Minnesota Design Team (MDT) is an AIA Minnesota program comprised of architects, landscape architects, urban designers, planners, and other experts in design and community development. Founded in 1983, its multidisciplinary volunteers teams have worked with more than 130 rural communities helping them to develop shared visions for improving their physical and environmental designs

MDT assists communities in planning and designing a viable, appropriate future. It works not only with design issues such as main street improvements, but also with the fundamental planning process that allows residents to take the initiative in continuing to plan a future that reflects the dreams and interests of the community.

MDT believes a community’s future depends on the physical, social, environmental, and economic values its citizens embrace. The work of MDT involves translating these values into sustainable design ideas the community can implement.

Communities

Interested in having an MDT visit? Minnesota Design Team, a committee of the American Institute of Architects Minnesota, has three main objectives:

  • To create awareness of the role of design in the development of communities.
  • To help with the preservation of a community’s identity by constructing a sustainable vision using existing assets.
  • To demonstrate a commitment to community participation and grassroots initiatives.

Since its inception in 1983, MDT has assisted more than 100 communities in establishing a community vision. MDT is led by a volunteer committee and is comprised of more than 200 volunteers from a broad range of disciplines including architecture, landscape architecture, planning, and other related professions.

Communities request MDT program visits for many reasons, such as if the community is updating its comprehensive plan; anticipating major change (such as a highway realignment); or suffering from stagnated growth and looking for outside expertise to help recognize the community’s strengths and opportunities.

Visit the Community Information page for all the details, application link, and deadlines.

Volunteers

Make a difference in rural Minnesota communities by volunteering your time and expertise.

AIA Continuing Education Units are available for team visits. Join us at our committee meetings each month if you are seeking good fellowship, fun, and an opportunity to do something that makes a difference.

Sign up to be a volunteer.

In the News

– View highlights of the MDT visit to the Cuyuna Lakes Region (May 2024) Crosby-Ironton Courier
– Read more about MDT’s visit in 2022 to Henderson (Henderson Independent)
– Read more about MDT’s visit in 2022 to Silver Bay (ENTER)
– Read about how Minnesota Design Team helped Nisswa (1999 visit) and Crosby (2010 visit) in this article from 2019 (Brainerd Dispatch)
– Read more about MDT’s visit in 2018 to North Branch (Isanti-Chisago Star)
– Read more about MDT’s visit in 2016 to Crosslake (Pine and Lakes Echo Journal)
– Read how AIA Minnesota’s Minnesota Design Team helped shape the future of downtown Princeton in 2015 (Initiative Foundation)


Program Leadership

Co-chairs: Beth Evanson Makhoul, AIA and Richard Baker, Allied Member of AIA Minnesota
Co-chair elect: Amber Egofske, AIA
Staff Liaison: Amber Allardyce
Committee meeting date: 3rd Wednesday of the month, 4:30–5:30 pm
Read the committee charter.