Design for Discovery: studioDSK and the Future of Ocean + Climate Science

At studioDSK, we design for the scientists shaping our understanding of the planet, from oceanographers, engineers, and scientists to the staff that support them. The environments that enable fieldwork, modeling, and ocean science are not just technical; they are also cultural, operational, and deeply contextual. In our collaborations with leading ocean and climate research institutions, we focus on design for discovery, continuity, and climate reality.

Our work spans a cluster of globally respected organizations located in Falmouth, Massachusetts, including the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), affiliated with the University of Chicago, the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, and the Woodwell Climate Research Center.

Each institution plays a distinct role: from deep-sea exploration to coastal resilience, from fisheries health to terrestrial carbon tracking and global climate modeling. Some are academic, others federal, some policy-focused, but all are united in their mission to understand Earth systems and help communities respond to change.

Similarly, studioDSK’s role has been to support that breadth of work, not just with buildings, but by helping to align strategy. We’ve partnered through planning initiatives, lab and workspace policy and process development, resilience efforts, and infrastructure renewal that reinforce and unlock interdisciplinary collaboration between these organizations.

Now more than ever, these efforts must adapt to evolving research requirements, flex to meet the needs of a dynamic work environment and facilitate collaboration.

The organizations we serve are leading an essential body of work, advancing global understanding of our oceans, climate systems, and ecological futures. Their research informs public policy, shapes international collaboration, and drives innovation across science, technology, and education. At studioDSK, we understand that supporting this mission requires more than functional facilities; it requires environments that reinforce institutional purpose, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and adapt to evolving scientific demands. We are honored to contribute to the long-term resilience and impact of these organizations through thoughtful, mission-aligned design.