Whether it’s around a table, across a plaza, inside a lobby, or on a digital platform, people are always looking for places to gather. This year, our favorite projects reminded us that meeting places, whether large or small, in person or remote, are both shaped by and help shape the quality of our connections. Turns out, community isn’t just a byproduct of design—it’s essential to it.
Neighborhood Hubs
Open doors are often the fastest way to encourage belonging.
01
Boys and Girls Club
Inspiring greatness with the Baltimore Ravens
02
Johns Hopkins Student Center
Creating an in-person commons for constructive thought
Soft Landings
An inviting room and a few well-placed chairs can spark conversation.
03
The William Fell
A historic hotel updated for the modern traveler
04
Price Modern
Well made furniture now well positioned for the next 50 years.
Effective Outreach
Being far away doesn’t have to mean feeling out 
of touch.
05
ABET Annual Report
Educating a worldwide audience on a pressing topic.
06
WIS Magazine
Staying connected with a global alumni community.
Strong Communities
Design works best when it amplifies the voices of the people it serves.
07
York Road Improvement District
A dynamic identity that embodies local character.
08
Jewish Museum of Maryland
One community’s story reveals our shared humanity.
Ashton at 40:
Unlocking 
The Archive
Speaking of bridging distances, we’ve come a long way since our founding in 1985. The Archive is our ongoing project to carry the stories, designs, and people of our past into the future with us.
Still learning
Sharing is caring, and our team cares deeply about continuously exploring our craft and giving back to our community.
Speaking Engagements
Members of the Ashton team contributed to conversations on branding, placemaking, and the built environment through talks and panels with design organizations, universities, and local communities, exploring how design can connect people to place.
Conferences
Ashton leadership participated in industry conferences focused on the evolving role of AI and its impact on creative work and design practices.
Academia
Members of the Ashton team contributed to academic and professional learning environments through teaching, critique, and independent study, reflecting a sustained commitment to craft, research, and design education.
Still cooking
We’ll let you know when these projects are ready for a meet and greet.
Newsworthy
Our spaces found their way into the headlines more than a few times this year.
Thank you, 2025.
In particular, thank you to everyone who has supported Ashton Design during our 40 years of business. We could not keep doing this without you. Let’s keep meeting for 40 more.
