Civic
“Architecture is my delight…it is an enthusiasm of which I am not ashamed, as its object is to improve the taste of my countrymen, to increase their reputation, to reconcile them to the rest of the world, and to procure them its praise.”
At a time when the need to invest in public infrastructure is growing, resources are shrinking. Federal, State and Municipal officials are charged with being stewards of the public dollar, and the cost of Public Works projects is often daunting, and gaining broad support is difficult. Even when there is consensus on need, decisions are all too often based on budget alone. As a result, worthwhile and necessary projects are abandoned, deferred or proceed based on first-cost only. TLBA understands these challenges and partners with clients to advocate for quality architecture and thoughtful design of public places and buildings. This partnership begins with public outreach and communication steeped in a deep understanding of all stakeholders’ needs and concerns.
DEEP Western District Headquarters, Black Rock State Park, CT
Prudence Crandell Museum, Canterbury CT
Quality design and Architecture have the ability to improve a community’s quality of life. Public places belong to the community and many communities are identified by the best of these places as much as they are by their geography and people. Historically, entire civilizations have been immortalized by their civic structures. These grand gestures stand not as a monument to power, but as a demonstration of civic pride and a message that the community as a whole is worth the investment.
Public institutions exist to serve the people. These same institutions provide places for the people to serve the community. Buildings for the administration of government, public safety, education, research and entertainment coexist with parks and public spaces that provide much needed leisure and recreational opportunities. Public Works facilities, waste handling and treatment plants provide basic infrastructure to allow a safe, functional and sustainable community. Churches, meeting houses and other gathering spaces allow connections for citizens over generations.
TLBA is proud of our track record assisting communities realize their vision for improved public infrastructure.
Our Civic Sectors:
Federal Government
State Government
Municipal Government
Professional Engineers
Churches
Private Cultural Institutions
Our Civic Project Experience:
City/Town Halls
Public Safety Facilities
Museums
Community and Senior Centers
Schools
Libraries
Parks and Public Spaces
Wastewater Treatment Facilities
Public Works Facilities
Our Civic Architecture Project Approach
… is collaborative
Public outreach and communication is at the core of all of our publicly funded projects. Understanding the impact of a proposed project on the community as a whole, as well as specific impacts on certain individuals or groups, allows us to meet the challenges of balancing the community’s aspirations, available resources and political challenges. Each project has a unique set of challenges and each community differs in a number of regards. As such, our public outreach, though methodical and inclusive, is not “one size fits all”. We customize the approach to the specific needs of the community, which allows us to gain consensus on a project approach.
…embraces the firmly held belief that Architecture matters.
At their core, buildings exist to provide shelter. They provide shelter for functions that require protection from the elements. They provide basic security and reasonable comfort. All buildings must provide for these basic requirements, but that is not Architecture. Architecture lives at the intersection of science and art, and has the ability to move its users in a way that a mere building cannot. It can remember the past, accommodate the present and give hope for the future. Even the most fiscally prudent citizen can identify the difference between a building and a work of Architecture, whether or not they can articulate that difference. Architecture and building within a budget are not mutually exclusive. TLBA’s design process and collaborative style of working routinely results in Public Places that exist because communities took an interest in the design and feel pride in the outcome.