Design Philosophy

The ultimate goal of sustainability is to change the relationship we share with the earth from one of extraction to one of restoration. In response to this goal, BNIM seeks to achieve Restorative Design through our work. This results in structures that have a benign or healing impact on the site while being deeply functional and beneficial for occupants. We are committed to producing work that maximizes human potential, productivity and health. Every project is committed to minimizing the consumption of resources, reducing waste and pollution and restoring natural systems. We believe that each work of architecture, no matter its size, should embrace its cultural, community, urban and natural contexts so that the final outcome defines an idea of the public realm. Our projects strive to have a lasting positive impact on those people and organizations that they are designed to serve and create beauty and cultural meaning.

Our design process is founded on the phrase “mission driven design.” Each organization and institution we serve has a direct intention, purpose or mission for the product of our joint efforts. Be it a university, corporation, city, school, art museum or other client, each has a clear objective or mission. Designing with a vision empowers precise understanding, measurement and achievement of goals and enables lasting success for the project.

The work of BNIM consciously does not fall into any particular stylistic formula. Every project is unique in terms of its site, context, functional requirements, technological potential and role in its community and culture. We therefore strive to construct a design process that is collaborative, integrated and participatory, where all voices can be heard, from specialist engineers, designers and constructors to clients and users, and that results in buildings and environments that are distinctive in their conceptual clarity and visual and spatial intensity.

BNIM utilizes an Integrated Design approach, which simultaneously addresses all of the priorities, all design phases, all key team members and stakeholders and all building components into a single working model to ensure that the project vision and goals are achieved. This process considers all aspects of a project, which results in an efficient but rigorous examination of design issues and systems — solar orientation, building configuration, daylighting, lighting controls, envelope design and detailing and efficient heating and cooling systems. Integrated Design thinks through a project from the client’s initial vision through the span of the building’s life, be it 50 years or 150 years.