Stanford d.School
VISIONING, PLANNING, AND CONCEPT DESIGN
A historic building infused with new life as an active hub to stir innovation through design thinking
The Stanford d.school is the preeminent institution for design thinking. It was born from the union of three Stanford design institutions under one roof—the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, The Design Group, and the Center for Design Research. MKThink conducted ethnographic research to uncover the nuances of each institution’s design approach and identify the physical and environmental resources essential to design thinking. In partnership with Cody, Anderson, and Wasney, MKThink restored the historic Peterson Building to design a new space that has become the hub for Stanford’s creative groups. The d.school achieves the goal of inspiring innovation and is the physical expression of design thinking—fueling brainstorming, rapid prototyping, and the cross-pollination of ideas.
CHALLENGE
To understand the institution's approach to design and to identify the physical and environmental resources that are essential to the practice of design thinking.
APPROACH
MKThink conducted ethnographic research to uncover the nuances of each institution’s design approach and identify the physical and environmental resources essential to design thinking. In partnership with Cody, Anderson, and Wasney, MKThink restored the historic Peterson Building to design a new space that has become the hub for Stanford’s creative groups.
RESULT
A restored historic Peterson Building with a new space that has become the hub for Stanford’s creative groups.
DATE
2008-2009
CITY
Stanford
STATE
California
SIZE/SCALE
42,500 SF
MARKET
Higher Education
SERVICES
Ethnographic Study, Stakeholder Engagement, Programming, Historic Renovation, and Interior Design.