Rural Design Project is an education-based engagement, planning, and design studio. We work with domestic and international communities to address rural challenges, from shifting populations and economic pressures to environmental resiliency and mobility needs, designing solutions with each community and its residents in mind.

Our offerings include:

• Early-Stage Planning — workshops, concept development, and master planning to clarify priorities, identify opportunities, and incorporate mobility or wayfinding strategies.

• Design Research — field research, system mapping, needs assessments, and resiliency analysis to define actionable challenges.

• Community Engagement — inclusive engagement, co-design sessions, and participatory workshops tailored to each community context.

• Program Design — translating insights into implementable service models, programs, and infrastructure solutions.

• Capacity Building — equipping communities and partners with tools, training, and collaborative processes to sustain long-term implementation.

Through our work we help small to mid-size rural towns and cities navigate complex challenges, develop students into citizen designers through hands-on experience, and produce research that supports ongoing community growth and impact.