The Meaningful Partnership Project is a novel collaboration between the Environmental and Interior Design DES 451 Community Design Studio Course at SU and the Construction Management CME 454/654 Construction Management Capstone Course at SUNY ESF. In this community-oriented project, students work directly with local nonprofit organizations to redesign and renovate existing spaces through innovative design and construction solutions.
Founded in 2017, the project is led by School of Design Associate Professor Seyeon Lee, with support from Assistant Teaching Professor Zoriana Dunham and SUNY ESF Construction Management Engineering Associate Professor Endong Wang. In 2022, the Community Design Studio partnered with the Shaw Center, marking a significant milestone. In 2024, the project was awarded the IDEC Institutional Innovation Award.
Beginning in Fall 2024, the project evolved into a three-way collaboration. Northside Futures and their workforce training cohorts joined the students in both design and construction, achieving a true design-build partnership via an integrated project management approach.
