At Method Group, we believe that every project is more than a set of drawings—it’s the beginning of a legacy. Architecture is not a short-term investment. It’s a generational commitment to form, function, people, and place. That belief forms the foundation of everything we do. In an age of fast-build developments and fleeting design trends, our firm takes a stand for timelessness, intentionality, and impact. In this article, we explore what it means to design with purpose and how that philosophy shapes our work across Oklahoma and beyond.
What It Means to Design with Purpose
Designing with purpose is about more than solving spatial problems. It means asking deeper questions:
How will this space shape people’s lives?
What role will it play in its community five, ten, or fifty years from now?
Will it inspire, protect, and empower those who use it?
Purposeful design considers not only how a space looks, but how it performs over time, how it reflects cultural values, and how it contributes to broader societal goals like sustainability, equity, and community well-being.
At Method Group, we don’t chase trends—we chase meaning.
Key Tenets of Method Group’s Purpose-Driven Design Philosophy
1. Human-Centered Architecture
We believe people come first. Before materials, before shapes, before systems, we focus on who the space is for:
Students in a rural school who need natural light and safety.
Families in a housing development who need dignity, privacy, and green space.
Entrepreneurs in a coworking space who need inspiration and connectivity.
Our process begins with listening—interviews, workshops, public forums—and continues through each phase of design. The result? Spaces that feel like they were designed from the inside out.
2. Long-Term Thinking
We design for durability, adaptability, and legacy:
Durability: Choosing materials and systems that will age gracefully and stand up to Oklahoma’s unique climate conditions.
Adaptability: Planning for changes in use, demographics, and technology.
Legacy: Designing buildings that matter decades from now—not just for their form, but for their function and community impact.
This means resisting the pressure of short-term budgets or stylistic fads. Our buildings are meant to last.
3. Architecture as a Cultural Artifact
Every building says something about the values of the people who built it. We work hard to make sure our work says the right thing:
Pride in place
Respect for history
Openness to innovation
Investment in community
Whether designing a civic building, a public park, or a school campus, we consider the deeper meaning of the architecture within its cultural and historical context.
4. Sustainability as a Standard
We don’t treat sustainability as an add-on. It’s built into our DNA. Our purpose-driven designs integrate:
Passive design strategies for heating and cooling
Natural ventilation and daylighting
Low-impact, recycled, and locally sourced materials
Renewable energy systems like solar and geothermal
This approach reduces environmental harm while enhancing the human experience. Sustainability, to us, is not just green—it’s good design.
5. Equity and Access
Designing with purpose means designing for everyone. That includes:
ADA compliance that goes beyond the code
Inclusive wayfinding and signage
Restorative spaces for neurodiverse users
Community spaces that reflect and celebrate cultural diversity
In every project, we aim to lower barriers and raise standards for accessibility and inclusion.
Purpose in Practice: Projects that Reflect Our Philosophy
The Cains Coffee Building
A perfect example of form meeting function and purpose, the Cains Coffee Building was once a forgotten industrial relic. We saw potential in its bones. Today, it houses a coworking and event space that has become a hub of creativity in Tulsa.
Design highlights:
Preservation of original brickwork and steel beams
Insertion of daylighting features and green roofs
Modular interiors for flexible workspaces
Infrastructure for future smart-building systems
This project demonstrates how legacy isn’t just preserved—it can be reimagined.
MomentumHQ Coworking Facility
This space wasn’t just about desks and offices. It was about building momentum for small businesses and local creatives.
Key features:
Community zones for workshops, networking, and mentoring
Durable yet refined finishes for daily heavy use
Thoughtful lighting and color palettes to inspire
By focusing on people and purpose, we created an environment that cultivates innovation and connection.
Affordable Housing with Purpose in Eastern Oklahoma
This project wasn’t just about units—it was about dignity. Working with non-profits and local leaders, we developed housing that:
Integrates with the landscape and local vernacular
Prioritizes natural light, shared outdoor space, and privacy
Uses cost-effective but resilient materials
Purpose here meant delivering more than shelter—it meant delivering home.
Our Process: How Purpose Shapes the Path from Concept to Construction
Discovery and Visioning
We begin every project with intentional inquiry:
What are the core needs of the users?
What values must this space reflect?
What constraints can lead to creative breakthroughs?
We immerse ourselves in the community, study precedents, and listen more than we speak.
Collaborative Design Development
Our design phase is built around:
Regular client touchpoints
Community feedback loops
Iterative sketching and modeling
We use every tool at our disposal—from 3D models to VR walkthroughs—to test ideas against the original purpose.
Holistic Project Management
From engineering consultants to construction crews, we ensure every partner understands the project’s purpose. We hold firm on design integrity, advocate for thoughtful value engineering, and monitor construction with the long game in mind.
Post-Occupancy Reflection
We don’t disappear after ribbon-cutting. We evaluate performance, gather feedback, and offer ongoing support. Purposeful design is a relationship, not a transaction.
Lessons We’ve Learned Along the Way
Constraints Can Be Catalysts
Limited budgets, challenging sites, or regulatory hurdles often force our most creative and impactful solutions.
Listening is Design
Every great project we’ve completed started with deep listening. The most successful outcomes are those where we truly understood the aspirations and anxieties of the people we were designing for.
Purpose Outlives the Project Timeline
We often return to projects years later and see how they’ve grown with their communities. When designed with care, buildings become landmarks not just in geography, but in people’s lives.
Why This Philosophy Matters Now
In a world that sometimes prioritizes speed, spectacle, or short-term gain, we believe that purpose is revolutionary. Our clients come to us because they want more than a structure—they want a space that works, endures, and uplifts.
Design with purpose means we’re willing to:
Ask hard questions
Slow down when needed
Challenge assumptions
Defend what matters most
It also means we know when to adapt, when to hold the line, and when to push further. Purpose is not rigidity; it’s clarity.
An Invitation to Build with Intention
If you’re a developer, a community leader, a public servant, or a business owner with a project that matters, we want to talk.
Not every architect will ask about your values. Not every architect will prioritize people over polish. Not every architect will defend the integrity of your vision.
We will.
Because from blueprint to legacy, we know that purposeful architecture changes lives. And there’s no greater outcome than that.
Let’s design something that matters.
Contact Method Group at info@method.group or call 918-623-5001 to start building with purpose.