Change the way places change

We’re a design-build studio that works with cities, districts, neighborhoods and developers to change the way places change. Our work is guided by a set of core beliefs that have been forged over years of working with people in neighborhoods and cities like yours.

  • Places are never finished. Every place has a future. Every place has the potential to create wonder.

  • Growth and change should happen with a place not to it.

  • Shared stories of lived experiences inform decisions.

  • Drawing on what came before gives meaning to what comes next. 

  • You don’t have to choose between planning and doing.

  • Solutions are often hidden in plain sight.

  • Strong places can solve some of our most pressing problems.

  • Take the work way more seriously than one another.

  • "Working with Yard & Company has made a significant impact on our community. The master plan they developed has served as a roadmap for revitalizing our Main Street District, leading to increased economic activity, improved infrastructure, and a renewed sense of pride among residents and business owners."

    Joshua Hunt, City Administrator, Florence, KY

  • "What differentiates YARD & Co. from other firms is the quality of their work, but more importantly their ability to take complex issues related to growth and distill them down and make them easy to understand."

    John Juech, Director, Duke Energy

  • "In every respect, Yard & Co. is professional, creative and goal-oriented, while at the same time fun to work with."

    Gordon Davidson, Executive Director, Mt. Washington CDC

  • "Yard provided planning services for a controversial redevelopment site. There were several contentious meetings, but ultimately, the Plan was adopted without any opposition."

    Monica Wauck Smith AICP, Senior Planner, City of Milwaukee

Our Clients

We work around the globe with community development nonprofits, philanthropies and funders, local governments and public agencies, anchor institutions and major employers, real estate developers, and grassroots groups. We don’t necessarily prefer to work with any specific kind of organization - rather, we’re looking to partner with a particular type of person. 


Do you see possibilities in places that others miss? Are you zealous about helping others see them? Does your idea of urban design have more to do with putting paint on a street than putting lines on a map? Are you equal parts reckless and humble, curious and impatient? Do you play well - and plan well - with others?


If the answer to those questions is yes, then we should talk.

The Team

KEVIN WRIGHT

  • Kevin is a leader in community development, economic and real estate development finance/planning, and placemaking. Kevin has led teams in the creation and implementation of dozens of projects ranging from small creative placemaking activities to multi-million dollar real estate projects.

JOE NICKOL, LEED AP

  • Joe has 15 years of experience in urban design, architecture, and development. He has directed projects for public and private clients in over 25 states and 7 countries, ranging from targeted popup initiatives to billion-dollar developments of city districts and neighborhoods.

LAYNE FERGUSON

  • Layne is an urban designer, brand artist, serial small business entrepreneur and ice cream aficionado.

ED SHARRER

  • Ed is passionate about on-the-ground community development work and inclusively bringing neighborhoods back to life.

OLGA HANDAL

LANDON FERGUSON

CHRIS ASHWELL

  • Chris is a multi-Emmy winning filmmaker, community storyteller, tv/radio producer and restorer of antique harmonicas.

ANDRE JOHNSON, CNU-A

  • Andre is motivated by building and engaging places that foster community, encourage equity, and are conducive to beautiful human experiences.

BROOKE KLEJNOT

  • Brooke has over 15 years of community development and arts experience. She is passionate about improving neighborhoods, small business support and celebrating culture and community.

DANIELLA BELTRAN, AICP

  • Daniella is motivated by the opportunity to help communities become healthier, more productive, connected, equitable and joyful places for all who live in and care for them.

Yard HQ

Yard & Co’s commitment to uncovering hidden value and determining a place’s needs through activation is evident in their own hometown: in 2023, we moved into our new office, on Pleasant Street in Cincinnati's historic Over the Rhine neighborhood.

The 3,000 square foot space was originally built in the late 1800s as the Philip Klopp & Sons Carriage Company. The building’s ground floor was vacant for five years before Yard moved in. Today, it serves as the headquarters for our growing team, in addition to serving as a flexible community meeting and event space.

The building’s ground floor also includes space that can accommodate a range of temporary retail or food and beverage uses; if you’ve got a cool idea that would meet our neighborhood’s needs, give us a shout.

You’ll find us at the intersection of Pleasant and Liberty.