### 1. `css/components.css`

**Summary of modifications:**
- **Hero Note Width:** Replaced `max-width: 90%;` with `max-width: 42rem;` for consistent scaling on large displays.
- **Card Transitions:** Replaced generic `transition: all ...` with explicit properties (`border-color`, `transform`, `box-shadow`) to prevent layout recalculations.
- **Initiative Hover:** Reduced hover transform from `-3px` to `-2px` to align with engineering precision.
- Applied explicit transitions to `.btn` and `.writing-preview` as well for consistency.
- Kept footer components and contact card word-breaks as requested.

```css
/* =========================================
   COMPONENTS
   ========================================= */

/* Navigation */
.navbar {
  position: sticky;
  top: 0;
  background-color: rgba(17, 24, 39, 0.8);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
  z-index: var(--z-navbar);
  backdrop-filter: blur(var(--blur-md));
  -webkit-backdrop-filter: blur(var(--blur-md));
}

.nav-container {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: center;
  padding-top: var(--space-sm);
  padding-bottom: var(--space-sm);
}

.nav-brand {
  font-weight: var(--fw-bold);
  color: var(--text-primary);
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-tight);
}

.nav-menu {
  display: flex;
  gap: var(--space-md);
  list-style: none;
  margin: 0;
  padding: 0;
}

.nav-link {
  color: var(--text-secondary);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
  transition: color var(--transition-fast);
}

.nav-link:hover, .nav-link.active {
  color: var(--brand-accent);
}

.nav-toggle {
  display: none;
  background: none;
  border: none;
  color: var(--text-primary);
  cursor: pointer;
}

@media (max-width: 768px) {
  .nav-toggle {
    display: block;
  }
  .nav-menu {
    position: absolute;
    top: 100%;
    left: 0;
    width: 100%;
    background-color: var(--bg-secondary);
    flex-direction: column;
    padding: var(--space-md);
    gap: var(--space-sm);
    border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border);
    display: none;
  }
  .nav-menu.active {
    display: flex;
  }
}

/* Hero Components */
.hero-subtitle {
  font-size: 1.1rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  margin-bottom: var(--space-md);
}

.hero-actions {
  display: flex;
  gap: var(--space-sm);
  margin-top: var(--space-md);
  flex-wrap: wrap;
}

.hero-note {
  color: var(--text-muted);
  margin-top: var(--space-md);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  max-width: 42rem;
}

/* Content Typography */
.section-introduction {
  margin-bottom: var(--space-lg);
  max-width: 800px;
}

/* Buttons */
.btn {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: var(--space-xs);
  padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
  font-family: var(--font-primary);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
  border: 1px solid transparent;
  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
  cursor: pointer;
  transition: background-color var(--transition-base), border-color var(--transition-base), color var(--transition-base);
  text-decoration: none;
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.btn-primary {
  background-color: var(--brand-primary);
  color: var(--text-primary);
  border-color: var(--brand-primary);
}

.btn-primary:hover {
  background-color: var(--brand-secondary);
  border-color: var(--brand-secondary);
  color: var(--text-primary);
}

.btn-secondary {
  background-color: transparent;
  color: var(--text-primary);
  border-color: var(--border);
}

.btn-secondary:hover {
  background-color: var(--surface);
  border-color: var(--divider);
  color: var(--text-primary);
}

.btn-premium {
  background-color: var(--gold-primary);
  color: var(--bg-primary);
  border-color: var(--gold-primary);
  font-weight: var(--fw-semibold);
}

.btn-premium:hover {
  background-color: var(--gold-secondary);
  border-color: var(--gold-secondary);
  color: var(--bg-primary);
}

.btn-disabled {
  background-color: var(--surface);
  color: var(--text-muted);
  border-color: var(--border);
  cursor: not-allowed;
  opacity: 0.7;
}

.btn-sm {
  padding: 0.5rem 1rem;
  font-size: 0.85rem;
}

/* Cards */
.card {
  background-color: var(--card);
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
  padding: var(--space-md);
  transition: border-color var(--transition-base), transform var(--transition-base), box-shadow var(--transition-base);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-sm);
}

.card:hover {
  border-color: var(--brand-accent);
  transform: translateY(-2px);
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
}

/* Domain Cards */
.domain-card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-xs);
}

.domain-name {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--text-primary);
  font-size: 1.1rem;
}

.domain-description {
  color: var(--text-secondary);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  flex-grow: 1;
  margin: 0;
}

.domain-tech {
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  margin-top: var(--space-xs);
  padding-top: var(--space-xs);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--divider);
}

/* Initiative Cards */
.initiative-grid {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
  gap: var(--space-md);
}

.initiative-card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  justify-content: space-between;
}

.initiative-header {
  display: flex;
  justify-content: space-between;
  align-items: flex-start;
  margin-bottom: var(--space-md);
  gap: var(--space-sm);
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--divider);
  padding-bottom: var(--space-sm);
}

.initiative-title {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--text-primary);
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  align-self: center;
}

