Publish Book "Value of Design"

Who We Are

We are a team of dedicated researchers from the MIT Real Estate Innovation Lab–Dr. Andrea Chegut (1981-2022), Minkoo Kang, Helena Rong, Juncheng Yang–deeply passionate about the transformative power of design in our built environment. With backgrounds spanning architecture, real estate development, urban planning, and economics, our mission is to illuminate the critical role of design in shaping more sustainable, functional, and inspiring spaces.

Our Project

Our upcoming book, Value of Design: Creating Agency Through Data-Driven Insights, seeks to bridge the longstanding gap between the worlds of design and finance. Through rigorous research, compelling case studies, and innovative methodologies, we aim to establish a new dialogue that recognizes the intrinsic value of design in the financial valuation of buildings.

The intended audience for the book includes but is not limited to: designers, real estate developers, investors, policy-makers, and the general public. As we uncover and quantify the inherent value of design, it becomes possible to persuade these key stakeholders about the significant returns of thoughtful, sustainable, and human-centric design strategies. By establishing a financial precedent for the value of design, we can influence real estate development practices toward sustainability and human-centric designs. The goal is not only to pave the way for a more sustainable future, but also to reshape our built environment in a manner that fosters health, resilience, and sustainability.

Why We Need Your Support

As we approach the final stages of our project, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture. To bring our vision to life and share it with the world, we need to secure funding for the last mile of our journey. Your support will enable us to: pay our graphic designer and cover eBook publishing fees to make our work accessible to a wide audience, including industry professionals, students, and anyone passionate about the future of design and urban development.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to publishing our book on time, which is scheduled for September 2024. Here's how you can help:

(1) Donate: Every dollar counts! Your donation will directly contribute to the costs of bringing this book to publication.

(2) Share: Help us spread the word by sharing our campaign with your network on social media, email, and any other platforms you use. The more people know about our project, the closer we get to our goal.

(3) Advocate: If you're as passionate about the value of design as we are, please advocate for our cause in your professional and personal circles.

Our Gratitude

In recognition of your support, we're offering exclusive rewards for our backers, such as having your name featured in the acknowledgments, receiving signed editions of the book (for donations over $100), and obtaining invitations to events related to the book. We look forward to celebrating the launch with you when the book is released!

The Impact

Your support will not only help us publish our book but also contribute to a broader understanding and appreciation of how design and finance can collaboratively foster innovation in our built environment. This book has the potential to influence policy, inspire new design methodologies, and advocate for the significant, yet often overlooked, value that design contributes to our world.

Thank You

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for considering a contribution to our project. With your support, we can share "Value of Design" with the world, sparking important conversations and inspiring change in how we value creativity and innovation in shaping our future.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at: [email redacted].