Technical Expertise

Brick & Story’s working practices are deeply rooted in urban planning principles and practices. With a particular expertise in Participatory Action Research (PAR) methods of planning, the team approaches each client opportunity with a lens of equity and inclusion while also bringing an academic perspective to the work. We understand that communities are comprised of diverse people and view points, and the best communities function when that diversity can be harnessed toward a collective good.

Facilitation and Convening Expertise

Brick & Story is adept at facilitation of small and large groups, particularly across extreme lines of difference. Being able to bridge divides in order to reach a larger, common good is core to our practice and mission. We have both designed and facilitated numerous sessions in order to gather community-based data, strategize towards a larger action plan in a group setting, or suppot relationship-building and increased dialogue between disparate groups.

Community Asset Mapping

Because of our intensive work in communities, Brick & Story has extensive experience in helping communities understand their existing neighborhood assets and design ways to best leverage those assets for the betterment of their community. We believe that community assets, be it in the form of people or places, play a major role in the health of neighborhoods, and we enjoy working closely with our clients to identify and strategize how these assets can impact positive change. This practice is particularly meaningful in communities that may be deemed “resource-poor” by outsiders but, in fact, have a wealth of community assets that may or may not be appropriately leveraged.

Human-Centered Design

Core to Brick & Story’s mission is the understanding that people are central to neighborhoods and communities we create. Our work in communities that are diverse along race and class lines has informed our design approach, which emphasizes the unique and precious contributions of each member of that community.