rootoftwo

What rootoftwo does

rootoftwo is a Detroit-based hybrid design and research studio founded in 1998 by Cézanne Charles and John Marshall. The studio operates as a small practice (1-10 employees, two founding partners plus named collaborators Elizabeth Vander Veen, Ash Arder, and Lauren Rossi) that uses participatory design methods to create civic future-making projects, including architectural-scale installations (Anyspace? Whatever., Shadow Pavilion, Fire, THR_33), public art commissions (Whithervanes, menotme), curatorial programs (AXD Living X, ShiftSpace at Saint-Étienne, Perimeters, Boundaries and Borders), research publications (Looking Back to Move Forward, Re:Tool-Kit for Detroit, Cultural Community Benefits Principles Toolkit), and urban planning initiatives (Cultural Center Planning Initiative).

The studio's technical capabilities span digital fabrication (laser cutting, Arduino microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi computers, infrared sensors, LEDs, stepper motors), extended reality/AR, parametric modeling, and qualitative/quantitative research methodologies. Notable technical projects include the Whithervanes open hardware kit (developed with BeagleBoard.org and Seeed Studio), the Fire responsive sensor system, and the dazzle-camouflaged Anyspace? Whatever. mobile installation. The studio operates with an explicitly anti-extractive methodology centered on listening, homework, values-driven design, and time-intensive stakeholder engagement.

Revenue is generated through a mix of professional services consulting (research and strategy projects for cultural institutions and municipal agencies), one-time commissioned public art installations, curatorial and program management fees, and competitive grants/awards from foundations including The Kresge Foundation, Knight Foundation, Ford Foundation, Creative Capital, and Arts Council England. Pricing is negotiated on a project-by-project basis with multi-year contract cadences; no standardized product pricing exists. Customer segments are cultural institutions, municipal governments, foundations, and educational institutions, primarily in Detroit/Southeast Michigan with international exhibition reach to the UK, France, Japan, and Macedonia. Marketing operates through earned media coverage, portfolio website, conference presentations, foundation networks, and a podcast/multimedia presence — no paid advertising or formal sales funnel.

Name

rootoftwo

Legal name

rootoftwo, LLC

Website

https://rootoftwo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

rootoftwo is a Detroit-based hybrid design and research studio founded in 1998 that uses participatory methods to create civic future-making projects, public art installations, and curatorial programs for foundations, cultural institutions, and municipal governments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Design and Participatory Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Engagement & Participatory Planning (BPAHAKAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL), Open-Source & Developer Communities (BPAMABAM)

Keywords

• Participatory design research
• Public art installations
• Civic future-making
• Curatorial program services
• Inclusive design consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research and Strategy Consulting: rootoftwo conducts original qualitative and quantitative research, develops themes, narrative cases, scenarios, and frameworks for institutional, governmental, and nonprofit clients. Revenue is generated through project-based consulting contracts with organizations such as Midtown Detroit Inc., Design Core Detroit, and Arts in a Changing America.
2. Public Art and Installation Commissions: rootoftwo creates physical and digital public art installations commissioned by cultural institutions, municipalities, and festivals. Examples include Shadow Pavilion (University of Michigan), Whithervanes (Folkestone Triennial, Locust Projects Miami), and menotme (DLECTRICITY festival).
3. Curatorial and Program Services: rootoftwo curates and manages multi-disciplinary programs and exhibitions, such as AXD Living X (22 commissioned projects), ShiftSpace (Saint-Étienne International Design Biennial), and the BioLogic SIGGRAPH art gallery. These engagements are typically funded by foundations and cultural organizations.
4. Grants and Awards: rootoftwo receives grant funding from foundations including The Kresge Foundation, Knight Foundation, Ford Foundation, Creative Capital, and Arts Council England to support specific projects and research initiatives.
5. Toolkit and Publication Sales: rootoftwo develops and publishes toolkits, reports, and catalogs (e.g., Cultural Community Benefits Principles Toolkit, TBD Catalog, Looking Back to Move Forward report) which serve as deliverables under funded research and consulting engagements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

rootoftwo is a hybrid design and research studio that uses participatory design methods to create civic future-making projects, physical and digital public art installations, curatorial programs, toolkits, and research deliverables for cultural institutions, municipal governments, foundations, and educational organizations. The studio delivers original qualitative and quantitative research, prototypes, installations, frameworks, and inclusive design training programs that center equity, community voice, and consentful technology practices.

