The Experiential Design Index

Top 10 Firms for Public Space / Placemaking Projects

Ranked by recency-weighted eligible project count at public space / placemaking venues, 2021–2026. The 10 highest-scoring firms hold a numbered rank; 27 more firms with eligible activity are listed below the table.

Counts design-discipline credits only -- exhibit design, interpretive planning, media design, architecture, master planning, landscape architecture, environmental graphics, lighting design -- held in a role the firm offers as a standalone service. Fabrication, AV integration, and consulting credits appear on project pages but don't place a firm on this list. Standard recency weighting and sourcing bonus apply.

Counts reflect the work this index has recorded, not a census of any firm's total output — coverage depth varies by firm — and a position here implies no judgment of design quality.

RankScore FirmHQEligible projects
18.0 The Urban Conga Brooklyn, NY A Cappella (2026), Common Corner (2025), The Hive (2024), Interwoven (2024), Sprout (2024), Molecules (2024), Portal and Coral (2022), Ribbon (2022), Together (2022), TIDAL (2022), Ripple (2021)
25.3 Studio Matthews Seattle, WA Renton Market (2026), Waterfront Park Donor Recognition (2026), Seattle Waterfront Park — Storytelling, Wayfinding & Branding (2025), The Eight Signage & Wayfinding (2024), Urban Interpretation — Why a Meadow? (2022), 2+U Environmental Graphics and Wayfinding (2021), Pier 62, Waterfront Park (2021)
34.0 Moment Factory Montréal, QC Heart Strings by UNICEF USA (2024), 1001 Robert-Bourassa Lobby (2023), Anisipi (2022), AT&T Discovery District Media Wall & LED Trellis (2021), Ticketed Waiting Room (2021), The Colour Bath (2021)
42.8 Gensler San Francisco, CA The RiverFront Revitalization (2024), 1001 Robert-Bourassa Lobby (2023), AT&T Headquarters Lobby (2021), The Globe: Interactive Installation at AT&T Discovery District (2021)
52.3 Span Studio Chicago, IL Luther George Park Signage & Wayfinding (2024), South Side Sanctuary (2024), Railyard Park (2021)
62.0 Schuler Shook Chicago, IL Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts (2024), The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park (2021), Railyard Park (2021)
71.9 Eos Lightmedia Vancouver, BC Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame (2023), Ornamentum (2021), Blooms (2021)
81.7 Digital Ambiance Berkeley, CA Strata (2025), The Fenton Wall (2022)
91.7 MASS Design Group Boston, MA Champion's Walk at Corey Ingram Circle (2024), The Embrace (2023)
101.6 C&G Partners New York, NY Path of Liberty: Freedom Plaza (2025), Signage & Graphics for a Floating Park (2021)

Also active in this category

Firms with eligible activity in the window that fall outside the ranked table — fewer than 2 eligible projects, or a score below the top 10. Listed alphabetically, not ranked.

FirmHQEligible projects
Ashton Design Baltimore, MD Franklin Park Wayfinding (2023), Lexington Market Plaza Redesign (2023)
Diller Scofidio + Renfro New York, NY Pier 57 Public Spaces (Sky Park, Food Hall, Chelsea View Theater) (2022)
Dimensional Innovations Overland Park, KS Gainesville Dragon (2024), Mavs Vault (2022)
DLR Group Omaha, NE Marysville Civic Center (2022)
Fisher Marantz Stone New York, NY National World War I Memorial and Pershing Park (2024), Site and Bridge Lighting (2021)
FLOAT4 Montreal, QC The Globe: Interactive Installation at AT&T Discovery District (2021)
GGN Seattle, WA Urban Interpretation — Why a Meadow? (2022)
Graham Baba Architects Seattle, WA Renton Market (2026)
GWWO Architects Baltimore, MD National World War I Memorial and Pershing Park (2024)
HealyKohler Design Washington, DC Wall of Remembrance (2022)
Hewitt Seattle, WA Renton Market (2026)
Hilferty & Associates Athens, OH Outdoor Museum at The Ridges (2021)
HKS Dallas, TX Halperin Park (2026)
Jack Rouse Associates Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame (2023), Mavs Vault (2022)
Local Projects New York, NY Big Button Sculpture (2023)
NBBJ Seattle, WA Forest Net(work) (2022)
RLMG Watertown, MA Path of Liberty: Freedom Plaza (2025), New England Holocaust Memorial Mobile Tour (2021)
Rockwell Group New York, NY Ticketed Waiting Room (2021)
SCAPE New York, NY Tom Lee Park (2023)
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Chicago, IL High Line – Moynihan Connector (2023), Ticketed Waiting Room (2021)
Studio Gang Chicago, IL Tom Lee Park (2023)
Studio Joseph New York, NY Sensory Journey (2021)
SWA Group Sausalito, CA Halperin Park (2026)
Technical Artistry New York, NY Big Button Sculpture (2023)
Thinc Design New York, NY Showstoppers! Spectacular Costumes from Stage & Screen (2021)
Tillotson Design Associates New York, NY High Line – Moynihan Connector (2023), Pier 57 Public Spaces (Sky Park, Food Hall, Chelsea View Theater) (2022)
Trivium Interactive Boston, MA Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame (2023)