Connor Hall is a Project Manager at cradle. design studio and the firm’s first outside hire - quickly becoming a cornerstone of our growing team. His passion for design, eagerness to take on challenges, and willingness to learn have positioned him as a natural leader within one of Charlotte’s newest architecture studios. At cradle., we’re committed to changing the way our industry engages with and designs for its clients, the community, and the environment, and Connor embodies that mission in everything he touches.

We sat down to discuss his path into the profession, what drew him to cradle., and why working at a small, entrepreneurial firm can be one of the most rewarding experiences in architecture...

Branden Piks:

Totally — and that pretty much brings us to where we are now. I think what’s always stood out to me is that not everyone in our industry wants responsibility. There’s a certain subset of designers who really do want to take on ownership, management, client relationships, and all the things that come with putting yourself out there...

...With where cradle. is now — focusing on low- to mid-rise residential, commercial, and small-scale development work — I’m curious: what types of projects or building typologies inspire you most long-term?

Connor Hall:

For me, it’s never been about chasing a specific project type — like K-12 or single-family or anything like that.

I love stepping into an old house and seeing all the different additions layered over time — each owner adding their own piece of the puzzle. It’s chaotic, but in a way that’s fun to unravel...

​Read the Full Conversation Here​

Rail Trail Pedestrian Bridge Over I-277

"This project will provide a new bicycle and pedestrian connection over I-277 from the CATS Blue Line Brooklyn Village Station to where the existing Rail Trail ends under the East Morehead Street bridge, north of Carson Street. The project will seamlessly provide Rail Trail users direct access to and from Center City and South End."

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How does this impact our region?

I recently took a deep dive into the Rail Trail Bridge project – after news of its construction commencement broke last month. I, for one, am in favor of this project and do align with the initiative and tax dollar allocation to make it happen. This is a physical, strategic link between South End and Uptown, two of Charlotte’s most dynamic neighborhoods, that also signals our city’s evolution toward a more walkable, connected urban fabric.

Behind that connection lies important relevance for the design and construction community. The bridge’s placement on the Charlotte Rail Trail network and the forthcoming 2027 target date mark a shift of moving away from fragmented walk‑zones and isolated greenways to a major horizontal spine that stitches neighborhoods together.

And it couldn’t come soon enough. Charlotte still ranks very low on walkability metrics—in one recent study the city logged a Walk Score of just 26 out of 100 and was sixth‑from‑last among large U.S. cities. For us in architecture and construction, that means our built‑environment transformation has to shift away from designing buildings in isolation to creating connective tissue (bridges, trails, pedestrian sanctuaries) that make walkability possible.

The bridge also envisions equity in mobility. It's part of a larger commitment by the City and the Charlotte Rail Trail Foundation to activate under‐invested corridors, reduce car‑dependency, and increase access to amenities for more residents. For our industry, that means integrating inclusive design - contextual scale, safe crossings, barrier‑free surfaces - into every part of this infrastructure roll‑out.

Of course, the challenges are real. Timing, coordination of utility relocation, NCDOT, and how we activate the public realm around the bridge all matter. If the bridge simply becomes a path but lacks destination, activation and legibility, the full potential will falter. From a design perspective, site programming, lighting, landscaping, and way‑finding are as critical as the highly contentious design concept.

I believe the Rail Trail Bridge is more than its face value but can also act as a metaphor for Charlotte’s next chapter. For those of us shaping the city’s architecture and built infrastructure, this project invites us to think bigger so that we may design not just for one building or block but for how people traverse, connect, gather, and stay. We have a real opportunity here to help transform Charlotte from many car‑centric neighborhoods into one walkable, cohesive region and I believe this project beautifully begins this process.

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Summary Thoughts...

• Think beyond the bridge: Envision how the bridge links neighborhoods, but also how it anchors retail, adaptive reuse, future development parcels, and the public realm.
• Elevate the pedestrian experience: With elevated structure come higher expectations for surfacing, lighting, shade, texture, surveillance, and placemaking.
• Integrate multidisciplinary teams early: Landscaping, lighting design, urban design, civil, structural, accessibility—this project will require coordination across specs and standards from Day 1 of construction.
• Activate along the edges: Ensuring the bridge ties into meaningful destinations on either end will determine how much foot traffic and economic ripple it supports.
• Monitor infrastructure sequencing: The bridge hinges on surrounding systems: utilities, lighting, sidewalks, transit stops, etc. Delays will cascade. Staying in sync with those elements is key.

As we wrap up the year, I’ve been reflecting on one of the commitments that has meant the most to our team: our quarterly volunteer days with Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte. Throughout the year, we’ve contributed to several build days focused on framing and interior trim — putting up interior and exterior walls, setting roof and porch structures, and installing baseboards and door/window trim.

What I appreciate most about these days is the straightforward, hands-on nature of the work. It’s a different pace from our daily design environment, and it offers a clear reminder of the craft and coordination that make a home possible long before finishes, selections, or renderings ever enter the picture. It has also been incredibly rewarding seeing the team at cradle. step into each role without hesitation — measuring, cutting, aligning, troubleshooting — and doing it with genuine pride.

These volunteer efforts have also strengthened our connection to the broader Charlotte community. Supporting Habitat’s mission and working beside future homeowners adds meaningful perspective to the work we do. It reinforces why thoughtful, well-built environments matter, regardless of scale or budget.

Looking back on this year’s volunteer days, I’m grateful for the impact we’ve been able to contribute, and for how these experiences continue to shape our values as a studio. Giving back in this way has become an important part of who we are, and it’s something we’re committed to carrying forward into the new year.

We’ve had several people reach out about getting involved with us on future volunteer days, and we’d truly welcome it. If you or your team would like to join us on-site for a build day, we’d love to have more hands alongside the partners, collaborators, and professionals we work with throughout the year. It’s meaningful work — and even more impactful when done together. Please reach out to me directly!

"Habits require a willingness to experiment." | James Clear