This issue of Perkins and Will Research Journal is a celebratory 20th issue, which marks the publication’s 10 year anniversary—a significant milestone for the firm and the design profession.

As one of the first peer-reviewed research journals coming from the architecture and design industry, the publication has made a significant impact on our profession over the last decade. It has established a mechanism for documenting and sharing high-quality, peer-reviewed research from practice associated with the built environment, and has initiated a culture of research transparency within the design profession.

Through this journal, we have established a method for collecting, reviewing, and reporting results of rigorous research studies, aiming to find solutions to challenges that are affecting the entire design profession. And, through publicly sharing the results, we have opened up a new era for practice-based design research and initiated a culture of innovation in our profession, where transparency plays a key role.

Over the last decade, we have published 95 articles, written by 136 authors, and peer reviewed by 180 research experts from academic institutions, research organizations, public agencies, and private entities.

Beyond research results being implemented on specific design projects and to support decision-making within the firm, the studies and their results have found uses within other contexts as well over the past decade. For example, the wider design community benefits from this publication, and research results are also used by other firms. Professional organizations have used the journal to improve the knowledge base, and provide relevant, peer-reviewed research to all stakeholders involved in creating the built environment. Researchers have used the results to extend the studies and in their own research, and the articles published in this journal are often cited in other journals. The academic institutions are using this journal in their curriculum, and results are used to educate the next generation of designers, architects, planners, and researchers. Most importantly, this journal has created a precedent for high quality, rigorous research coming from the design profession, which we feel should be shared to influence and shape the future of the built environment.

This issue of Perkins+Will Research Journal includes five articles that focus on different research topics, such as the occupant well-being within work environments, a literature review focusing on shadow box design and ventilating strategies, defining future mobility principles that support livable city goals, ongoing academic and professional collaboration focusing on performance-based design, and a parametric analysis framework aimed at making multidisciplinary design explorations more methodical.

Creating new knowledge through research and development can bring immense value to any organization for which innovation is important. But, sharing the results creates a value for the entire industry and society. Building an industry-wide culture of innovation piece by piece, and fully infusing innovation into the design profession can help us address any challenges that the future might bring. With this journal, we have shared results of numerous research studies during the last decade, and will continue to help build an industry-wide culture of research and innovation in the future.