Perkins+Will's philosophy is built on the dual concepts of client service and design excellence. In fact, we view design itself as part of our service mantra. Successful projects align strategy, architecture and planning with the widest, most imaginative definitions of the client's vision.

Our design philosophy revolves around how well a building, inside and out, reflects history, culture, community and vision. There is a larger social context, an inherent commitment to designing places that will make a lasting societal contribution. This approach is a Perkins+Will legacy. Take one of our firm's first projects, the 1930's Crow Island School. It was truly revolutionary in its design and context. To this day, it continues to win awards and draw industry acclaim. Social architecture creates buildings that are good civic neighbors. It is derived from a well-established foundation of program-driven design. Our founder Larry Perkins literally went to school with the children of Crow Island to tailor his design directly to their needs. We still listen, learn and explore with our clients. We use what we learn – the social interaction of users and architects – to define our architectural solutions.

Urban architecture provides opportunities to extend or "heal" the surrounding fabric of the community. International projects challenge us to research, explore and learn about our global neighbors, integrating cultural sensitivity in all we do. Historical buildings and forms are a part of our collective memory. They provide meaning and create a sense of place. This appreciation of history points us in new directions, which ultimately creates new traditions. New development, renovations or additions complement and expand the existing architectural dialogue. There is room for both tradition and innovation in architecture. We value the role of architecture in working to make modern life more meaningful and reaffirm our cultural values.

Our designs attempt to capture the entire picture. We engage human emotion and human spirit. Our philosophy uses proven approaches that generate ideas and inspire collaboration with our clients before, during and after the project is completed. Working together, we invest in buildings that respect the past, yet are rooted in the present and directed toward the future.