Product overview

rootoftwo is a design and research studio (not a product company) that creates civic future-making projects including architectural-scale installations (Anyspace? Whatever, Shadow Pavilion), sound installations (ba-b&l, Fire), public art projects (Whithervanes, menotme, Resonance), curatorial projects (Perimeters Boundaries and Borders, ShiftSpace), research publications and toolkits (Inclusive Design Training Program, Cultural Community Benefits Principles Toolkit, Re:Tool-Kit for Detroit, Looking Back to Move Forward), and urban planning initiatives (Cultural Center Planning Initiative). Their work focuses on participatory design, technology interventions, and community engagement rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Participatory Design Research and Strategy Consulting Original qualitative and quantitative research, theme development, narrative cases, scenarios, and frameworks for institutional, governmental, and nonprofit clients. Used by cultural institutions, municipal governments, foundations, and educational organizations to inform strategy and program design. Revenue generated through project-based consulting contracts.
• Public Art and Installation Design Commissions Physical and digital public art installations commissioned by cultural institutions, municipalities, and festivals. Includes architectural-scale pavilions, sensor-triggered installations, internet-responsive sculptures, and soundscape projects. Clients include Folkestone Triennial, Locust Projects Miami, University of Michigan, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, and City of Detroit.
• Curatorial and Program Management Services Curatorial and program management for multi-disciplinary programs, exhibitions, biennials, and festivals. Engagements are typically funded by foundations and cultural organizations, and include commissioned projects, public symposia, workshops, and accompanying publications.
• Inclusive Design Training Program Modular curriculum of seven core learning sessions developed for inclusive design training, augmented with workshops, demos, and guest presenters. Designed for the Detroit City of Design Challenge and deployed with multiple teams. Targets designers and organizations seeking equity-centered design training.
• Cultural Center Planning and Digital Strategy Services Multi-year cultural center planning, place-based technology strategy, public Wi-Fi deployment, digital capacity building, and data governance frameworks. Used by municipal planning agencies, economic development organizations, and institutional stakeholders for cultural district strategy and equitable smart city deployment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shadow Pavilion won the AIA 2010 Small Project Practitioners Award, Architect Magazine's 2010 R+D Award, and was highly commended in the 2011 ar+d Awards for Emerging Architecture
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Design Core DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018rootoftwo has a long-standing strategic partnership with Design Core Detroit, the stewardship organization for Detroit's UNESCO City of Design designation. They co-developed the Inclusive Design Training Program and collaborated on the Detroit City of Design Challenge, CCPI, and multiple other initiatives spanning cultural planning, digital strategy, and inclusive design.
• Midtown Detroit Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018rootoftwo led the strategy work for the Cultural Center Planning Initiative (CCPI), a multi-year planning effort to reimagine Detroit's 83-acre cultural center with digital strategy, free outdoor public Wi-Fi, and capacity building for 12 institutional stakeholders.
• College for Creative StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018rootoftwo partnered with the College for Creative Studies to develop the Inclusive Design Training Program, deliver the Toyota Lecture Series (September 2020), and participate in the Detroit City of Design Challenge and Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) initiative.
• DAUB (Karl Daubmann)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018DAUB (Karl Daubmann) is a long-term collaborator on multiple projects including Fire, Shadow Pavilion, THR_33, menotme, and Rules of the Road. They previously operated a joint venture r+d LAB, LLC at 100 N. 4th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI until 2015.
• Allied Media ProjectsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018rootoftwo co-founder Cézanne Charles serves on the Allied Media Projects Board of Directors, connecting rootoftwo to a broad network of media-based organizing and creative practice.
• Arts in a Changing AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018rootoftwo was contracted by Arts in a Changing America to develop the Cultural Community Benefits Principles Toolkit, edited by Cézanne Charles, through interviews, field research, and case studies with Detroit cultural organizers. The toolkit aims to shift institutional practices within the creative sector toward equity and anti-oppression.
• Lord Cultural ResourcesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Listed as a partner/network in rootoftwo's ecosystem for cultural center planning and related work.
• Cité du design (Saint-Étienne)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018rootoftwo's ShiftSpace was curated for the 2017 Saint-Étienne International Design Biennial. rootoftwo also participated in the RBTS exhibition 'Are you talking to me?' at Cité du design and Centre des Arts in France.
• Common FieldminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Listed as a network partner for civic future-making and collaborative projects in the creative industries.
• Design Justice NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Listed as a network partner for civic future-making and design justice work.
• Science Gallery DetroitminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Listed as a network partner within rootoftwo's ecosystem of collaborators.
• Creative Folkestone / Folkestone TriennialcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Creative Folkestone commissioned Whithervanes for the 2014 Folkestone Triennial, curated by Lewis Biggs. The project was subsequently acquired as part of Folkestone Artworks, the UK's largest urban contemporary art exhibition.
• Wayne State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Wayne State University partnered with Midtown Detroit Inc. and rootoftwo to provide outdoor wireless as an extension of WSU's existing campus system across the Detroit Cultural Center as part of the CCPI digital strategy.
• Near Future LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018rootoftwo collaborated with Near Future Laboratory (Julian Bleecker) to host the TBD (To Be Designed) workshop in Detroit in October 2012, resulting in the TBD Catalog - a Near Future Laboratory project exploring design fiction as a practice.
• University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018rootoftwo partner John Marshall is a tenured associate professor at the University of Michigan (Stamps School of Art & Design and College of Architecture). Multiple projects have been funded by or collaborated with University of Michigan units including Taubman College, the Office of Vice President for Research, and the Detroit Center.
• Laavu (Detroit-based architecture and urban design practice)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Laavu designed the ShiftSpace cafe and co-working space at the 2017 Saint-Étienne International Design Biennial, working with rootoftwo as the curator.
• Middlecott DesignminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Middlecott Design provided branding and book design for Looking Back to Move Forward and was a partner on the AXD Living X project.
• Brightly InteractiveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Brightly Interactive was a partner on the AXD Living X project, contributing to the digital and interactive components of the initiative.
• Olu & CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Olu & Company was a partner on the AXD Living X project, contributing to the multi-disciplinary series of commissioned projects.
• Fast-uk (Fine Art Science & Technology in the UK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006rootoftwo partnered with Fast-uk and folly to present 'Perimeters, Boundaries and Borders' at CityLab, Lancaster in 2006. Keith Brown of Fast-uk co-curated the exhibition which featured four new commissions and eighteen existing works exploring digital technologies in art and design practice.
• folly (UK)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2006Partnered with rootoftwo and Fast-uk to present the 'Perimeters, Boundaries and Borders' exhibition at CityLab, Lancaster in 2006, exploring digital fabrication and computer-based design in art and design practice.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• IDEO: IDEO is the globally recognized human-centered design consultancy that pioneered participatory and co-design methods rootoftwo also employs. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps on design research, civic innovation, and inclusive design work, but operates at significantly larger scale and scope.
• Frog Design: Frog (now part of Capgemini Invent) is a global design and strategy firm that operates in product design, brand experience, and emerging-technology prototyping. It is a broad incumbent in the participatory design and innovation strategy space where rootoftwo competes, but at enterprise scale.

