Design in Words

Someone recently asked me to explain what I do in three words. My response, “design in words.“ Producing entitlement documents such as Specific Plans and Precise Plans have truly become an effective tool for executing projects that don’t fit the current mold of city’s zoning ordinances. Although Specific Plans have been used for many years, like the projects they address, they too have evolved over time…the style, the content, the page count just to name a few characteristics.

At WHA, we look at documents as an extension of our design process and product. We think about the city staff and if they are able to comprehend the documents easily. We also consider future end-users (e.g.: builders, architects, and designers) and the use of the document long after it’s been approved. Is it understandable? Does it make sense to someone who is new to city staff? Does it convey the vision of the community? Is it overly verbose or lacking information? Truth is that most people don’t like reading entitlement documents, therefore we strive to make them straight to the point and easy to navigate.

We share the same sentiment about Design Guidelines and because these tend to be guidelines and less regulatory, there is more freedom to focus on placemaking and character. We look at these documents as the designer’s guidebook and immediately want them to capture the excitement and community brand when thumbing through the pages. Through diagrams, imagery, and words, we strive to create documents that are as illustrative as a set of plans. We work to be informative, yet concise; descriptive but not overly restrictive, for constraining a designer’s ability to create can only hinder the project, the process, and the client’s team.

One of the most beneficial features of producing documents through WHA is that we have a house full of expert designers, architects, planners, and graphic illustrators. Our Document Team gets access to all of these disciplines, and it proves incredibly helpful when product questions arise, if unique graphics are needed to best convey a thought, or if design details need to be evaluated for best practices. WHA promotes collaboration and efficiency, and by having all of these studios in house, elements of our documents can be determined quickly and with legitimate information.

WHA provides documents that are rooted in rationality and experience. Concentrating on the specific site, the client’s vision, and the jurisdiction’s nuances, WHA creates documents that lay a solid path for future development. With thoughtful text and purposeful graphics, WHA’s documents have proven to be successful, implementable, and pleasing to look at.