Designing with Purpose: Our Approach to Inclusion and Belonging

At Ayers Saint Gross, we are committed to shaping our profession for the better. We are working to manifest social equity in our actions, through our projects, pipeline, practice, and various community efforts. Below is a summary of the firm’s philosophy related to Inclusion and Belonging.

We know that historic decisions made by the design and building industry have too often caused harm to disadvantaged populations. With this understanding, we commit to creating thoughtful, inclusive environments that uplift all people. 

Our designs remove barriers and burdens to empower people to gather and connect, live, and function to their highest potential. Our process includes elevating unheard voices and tackling difficult topics so that our projects create a sense of belonging for everyone.  

We believe that our best work emerges when different mind comes together. We make intentional efforts to bring diverse perspectives to the forefront within our firm and partnerships, knowing that varied experiences and ideas lead to richer solutions and more thoughtful designs. 

We want prospective designers and the design-curious from all backgrounds to engage in career opportunities where they can use their creative talents. We support creating a pipeline of students interested in the field through in-school mentorship programs, internships, and scholarship funds. Within our firm, we offer mentorship and professional development opportunities to help our employees grow their careers. Read more about how we support our employees on our careers page.  

We are committed to shaping our cities and our profession for the better through our work and our actions. We create meaningful change in our communities of Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Phoenix through investments in social, educational, and cultural programs.