The Civilla Garden
Adaptive reuse workspace/
Our vision is to create a place which embodies– and therefore creates–change.
In order to realize this vision, we must develop a design which, like a garden, grows and evolves in time.
Creative Strategy
Space design
Environmental design & brand
The Civilla Gardens challenge traditional notions of workplace norms and through small gestures and larger moves, inviting new ways of working.
Civillians have always regarded space as an important tool, one that has shaped our methods and helped advance the organization’s mission.
An indoor-outdoor connection is key for the programming relations of the space. Nature, from vegetable garden to landscape is part of their culture and ethos.
As a site of perpetual change, the garden is not only the context for civilians’ efforts, it also becomes a participant in it.
Living environment changing the built environment
Harvesting the fresh produce from the garden: plants are companion of daily routine
Indoor - outdoor connection
Instead of a continuous facade, Civilla’s street-level embrace includes public-facing greenery, which is rare for Milwaukee Junction.
Civilla design teams reconfigure their unique space so that it evolves in parallel with the work, and they can imagine doing the best work of their life in this place.
Guests and Civilians are invited to explore out in the meadow, where many types of gardens punctuate the open-air pathways and provide space to breathe.
Civilla takes care to promote moments of thoughtfulness and contemplation while also providing places for collaboration and convening.
Client: Civilla
Role: Senior Designer
Location: Detroit, MI
Typology: Adaptative reuse workspace
Scope: >50,000 SF
Status: Concept Phase Completed in February 2023