Progressive Planning & Revitalization Strategies in Rural California

In July 2013, Opticos completed a Design Idea Book for the community of Bridgeport to help revitalize its Main Street business district. The town thrives off of through-traffic traveling between the Eastern Sierra destinations of Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness, and others, and wanted to preserve and capitalize upon its image as a rustic western town.

The Power of Public Art: How Murals Beautify Cities and Build Communities

Across the country, cities large and small are looking a little more colorful lately—and that’s not because of the changing seasons. Groups that aim to promote local talent and engage the community have been turning empty city walls into huge ...

Giving Back: Opticos Donates CNU Charter Award Money to Cincinnati Nonprofit Public Art Group

Earlier this year, Opticos Design was awarded the CNU’s Charter Award Grand Prize for Best Planning Tool for our work on the Cincinnati Form-Based Code. As we discussed what to do with the prize money, we decided the best thing ...

How Historic Buildings Can Make Your City Modern

Recycled structures and buildings and reclaimed spaces have been all over the news lately, from a West London water tower that was converted to a townhouse (now available for rent), to an artificial island floating on 250,000 recycled plastic bottles ...

Farmers’ Market Shoppers Contribute $2 Million to North Berkeley Economy

The North Berkeley Farmers’ Market was launched in 2004 after the North Shattuck Association approached the Ecology Center with the idea of launching an all-organic market in the heart of the city’s Gourmet Ghetto district. Ten years later, the market ...