Global communities are faced with escalating challenges of climate change, resource depletion, increasing waste, urban decay, population fluctuations and displacement of the geographically, politically and economically disadvantaged. Within this context, it is time to re-think the circumscribed boundaries of current design practice, re-directing the agenda of design to explore a cross-disciplinary approach to the increasing levels of risk in the built environment, to ensure sustainable long-term futures. This paper will provide an account of a current initiative in “pedagogical praxis” (Shaffer 2004) called LiveSpace, a studio for Socially and Environmentally Responsible Design based at Griffith University. Using as a case study a project developed in Charleville, Western Queensland the paper demonstrates a means of addressing expanding complex regional issues through an authentic cross-disciplinary approach to design education and design thinking. By creating an “experimental learning environment” (Shaffer 2004), LiveSpace aims to prepare graduates for future work practices, as well as establishing a framework for inventing new participatory approaches in collaboration with communities, local government, businesses and not for profit groups.