2025 Honorees include standout projects from The New York Times, Jones Knowles Ritchie, Adobe, and more

The Beck Group announced that The Melody has received an Honorable Mention in the General Excellence category of the 2025 Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards.

The Melody is a multifamily community made from repurposed shipping containers. It was designed and built by Beck.  The firm delivered the project in record time to address urgent housing needs in Atlanta.

Design That Solves Real Problems

Innovation by Design Awards celebrate the designers and businesses tackling today’s most urgent challenges while shaping a better future. The program recognizes originality, sustainability, user insight, cultural impact, and measurable business success.

A panel of leading designers, business executives, and Fast Company editors selected the honorees.

“The Innovation by Design Awards celebrate bold ideas and work that proves design is a true driver of business and societal progress,” said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. “This year’s honorees show how creative thinking can unlock new markets, build stronger organizations, and deliver meaningful impact at scale.”

A Rapid Housing Solution Built with Urgency, Empathy, and Partnership

The Melody represents the first project in Atlanta’s Rapid Housing Initiative, a citywide effort to build 500 micro-units on publicly owned land. The project emerged from a collaborative partnership between the City of Atlanta, Mayor Andre Dickens, and local nonprofit leaders.

Working closely with Hope Atlanta, Partners for Home, Atlantica Properties, and BMarko Structures, Beck delivered the project in just four months. Together, the team transformed 20 shipping containers into 40 fully equipped studio apartments. Each unit offers permanent, supportive housing for individuals who have experienced long-term homelessness.

Furthermore, the team prioritized trauma-informed, community-first design. Natural light, warm finishes, and shared outdoor spaces all contribute to a healing environment. As a result, residents not only gain stable housing but also a renewed sense of dignity and connection.

“The Melody reflects what matters most in design—solving real problems with clarity and urgency,” said Brian Miller, Chief Design Officer at The Beck Group. “It wasn’t about form over function. It was about moving fast, with compassion, and building something that lasts.”

See the full list of honorees here

Read about the 2025 Fast Company Innovation by Design Awards winners in the Fall 2025 issue of the magazine. It is on newsstands September 23, 2025.