Frequently Asked Questions

It’s a made up word. From its Greek roots, "utopia" is a word that means "no place." Bryant didn't like the idea of chasing something that didn't exist. So he altered the prefix to "eu," which is a root word for "good." "Blank Eutopia" aspires to create "good places" for communities. Places that act as a blank canvas to be filled with value, character, and fun.

Buildings that facilitate specialized activities between online and in-person visitors. They are community specific, publicly accessible, and contain equipment that support trans-reality experiences. Blank Eutopia specializes in designing this type of place. Check out the Projects page for examples of augmented spaces.

A trans-reality experience combines virtual and physical environments. Taking action in one environment has consequences for the other. For example, moving an object in the digital world will move something in the real world. Conversely, moving an object in the real world will move something in the digital world. Participants are able to interact seamlessly between the virtual and physical. Both are brought together in one unified space.

Augmented spaces are built around a centralized activity. Clever use of technology enables participation in-person and online. This lets people make meaningful contributions—wherever they are—while fostering a social dynamic between those in-person and online. Altogether, the setup rewards cooperation through a unique shared experience.

These places are for people who want to connect with others. They are places where like-minded people gather and community can be found. Offering unique experiences that help form new friendships while giving people a reason to love their neighborhood. Augmented spaces help people find where they belong.

Most cities lack places to meet new people. While they do exist in dense metros, not everyone wants to live in a high cost of living city. These places can also be difficult to access due to limited transit, prohibitive fees, or distance. Additionally, most communities rely on word-of-mouth to find members. Building permanent places makes communities discoverable, encourages repeat visits, and enlivens the city.

Community-driven places attract people who share common interests. They're inclusive, empower expression, and support connection. Having more augmented spaces means having more hubs for gathering. They can add vibrancy to cities, spur economic growth, and make people feel like they belong.

Augmented spaces have the potential to attract visitors, lower vacancy rates, revitalize neighborhoods, increase rental growth, and raise property values. Besides facilitating trans-reality experiences, they're able to function as data centers. Making them double as cultural hubs and smart infrastructure. They can also create a sense of attachment to one's city. Leading to more people taking care of the space and its surroundings.

While technology lets us connect remotely with others, it can't replace in-person interactions. It’s a basic human need; one that’s not addressed by public spaces or the internet. It might be obvious but, a virtual meetup is not the same as spending time with someone somewhere.

Every project begins with rigorous research. We use ethnographic methods to figure out a community's needs, wants, and pain points. A concept is developed around site conditions, stakeholder needs, technology, and research themes. Then we iterate and refine until we come up with something that's a great fit for the community.