The Community Design and Research Center (CDRC) at Wentworth Institute of Technology links design, research, and community partnership to advance the public good. We bring together students, faculty, and community partners to collaborate on real-world challenges through hands-on, interdisciplinary projects, locally and globally. Our work positions design as a practical tool for equity, access, and community-driven impact.
Core Values
- Empowerment: We believe in communities shaping their own future through the transformative power of reciprocal education and participatory design.
- Collaboration: We value collaboration and participation as a cornerstone for innovation in design and education, recognizing the strength of diverse perspectives.
- Applied and Engaged Research: We embrace research that creates real-world solutions at all scales and for all communities.
Co-Directors
- Ignacio Cardona, Doctor of Design in Architecture and Urban Planning, Associate Professor of Architecture
- Anne-Catrin Schultz, Ph.D. Architecture, Architecture and Design Theory, Professor of Architecture
- Robert Trumbour, Associate Professor of Architecture
Contributors
- Brie Blanchette, B.S Arch Undergraduate Research Assistant, Spring 2026
- Ana Hernandez, M.Arch ’25, Graduate Research Fellow, 2025
- Micheal Palady, M.Arch ’25, Graduate Research Fellow, 2025
- Ella Henson, BS Industrial Design ’25, Undergraduate Research Assistant, Fall 2024
Projects
The CDRC undertakes a wide range of community-engaged projects, including design–build interventions that improve public spaces; research and consulting work conducted independently by faculty or in collaboration with students; and educational initiatives such as community-based trainings and workshops led by faculty, students, and partners. The CDRC also develops engaged research with community stakeholders and industry partners, provides services such as design research, mapping, exhibitions, and grant-writing assistance, and supports Wentworth’s studios, seminars, and capstone projects sponsored by external organizations. Additional projects may be pursued when they align with the mission, vision, and values of the CDRC.