middle Of broad: An interdisciplinary, community-engaged design studio – known among students and faculty as the ‘mOb studiO’ – serves as an experimental design lab, bringing together various VCU departments to create a dynamic environment for the university’s emerging designers, artists, and planners. We believe good design fosters a healthier city where citizens are more engaged with their environment, government, and culture.
With guidance from faculty and professional mentors, students work directly on projects with clients from across the region. We aim to be good neighbors and serve our community partners by helping them explore new possibilities. Past projects have included developing concepts for signage in the James River Park System, proposing retail strategies and garment collections for Carytown merchants, designing rain collection systems for Richmond communities, reimagining community engagement strategies for participatory budgeting, and more.
Our fall 2024 community partners include Moments of Hope Outreach, Martin Luther King Jr Middle School, Richmond Metropolitan Authority, The Nature Conservancy, and VCU Health / VCU Medical Center. mOb studio is offered to VCU students during fall and spring semesters as either a 3-credit or 4-credit studio course. For more information, feel free to email the current mOb studio faculty. To see mOb studio projects in progress, join us at one of our open studios during the Richmond Arts District First Fridays Art Walk, or follow us on Instagram!
If you are a community member interested in working with mOb studio, please submit a project request through the Storefront for Community Design’s Design Sessions Portal. If you have any questions, feel free to email Professor Emily Smith.
If you are a VCU faculty member or local professional interested in teaching or mentoring with mOb studio, please email Professor Emily Smith.
Emily Smith
Assistant Professor of Interior Design, mOb faculty
smithea8@vcu.edu
205 E Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
