06.30.2026

An Introduction to “Culture in Place”

Member: Melissa Higgs

At this year’s Symposium, Melissa Higgs opened the day by setting the stage with our theme: Culture in Place. What does it mean to design for it — and why does it matter? Her talk introduced the tension at the heart of the day: the push and pull of building culture within our cities, a thread our members and guests carried forward all day long.

Melissa Higgs - Photo
Melissa Higgs
Principal, hcma

Melissa is passionate about creating innovative public buildings and spaces where communities can come together. She has focused on designing recreation facilities and arts and culture projects and sees each design project as an opportunity to create spaces that foster social interaction and create potential for meaningful connections.

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