MON-B02: Experiment, Play, Innovate: Fostering Curiosity in Firm Culture

Monday, October 13, 2025

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM CT

Location: New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Room 211-213

1.25 PDH, LA CES/non-HSW, AICP, FL

Speaker(s)

Margaret Plumb, ASLA (she/her/hers)

Director of DW Legacy Design®
Design Workshop
Basalt, Colorado
Chelsea DeWitt, ASLA

Landscape Designer
Plural Studio
BERKELEY, California
Casey L. Nelson, AIA (she/her/hers)

Associate Architect
Lake Flato
Charlotte, North Carolina

How could design firms cultivate a culture of experimentation within fast-paced work environments? This panel brings together emerging leaders from a range of design studios to discuss how their firms leverage creativity and curiosity to enrich project work, office culture, and firm-wide initiatives, fostering conversation, innovation, and design excellence.

Learning Outcomes:

Collaborate on a creativity sparking activity to strengthen the connection between mind, hand, and practice.
Learn how a diversity of firms integrate a culture of exploration within project delivery.
Understand how firms create opportunities outside of project work for creative generation.
Gain insights into aligning creative practices with organizational goals, while nurturing an inquisitive mindset.