Transparent: (adjective): allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen.; free from pretense or deceit; readily understood: characterized by visibility or accessibility of information.

The concept of the Indianapolis Design Center began with the simple notion of transparency. This has several meanings: first, the goal was to provide citizens and Indianapolis visitors to view architectural practice. Practitioners of design and their projects are often unknown, and many individuals have little interaction outside of the practice.

From the various works of world renowned architects in Columbus to the education of future designers at Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning, Indiana is home to numerous vibrant design communities. However, there is currently no central space for Indiana designers to collaborate. The Indianapolis Design Center, to be located in downtown Indianapolis, seeks to bring designers from across the state, country, and world together in an effort to share and learn in a centralized urban location. Our first intent was to invite the public into the Design Center, both physically and visually through an internal urban street front and varying layers of a transparent fenestration. The concept of transparency through-out the design also encouraged a studio environment of immersion and reflection strengthening the connection between designers and the community. Views of the city and public spaces to gather contributed to an experience of deconstruction, were the barriers between designers and the public were dissolved.