The majority of research, extension and engagement efforts at the College are housed within the Laboratory for the Design of Healthy and Sustainable Communities. Each of the Laboratory's initiatives (see their links to the right) focuses on a specific topic important to communities.

Laboratory initiatives are geared to creating design solutions for social issues ranging from affordable housing (Architecture in the Public Interest Initiative) to childhood obesity (Natural Learning Initiative) to safety in the workplace (Universal Design Initiative).

The Laboratory helps rural towns boost their economies and quality of life (Community Design Initiative) and aids entrepreneurs in developing and patenting their inventions (Innovation Design Initiative). Healthy and sustainable urban living is a major goal of the Downtown Design Studio.

As part of NC State University - a land-grant institution with a wide network of extension agents in all 100 North Carolina counties - the College of Design is well-poised to research and develop design solutions that improve life for all.