Creating that "Sense of Place"
The term sense-of-place is hard to define, but for most people, you know it when you feel it. Sense of place describes how the characteristics of a particular place cause that place to become meaningful to you relative to your surroundings and your local community.
Anywhere USA? - In our case, we'd like any project we undertake to help to better establish the unique identity of the local community; a project that becomes, if not the central gathering place, then at least an important gathering place in the community; and one that people in the community can regard with a sense of pride. With so many places today being characterized by ubiquitous cookie cutter design and undistinguished architecture (what we refer to as "Anywhere, USA") it's important to us to create places that give people the feeling that they are in a place that is clearly different, someplace special.
Places to Remember - We know that if we can create that sense with the public that, yes, this place is really something special, it will be a place that by default enjoys long-term success in the community. Such feel good places are remembered places, places to which people want to return again and again.