FIFTEEN

As we look ahead into 2025, Design is evolving in ways that inspire and challenge us to think bigger. According to Fast Company, here are the trends designers and architects are most excited to see: 1️⃣Artful Design: Products and spaces that blend beauty, utility, and emotional resonance. 2️⃣Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Architecture and Design: Placing equity and representation at the heart of design practices to create built environments that truly reflect and serve the diverse communities they support. 3️⃣Data Storytelling: Leveraging data to craft meaningful connections and narratives in design. 4️⃣Customization and Craft: A resurgence of "custom-made" and "human-crafted" as reminder that artistry sets great work apart. 5️⃣Normalized Sustainability: Sustainability seamlessly integrated into every step of the design process. 6️⃣Regenerative Design with “Patient Urgency”: Reconnecting built environments with natural systems driving resilient growth. 7️⃣High Gloss: Bold, glossy finishes that create movement and energy in spaces. 8️⃣Personalization: Spaces tailored to reflect individuality and lifestyle. We're thrilled to see these trends emerging as they resonate deeply with our human-centered approach. Here's one more that we'd like to add to the list: ⭐️ Interdisciplinary Collaboration: At FIFTEEN, we believe the future of design lies in bringing together diverse expertise to create more innovative and impactful solutions. By integrating insights from fields such as science, technology, art, education, and community engagement, this approach enriches projects with diverse perspectives, fostering creativity and producing designs that are innovative, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of clients and communities. The future of Design is looking bright - excited to be a part of it!

To wrap up the year, we asked our team to reflect on two questions: 1. What accomplishments are you most proud of this year? 2. What one word sums up your experience? Using one of our favorite tools, we turned our insights into a word cloud that captures the energy, heart, and accomplishments of 2024—and perfectly highlights what makes FIFTEEN, well, FIFTEEN! From supporting each other to engaging with our community and launching the FIFTEEN X-Change, it’s been a year defined by growth and purpose. We couldn’t be prouder of the collaboration, teamwork, and professional milestones we achieved, and can't wait to see what we build together in 2025. What about you? What’s your one word for the year? #TeamFIFTEEN #YearInReview #Collaboration #Growth #ArchitectureAndDesign

We were honored to join JEVS Human Services Orleans Technical College in celebrating their 50th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their newly renovated campus! Funded by Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), these renovations were thoughtfully designed to foster connections, cultivate a sense of belonging, and empower staff as they prepare the next generation of skilled workers. Orleans Technical College's mission—to equip individuals for the workforce while strengthening families and communities—aligns deeply with our commitment to uplifting the communities we serve. This project embodies the dedication and impact of Orleans Tech’s work and showcases the transformative power of strong partnerships. A special thank you to Ramune Bartuskaite, AIA, LEED GA, WELL AP for delivering opening remarks on our behalf, and our incredible collaborators and construction partner, INTECH Construction, for bringing this vision to life. Here’s to another 50 years of transforming lives and building stronger communities!

What does the future of science look like? For one research-driven organization in Philadelphia, it starts with a commitment to collaboration, accessibility, and public engagement. They recently approached us to create a vision for a transformative engagement hub that not only supports their mission but also strengthens the region’s thriving life sciences ecosystem. Our design focused on four key areas: Open Communication ▶️ The space facilitates the sharing of knowledge through adaptable lecture halls, advanced teaching spaces, and a research library with state-of-the-art technology—each element designed to engage the scientific community and disseminate ideas widely. Collaboration ▶️ Designed to foster partnerships and accelerate progress, this hub celebrates the exchange of ideas, providing the resources needed to bridge the gap between discovery and application. Mentorship ▶️ The next generation of scientists is at the heart of this design. By connecting people to purpose, it fosters education, workforce development, and mentorship opportunities, with a focus on empowering underrepresented communities and retaining top talent. Accessibility ▶️ Accessibility is integral to the user experience. A thoughtfully designed ramp system doubles as a journey through interactive exhibits, creating a multi-sensory experience that welcomes all. This project exemplifies the power of design to shape not just space, but the evolution of innovation and discovery. How do you see design influencing the future of your industry? #LifeSciences #InclusiveDesign #CommunityEngagement

The Young, Smart & Local Conference, hosted this year by #CampusPhilly at The Quorum in University City, brought together over 1,000 professionals in economic development, city government, higher education, and business. This dynamic network is committed to building a diverse workforce by engaging and retaining young professionals. With talent development at the heart of FIFTEEN’s mission, Principal Soha St.Juste, AIA, LEED AP joined the conversation to share insights on designing workplaces that foster belonging, build relationships, and connect people to a shared purpose. Key takeaways from the panel included: ▶️ Transformative Spaces: Workplaces should integrate autonomy and choice, not only in design but also in co-creating growth opportunities for employees throughout their careers. ▶️ Flexible Scheduling: Flexibility is essential for attracting talent. Each organization can define it in ways that reflect their unique culture and values. ▶️ Community Connection: Young professionals seek purpose and impact. Aligning workplaces with local culture and community needs helps foster deeper connections among colleagues and with the broader community. We’re proud to be part of the dialogue shaping the future of workplaces to attract and support the next generation of talent. What would you add?

