22R Design Build

22R Design Build A creative led innovation hub, reimagining the human experiences of tomorrow, today.

22R | Exterior Design One of the most important decisions in adaptive reuse projects happens before the first sign goes ...
06/17/2026

22R | Exterior Design

One of the most important decisions in adaptive reuse projects happens before the first sign goes up, before the patio furniture is selected, and before a single light fixture is installed.

The exterior sets the tone.

For this three-tenant redevelopment, we’re exploring three distinct directions:

1. Lime Wash Brick
Creates a softer, more charming experience. The subtle variation allows the history of the building to remain visible while adding warmth and character. This direction feels more hospitality-driven and approachable.

2. Pure White Brick
Clean, crisp, and industrial. The contrast between the white masonry and black storefront systems creates a stronger modern aesthetic. Less nostalgic. More contemporary.

3. Warm Grey Brick
A middle ground between the two. It introduces depth and sophistication while still leaning industrial. Moody, refined, and flexible across a variety of tenant concepts.

What’s interesting is that the architecture itself hasn’t changed.

Same building.
Same storefronts.
Same proportions.

Yet each material selection creates an entirely different guest experience before someone ever walks through the door.

Next up:
• Tenant branding and signage
• Exterior lighting design
• Patio and outdoor bar concepts
• Landscape and activation strategy

Design isn’t just about how a place looks.

It’s about deciding how a place should feel.





22R | Civic Anchors Master Developments don’t start with construction. They start with vision, strategy, and asking the...
05/08/2026

22R | Civic Anchors

Master Developments don’t start with construction.
They start with vision, strategy, and asking the right questions, to the right people.

Right now, we’re helping lead the early phases of a catalytic mixed-use development in Indiana — and the momentum is building.

Indy Parks is engaged.
Anchor operators are stepping in.
Investors are leaning forward.
And the community is coming back to the table for round two.

Before any drawings were finalized or deals were signed, we focused on something deeper:

Who is this for?
How should it feel?
What kind of experience should this place create for the people who will use it every day?

At 22R, we approach development differently.

We connect:
Brand → Design → Build

Not as separate phases… but as one integrated strategy.

From community engagement and vision planning, to experience design and construction ex*****on, we help shape places that are emotionally resonant, operationally intentional, and built with purpose from day one.

Because great developments don’t just look good.
They create belonging.



UrbanDevelopment CommunityDevelopment CivicPlaza MixedUseDevelopment DesignLeadership StrategicDevelopment PlaceMaking DevelopmentStrategy

22R | Brand + Design + Build Brand isn’t what you say—it’s what people feel.It’s the instinct, the perception, the emoti...
05/01/2026

22R | Brand + Design + Build
Brand isn’t what you say—it’s what people feel.
It’s the instinct, the perception, the emotional connection before you arrive and imprint left behind after every interaction.

Before anything is drawn, specified, or built… brand sets the tone. It answers the hard questions: who we are, what we stand for, and why it matters.

Design translates that feeling into something tangible. It gives form to intuition—shaping space, material, light, and detail into a visual experience that people can see and move through. When done right, design isn’t decoration—it’s alignment. Every choice reinforces the original intent.

Build is where it all gets tested.
It’s the ex*****on of the experience—the moment vision meets reality. Precision matters. Discipline matters. Because this is where ideas either hold up… or fall apart.

When these three move in sync—
Brand defines the feeling.
Design expresses the experience.
Build delivers it flawlessly.

When you deliver with excellence, you put the best & brightest of all three of these disciplines around the table, that’s where real impact happens and legacy is built.

Creative direction isn’t a phase.It’s the emotional through-line.The strongest projects don’t “add” logos and signage at...
04/24/2026

Creative direction isn’t a phase.
It’s the emotional through-line.

The strongest projects don’t “add” logos and signage at the end—they intentionally build from it.

It starts in the ideation phase—where the real work isn’t visual yet, it’s foundational.

We ask the right questions:

• Who are we?
• What do we do?
• Why does it matter?

Because if those answers aren’t clear, nothing that follows will be.

From there, creative direction doesn’t just influence design—it dictates it:

• What gets emphasized
• What gets edited out
• How the story takes physical form

And it doesn’t stop at drawings.

That same direction carries through construction—guiding decisions in real time and protecting the integrity of the vision as it moves from paper into space.

All the way through to final set down and styling—where the last layer isn’t decoration, it’s reinforcement.

Because in a true turn-key delivery, nothing is disconnected.

Brand thinking informs design.
Design informs build.
Build delivers experience.

