Business Details
43 Years
experience
Architecture & Community Engagement in New Orleans
Since 1983, we have dedicated ourselves to creating human-centered buildings and landscapes that foster sustainability, resilience, and community connection. Our multidisciplinary team of architects, planners, and creative experts collaborates with clients and stakeholders to align projects with client values, place sensitivities, and user needs. Guided by our Nexus framework, we integrate policies, programs, and places to support equitable community life, emphasizing both physical environments and cultural, social, and economic opportunities. Our Common Edge design approach merges cutting-edge innovation with time-honored principles, demonstrated through our open-source platform co-created with architectural critic Martin Pederson.Recognized as pioneers in resident-centered community engagement since our founding, we facilitate co-design workshops that amplify diverse lived experiences. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, our global practice reflects a commitment to joyful, equitable design collaboration. We serve public, private, institutional, civic, and nonprofit clients, offering expertise in architecture, urban design, master planning, and climate adaptation strategies. Our work spans scales from building design to citywide master plans, prioritizing holistic solutions for immediate and long-term challenges. Through the Concordia Roundtable, we maintain our leadership in community-driven design processes that create harmony within project ecosystems.
Services
Architecture
Urban Design
Community Engagement
Master Planning
Sustainable Design
Historic Restoration
Climate Adaptation Planning
GIS Analysis
Resilient Infrastructure
Equitable Development
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We offer 40+ years of experience in human-centered design
- Our team leads collaborative co-design workshops with stakeholders
- We implement the Nexus framework for holistic community planning
- Our practice combines innovation with time-honored design principles
- We maintain global expertise with local New Orleans roots
Services
Architecture
Our architectural practice creates human-centered spaces that balance innovation with tradition. We specialize in sustainable design, historic restoration, and modern construction across educational, cultural, and commercial sectors. Our approach integrates client values with environmental responsibility to create enduring community assets.
Community Engagement
We facilitate collaborative design processes through our Concordia Roundtable methodology. This resident-centered approach gathers diverse stakeholders to shape projects that reflect community needs and aspirations. Our workshops create inclusive solutions for neighborhoods and public spaces.
Urban Planning
Our urban planning services combine GIS analysis with community input to create resilient cityscapes. We develop master plans that address housing, transportation, and infrastructure needs while preparing for climate change impacts through adaptive design strategies.
Sustainable Design
We integrate environmental stewardship into every project phase. Our sustainable design approach considers energy efficiency, material sourcing, and long-term ecological impacts to create buildings and spaces that minimize environmental footprints while maximizing community benefits.
Climate Adaptation
Our climate adaptation services help communities prepare for environmental challenges. We develop strategies that address sea level rise, extreme weather events, and other climate-related risks while maintaining functional, beautiful urban environments that serve current and future generations.
People
Bahareh Javadi
Director
Leads strategic initiatives with expertise in multidisciplinary design and urban resilience. Focuses on creating equitable spaces that address community needs through collaborative processes.
Steven B. Bingler
Principal
Architectural leader with decades of experience in human-centered design. Specializes in connecting community values with innovative planning solutions for sustainable urban environments.
Alex Sorapuru
Designer
Creative designer blending artistic vision with practical solutions. Focuses on visual storytelling and spatial innovation to enhance community engagement in design processes.
Elizabeth Chen
Architect
Licensed architect applying technical expertise to complex projects. Specializes in transforming conceptual ideas into functional, sustainable buildings that serve community needs.
Bobbie Hill
Principal
Community engagement specialist with deep understanding of local contexts. Leads initiatives that empower residents through participatory design and equitable development practices.
Questions
What types of projects does Concordia specialize in?
We work on architecture, urban design, and community engagement projects for public, private, and nonprofit clients globally.
How does Concordia involve communities in design?
We use our Concordia Roundtable method to facilitate co-design workshops that gather diverse stakeholders' input throughout the process.
What makes Concordia's approach unique?
Our Nexus framework combines innovative and traditional design principles to create holistic solutions that address social, environmental, and economic needs.
Does Concordia work outside New Orleans?
While based in New Orleans, we've completed projects worldwide, applying our community-centered approach to diverse contexts.
How does Concordia address climate change?
We integrate climate adaptation strategies into all planning phases, developing resilient infrastructure and spaces that prepare communities for future challenges.
