Mission
To create authentic built environments and places that are experientially rich and enhance communities.
Approach
Form + Place utilizes a collaborative process that strives to integrate multiple points of view to achieve thoughtful design solutions that are human-scaled and contextually appropriate. At the urban planning level, our understanding of both public sector and private development perspectives allows us to help identify community goals and recommend implementable strategies that promote economic development and livable places. Our approach to visioning requires meaningful community engagement to build consensus among stakeholders. Ultimately, our expectation is to find the ideal balance between the flexibility that developers seek and the certainty that communities desire.
Expertise
Urban Design + Planning
Community visioning / goals
Master-planning [TOD / District / Corridor]
Place-making
Complex mixed-use test fits
Zoning
Design guidelines
Community engagement facilitation
Architecture
Mixed-use feasibility studies [adaptive reuse / new construction]
Concept design: multi-family residential, retail, office, hospitality
Permitting support
Single-family residential [renovations / additions / new construction]
History
Form + Place is a Newton, Massachusetts-based architecture and urban planning firm founded in 2011 with the goal of helping both private and public sector clients formulate development visions and bring them to reality through a creative and collaborative design process.
With over 35 years of experience in professional practice, founding principal Michael Wang has directed numerous large scale mixed-use projects, town center masterplans and urban visioning initiatives for private developers and municipalities alike. As a partner at Arrowstreet, prior to establishing Form + Place, Michael worked as a project designer and project manager on significant architecture and planning projects for leaders in the private development world, shepherding complex mixed-use developments through extensive permitting processes. These projects often demanded an iterative design process, creative solutions to zoning and extensive community outreach efforts.
This in-depth knowledge of the intricacies of complex mixed-use development – both in terms of design process and implementation strategies - has been foundational to Form + Place’s mission. While we continue work with private sector clients to explore unique development opportunities, our primary focus in recent years has shifted to helping communities formulate a comprehensive vision and then identify a “road map” for the successful implementation of economic development strategies.
We have a passion for place-making and believe that understanding the layers of history [palimpsest] that are recorded in each city or town must include a careful examination of natural, historic and cultural assets. This is essential to how one understands and, ultimately, experiences the uniqueness of a “place.”
Community Engagement
At Form + Place, we strive to be actively involved in our community, not only by writing meaningful “idea” pieces but by participating in philanthropic activities and engaging in forums on topics that shape the way we live. We have led Technical Assistance Panels organized to brainstorm solutions to economic development, climate resiliency and urban design challenges in a broad range of municipalities; we have led community forums to test the impacts of proposed zoning criteria and design guidelines on the quality of future development; we have actively engaged a broad range of New England communities through participation on real estate advisory committees; we have collaborated on a national Urban Land Institute panel designed to explore the underlying tenets of “creative place-making.” Active engagement is one of the most fundamental ways to give back to the community, stay informed and help to shape the current dialogue.
Testimonials
“The team at Form + Place is creative, thoughtful, and collaborative. They understand the foundations of great design but also appreciate the challenges in the field. They seamlessly work with owners, developers, consultants and contractors. Form + Place are more than just architects - they are true design partners in our developments and treat our projects as if they are their own.” - Jason Korb, Principal, Capstone Communities, LLC
“The Form + Place team can work on a wide range of projects, from residential to commercial. We find that F+P brings flexibility to the beginning stages of a project, and this helps homeowners to understand the process and costs associated with realizing their visions.” - Mathew Roth, Owner, Hawthorn Builders
“You guys always - EVERY TIME - knock it over the fence. I’m very impressed with the work.” William Luster, President, Charing Cross Realty Trust & Of Counsel CMK Development Partners
“Form + Place has been a terrific partner because of their pleasant natures and their exceptional communication; they are open-minded, upfront, accommodating, and attentive to the needs of everyone on the team.” - Daryl Leland, Manager, Erland Construction