Direct peers

• Local Projects: Local Projects is a New York-based experience design studio that designs participatory civic installations, museum interactives, and public-realm projects (e.g., 9/11 Memorial Museum, National Museum of African American History). It is the closest direct peer to rootoftwo in combining participatory design methodology with public-installation delivery for cultural institutions and municipalities.
• Center for Urban Pedagogy: CUP is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that uses design and art to make civic systems accessible, producing participatory research projects and teaching tools with communities and policymakers. It directly mirrors rootoftwo's civic future-making and equity-centered community engagement methodology.
• Near Future Laboratory: Near Future Laboratory is a design fiction and speculative design practice that rootoftwo has collaborated with (TBD workshop, TBD Catalog). It is a direct peer in speculative design, civic future-making, and participatory scenario research.
• DAUB (Karl Daubmann): DAUB is the Ann Arbor-based architecture and research practice of Karl Daubmann, rootoftwo's long-term collaborator and former joint-venture partner (r+d LAB, LLC). It is directly comparable in scope of speculative architecture, fabrication-driven installations, and academic-adjacent civic design work.
• Public Works Studio: Public Works Studio is a Brooklyn-based design practice that produces participatory, community-engaged urban planning and civic design projects. It is highly comparable to rootoftwo in applying equity-centered, speculative design methods to public-realm and cultural-planning commissions.
• Assemble Studio: Assemble is a London-based, multi-disciplinary collective working at the intersection of art, design, and architecture, known for participatory community projects (e.g., Turner Prize-winning Granby Workshop). Comparable to rootoftwo in combining speculative design, civic engagement, and craft-based installations for cultural institutions.
• Matter Studio: Matter Studio is a Toronto-based participatory design studio working with cultural institutions, municipalities, and community groups on civic research and installations. It directly parallels rootoftwo's blend of research, curatorial practice, and public art commissions.

Emerging players

• Code for America: Code for America is a nonprofit civic technology organization that partners with governments on digital service delivery and equitable tech policy. It overlaps with rootoftwo's civic-tech and consentful-technology agenda, though it is software-deliverable focused rather than design/art focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rootoftwo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about rootoftwo