Business Details
29 Years
experience
Creating Sustainable Communities and Public Spaces in Oakland
Community Design + Architecture has been dedicated to creating innovative, sustainable communities for over two decades. Our multidisciplinary team combines urban design, planning, and architecture expertise to craft spaces that prioritize health, sustainability, and equity. We collaborate closely with communities to shape public policies and transform streets into vibrant, accessible environments. With experience across the Western United States and international projects in Asia and the Middle East, we maintain a certified small business status while upholding our mission to build places where people thrive.Our approach begins with deep listening and data-driven insights to develop context-sensitive solutions tailored to each community's unique needs. Through our work on pedestrian-friendly streets, green infrastructure, and multimodal transportation systems, we continue advancing equitable urban environments. Our team's collective experience spans decades, with our founder bringing 15 years of prior practice before establishing the firm in 1997. We remain committed to fostering connections between people, their cities, and natural environments through collaborative design processes.
Services
Urban Design
Transportation Planning
Landscape Architecture
Public Space Design
Community Planning
Green Infrastructure
Complete Streets
Multimodal Planning
Pedestrian Design
Equitable Development
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of experience in urban design and community planning
- Our certified small business status ensures personalized client service
- We implement data-driven, context-sensitive design solutions
- Our multidisciplinary team handles complex urban challenges
- We maintain international project experience across five continents
Services
Urban Design
Our urban design services create vibrant, people-centered environments through context-sensitive solutions. We specialize in transforming public spaces into thriving community assets that balance functionality with aesthetic appeal. With expertise in pedestrian-friendly street design and mixed-use development, we craft spaces that enhance urban livability while addressing contemporary challenges like climate resilience and social equity.
Transportation Planning
We develop integrated transportation systems that prioritize multimodal accessibility and sustainable mobility. Our planning approach combines technical expertise with community engagement to create efficient, equitable transportation networks. From complete streets implementations to transit-oriented development strategies, we design solutions that improve connectivity while reducing environmental impacts through innovative land use integration.
Green Infrastructure
Our green infrastructure solutions merge ecological principles with urban design to create resilient, climate-adaptive environments. We specialize in stormwater management systems that double as public amenities while improving environmental quality. Through innovative approaches like green streets and urban greening projects, we help communities achieve sustainability goals while enhancing public spaces with nature-based solutions.
Community Planning
We facilitate collaborative community planning processes that empower residents to shape their environments. Our approach combines technical analysis with participatory design to create inclusive, equitable development plans. By prioritizing local needs and cultural context, we develop comprehensive strategies that address housing, public space, and economic development while maintaining environmental stewardship.
Public Space Design
Our public space design creates engaging environments that foster social interaction and community identity. We specialize in transforming underutilized areas into vibrant gathering spaces through innovative design solutions. By integrating accessibility, safety, and environmental sustainability, we craft spaces that reflect community character while promoting active lifestyles and economic vitality.
People
Phil Erickson
Principal, President
Founder with 40+ years of urban design experience, combining architectural expertise with community-focused planning to create sustainable urban environments across five continents.
Connie Goldade
Associate Principal
Urban planner with extensive experience in community engagement and equitable development strategies, specializing in creating inclusive public spaces that reflect local cultural identities.
Jaime Varas
Project Urban Designer
Specializes in pedestrian-friendly street design and multimodal transportation solutions, applying innovative urban design principles to enhance walkability and accessibility in urban environments.
Dewi Bleher
Project Urban Designer
Focuses on sustainable urban development and green infrastructure projects, integrating ecological principles with community needs to create climate-resilient urban spaces.
Shweta Sumesh
Project Urban Designer
Expert in data-driven urban design solutions, specializing in creating equitable public spaces through comprehensive analysis of community demographics and usage patterns.
Questions
What geographic areas do you serve?
We work throughout the Western United States and have completed international projects in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
What makes your urban design approach unique?
Our community-oriented process combines deep listening with technical expertise to create context-sensitive solutions that prioritize equity and sustainability.
How do you handle complex transportation projects?
We integrate multimodal planning with land use analysis to develop comprehensive solutions that balance mobility needs with environmental considerations.
What experience do you have with green infrastructure?
We've implemented innovative stormwater management systems and green street projects that combine environmental benefits with improved public spaces.
How do you ensure community input in projects?
We employ participatory design workshops and data collection methods to ensure community voices shape every aspect of our projects.
