What is Showcase?

Showcase is Gresham, Smith and Partners' annual collection of internally-submitted and externally-judged built and unbuilt projects. The program began in response to some internal dialogue around the question “What is good design?”, and more specifically, “What does GS&P consider good design?” We felt that despite our longevity and history with a wide range of clients and project types, we needed to spend more time discussing design’s meaning, its impact and its evolution.

We also needed to spend more time congratulating each other for work well done. Good design is collaborative and multi-disciplinary, and with collaborative expectations came the need for collaborative recognition. The talents of our employees are what make good design, and more than anything Showcase is meant to honor their hard work.

How projects are chosen

Project teams are asked to submit work they are proud of, built or unbuilt, that addresses six key aspects:

• Exceptional environments or experiences
• Original or innovative application of techniques
• Future value to the design professions
• Social, economic and sustainable design considerations
• Complexity
• Exceeding client and/or owner needs

Entries are judged by a mixed panel of external industry experts, clients, peers and members of academia, and top scoring projects are awarded inclusion in Showcase. Project teams are recognized at GS&P’s annual firm Celebration event.

Showcase's impact

Since first launching Showcase 1 we’re seeing improvements in our internal design dialogue, the expectations we have for our work, and the pride we feel about the resulting effects for our clients and communities. The original intent was inward-focused, but we’re proud to share the results with you.

I am sure that with time the method and outcome of the Showcase will change, but the intent never should — a collection that instills employee pride in our ability to deliver world class design services and facilitate success for the clients we serve. I am proud of this collection and look forward to many more years of successful design.

Congratulations to all the teams whose work is represented here.

- James Bearden, CEO

Gresham, Smith and Partners provides design and consulting solutions for the built environment that contribute to the success of national and international clients. For more than 40 years, GS&P has focused on enhancing quality of life and sustainability within communities. GS&P consists of industry-leading professionals practicing architecture and engineering design as well as scientists and highly specialized planning and strategic consultants in Aviation, Corporate and Urban Design, Environmental Compliance, Healthcare, Industrial, Land Planning, Transportation and Water Services. GS&P consistently ranks among the top architecture and engineering firms in the United States. For more information regarding GS&P, visit www.gspnet.com.