When that thread is held from start to finish, the result isn’t just cohesive—it’s intentional.

And you can FEEL the difference the moment you walk in.

22R | Unify Teams Great projects don’t happen because of great design.They happen when all the teams unify around one sh...
04/17/2026

22R | Unify Teams

Great projects don’t happen because of great design.
They happen when all the teams unify around one shared outcome… and have fun along the way.

On the latest project, the design development has been less about individual disciplines—and more about integration:

• Getting owners, architects, engineers, and stakeholders around a table early
• Removing friction before it shows up in drawings, or teams
• Creating a system where decisions move forward…. not in circles ⭕

My focus is always the same:
Elevate the work by elevating how the team works, together.

Because when alignment is strong, design becomes sharper.
When communication is clear, ex*****on becomes faster.

And ultimately, the community benefits from a process that works and feels as well as the final product.

That’s the craft—bringing people together to build something better than any one of us could build alone… and having fun along the way.

22R | Action vs Analysis There’s a moment in every project—before design, before drawings—where the real work actually b...
04/06/2026

22R | Action vs Analysis

There’s a moment in every project—before design, before drawings—where the real work actually begins.

In Wanamaker, IN, I’ve had the opportunity to partner with a charitable trust, focused on something bigger than buildings: bringing a community to life.

This is where the big picture, design development, and feasibilty matters most.
It’s not about over-analysis or slow-moving reports.

Yawn.

It’s about clarity:

• Understanding what’s viable
• Identifying what will actually serve the community
• Translating vision into something grounded and actionable

Through the foundation, I help clients see what’s possible—quickly, clearly, and without unnecessary complexity. Simple and fast. Because business owners and community leaders don’t need more noise. They need direction, confidence, and a path forward.

This is the work I love most—helping good people build things that matter.

Excited to partner with The Russell Flagle Charitable Trust, The Town of Wanamaker, and Baker + Associates on this initial phase.

Thank you.

22R | Design ≠ decorationOne of the biggest misconceptions I see:Design is not decoration. Design is the act of making d...
03/06/2026

22R | Design ≠ decoration

One of the biggest misconceptions I see:

Design is not decoration.
Design is the act of making decisions—about flow, hierarchy, comfort, behavior, and identity.

The finishes are just the visible result of deeper choices.

When design is treated as strategy, spaces work harder and last longer.

Every space tells a story, what is yours saying?

Same Craft. Expanded Scope. 22R | Design Strategy for places with purpose.For the last 7 years, we’ve built more than sp...
02/27/2026

Same Craft. Expanded Scope.

22R | Design Strategy for places with purpose.

For the last 7 years, we’ve built more than spaces —
we’ve built environments where connection happens, where stories unfold, where community takes root.

Now, we’re sharpening our focus.

We’re doubling down on the strategy behind the design. Because great spaces don’t just look good…

They perform.
They clarify identity.
They shape behavior.
They generate return.
They build loyalty.

We partner with founders, developers, and operators to answer the real questions:

• Who are you — really?
• How should people feel here?
• How does this space drive revenue + community at the same time?

The future of physical space belongs to those who design with intention.

We’re here for that.

This afternoon I had the opportunity to spend time with Thomas Gilmore, a seasoned design and branding professional with...
01/16/2026

This afternoon I had the opportunity to spend time with Thomas Gilmore, a seasoned design and branding professional with more than 30 years of experience in strategic creative practice and education. Thomas has worked across industry, academia, and consultancy, including leadership roles in design strategy, brand development, and creative direction — all while mentoring the next generation as an adjunct design faculty member. 

What made today especially valuable was not hype or alarm — it was perspective. I’m not here for or against AI. I’m simply curious, and I believe curiosity is part of leadership.

AI isn’t a trend we get to vote on — it’s a tool already shaping how we explore ideas, communicate concepts, and solve problems in our industry. The real question isn’t if it matters… it’s how thoughtfully we choose to engage with it.

What stood out most from my conversation with Thomas wasn’t automation or speed — it was how AI can support early exploration and tough decisions, creating more room for design judgment, craft, and strategy — the things that truly define quality work.

I don’t think the future belongs to those who blindly adopt or outright resist.
It belongs to those willing to learn early, ask better questions, and stay grounded in craft.

Grateful for the insight and dialogue — there’s more ahead as I continue to explore what this means for our work.

BuiltEnvironment

Sneak peak at
10/15/2025

Sneak peak at

Address

Kenwood, OH
45236

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when 22R Design Build posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to 22R Design Build:

Shortcuts

Share

Category