Architecture

Community Need

• A well-designed workspaces and facilities can increase organizational efficiency and morale. Key areas of nonprofit need include facilities need assessments and identification, interior design and brand integration, and renovation projects.

Trends

• The 1%, a program of Public Architecture, has been incredibly successful in recent years with 1,000 participating firms and 1% becoming an industry standard.
• Creative partnerships among firms, intermediaries and furniture manufacturers have been emerging.
• Educational institutions frequently initiate pro bono architecture efforts, with work both domestically and internationally.
• Pro bono architecture faces an ongoing challenge as the work often requires hard costs and significant investment of time over the long haul to implement.

Leaders

• AIA – The American Institute of Architects (AIA), a membership organization of approximately 50,000 architects, has produced a model contract document for architects rendering pro bono services. It has also integrated pro bono service into its code of ethics in recent years stating that, “members should render public interest professional services and encourage their employees to render such services.” These items are reinforced in the organization’s 2010 Guidelines for Engaging in Pro Bono Activities, available online.
• Architecture for Humanity – This nonprofit design services firm has a network of more than 40,000 professionals that bring design, construction, and development services together for social good. Through their 60 chapters in 25 countries, they engage more than 4,650 design professionals. 
• Community Design Collaborative – This nonprofit organization, celebrating its 20th anniversary, connects Philadelphia area nonprofits with teams of design professionals that it assembles to provide pre-development design services to help get projects off the ground. Facilitating 30 projects per year, the organization has enabled nearly 600 projects and several thousand design professionals in its history.
• DesigNYC – This new nonprofit works to improve New York City by connecting nonprofits, community groups and city agencies serving the public good with passionate, professional pro bono architects and designers. The group matching 10 nonprofits and 10 design firms annually.
• Public Architecture – Pioneer in pro bono service for architects, the organization’s flagship program, The 1%, challenges architecture and design firms nationwide to pledge a minimum of 1% of their time to do pro bono service. The program website enables nonprofits to register their design needs and request services. As of 2011, The 1% counted 1,000 firms nationally for a total of over 275,000 hours pledged annually.

Case Studies

• Cast Architecture and Interbay P-Patch Garden Hub
• Boor Bridges Architecture and San Francisco School Volunteers
• Rural Studio at Auburn University
• Bartizan Group Architects and Hogar de Ninos Que Quieren Sonreir
• SERA Architects and P:ear

Build the Movement

Here are five things you can do to help build the pro bono ethic in the architecture profession.

1. Do more pro bono and share your story with your network through social media (LinkedIn profile, twitter, online portfolio, etc.).
2. Volunteer to coordinate and promote pro bono service for your local AIA chapter.
3. Speak to students at a local design school about pro bono service and its role in your career.
4. Ask your employer to create a formal pro bono program and budget.
5. Provide us with feedback, suggestions and tips to keep this page fresh and relevant. Email us at professions@taprootfoundation.org.