OSO planning + design is an interdisciplinary team of designers, planners, artists and educators with over 30 years of collective experience working collaboratively with youth and communities. Their expertise includes urban planning and design, architecture, design-build, public art, participatory design, and community engagement. Every endeavor builds on a comprehensive understanding of the community to imagine what is possible, invent a future together, and distill visions into practical actions that take the form of physical interventions, community plans, policies, programs, or special projects.
At OSO, our work is not just about planning and design. It’s about making meaningful change in the community. Every project we undertake is grounded in a participatory approach that is community-based, locally focused and action-oriented. We strive to open up the planning and design process to demystify, inspire, and build capacity within the community, leaving a lasting impact and ownership. We see our role in all projects as upholding the community vision throughout every phase.
OSO’s approach is participatory, comprehensive, and yields tangible outcomes. Each design process is uniquely created for the place, people, goals, and dreams that the project emerged from. Through workshops, educational programs, art projects, and creative engagement tools, we engage youth and community members in planning, design, and construction. We invite many forms of community involvement throughout all phases to ensure that the project builds on lived experience, knowledge and connection to place while instilling a strong sense of collective ownership in the final results.
We work alongside communities to shape long-term visions that are rooted in local knowledge, culture, and priorities. Our planning processes bring people together to explore opportunities, address challenges, and set directions for growth and stewardship. Our plans are action based, tangible and guides shaped by collective voices and designed to support real action in community.
Explore Community Planning ProjectsOur urban design work connects people, places, and systems. We focus on the public realm, mobility, climate-readiness, and open spaces, creating design strategies that strengthen sense of place and improve daily life. We work across scales, from entire districts to small interventions, always grounded in collaboration and context.
Explore Urban Design ProjectsWhile we are not a licenced architecture firm, our team brings architectural design expertise to community-based projects. We develop conceptual and schematic designs for spaces, facilities, and conceptual projects, working closely with our licenced technical partners when technical architectural services are required. Our approach emphasizes participation, cultural relevance and capacity building.
Explore Architectural Design ProjectsWe believe that planning and design should lead to tangible change. Through our design-build projects, we create opportunities for communities to actively shape their environment through small public spaces, youth-led workshops, or prototyping new ideas. By integrating design and construction, we move ideas from concept to action in ways that build skills, ownership, and visible results. Our design-Build projects range from small to medium scale integrated projects or protecting elements in our larger projects for the community to build.
Explore Design-Build ProjectsPublic art is a powerful tool for storytelling and placemaking. We collaborate with artists, youth, and community members to design and build installations that reflect local histories, cultures, and aspirations. Our public art projects are hands-on, participatory, interactive and often integrated into larger planning and design initiatives, making art a visible and lasting part of everyday spaces.
Explore Public Art ProjectsParticipation is at the core of everything we do. We design processes that create meaningful opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to share ideas, build skills, and shape outcomes. From workshops and story circles to design charrettes and hands-on builds, we create space for communities to lead, ensuring every project reflects the voices of those most connected to it.
Beyond design, we help organizations, governments, and communities clarify priorities, align resources, and plan for the future. Our advisory work ranges from strategic planning and policy development to providing guidance on equity, sustainability, and community engagement practices. We bring a collaborative and practical approach, ensuring strategies are not only visionary but also actionable.
Explore Strategic Planning + Consulting Projects
Co-Founder + Community Planner
FRAIC, FCIP, LPPANS, MArch-UD, BArch
Frank Palermo is a Fellow of the Royal Architecture Institute of Canada, a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Planning, a Professor Emeritus at Dalhousie University, Founder of the Cities and Environment Unit, co-founder of OSO planning + design, president of Rail Connects NS and Chair of the Planning + Design Centre. He has served as the Dean is the Planning School and Dean of Architecture and Planning at Dalhousie University. Frank has broad experience working in the private sector and with all levels of government on community plans, infrastructure development, policy formulation, public engagement and placemaking. He was responsible for Calgary’s Downtown and Inner-City Plan. He worked on Nova Scotia’s Sustainable Transportation Strategy, served as chair of the Halifax Planning Advisory Committee and was part of the HRM Urban Design Task Force. For more than 7 years, Frank was also a member of Canada’s National Capital Commission Advisory Committee on Design and Real Asset Management.
Co-Founder + Community Planner
BCD Honours, BA
As co-founder of OSO, Kieran co-leads the studio’s community planning, engagement, and design work, providing strategic and hands-on leadership across a wide range of projects in planning, urban design, and participatory processes. She takes primary direction on planning-first projects while supporting all design work, helping to shape OSO’s collaborative and community-driven approach. In addition to project leadership, Kieran leads the studio’s communications and engagement strategy, ensuring that community voices are central to every project. Her work emphasizes creative participation and tangible action, weaving art, making, and hands-on processes into planning and engagement efforts.
Co-Founder + Interdisciplinary Designer
MEDS, BFA-Design
As co-founder of OSO, Michael co-leads the studio’s design and planning work, with a focus on advancing participatory design across all project scales. He provides strategic and hands-on leadership across a diverse portfolio of projects in public space, architectural design, and participatory design-build. He takes primary direction on design-first projects while supporting planning work, helping to shape OSO’s collaborative and community-driven practice. His work is rooted in a commitment to capacity building and inclusive design processes that foster agency, learning, and connection. In addition to project leadership, Michael manages OSO’s operations, finances, and HR, sustaining the business and fostering a strong studio culture.
Interdisciplinary Designer
MArch, BEDS, BA
As an interdisciplinary designer and artist at OSO, Jen brings her background in architecture, fine arts, and community leadership to support all design + planning projects. Her work at OSO is equally technical and creative with responsibilities ranging from architectural drafting, modelling, and GIS mapping to creative leadership on participatory engagement, architectural design, and public art projects. Her experiences as an architectural intern include passive house design, adaptive reuse and healthcare design. Her interests in material culture, textile crafts, and sustainability run through everything she does.
Designer + Builder
BDes, Dip. Architectural Technology
With a degree in Interdisciplinary Design, a diploma in Architectural Technologies, and years of work experience in a diverse range of environments, Dan is well-equipped to provide expertise on the technical aspects of design. His career path is marked by his passion for improving our world, in terms of both the lived experience of humans and the care-taking of our environment. With experience ranging from working on electric motorcycles in Germany, to residential renovations here in Canada, Dan brings a broad perspective and a passion for learning along with his technical know-how. He has worked for over a decade in the construction industry, from hands on carpentry to designing and creating technical drawings for hospital rooms, education facilities, and commercial spaces.
Community Planner
MPlan, BPhil
Emma MacDonald brings a unique interdisciplinary background to her work in community planning + development. Emma’s passion for community engagement and sustainable development is evident in her current role. Her curiosity and love for people shine through in her written communication skills and her expertise in engagement facilitation. Through her work and studies, Emma has developed a keen understanding of the intricate relationships between people, places, and policies. She continues to apply this interdisciplinary perspective in her planning career, striving to create more inclusive and sustainable communities.