ASSIST Community Design Studio
Led by professors Nathan Bicak and Steven Hardy, the ASSIST Community Design Studio connects fourth-year students in architecture, interior design and landscape architecture with communities and partners across Nebraska to address real-world planning and design challenges.
ASSIST helps communities imagine what is possible, define shared priorities and shape a clear direction toward future projects. Working alongside residents, local officials and community organizations, students research local conditions, document existing assets and constraints and gather community perspectives. They then translate what they learn into a clear project framework that includes area needs, site strategies and design visions. Recent work has addressed affordable housing, downtown revitalization, wellness and recreation, public safety, adaptive reuse, education, food infrastructure and civic spaces in communities such as Valentine, Kimball, Wayne and Axtell.
ASSIST creates lasting value for both students and community partners. Communities participate in an engaging, interactive process and receive robust planning and design materials that can support revitalization efforts, grant applications and future investment. Students gain hands-on experience working with real partners, communicating complex ideas and developing design proposals grounded in meaningful community challenges.
Because every ASSIST partnership is unique, each project requires different levels of time, travel and studio resources. Studio projects are selected based on their educational value, community impact and alignment with course objectives. Because each project varies in scope, location and duration, the resources needed to support the studio may also vary. Voluntary contributions from community partners can help offset student expenses such as models, printing for presentations and travel for community engagement activities, strengthening both the student learning experience and the studio's ability to work closely with the community.
For more information about submitting a project request, visit our Community Impact Form page.
Faculty Track Collaborators
How We Approach Community Design
Every ASSIST project begins with community engagement. Students listen to residents, local officials and stakeholders to understand each community's unique history, opportunities and goals. Through workshops, site analysis and collaborative design, they transform community input into thoughtful planning and design recommendations.
The studio provides students with:
- An interdisciplinary, fourth-year design studio for academic credit.
- Direct collaboration with community members, local organizations and public agencies.
- Hands-on experience in public engagement, communication, interdisciplinary teamwork and real-world design practice.
- Opportunities to explore planning and design challenges while helping communities envision resilient, vibrant futures.
ASSIST Project Videos
ASSIST Studio Collaborates with Axtell
Ruth Staples Child Development Lab
Collaborating with Kimball for Growth
Exploring Affordable Housing in Valentine
Exploring Robotic Dairy CenterBemis Art Center
ASSIST News
Our Partners
ASSIST collaborates with communities throughout Nebraska to create planning and design solutions that reflect local priorities and support long-term community success. Partnerships often include residents, local governments, nonprofit organizations, economic development groups, business leaders, Nebraska Extension and other community stakeholders.
Together, faculty, students and community partners develop innovative concepts that strengthen local identity, encourage economic development and improve quality of life.
Community Engagement
Communities We've Partnered With
- Axtell
- Kimball
- Valentine
Campus & Institutional Partners
- Ruth Staples Child Development Lab
- Robotic Dairy Center