Case Studies in Design: Open Call to Study Projects Designed in Community

Case Studies in Design is a collective writing project from PennPraxis, a center at Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania that is dedicated to the translation of theory into praxis (or action). This is a new effort to create opportunities for community and design leaders to think together about ways to catalyze transformational design, planning, and place-keeping from the ground up. 

The goals of Case Studies in Design are to learn from ambitious projects designed in community, to share knowledge and experience through dialogue and a public library of case studies, and to train ourselves for new practices of creative, collective action. Case study projects will range from outstanding examples of community-engaged design practice to more radical roles and results of design, planning or place-keeping. 

PennPraxis is seeking applications from people who would like to research and author a case study about an outstanding example of community-engaged practice, which we will publish and disseminate in a variety of ways. We will support 5 case studies in 2025 with a fee and expense allowance of $50,000 per author or team.

Read our Open Call to learn more or share with someone who might be interested in helping to stimulate culture-shifting dialogue between public agencies, funders, community leaders, schools, and the architecture, landscape, planning, heritage and art fields.