We are excited to announce that Chase Kea, LEED AP BD+C has joined Renaissance as an Urban Designer and Planner in our Arlington, VA office.
Chase has more than six years of diversified experience in urban design, planning, communications, public engagement, and architecture. He specializes in community design, transit oriented development, and placemaking with experience facilitating community planning charrettes and meetings. Chase has served as a Planner and Urban Designer on long range transportation plans, corridor master plans, feasibility studies, corridor studies, and small town revitalization plans.
In addition to designing through sketching and drawing, Chase is an avid 3D modeler who creates digital models – and uses them to better understand the unique character of places. Chase has led the research and development of emerging technologies to incorporate into workflows including content management, VR, and software integration. Chase is using his stellar communication skills and multidisciplinary experience to build depth into Renaissance’s design practice. With a passion for solving complex design challenges, Chase will amplify Renaissance’s mission to transform the built environment to improve quality of life and help create cities that work. Learn more about Chase below!
What inspired you to become an Urban Designer?
I was inspired to pursue Urban Design because I had the desire to shape the world that we live in. Having a background in Architecture, I started out designing buildings and structures. I noticed early on that designing successful places extended beyond the building footprint. I saw Urban Design as an opportunity to shape the spaces between buildings and structures to create a more holistic vision for what a place should be.
What drew you to join Renaissance?
I really appreciated the data-driven design process that Renaissance utilizes and the focus on the people, not just the place, throughout the planning process. Making places that people enjoy involves analyzing why certain places resonate with people and using that quantitative and qualitative data to better inform design decisions. Renaissance has proven that using data to make informed design decisions leads to exceptional planning.
What makes cities work, and what does successful urban design look like to you?
For a city to “work,” the people who live, work, and play in that city need to feel a sense of custodial ownership over the place. Focusing on the people AND the place creates a strong synergy that allows cities to thrive.
How did the pandemic affect or change your own thinking about planning and urban design?
The pandemic caused a shift from in-person to digital infrastructure globally. This shift created new opportunities in the planning process, and leveraging new and emerging technology to bridge the physical gap between people is proving to be an effective strategy for planning during the pandemic.
What do you love the most about urban design? What is exciting for you in the industry right now?
I love how Urban Design involves so many different disciplines, weaving together architecture, planning, and design into a cohesive vision for the future. Currently, I am excited about the opportunities for integrating new technology into design workflows to make more informed decisions about the design of cities.