Making is in our DNA.
In an increasingly digital world, we are equally inspired by physical objects. We believe that hands-on exploration of shapes, textures, materials and details is a critical component of design. Our studio alcoves, where we pin up drawings of our projects in process, are also filled with models, full-scale mock-ups and other design studies.
FABLAB
Augmenting our in-house model shop, our satellite fabrication space expands our research and prototyping capacities, providing a flexible environment that can adapt to evolving design goals and project demands. Our fabrication capacities sponsor a feedback-loop between design and construction, challenging architectural concepts with the rigors of physical production in an immediate and informative way. At the same time, we question conventional construction methods to enhance building performance and human experience.
PROTOTYPING
Our ability to rapidly iterate large-scale mock-ups is both an internal design tool and a means of communicating complex design ideas to clients and builders. A model or prototype facilitates decision-making; it helps all parties understand the design problem and have a voice in its resolution.
DESIGN EVOLUTION
We think of our studio as a workshop, filled with artifacts of our process that continue to inspire us. Past explorations prime future design efforts: A mock-up of the signature window element of the Fifth XiangYa Hospital in China informed the design for a resident / patient room at the Chelsea Soldiers’ Home in Boston a year later. It propelled our exploration of fixture configurations, mounting heights, storage options, casework function and other ergonomic factors.
Parke MacDowell, AIA, 2018Models and prototypes help all parties understand the problem and have a voice in its resolution. This is an incredibly powerful way to facilitate decision-making.
MADE BY PAYETTE
Furniture and product design have been part of our practice since the beginning. Founding Principals Markus and Nocka’s Bowditch desk is part of MoMA’s permanent collection. More recent examples include our custom lighting solution designs at Harvard Fairchild, our window mock-up for the Fifth XiangYa Hospital in China and the Nurses Station at MGH.
The latest embodiment of this approach, MADE by Payette is an initiative focused on furniture-scale fabrication research. Projects include shelving, tables and chairs, model stands and storage systems. MADE by Payette also functions as a vehicle for community outreach: we have used hands-on learning with small fabrication projects to introduce local teens to the design profession.