.initiative-stage {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  align-items: flex-end;
  gap: 0.25rem;
}

.initiative-body {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-md);
  flex-grow: 1;
  margin-bottom: var(--space-md);
}

.initiative-context {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0.25rem;
}

.initiative-label {
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
  color: var(--gold-primary);
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
}

.initiative-text {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--text-secondary);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
  line-height: 1.5;
}

.initiative-footer {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-md);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--divider);
  padding-top: var(--space-md);
}

.initiative-meta {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0.25rem;
}

.initiative-tech {
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
}

/* Research Cards */
.research-grid {
  gap: var(--space-md);
}

.research-card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-xs);
}

.research-topic {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--text-primary);
  font-size: 1.1rem;
}

.research-matter {
  color: var(--text-secondary);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  flex-grow: 1;
  margin: 0;
}

.research-application {
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  color: var(--brand-accent);
  margin-top: var(--space-xs);
  padding-top: var(--space-xs);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--divider);
}

/* Writing Previews */
.writing-list {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-sm);
}

.writing-preview {
  background-color: var(--card);
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  border-radius: var(--radius-md);
  padding: var(--space-md);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-xs);
  transition: border-color var(--transition-base), transform var(--transition-base);
}

.writing-preview:hover {
  border-color: var(--brand-accent);
  transform: translateX(4px);
}

.writing-tag {
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
  color: var(--gold-primary);
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
}

.writing-title {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--text-primary);
  font-size: 1.1rem;
}

.writing-date {
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.8rem;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  margin: 0;
}

/* Timeline Preview */
.timeline-preview {
  position: relative;
  padding-left: var(--space-md);
  border-left: 2px solid var(--divider);
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-lg);
}

.timeline-item {
  position: relative;
}

.timeline-marker {
  position: absolute;
  left: calc(-1 * var(--space-md) - 7px);
  top: 6px;
  width: 12px;
  height: 12px;
  border-radius: 50%;
  background-color: var(--bg-primary);
  border: 2px solid var(--brand-accent);
}

.timeline-content {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0.25rem;
}

.timeline-period {
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
  color: var(--text-muted);
}

.timeline-title {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--text-primary);
  font-size: 1.1rem;
}

.timeline-summary {
  margin: 0;
  color: var(--text-secondary);
  font-size: 0.95rem;
}

/* Contact Cards */
.contact-grid {
  gap: var(--space-md);
}

.contact-card {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: 0.25rem;
  text-decoration: none;
}

.contact-label {
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  text-transform: uppercase;
  letter-spacing: var(--tracking-wide);
  color: var(--text-muted);
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
}

.contact-value {
  color: var(--text-primary);
  font-size: 1rem;
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
  word-break: break-all;
}

/* Status Badges */
.status-badge {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  padding: 0.25rem 0.75rem;
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.75rem;
  font-weight: var(--fw-medium);
  border-radius: var(--radius-full);
  border: 1px solid currentColor;
  text-transform: capitalize;
  white-space: nowrap;
}

.status-research { color: var(--status-research); background: rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.1); }
.status-architecture { color: var(--status-architecture); background: rgba(199, 154, 45, 0.1); }
.status-prototype { color: var(--status-prototype); background: rgba(139, 92, 246, 0.1); }
.status-mvp { color: var(--status-mvp); background: rgba(245, 158, 11, 0.1); }
.status-active { color: var(--status-active); background: rgba(30, 122, 105, 0.1); }
.status-beta { color: var(--status-beta); background: rgba(6, 182, 212, 0.1); }
.status-production { color: var(--status-production); background: rgba(34, 197, 94, 0.1); }
.status-maintenance { color: var(--status-maintenance); background: rgba(100, 116, 139, 0.1); }
.status-archived { color: var(--status-archived); background: rgba(71, 85, 105, 0.1); }

/* Footer Components */
.footer-link {
  color: var(--text-secondary);
  transition: color var(--transition-fast);
}

.footer-link:hover {
  color: var(--brand-accent);
}

.footer-name {
  font-size: 1.2rem;
  font-weight: var(--fw-bold);
  color: var(--text-primary);
  margin: 0;
}

.footer-role {
  color: var(--brand-accent);
  font-family: var(--font-mono);
  font-size: 0.9rem;
  margin: 0;
}

.footer-mission {
  max-width: 400px;
  color: var(--text-muted);
  margin: 0;
}

.footer-statement {
  margin-top: var(--space-md);
  font-size: 0.85rem;
  color: var(--text-disabled);
  line-height: 1.6;
}

.footer-links {
  display: flex;
  flex-wrap: wrap;
  justify-content: center;
  gap: var(--space-md);
}

/* Icons */
.icon {
  width: 20px;
  height: 20px;
  stroke-width: 1.5;
  flex-shrink: 0;
}
```

