Coastal Dynamics Design Lab

Too often, coastal research and design is fragmented into discrete scientific, academic, and professional disciplines. The Coastal Dynamics Design Lab (CDDL) seeks to transform this compartmentalized approach by coupling designers—architects, landscape architects, graphic designers, and engineers—with scientists and local stakeholders, to create innovative, sustainable, adaptable, and resilient design solutions that address the environmental and human needs of coastal communities.

The CDDL is operated from within the NC State University College of Design and has formed strategic partnerships with experts across the University of North Carolina system, Coastal Studies Institute, numerous governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and professional design firms.

Visit the website

Princeville-Alumni-Magazine-Winter-2019 — The CDDL’s work in Princeville, N.C. was featured in the Winter 2019 issue of the NC State Alumni Magazine.

At a scheduled Planting Day in Princeville last spring, NC State students, faculty and alumni came together with the town's residents and elected officials to install plants at Town Hall.

Teamwork that Addresses Flooding Challenges

Small towns in the United States’ mid-Atlantic Coast region have been ravaged in recent years by hurricanes and flooding, and often have little funding in reserve to address the issues that follow behind these natural disasters. Recognizing a need, two College of Design faculty members at NC State established the Coastal Dynamics Design Lab (CDDL) in 2013. Through the lab, an interdisciplinary research and design team helps communities recover and plan for the future by bringing together architects, landscape architects, graphic designers, engineers, scientists and students to create a holistic approach.

Coastal Dynamics Project Awarded Part of $2 Million Grant for Environmental Justice

The North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) has named the NC State College of Design’s Coastal Dynamics Design Lab as one of 15 climate-focused projects to receive an Environmental Justice for Climate grant. The CEC’s first $2 million EJ4Climate grant program is aimed at supporting efforts made toward environmental justice and climate resilience for communities across North America.

Students and Coastal Dynamics Design Lab Team Take Top Honors in ASLA National Awards

Students in the College of Design’s Master of Landscape Architecture program received four of the 19 national student awards from the American Society of Landscape Architects this year. The Coastal Dynamics Design Lab won their third award in the last five years for their commitment to delivering world-class technical assistance at no direct cost to low-resource, historically underserved rural communities.