PYATOK works to foster the development of vibrant, sustainable, inclusive communities through sensitive architecture and urban design, education, service, and technical innovation. We strive to provide the highest quality design and technical assistance in a world of shrinking resources to people of all incomes, socio-cultural backgrounds, and ages. Founded to focus on helping lower-income communities determine sustainable housing solutions unique to their cultural and social origins, PYATOK’s commitment today extends to those with the ability to comfortably obtain their own housing on the open market, to students in higher education who need decent and affordable housing, and to communities seeking healthier, more livable outcomes through stronger connection to resources, services. and spaces.

Our longstanding passion to engage people normally excluded from planning and designing their own communities has put us in contact with a wide variety of populations, across a broad social, cultural, racial and ethnic spectrum. To help engage this diversity, during Programming and Design, we ask probing yet respectful questions and are good listeners. Our practice is not based on design formulas, stylistic or otherwise; we undertake careful research to uncover the unique needs of the community being served, and organize a process that engages our clients and community in a participatory, people-centered effort customized to the context of the target population. We have developed a suite of tools to support people and communities in the cocreation of concepts that meet functional requirements as well as values, goals, intentions, and aspirations.