Hasheem Halim is an architect, community advocate, and Founder of derita design, a Charlotte-based makerspace dedicated to creativity, craftsmanship, and neighborhood engagement. By day, Hasheem works as an architect but outside of the office, he has quietly built something entirely different - a community workshop where architects, artists, makers, students, and neighbors come together to create, learn, and share ideas.

Our conversation explored much more than architecture. We discussed the responsibility designers have to engage with the communities they serve, why representation matters for the next generation of creatives, and how meaningful design often begins long before a building is ever constructed. We also talked about the vision behind derita design, the importance of creating spaces where creativity can thrive, and why architects have an opportunity to become not just designers of buildings, but stewards of their neighborhoods...

Branden Piks:

"One thing I've always appreciated about architecture is that it gives us the opportunity to balance creativity with the realities of how structures get built. It seems like you've always been drawn to both sides of that, and derita design feels like a natural extension of it.

Tell me about where the idea came from, what inspired you to start it, and what you hope it becomes."

Hasheem Halim:

I knew I wanted to be creative, but I didn't know anyone who actually did it for a living.

That became one of the biggest motivations behind derita design.

I wanted to become the community architect—a place where people could learn what architecture is, build something with their hands, or simply explore creativity. At the same time, I wanted other artists and makers throughout Charlotte to have a place to teach workshops and share what they know..."

​Read the Full Conversation Here​

Fresh renderings of Bank of America Stadium's $1.3B renovation

"The 30-year-old Uptown stadium is among the oldest in the NFL at a time when plans for new facilities are popping up all over the country. It's an arms race for who has the most modern mecca to lure fans, players and events..."

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How does this impact our region?

The $1.3 billion renovation of Bank of America Stadium is about much more than improving a sports venue. It's a long-term investment in Charlotte's identity, economic competitiveness, and the future of Uptown as a year-round destination.

Across the country, cities like Buffalo and Cleveland are making similar multi-billion-dollar commitments to their NFL stadiums (not simply modernizing their aging facilities, like in Charlotte) but using them as new anchors for broader economic development. In Buffalo, the newly completed $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium secures the Bills in Western New York for the next 30 years and represents the largest construction project in the region's history. In Cleveland, the Browns' proposed $2.6 billion enclosed stadium is planned alongside a mixed-use district designed to attract concerts, NCAA championships, and other year-round events beyond professional football.

Of course, these projects aren't without debate. A recent Fortune analysis found that state and local governments have invested more than $33 billion in public funding for professional sports venues since 1970, with economists continuing to question whether stadiums alone deliver the economic returns often promised.

The key word, however, is alone.

Charlotte's opportunity extends well beyond the stadium itself. Combined with the continued growth of The Iron District just west of Bank of America Stadium, this investment has the potential to reshape one of the city's most prominent gateways. New restaurants, hotels, residential development, retail, office space, and public gathering spaces all become more viable when supported by a destination that attracts millions of visitors annually. The stadium becomes the anchor but it's the surrounding neighborhood that ultimately creates the lasting economic value.

As architects and designers, it's a reminder that buildings rarely create lasting impact on their own. The greatest value often comes from what they inspire around them. When thoughtfully developed, projects of this scale can become catalysts for private investment, stronger neighborhoods, and a more connected urban experience. The stadium may be the headline, but the surrounding development is ultimately what defines its long-term legacy.

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Key Takeaways for Charlotte's Built Environment...

• Major civic investments extend beyond the project itself. Their greatest value often comes from the redevelopment and private investment they inspire nearby.
• Districts outperform standalone destinations. Mixed-use neighborhoods create activity long after the event or game ends.
• Great public spaces drive economic value. Streets, plazas, and gathering spaces are becoming just as important as the buildings themselves.
• Experience is shaping development. Hospitality, entertainment, retail, and community are increasingly designed as one integrated destination.
• Architecture's greatest impact is what it unlocks. The best projects strengthen neighborhoods, support local businesses, and create momentum for future growth.

IDIN Architects | Harudot | Chonburi, Thailand

​Interior courtyards shape a Thailand cafe and coffee roastery.​

It's always exciting to reach the final stages of a project, and that's exactly where we are with Roots Café's newest location in Madison Park.

Over the past several months, we've watched this second-generation restaurant space transform from a vacant shell into an environment that reflects the warmth and community-focused atmosphere Roots has become known for throughout Charlotte. Working alongside the team at Foard Construction, the project has steadily progressed through demolition, rough-ins, and finish installation, and we're now entering the final phase of construction.

Today, the majority of the interior finishes are complete, with the team focused on equipment installation, furniture placement, final detailing, and the countless coordination efforts that bring a restaurant across the finish line. While these last few weeks often involve the smallest pieces of the project, they're also the ones that have the greatest impact on the guest experience from day one.

One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is having the opportunity to partner with local businesses as they grow. Watching an established Charlotte favorite expand into another neighborhood (and knowing we've played a role in helping bring that vision to life) is what makes hospitality projects so meaningful. Every restaurant, café, or retail space we design ultimately becomes a place where people gather, celebrate milestones, and build community.

We're looking forward to seeing Roots Café open its doors in Madison Park in the coming months and become another destination where great food, thoughtful design, and neighborhood connection come together.

"The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times." - Paulo Coelho