This past September, our office manager Lindsey attended Lost Lands, a gathering and music festival near Columbus, Ohio that celebrates sound, creativity, and community. While music festivals may seem far removed from architecture, experiences like this are powerful reminders of the ways design influences how we connect with one another.

At Lost Lands, tens of thousands of people came together in an open space, united by music. The design of the festival itself — from the placement of stages and pathways to the art installations and lighting — shaped how people experienced each moment. The wide-open fields created opportunities for gathering, while thoughtfully placed structures provided shade, shelter, and a sense of orientation in a sea of activity. In addition, there is a certain thoughtfulness to how the individual spaces interact with each other to create a cohesive space for a full experience. 

Because of this thoughtfulness, there is no negative impact on one space from another, whether that is lighting, sound, or crowds. Rather, a sense of community and interaction is created instead.

In architecture, we strive for the same outcomes. Homes, offices, and community spaces aren’t just walls and roofs — they’re settings for connection. The way a porch invites neighbors to stop and chat, how a kitchen island draws family and friends to gather, or how a workplace lounge encourages collaboration — all of these design choices mirror the festival’s intentional planning to bring people closer together.

Taking inspiration from a setting like Lost Lands gives us the opportunity to create meaningful spaces that help bring people together, while harmoniously working with the spaces around it.

Festivals like Lost Lands also highlight the importance of flexibility. Believe it or not, most of the stages, art installations and gathering areas are temporary. They are designed to adapt quickly, meet the needs of large crowds, and then disappear, so that the grounds can be used to host other events and serve the local community throughout the year. In our work, we can take inspiration from that adaptability, creating designs that can grow with families, evolve with businesses, and support a changing community over time.

At its core, whether at a music festival or in the heart of your home, design is about people. It’s about creating places where memories are made, connections are strengthened, and life is celebrated.