It is our passion to design compelling and evocative spaces and places that stir the imagination and stand as precedents of design excellence.
In our approach, we blend innovation, sustainability strategies, ecology and biology, economics, architectural detailing, engineering, and identity of place - all in one discourse.
We work across the globe, conceptualizing and realizing public and private projects of all sizes. These include small intimate gardens, residential developments, private estates, urban master plans, public realms, parks, streetscapes, waterfronts, commercial developments, institutional campuses, the outdoor spaces of museums and recreational facilities, as well as other civic and cultural destinations.
Our attitude is collaborative, positive and optimistic, and we truly work across disciplinary boundaries while embracing unrestrained creativity.
For us, every project deserves a holistic approach in order to achieve the best possible outcome - socially, culturally, economically, and environmentally. We also consider what our design will mean for the adjacent context, as often our projects are found within historic settings. What impact will our design have on the identity of the place as a whole? What is the experience? And most important, how will our design work for people?
As dreamers and pragmatists, we are driven to come up with bold ideas that are rooted in functionality, meticulous detailing, and constructibility.
Our objective is to create designs which have embedded immersive and alluring qualities - that are refreshing, comfortable, and welcoming - spaces that are original and have never been seen before, that exude an inherent positive spirit and carry elements of surprise.
Our goal is always to establish an appropriate and unique character, ultimately resulting in a place that is memorable, frequently used, and loved.
Client: Brown University - Project Partners: AIA New York Design Award for Campus Planning
Jewelry District - Providence
Project Info
The Jewelry District is a historically significant neighborhood located in central Providence, the capital of the State of Rhode Island. As part of the campus expansion, !melk was commissioned by Brown University to develop a public space master plan and streetscape design, which included multiple project components and featured a new urban plaza.
As part of the overall master plan, !melk authored design standards and guidelines to define the character of the district. In order to uphold a historic quality, !melk established a cohesive design vocabulary that prioritizes materiality and detail. In order to promote a historic atmosphere and texture, !melk – in collaboration with a major concrete paving manufacturer – engineered a new paver specifically for this project. This paver system, while introducing an “industrial patina”, is entirely compliant with the most up-to-date standards and codes. In addition to the paving concepts, !melk designed custom tree grates for the project which were deemed the “jewelry of the Jewelry District.”
The new plaza at Ship Street, at the very location of the former shoreline, functions as the main event and gathering space for the Jewelry District. “Ship Street Square” is entirely constructed from wood; maples and red oaks are dispersed throughout the space celebrating the iconic New England landscape. As many new businesses have opened, the Jewelry District has become a highly popular destination for students, residents, and tourists alike.
The Jewelry District is a historically significant neighborhood located in central Providence, the capital of the State of Rhode Island. As part of the campus expansion, !melk was commissioned by Brown University to develop a public space master plan and streetscape design, which included multiple project components and featured a new urban plaza.
As part of the overall master plan, !melk authored design standards and guidelines to define the character of the district. In order to uphold a historic quality, !melk established a cohesive design vocabulary that prioritizes materiality and detail. In order to promote a historic atmosphere and texture, !melk – in collaboration with a major concrete paving manufacturer – engineered a new paver specifically for this project. This paver system, while introducing an “industrial patina”, is entirely compliant with the most up-to-date standards and codes. In addition to the paving concepts, !melk designed custom tree grates for the project which were deemed the “jewelry of the Jewelry District.”
The new plaza at Ship Street, at the very location of the former shoreline, functions as the main event and gathering space for the Jewelry District. “Ship Street Square” is entirely constructed from wood; maples and red oaks are dispersed throughout the space celebrating the iconic New England landscape. As many new businesses have opened, the Jewelry District has become a highly popular destination for students, residents, and tourists alike.