An Emerging Designer Whose Work Continues to Shape Community This Earth Day
At Cline, we believe design plays an important role in shaping stronger, more inclusive communities. This Earth Day, we are proud to highlight Brooklyn Scotto, an emerging designer in our Raleigh office whose work reflects a deep commitment to community impact, accessibility, and thoughtful design.
Brooklyn graduated from North Carolina State University with two Bachelor of Architecture degrees and a minor in landscape architecture. Her involvement with the Governor Morehead School for the Blind project began in Fall 2020 during her third year at NC State and continued through her fifth year and the project’s grand opening in 2025. Working alongside fellow NC State students, she helped bring structure, vision, and momentum to a student led effort to reimagine an outdated playground at the school, the only residential school in North Carolina serving students who are blind or visually impaired. Beginning in Fall 2021, Brooklyn served as the student director through graduation, helping guide the project as it grew from a campus initiative through the American Institute of Architecture Students Freedom by Design program into a fully accessible outdoor learning center. The work was completed through a volunteer based, student led effort centered on giving back to the school and its students.
Designing Through Listening
The design process began by listening. Brooklyn and the project team worked closely with mobility specialists, educators, and students to understand how the space could better support learning, safety, and independence. That insight shaped a landscape centered on sensory experience, intuitive navigation, and flexibility for a wide range of abilities.
The outdoor learning center is organized to support both active play and quieter moments of reflection and exploration. Every element was intentionally considered to create an environment that feels engaging, approachable, and empowering for students.
This project taught me how powerful design can be when you truly listen to the people it is for,” Brooklyn shared. “Seeing students use the space every day to learn, explore, and build confidence has been incredibly meaningful.”
Brooklyn Scotto
Designer
Accessibility and Sustainability Working Together
The finished space incorporates durable, low‑maintenance materials selected to support long‑term use while minimizing ongoing repairs for the school. Aromatic plantings, tactile surfaces, an herb garden, accessible seating, and auditory elements help reinforce orientation and sensory learning while contributing to a resilient and welcoming landscape.
Many features were intentionally designed or constructed using donated, repurposed, or carefully selected materials. A donated bench swing structure was reconstructed, while the swing posts and shade sail supports were built from protected wood. Benches throughout the site were constructed from scratch using treated wood designed to withstand heavy use. The sensory wall is composed of architectural precast panels that represent the journey of life, new beginnings, and what lies ahead.
Blue and green turf materials were selected for their anti‑microbial and anti‑static properties to better support wheelchair users. Pour‑in‑place rubber was used along embankments and walkways, including cushioned fall zones beneath the swings. Whisper tubes were created from leftover PVC pipes from other projects, and the chimes were carefully tuned using metal pipes and tactile truncated domes commonly found at street crossings. New swings and a spin station were purchased to ensure safety and long‑term functionality.
Throughout the design, materials were chosen with longevity in mind. The team also explored ways to repurpose discarded Department of Transportation street signs as part of future railing elements. While still a work in progress, the approach reflects the broader goal of creating a space that reduces maintenance demands while remaining accessible, durable, and engaging for years to come.
Carrying the Work Forward
After graduating, Brooklyn continued her involvement with the project as it moved toward completion in early 2025. Her continued commitment helped ensure the design remained aligned with the needs of the school community. The outdoor learning center officially opened in spring 2025 and is now used daily for instruction, mobility training, and recreation.
Brooklyn remains actively involved with the Governor Morehead Foundation, where she currently serves as Vice President, Public Relations Chair, Fundraising Committee Chair, and Social Media Coordinator. Through these roles, she continues to support the school’s mission and advocate for accessible, inclusive environments beyond the completion of the project.
The work has received significant recognition, including the AIAS Freedom by Design Honor Award, which Brooklyn accepted earlier this year. In 2023, she was also awarded the NC State College of Design Dean’s Wings on Wings Award in recognition of her leadership and service on the project. Her work and dedication have also been featured in several regional and campus publications:
Why It Matters at Cline
Brooklyn’s work reflects the values we hold at Cline. We believe that even early in a designer’s career, meaningful impact is possible when empathy, collaboration, and service guide the work. Her continued dedication to community centered design is a reminder that thoughtful spaces can help communities grow, connect, and thrive. This Earth Day, we are proud to celebrate Brooklyn and designers like her who are shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future through design.
