Latent Designs, PLLC

01/11/2025

Imagine the joy you'd feel if this were your school courtyard. I cannot describe the elegance of this space, from materials to proportions to just the right amount of asymmetry. Beautiful historic design.

I haven't been able to find the original designer, but I'll update the post if I do!

01/11/2025

Hi from Phoenix, AZ, where I'll be presenting at A4LE's LearningScapes conference tomorrow!

I've intentionally pulled back from social media, but wanted to pop on to say hello. If you'd like to follow along with my work here at Latent Designs with more regularity, look for me on LinkedIn.

Stepping back from this platform is allowing me to reclaim my time, focus on doing good work, and stay positive instead of engaging in comparing myself with others and what I "should" be doing.

Get out there and do that good work in real places!! The world needs you!

01/11/2025

Voting is LIVE for PEA's Green Business of the Year 🗳️✔️ Will you vote for....

Salem Soil Solutions ➡️ helping regenerate soil and grow healthier plants through biology, not chemicals, in order to restore the living soil microbiology that drives ecosystem resilience, plant vitality, and human health.

Bashavia Gardens ➡️ designing and installing native plant gardens across the Triad, including a native plant demonstration garden in partnership with the City of Winston-Salem's sustainability department.

MO Empanadas ➡️ proving that food trucks can be sustainable with composting, compostable plateware, and their solar energy compatible truck.

Latent Designs, PLLC ➡️ reimagining buildings to connect us with history, nature and each other through the principle and concept of adaptive reuse.

Fair Witness ➡️ serving up sustainable cocktails with fossil-fuel free heating and cooling, tree planting to offset operations, and creative glass upcycling that supports community gardens.

Cast your vote here ➡️ https://www.peanc.org/green-business-of-the-year

01/11/2025

Wow! I'm honored to have received 's 2025 Educator of the Year award!

The award typically goes to professors teaching at a collegiate level, whereas I intentionally bring design education to students grades 3-12. I teach younger students because:

1. Everyone is born creative, but too often an over-structured school environment focused on the "right answer" tells our children to conform. Design values divergent thinking and better prepares students for a job market that does the same. If we can reach younger students with design education, we can tap into their innate creativity before it's lost.

2. Design professions are still woefully homogeneous in terms of cultural representation. By exposing youth to architecture and other related career fields, we can lay the foundation for a generation of diverse designers.

I'm humbled and grateful for this recognition of my work with Community Design Studio Winston Salem and Forsyth Country Day School. When I started teaching in 2019, I was fueled by passion for something new (and had a lot to learn!), and this award renews my energy to continue teaching as a key part of my practice.

Thank you to the jury and especially to my dear friend Colby ( )for seeing the value in my work and nominating me for this award - your support means the world. 💚

This work is not done in silos. I also thank Elise Barrella, PhD, PE , co-conspirator and curriculum creator at CDS, and my current and past FCDS colleagues who believe in me and have taught me how to teach: Gardner Barrier Michelle Klosterman, PhD, Yolanda McClure, EdD. Scott Pohjola Tamara Harrington Joe Trotter

To learn more about CDS' non-profit education work, visit communitydesignstudio.org

01/07/2025

Outdoor classroom mural progress: using color and line to define zones for play on a concrete pad. This design includes:

- a labyrinth
- circle seating for a class of 20
- hopscotch
- a vehicular track for ride-ons, and
- shapes for open-ended jumping & movement

Wouldn't you love to see this at your school?!

01/07/2025

Inspiration for an outdoor classroom design... We'll be transforming a concrete pad into an artistic and playful space for preschool students!

Super inspired by these basketball courts & labyrinth with engaging colors & patterns.

1. Adi Nachun's "Splash Project" in Tel Aviv, Israel - painted in collaboration with local youth!
2. AkaCorleone's court in Lisbon, Portugal, titled "Balance"
3. Labyrinth featured in The Seattle Times, June 26, 2019, location unknown.
4. My design in progress, showing a race track, labyrinth, and hopscotch.





Sources:

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/best-designed-basketball-courts-world

In a labyrinth garden, every path is the right one | The Seattle Times https://share.google/8b0opj0eId0G8jdkR

19/06/2025

Congratulations to Camino Bakery Brookstown !!

Grateful for the opportunity to be part of the team that made this renovation happen. A larger deck meant a requirement for a second restroom, now on the ground floor. Interior updates, envisioned by EMBER Audio + Design, open up the space and provide more seating. Max Painting Improvement Inc did an excellent job on the construction.

Cheers to a space that will continue to build community for years to come!

Read the latest Winston-Salem, NC news. Get the latest on events, sports, weather, crime, politics, and more.

24/05/2025

A culture of reuse starts small. With repurposing, repair, and care.

You don't have to be an architect reusing buildings to be part of a culture of sustainability. Resources are conserved whenever we value and reuse what we already have.

This summer, before buying something new or throwing something in the trash, take a moment to consider what's already around you of value and how you might use it. It takes some creativity, which is part of the fun!

21/05/2025

These nooks are made for talking!

Q: When you're redesigning an existing space, how do you know which pieces of furniture are best for your community?

A: A furniture fair!

In my role at I collaborated with and FCDS Teaching & Learning to set up samples of outdoor furniture in this outdoor classroom & gathering space that will be redesigned this summer.

Because this space was funded by the graduating class of 2025, seniors returning for graduation will be able to try out different pieces and weigh in on their preferences. 🤩🎓

This is just one way Latent Designs works with schools & educators to engage everyone in the design process.

Contact me to ask questions and learn more about how I can help you transform your school with and for your community.

21/05/2025

Engaging students in design and making is one of my greatest joys. As both an architect and educator, I bring a unique perspective to all of my education projects:

1. I know what it's like to be in a classroom- its challenges and rewards.
2. I believe in the value of child and youth voices in the design process, on projects big and small.

This makes Latent Designs uniquely situated to work with schools to engage their ENTIRE community in the design process.

Reach out for a free consultation to learn more about how I can help your school become more engaging by design!

📸: Designs built by my high school students at

20/05/2025

What a beautiful site visit this morning in a garden from my dreams! 🌱

I don't usually do residential design but when a past client and friend asks me to help with a backyard cottage with this view... I'm all in. 🥰😍🤩

12/05/2025

These guys are my biggest "why."

Why I redesigned my career to have more flexibility.

Why I teach the next generation and engage young people in design.

Why I strive toward a sustainable architectural practice.

Why I design for the future with everyone's children in mind.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers and mothering folks out there working to make the world a better place for all of the world's children. 🥰💪♥️