Explore Design

Explore Design We create inspired and functional spaces that honor local stories, enhance communities, and perform in the most demanding climates.

Every project is an opportunity to craft something enduring, sustainable, and meaningful.

08/26/2026

What if one small change in how you give advice could make someone a better problem solver?

That's the idea behind the "lean in, lean over" technique.

Rather than solving the problem for someone, the goal is to share your perspective without taking away their ownership. Phrasing suggestions as possibilities encourages people to evaluate their options, make informed decisions, and take responsibility for the outcome.

John explains how this approach has become part of the way our team collaborates every day.

08/24/2026

What makes a great gathering space?

It's one that can adapt to the people who use it.

In this clip, Melissa Grieve shares how flexible furniture, welcoming spaces, and inclusive design helped shape the heart of Mat-Su Central School, creating a place built for learning, connection, and community.

Good ideas get better when more perspectives are in the room.Collaboration gives us the chance to challenge assumptions,...
08/21/2026

Good ideas get better when more perspectives are in the room.

Collaboration gives us the chance to challenge assumptions, work through details, and build on each other’s thinking. That shared process helps turn individual ideas into stronger design solutions.

What helps your team collaborate at its best? Tell us in the comments.👇

Solar panels aren't the only way buildings can harness the sun.Researchers and manufacturers are exploring new technolog...
08/19/2026

Solar panels aren't the only way buildings can harness the sun.

Researchers and manufacturers are exploring new technologies like solar paint, transparent photovoltaic glass, and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), systems that allow building materials themselves to generate electricity.

While these solutions are still emerging, they're giving designers new opportunities to integrate renewable energy without compromising aesthetics.

Photo: SolarSME

Awards season is coming up, which gave us the perfect reason to revisit this one. 🏆We're proud to have received the 2025...
08/18/2026

Awards season is coming up, which gave us the perfect reason to revisit this one. 🏆

We're proud to have received the 2025 ASID Alaska Chapter Design Excellence Award | University Focus for Mat-Su Central School.

As we get closer to this year's awards event, we're excited to see what's recognized next and to celebrate the talented design community here in Alaska.

https://ak.asid.org/events/design-awards-industry-partner-appreciation-event

08/17/2026

Every project begins with a vision. This one began with a conversation.

In this clip, Garrett Burtner shares how the vision for Cook Inlet Native Head Start grew from hearing directly from Alaska Native educators, leaders, and families about what this space could mean for future generations.

The result is more than a school. It's a place designed to foster belonging, celebrate culture, and create an environment where children can learn in spaces that reflect their community and identity.

Learn more about this project: https://www.exploredesign.com/project/cook-inlet-native-head-start/

"After two summers at Explore Design, I’ve learned that good design is user-centered and functional."We couldn't think o...
08/14/2026

"After two summers at Explore Design, I’ve learned that good design is user-centered and functional."

We couldn't think of a better takeaway.

As our Architectural Intern Valentina wraps up her second summer with us, we asked her to look back on everything she's experienced, from pulling apart mechanical drawings layer by layer and discovering the human side of interior design to collaborating with clients, consultants, and project teams in ways a classroom simply can't replicate.

Her favorite part? Site visits. Definitely site visits. The trip to Bassett Hospital at Fort Wainwright may have sealed the deal.

Soon, Valentina heads back to the University of Michigan for her senior year, where she's excited to start discovering her niche within the big, wonderful world of design.

Thanks for growing alongside us, Valentina. We can't wait to see what you explore next!

08/14/2026

What inspired the heart of Mat-Su Central School?

In this walkthrough, Melissa Grieve - Principal Interior Designer, explains how early design tours influenced the Great Room, from the overlook at the Anchorage Museum to the intimate gathering spaces found in lofts.

It's a great reminder that inspiration can come from unexpected places.

When people think about great design, they often notice the finishes, furniture, or architecture first.But lighting is w...
08/10/2026

When people think about great design, they often notice the finishes, furniture, or architecture first.

But lighting is what ties it all together.

It influences how colors are perceived, how people move through a space, and how comfortable an environment feels throughout the day.

Thanks to Luminis for visiting our team and sharing new ideas and innovations in architectural lighting! 💡

The best space plans are the ones you don't have to think about.They guide movement naturally, support the people using ...
08/07/2026

The best space plans are the ones you don't have to think about.

They guide movement naturally, support the people using the space, and make everyday tasks feel effortless. That's the goal behind every floor plan.

What do you think makes a space memorable? Tell us in the comments!

Address

421 W 1st Avenue, Ste 300
Anchorage, AK
99501

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19075638474

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