Public Architecture

Public Architecture’s flagship program is called 1+. It began with an audacious but scalable goal: ask architecture firms to formally pledge at least 1% of their billable time to pro bono service. By asking for this commitment, Public Architecture aspires to not only provide needy social projects with design services and change the way firms to do the other 99% of their work.

To ensure these firms can find appropriate pro-bono projects to work on, Public Architecture acts as a match-maker, connecting architecture firms that wish to donate their time with non-profits in need of design services. The approach addresses a common problem: many non-profits are not even sure what sort of services they need or how design can be used to tackle the social problems with which they are engaged.

The services offered by volunteer firms are diverse, including architecture, interior design and landscape architecture. The most common starting point for engagement is visioning. Non-profits work with designers to envision their projects; often a design for a new project is the necessary starting point for a non-profit’s fundraising campaign. The relationship between client and architect often last for years and can include multiple capital projects.

We spoke with John Peterson, along with Emily Pilloton of Project H Design, on Social Design Insights. Listen to the episodes below.