About Us

Our Mission

The mission of the Urban Design Studio (UDS) is to raise the community’s awareness of better design practices for our built environment with a focus on moving our city and region towards a vibrant, healthier, equitable and resilient future for all.

In August of 2022, the UDS became part of the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute at the University of Louisville. With this move, the UDS will continue much of the work it has done over the past two decades, with an additional dimension of exploring the connection between the design and function of the built environment and impacts on human health. Through strategic research partnerships within UofL and outside partners, we will work to identify issues with the built environment and explore ways to make measurable improvements.

Additionally, through design charrette facilitation, workshops, meetings, classes and general outreach to the community, the UDS offers a central location to discuss issues in the community and work in a collaborative environment to come up with creative solutions for the betterment of all. The UDS serves as a classroom, meeting point, resource base, and exhibition space. Professors and practitioners cultivate various research endeavors throughout the year and periodically join forces on special issues. Reaching out to broader audiences, the UDS also serves as a gallery space for exhibits of art, design, and urban planning-related works.

Our People

A lot of people have helped make projects by the Urban Design Studio possible over the years. The work we do takes a great deal of collaboration beyond the studio walls. Below is our growing list of staff and key collaborators, from the graduate research assistants, University of Louisville faculty and alum, to the civic-minded problem solvers who help develop projects and build momentum for positive change in our community.

Patrick Piuma

Patrick Piuma

Director

2007 - Present
Sean Willis

Sean Willis

Research Technologist II

Urban Design Studio

2023 - Present
Patrick Smith

Patrick Smith

Collaborator

University of Louisville

2008 - Present
Caleb Brooks

Caleb Brooks

Collaborator

2019 - Present
Brian Pierce

Brian Pierce

Research Assistant

2015 - 2017
Winston Mitchell

Winston Mitchell

Research Assistant

2013 - 2015
Luis Calvo

Luis Calvo

Research Assistant

2011-2013
Jeremy Dyer

Jeremy Dyer

Research Assistant

2010-2011
Megan Enyeart

Megan Enyeart

Research Assistant

2009-2011
Patrick Lewis

Patrick Lewis

Research Assistant

2007 - 2008

The Urban Design Studio

Located at 427 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd, Suite 200 in downtown Louisville, the design studio space is used for Master of Urban Planning classes, community meetings, ideation sessions, urbanism gallery and other outreach events.