Practical Projects, Powerful Outcomes

When you think of the Statue of Liberty, you probably picture her shining torch, not a set of stairs. And yet, it’s exactly those elements, like the staircase — the ones we don’t celebrate in postcards — that turned an aging icon into a renewed experience for millions of visitors.

In architecture and design, not every outcome can be quantified by a metric. Sure, we all love to rattle off numbers like square footage, LEED points, or energy savings percentages. But what happens when your project’s biggest success is something you can’t easily measure — like improving human dignity, accessibility, or cultural resonance?

That’s exactly the challenge Mills + Schnoering Architects (M+Sa) embraced when they took on the stewardship of the Statue of Liberty. Their mission was clear, if quietly heroic: make one of the world’s most visited monuments safer, more accessible, and more welcoming for every visitor. It wasn’t about creating a glossy new façade or adding a dramatic design feature. It was about opening doors — literally and figuratively.

Let’s be honest: the project wasn’t ” sexy.” But the outcomes? They were undeniable.

M+Sa led a complex, multi-year program of toe-to-crown upgrades at the Statue of Liberty National Monument. They improved access to the crown and replaced all the circulation routes inside the grand pedestal that the Statue sits on. Before their work, visitors faced a nearly 10-story climb — thrilling for some, impossible for others. By removing barriers and adding elevators, they transformed the experience from a physical challenge to an open invitation.

And here’s the lesson: it’s not enough to complete the work. You have to frame the narrative.

That’s where creative storytelling comes in. At Hausman, we helped position M+Sa’s achievements not as routine maintenance, but as stewardship of a national treasure. We spotlighted the use of 21st-century technology to modernize a 19th-century icon. We amplified the human impact: how these improvements reintroduced an international symbol of freedom to the public after a year-long closure.

The results spoke volumes. Coverage on CNN’s Early Start and NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams turned the project into a national conversation. Features in design publications, real estate outlets, and the general press elevated the firm’s reputation and opened doors to other prestigious preservation projects. And maybe most importantly, visitors — many for the first time ever — could experience the full wonder of Lady Liberty.

So what does this teach us about quantifying the unquantifiable?

It reminds us that you don’t need to design the next Guggenheim to make an impact. You just need to understand the value of your work and know how to explain it. When you can’t count something, compare it. When you can’t measure it, illustrate it. Use drawings, media moments, and human-centered narratives to show your audience what you changed — and why it matters to them.

Because in the end, it’s not about the number of stairs removed or elevators installed. It’s about the number of lives improved.

And that’s an outcome worth counting.

Skyline Summary

Not every impact comes with easy metrics.
When you can’t measure it, illustrate it.
Practical projects deserve the spotlight too.
Frame the human value, and you frame the win.
Count what matters — and make your outcomes count.