Explore Design

Explore Design We create inspired and functional spaces that honor local stories, enhance communities, and perform in the most demanding climates.

Every project is an opportunity to craft something enduring, sustainable, and meaningful.

09/05/2026

Where does a color palette begin?

For Mat-Su Central School, it started with the community.

During the design process, participants sorted through images inspired by Alaska, identifying the places, landscapes, and textures that resonated most. Those conversations became the foundation for a palette that reflects both the community and the school's identity, with subtle nods to the colors found in a raven's feathers.

Hear more about the process in this project reflection. For the full story visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpWdG98R2sU

Every project has a moment when you can finally see the finish line.Our team recently toured the FedEx Package Sorting F...
09/04/2026

Every project has a moment when you can finally see the finish line.

Our team recently toured the FedEx Package Sorting Facility at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, and it's incredible to see how far this project has come.

From early planning and complex site challenges to standing inside a facility that's nearly ready to begin operations, moments like these remind us why we love what we do.

We're excited to see this project come to life in early fall and proud to have played a role in supporting FedEx's growing operations in Alaska.

Congratulations to the entire project team, we can't wait to see it in action.

08/26/2026

What if one small change in how you give advice could make someone a better problem solver?

That's the idea behind the "lean in, lean over" technique.

Rather than solving the problem for someone, the goal is to share your perspective without taking away their ownership. Phrasing suggestions as possibilities encourages people to evaluate their options, make informed decisions, and take responsibility for the outcome.

John explains how this approach has become part of the way our team collaborates every day.

08/24/2026

What makes a great gathering space?

It's one that can adapt to the people who use it.

In this clip, Melissa Grieve shares how flexible furniture, welcoming spaces, and inclusive design helped shape the heart of Mat-Su Central School, creating a place built for learning, connection, and community.

Good ideas get better when more perspectives are in the room.Collaboration gives us the chance to challenge assumptions,...
08/21/2026

Good ideas get better when more perspectives are in the room.

Collaboration gives us the chance to challenge assumptions, work through details, and build on each other’s thinking. That shared process helps turn individual ideas into stronger design solutions.

What helps your team collaborate at its best? Tell us in the comments.👇

Solar panels aren't the only way buildings can harness the sun.Researchers and manufacturers are exploring new technolog...
08/19/2026

Solar panels aren't the only way buildings can harness the sun.

Researchers and manufacturers are exploring new technologies like solar paint, transparent photovoltaic glass, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), systems that allow building materials themselves to generate electricity.

While these solutions are still emerging, they're giving designers new opportunities to integrate renewable energy without compromising aesthetics.

Photo: SolarSME

Awards season is coming up, which gave us the perfect reason to revisit this one. 🏆We're proud to have received the 2025...
08/18/2026

Awards season is coming up, which gave us the perfect reason to revisit this one. 🏆

We're proud to have received the 2025 ASID Alaska Chapter Design Excellence Award | University Focus for Mat-Su Central School.

As we get closer to this year's awards event, we're excited to see what's recognized next and to celebrate the talented design community here in Alaska.

https://ak.asid.org/events/design-awards-industry-partner-appreciation-event

08/17/2026

Every project begins with a vision. This one began with a conversation.

In this clip, Garrett Burtner shares how the vision for Cook Inlet Native Head Start grew from hearing directly from Alaska Native educators, leaders, and families about what this space could mean for future generations.

The result is more than a school. It's a place designed to foster belonging, celebrate culture, and create an environment where children can learn in spaces that reflect their community and identity.

Learn more about this project: https://www.exploredesign.com/project/cook-inlet-native-head-start/

"After two summers at Explore Design, I’ve learned that good design is user-centered and functional."We couldn't think o...
08/14/2026

"After two summers at Explore Design, I’ve learned that good design is user-centered and functional."

We couldn't think of a better takeaway.

As our Architectural Intern Valentina wraps up her second summer with us, we asked her to look back on everything she's experienced, from pulling apart mechanical drawings layer by layer and discovering the human side of interior design to collaborating with clients, consultants, and project teams in ways a classroom simply can't replicate.

Her favorite part? Site visits. Definitely site visits. The trip to Bassett Hospital at Fort Wainwright may have sealed the deal.

Soon, Valentina heads back to the University of Michigan for her senior year, where she's excited to start discovering her niche within the big, wonderful world of design.

Thanks for growing alongside us, Valentina. We can't wait to see what you explore next!

08/14/2026

What inspired the heart of Mat-Su Central School?

In this walkthrough, Melissa Grieve - Principal Interior Designer, explains how early design tours influenced the Great Room, from the overlook at the Anchorage Museum to the intimate gathering spaces found in lofts.

It's a great reminder that inspiration can come from unexpected places.

Address

421 W 1st Avenue, Ste 300
Anchorage, AK
99501

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