We’re excited to share a glimpse of our collaboration with the North Broad Renaissance (NBR) on the Design Vision for 525 North Broad Street, a vacant lot reimagined into a dynamic, multifunctional space that reflects the vibrant spirit of the North Broad community. This ambitious project aligns with NBR’s Five-Year Strategic Plan to enhance economic vitality and quality of life along this important corridor. From our FIFTEEN X-Change and stakeholder meetings, we identified critical goals to guide the design: ▶️ Co-Creation: Collaboration with local schools, residents, and organizations to ensure community-centered design. ▶️ Arrival Experience: Addressing accessibility and transit for a welcoming and safe experience for all. ▶️ Arts + Technology: Vibrant programming and tech-enabled attractions for a dynamic community hub. ▶️ Refuge + Oasis: Green spaces, noise buffers, and thoughtful landscaping for an urban sanctuary. ▶️ Economic Empowerment: Pop-up pavilions, small business incubators, and workforce development initiatives to support local entrepreneurs. This project is more than a transformation of space, it’s a transformation of opportunities. By integrating arts, tech, and green design, the site becomes a marquee destination for the community and beyond, especially as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Check out the renderings below to see how we’re bringing this vision to life. What excites you most about this project? Let us know in the comments!

Celebrating 7 Years of FIFTEEN! Thank you to our incredible team, clients, and collaborators who have been part of this journey. Here’s to transforming spaces, inspiring possibilities, and building a future we’re proud to share. #FIFTEEN #innovation #collaboration #design #impact

Last week, we hosted another FIFTEEN X-Change, diving deep into the future of Biotech Incubator Labs! These gatherings, focused around solving complex challenges by bringing diverse perspectives and voices to the table, are at the heart of how we have reimagined the design process, making it inclusive, collaborative, and infinitely more creative. In a sunlit room at Wexford Science & Technology, LLC's offices at uCity Square, fueled by stacks of sticky notes and plenty of coffee, life science professionals and lab experts shared fascinating insights and phenomenal sketches as we explored innovative ways to transform lab design to meet the demands of the future. Key challenges discussed: Bridging Design and Practicality ⤷ Current lab facilities often lack alignment between design goals and the daily needs of end users, operations, and maintenance teams. How can these priorities co-exist to improve user experience? Integrating Advanced Technology ⤷ Automation, Robotics, and AI bring new demands for infrastructure and specialized equipment, yet many spaces aren’t designed to support these needs. Flexibility for Growth ⤷ As biotech advances, labs need adaptable spaces that grow in place and stay responsive to evolving needs. Human-Centered Design ⤷ Balancing the spatial relationships between lab, office, and collaborative areas creates a more supportive environment for researchers and staff. As biotech evolves, these optimized spaces are crucial for accelerating discoveries, supporting the next generation of researchers, and ensuring that labs are equipped for rapid technological advancements. We’re excited to continue the conversation and continue to explore these ideas in our studio over the coming weeks. Big thanks to Wexford and CIC for hosting us, and to everyone who joined the conversation. Stay tuned for more insights from our next session! CIC (Cambridge Innovation Center), MilliporeSigma, Integral Molecular, Mikael Avery, Matthew Burkhardt, Tyrie Roberts, Bob Rovinsky Peyton Conrey , Kiersten Mailler,

We’re excited to partner with The North Broad Renaissance  to transform the parking lot at 525 N. Broad into a vibrant public space! This project is a key part of North Broad Renaissance’s ambitious 5-year plan, focused on: ✅ Enhancing Public Spaces: Welcoming plazas and safety features that improve walkability. ✅ Boosting Local Business Support: Filling storefronts and attracting businesses to revitalize the local economy. ✅ Leveraging Community Partnerships: Collaborating with institutions like Temple University to encourage graduates to stay and build locally. ✅ Building Sustainable Infrastructure: Creating reliable revenue channels and partnerships for lasting improvements. At NBR’s recent community engagement meeting, we explored ideas to shape this space into an urban oasis - envisioning a place for gatherings, markets, and events that connect and energize the neighborhood. Stay tuned as we continue collaborating with North Broad and the community to bring this vision to life! Want to get involved in shaping North Broad’s future? Reach out at info@northbroad.org. #NorthBroadRenaissance #NBR2024 #CommunityPlanning #PublicSpaces

We’re thrilled to share that Soha St.Juste, AIA, LEED AP will be joining an esteemed panel at the 2024 Young, Smart, and Local Conference in Philadelphia, taking place November 12-14. The #YSL2024 Conference brings together national leaders, innovators, and change-makers to discuss how we can build and retain a diverse and thriving workforce. As trends shift, the design of our workplaces plays a critical role in shaping productivity, creativity, and inclusivity. Soha will contribute to a conversation about building spaces of belonging in the workplace, sharing her perspective on how the built environment can support new ways of working. Tickets are still available: https://lnkd.in/g2i3KZ_W We hope to see you there!