Urban Energy Works

Experience Design 

2015

^{Scope
Branding & graphics
Web design
Front end development (html, css)}

_{Urban Energy Works is an architectural design and research lab based in Ann Arbor, MI. Upon the completion of their first net-positive housing project Urban Energy Works sought to establish an online presence to inform interested parties and educate visitors on sustainable design. The intended audience included members of the community, investors, students, and prospective home owners.  The initial goal of the site was to serve as an educational tool to spread awareness about the sustainability issues the project addresses as well as highlight its innovations.  As the firm grew the website was updated to showcase other projects and establish a brand that would attract new projects.}

Version 1

At this point in the company history there was only one completed project.  We decided it would be best if the website homepage was an interactive diagram to showcase the sustainable features of the project along with a short bio about the company and a way to get in touch.  Our target users were those who had recently attended an open house or heard about us through recent press. 

_Diagrams

Version 2

After attention from recent open houses and lectures subsided the website was updated to reveal more about the company and market UEW as an architectural service firm.  A slideshow was added to the homepage and an “Output” page was added to show both completed and in-process work.  A philosophy page and staff bios were also added to give UEW a more public face.

Version 3

As the office grew and added new projects a more robust website was needed. Analytics showed users weren’t spending time looking through the “Output” page which was where we now wanted to direct most of our traffic. Version 3 took a new approach to highlighting our most recent projects with a visual landing page that would draw users in and allow them to explore each project in greater detail as well as give a strong first impression of the firm’s diverse portfolio. We renamed the “Output” tab to “Process” and continued to use it as a platform show the firm’s activity during projects. Version 3 also sought to establish a stronger brand identity for the firm and give more insight into its culture.


This is the current company website and can be viewed here: http://urbanenergyworks.com/

*changes have been made since my departure from UEW in 2015