Social justice.

Inequity and racism are systemic. As a business, we can be allies of change. 

Designers thrive on ideas. A lack of diverse experience results in a paucity of creative thinking. The nature of design problems we are given requires the talents of every point of view among us. Simply put, our success as a design office is directly linked to a sustained commitment to the equitable inclusion of broadly diverse people. 

We are certified in Oregon as a Woman-Owned and Emerging Small Business, and as a Just Corporation by the International Living Future Institute.

We have always sought subcontractors who are small businesses, most often owned by women and/or black, indigenous and people of color. Our network is rich with these partners. 

Since our founding, roughly half of our employees and interns have come from these same communities. We have always been a small office.

We continually review policies in order to remove barriers that historically impede progress for people of diverse ethnicity, religion, sexualorientation, age, gender identity, socio-economic status, and disabilities from achieving success and contributing their best gifts to our profession. We listen to and respect the stories of others. Then respond with creativity and policies that honor those stories.

This means heightening our awareness to inequity in all its forms. It means acknowledging our privilege and employing it to fuel change. It means looking for our own biases. When they become apparent, ask for feedback and be accountable for change. It means being allies for social justice.

It is a privilege to work hard at what we love. It is our responsibility to do all we can to make this opportunity is available to anyone who dreams to do the same.

Equal pay for equal work has always been our policy.

We have a flexible and generous family-leave policy.

We offer continuing professional development in order to support opportunity for advancement.

We work to use processes, materials and methods in projects that respect the planet and natural systems.

We seek opportunities to contribute time, money and services to a host of organizations working for community well-being.