Community Design Lab
Our Mission + Method
The Community Design Lab is is The Urban Studio’s hands-on design and service-learning model. At BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown, the Design Lab operates as a year-round, place-based program connecting art, environmental literacy, and community-led design.
Our work centers on three tracks:
Creative Mischief for children (ages 6-12yrs old)
Design+Build for teens (ages 13-19yrs old),
and Second Bloom for adults and seniors.
Located within the Seneca Creek watershed, the program serves one of the most culturally diverse communities in the United States. While Germantown is surrounded by significant natural assets, access to environmental design pathways and hands-on stewardship opportunities is uneven.
Embedding the Design Lab at BlackRock creates a consistent, trusted entry point for youth, families, and older adults to engage directly with art, ecology, and public space.
Nature by the People
•
Nature by the People •
Our Programs
Children (6-12yrs old)
art and nature workshops for children and families.
Teens (13-19yrs old)
hands-on, student-led design and service-learning projects for teens.
Adults & Seniors
creative, restorative workshops for adults and seniors.
What Sets us Apart?
The Community Design Lab builds environmental literacy and civic participation across generations.Youth learn to analyze and improve the built environment. Children develop early design confidence. Older adults contribute leadership and lived experience to public place improvements. By cultivating stewardship through art and design, the Design Lab strengthens local capacity for environmental resilience and civic spirit in Germantown.
Pop-up Workshops
We come to you! Our pop-up workshop series is grounded in nature as a shared point of connection. Each experience is designed to be:
low-barrier,
designed for public spaces,
adaptable for different audiences and schedules,
and readily equipped with materials, setup, and facilitation!
At these pop-ups, participants are only asked to bring their curiosity, creativity, and conversation.
Creative Mischief
Naturally Outside the Lines
Registered Events
We deliver art and volunteer opportunities designed to engage children and adults of all ages. Our Eventbrite profile ensure we can reach more folks and ensure ease of registration for our participants. No prior art experience required!
Nature Art for Human Connection
Community Garden Build Day at BlackRock Center for the Arts
What are people saying?
Experience the Design Lab
Check out more of our promotional materials and more event specifics for Community Design Lab events