insight
We combine lived knowledge with rigorous research. Our team studies cultural patterns, spatial inequities, environmental conditions, urban histories, and local craft traditions to understand projects in their full social and physical context. This layered insight allows us to uncover the deeper narrative around a place and ensures that our design proposals respond not only to immediate needs, but to long-term community resilience.
3. Hands-On Experimentation & Iterative Making
SODA is a studio that learns by doing. We prototype early, we test often, and we invite stakeholders into the making process. Models, mock-ups, material studies, and in-field installations allow us to explore ideas in real time and evaluate them with the people who matter most. This hands-on approach ensures that design decisions are grounded in practicality, craft, and collective authorship rather than abstract theory.
Hands-on, human centered design.
4. Interdisciplinary Design Development
Our team blends architecture, urban design, art, research, and storytelling to create integrated solutions that honor community identity. From conceptual frameworks to detailed drawings, our design process remains highly collaborative—bringing together advisors, fabricators, engineers, artists, and local experts to shape a unified vision. We believe that the most impactful work emerges when multiple disciplines converge around a shared purpose.
5. Transparency, Stewardship & Capacity Building
SODA maintains open communication throughout every project, offering clear documentation, accessible visualizations, and shared decision-making tools. We prioritize designs that communities can maintain, evolve, and claim as their own. When possible, we integrate training, educational workshops, and resource-building strategies that strengthen local capacity beyond the project’s completion.
6. Implementation & Real-World Impact
Our process does not end with the drawing set. We work closely with builders, volunteers, funders, and community partners to ensure that projects are delivered with integrity and respect. Whether the final outcome is a permanent structure, a public program, an installation, or a strategic plan, we measure success by the impact it has on everyday lives and the sense of ownership it nurtures within the community.