Art in Place: Spaces for Creativity
BROOKLAND ARTSPACE LOFTS, PHOTO BY ANICE HOACHLANDER
At Hickok Cole, we believe design can create opportunities for artists, organizations, and communities to connect, collaborate, and share their craft. Throughout our history, we have pursued work that drives community through art, including Brookland Artspace Lofts (affordable live-work apartments for artists in Washington, DC) and Dance Place (a non-profit performing arts center that offers dance classes to all ages in the District). Whether designing spaces dedicated to creative practice, supporting arts-focused organizations, or curating our own workplace into a gallery backdrop, we see art as an essential part of creating strong communities.
Arts on the Block
Washington, DC
Service: Interior Design
At Arts on the Block, the interiors directly support the nonprofit’s mission to empower young artists to pursue creative careers through hands-on learning, entrepreneurship, and public art. Completed as a pro bono project, the 3,800-SF space is located on the ground floor beneath the Silver Spring Library. The design includes two flexible classrooms, a dedicated mosaic-making studio, meeting rooms, and admin offices. Designed to support paid youth art programs, client commissions, and community partnerships, the space provides an inclusive environment where emerging artists can develop their skills, gain professional experience, and contribute to the vibrancy of the surrounding community.
Studio Theatre
Washington, DC
Services: Architecture + Interior Design
A great performance space should do more than just house productions, which is why our goal was to shape the storytelling experience itself. At Studio Theatre, every design decision supports the relationship between performers and the audience, creating an intimate environment that brings people closer to art. By fostering connection, engagement, and shared experience, the theater illustrates how architecture can serve as a platform for creative expression.
Hickok Cole Headquarters
Washington, DC
Services: Interior Design + Creative
Our very own DC headquarters reflects a long-standing commitment to the creative community. As creatives ourselves, we wanted our space to represent our mission in action. Designed to accommodate a rotating collection of artwork for our annual Art Night event, in partnership with the Washington Project for the Arts (WPA), the space features museum-quality hanging and lighting systems that transform everyday walls into gallery space while preserving flexibility for our own workplace. Inspired by NoMa’s vibrant public art culture, the office provides a neutral backdrop for artwork and project displays, essential for each October when art fills our walls and brings together artists, clients, and community members to celebrate creativity and connection.
The Nicholson Project
Washington, DC
Service: Creative
The Nicholson Project brings together an artist residency and neighborhood garden to foster creative exchange, cultural expression, and community connection. Designed to support artists in process, it functions as an evolving hub where making and gathering shape a strong sense of place. Hickok Cole Creative developed a flexible identity system that’s open-ended and adaptable to grow alongside the artists and community it serves.
Whether supporting artists, designing cultural venues, celebrating local creatives, or helping arts organizations tell their stories, these projects all share the common goal of creating the conditions for creativity to thrive. At Hickok Cole, we believe art enriches communities, strengthens connections, and helps shape more authentic places. By designing spaces and experiences that support creative expression, we can contribute to the vibrant communities built around culture, curiosity, and human connection.