MLK Day of Service 2023 Kickoff

On Monday January 16th, 2023 PAYETTE will host its annual Martin Luther King Jr., Day of Service. Celebrating its fifth year, PAYETTE’s event is our contribution to the National Day of Service – “a day on, not a day off” – in celebration of Dr. King’s legacy. On this day, we use our creativity and expertise in support of the goals articulated by AmeriCorps, leader of the national DoS program:

• Engage with the community and create constructive action
• Act on Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity
• Recommit by volunteering to serve others.

For this year, we have selected four projects on sites in Boston, Lawrence and North Adams.

The four briefs feature a mix of project types, from urban design to landscape architecture to interior renovation.

ELEVATED THOUGHT, LAWRENCE MA | Creative Center “ET on the 6th”
Create design and space planning concepts for ET’s 14,000 sf Creative Center expansion on the 6th floor of the historic Everett Mill building. Prepare graphic materials to support ET’s proposal for the Mass Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilities Fund grant application. Provide guidance regarding product selection and sustainability measures.

FOUR CORNERS MAIN STREETS, BOSTON MA | Four Corners Village
Formulate visioning and placemaking concepts for 4 parcels adjoining the MBTA Four Corners/Geneva commuter rail station on Washington Street in Dorchester. Produce visual materials to support Four Corners Main Streets’ work of advocacy, small business development and placemaking. 

NORTHERN BERKSHIRE COmmuniTY COALITION | A Space For Community: Creating a Dynamic Home for the Community
Create a landscape design concept for a parcel planned for purchase by the Community Coalition to transform it into a community asset and produce visual aids to support fundraising for the redevelopment of the building and grounds. The .4 acre outdoor space, in close proximity to the Hoosic River, abuts parking lots on 3 sides, at once creating interesting opportunities for access and demanding flexibility in its design.

YOUTHBUILD BOSTON | Activating Urban Space – Reimagining Outdoor Space at YouthBuild Boston
Develop a design proposal for the existing 1,700sf outdoor space at YouthBuild’s headquarters in Roxbury. The design, to be executed by YouthBuild members, will activate the underutilized back yard and will serve the group’s mission with both its process and finished product.

These problem statements, different in scale and type from our customary projects, inspire us to push our design boundaries further. They also raise compelling questions:

What is a designer’s role in fostering social justice?

How can small moves be used to have an outsized impact?

How can great design be more accessible to our communities?

The MLK Day of Service is a rewarding and inspirational event at PAYETTE, bringing people together from across the firm to apply creative skills to serve the needs and aspirations of the community. The Day of Service also provides a great opportunity for young designers to take on leadership roles. This year 64 people have volunteered to participate, making up 37% of the firm.

This year’s teams include participants with a wide cross section of expertise, including:

• Architecture
• Building Science
• Design Visualization
• Fabrication
• Interiors
• Landscape Architecture
• Marketing
• Operations
• Space Strategies