Design Research and Extension Program
As communities across North Carolina cope with the effects of growth, many seek assistance from the state's Cooperative Extension program, which has formed a working relationship with the College of Design for its expertise in planning and design. Individuals or communities that seek assistance usually need information about state laws governing land use or environmental protections, availability of grant funds for public projects, and strategies to involve citizens in planning processes. One important unit of this area is the Design Research and Service Laboratory, which uses a Vision Dome to display planning concepts in 3-D animation. The tool literally helps communities visualize their future.

Natural Learning Initiative
This program aims to help communities and schools create stimulating and healthy places for play, learning and environmental education. Internationally recognized for his research, Landscape Architecture Professor Robin Moore formed the program, which is co-directed by Nilda Cosco.

Home Environments Design Initiative

North Carolina State University's School of Architecture, through the College of Design's Research and Extension, seeks to initiate, facilitate and coordinate scholarship, research and outreach services in the area of quality design for home environments.

Center for Universal Design
The mission of the program has broadened considerably since its formation in 1989, a year before the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities. Its intent today is to make the practical day-to-day activities and tasks involved in living possible and safer for everyone. Universal design is a philosophy to make a built environment as usable as possible by as many people as possible.

Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) Initiative
In February 2006, CAM joined North Carolina State University as an initiative within the College of Design. The merger of CAM and the College of Design positions both institutions among an elite few. This important partnership presents new and unique opportunities to enhance study and create ground breaking educational experiences. It offers College of Design students a venue to explore real-world creative endeavors in their course work, and expands the college’s land-grant mission to serve the citizens and communities of North Carolina. CAM’s vision is to redefine the relationship of museums and communities by presenting art exhibitions and public programs that illustrate the relevance of contemporary art and design to our everyday lives.

Currently, CAM operates without a facility. Over the next few years CAM programming will take place at varied venues as it awaits completion of its new home in downtown Raleigh