Union Studio Shapes Conversations at CNU34
Don discusses transect-based design; Christina leads the conversation on pre-approved housing plans; and Jeremy recognizes project excellence on the Charter Awards jury
Our team is back from CNU34 in Northwest Arkansas — a fascinating place to gather right now, with events spread across Fayetteville and Bentonville in a region sprawling across a footprint that rivals Rhode Island. The area is shaped in large part by the significant philanthropic investment of the Walton family, whose influence on the region’s arts, infrastructure, and public spaces is hard to miss. That made it a particularly interesting lens through which to discuss new urbanism, where you can see the tension between small-scale historic fabric and rapid growth playing out block by block. Between a bike tour along the Razorback Greenway, a visit to Thorncrown Chapel, and late dinners with colleagues from across the field, it was a few days well spent.
We also came to contribute. Donald Powers presented alongside Lawrence “Murphy” Antoine of Torti Gallas + Partners on how transect-based thinking shapes firm culture, and Christina Carlson joined a panel on streamlining housing development through pre-approved plans — a conversation that felt especially relevant given everything happening in the missing middle space right now. We left with plenty to think about and already have our eyes on the Twin Cities for CNU35!