---

### 2. `css/layout.css`

**Summary of modifications:**
- **Sticky Footer Architecture:** Replaced `main { min-height: 100vh; }` with the robust `body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; min-height: 100vh; }` and `main { flex: 1; }` pattern.
- **Vertical Rhythm:** Added `section p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }` to tighten the transition to section ends.
- Kept hero grid, footer margin, and footer links flex-wrap.

```css
/* =========================================
   LAYOUT & GRID
   ========================================= */

/* Sticky Footer Architecture */
body {
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  min-height: 100vh;
}

main {
  flex: 1;
}

.container {
  width: 100%;
  max-width: var(--max-width);
  margin: 0 auto;
  padding: 0 var(--space-md);
}

section {
  padding: var(--space-2xl) 0;
  border-bottom: 1px solid var(--divider);
}

section:first-of-type {
  padding-top: var(--space-xl);
}

/* Improve vertical rhythm inside sections */
section p:last-child {
  margin-bottom: 0;
}

/* Grid Systems */
.grid-2 {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
  gap: var(--space-lg);
}

.grid-3 {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: repeat(3, 1fr);
  gap: var(--space-md);
}

/* Hero Layout */
.hero {
  display: grid;
  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
  gap: var(--space-xl);
  align-items: center;
}

.hero-image {
  width: 100%;
  aspect-ratio: 1;
  background-color: var(--surface);
  border-radius: var(--radius-lg);
  border: 1px solid var(--border);
  object-fit: cover;
  box-shadow: var(--shadow-md);
}

/* Footer Layout */
.footer {
  background-color: var(--bg-secondary);
  border-top: 1px solid var(--border);
  padding: var(--space-xl) 0;
  margin-top: var(--space-2xl);
}

.footer-content {
  text-align: center;
  display: flex;
  flex-direction: column;
  gap: var(--space-sm);
  align-items: center;
}

/* Responsive Adjustments */
@media (max-width: 900px) {
  .grid-3 {
    grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
  }
  .hero {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  }
  .hero-image {
    max-width: 400px;
    margin: 0 auto;
  }
}

@media (max-width: 600px) {
  .grid-2,
  .grid-3 {
    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
  }
  
  section {
    padding: var(--space-xl) 0;
  }
}

/* Accessibility: Focus States */
:focus-visible {
  outline: 2px solid var(--gold-primary);
  outline-offset: 4px;
  border-radius: var(--radius-sm);
}
```

---

### 3. `css/animations.css`

**Summary of modifications:**
- Approved completely. Kept the stagger animation for grid layouts exactly as requested.

```css
/* =========================================
   ANIMATIONS
   ========================================= */

@keyframes fadeIn {
  from { opacity: 0; }
  to { opacity: 1; }
}

@keyframes slideUp {
  from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(20px); }
  to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
}

.reveal {
  opacity: 0;
  transform: translateY(20px);
  transition: opacity 0.6s var(--ease-out), transform 0.6s var(--ease-out);
}

.reveal.is-visible {
  opacity: 1;
  transform: translateY(0);
}

/* Stagger Effect for Grid Items */
.grid-2 .reveal:nth-child(2),
.grid-3 .reveal:nth-child(2) { transition-delay: 0.1s; }
.grid-2 .reveal:nth-child(3),
.grid-3 .reveal:nth-child(3) { transition-delay: 0.2s; }
.grid-3 .reveal:nth-child(4) { transition-delay: 0.1s; }
.grid-3 .reveal:nth-child(5) { transition-delay: 0.2s; }
.grid-3 .reveal:nth-child(6) { transition-delay: 0.3s; }

/* Accessibility: Reduced Motion */
@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
  .reveal {
    transition: none;
    opacity: 1;
    transform: none;
  }
  
  * {
    animation-duration: 0.01ms !important;
    animation-iteration-count: 1 !important;
    transition-duration: 0.01ms !important;
    scroll-behavior: auto !important;
  }
}
```