Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Date
May 4, 2023

Category
Thoughts

We recognize diversity as a moral and ethical imperative and acknowledge the layers of historical and institutional action and intent underpinning the inequities within our society and profession. We understand and embrace the intangible value of authentically reflecting the communities we serve through all levels of our firm. This allows us to build stronger empathy, understanding, and communication surrounding the common lived experiences of the community. Growing our studio to include a broad range of backgrounds and unique perspectives allows us to offer more nuanced, innovative, and culturally responsive solutions.

Our Commitment

Anderson Mason Dale Architects is deeply committed to diversity, inclusion, gender equity, racial diversity, and LGBTQ+ representation throughout the firm.

Our studio community directs the character of our work. This is our legacy.

Reflecting and empathizing with our communities is instrumental in our effectiveness in addressing project circumstances and shaping appropriate solutions that advance their aspirations and visions.

We are collaborators. We embrace the responsibility of engaging all perspectives. We believe in building an equitable environment for all, one which celebrates our commonalities and diversity. Design is a shared responsibility.

As architects of the public realm, we foster positive influence in society. By exploring and engaging the patterns that inform society, our role is to listen, translate, embrace, and challenge.

2023 Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Plan

As part of our ongoing EDI effort, AMD identified and assessed our ability to recruit, hire, retain, promote, and celebrate a diverse staff. Over several months, staff and leadership participated in organized listening sessions, surveys, and conversations. Our EDI committee absorbed and integrated the feedback. The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Plan synthesizes employees' responses, identifies actionable goals, and maintains accountability.

View our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Plan on Issuu.

We know our commitment to equity goes beyond contracting with identified vendors. It involves an inclusive process where consultants experience methods available to our established firm. For Swansea Elementary School's renovation, we invited staff from each of the three architectural firms to co-locate in our studio. AMD provided management and mentored the participants. The achievements were significant, reaching the Owner's benchmark of nearly 70% participation by diverse consultants while forging enduring relationships and friendships with collaborators we can rely upon for future opportunities.

Swansea Elementary School, Denver Public Schools

For a historically underserved neighborhood in southeast Denver, AMD is designing a new $23M recreation center that has been years in the making. In response to the City's request for a 30% diverse business participation plan, AMD assembled a team comprising primary consultants integrating sub-consultants within their operations to serve portions of the project. This structure includes AMD's recruitment of an MWBE architecture firm focused on recreation center renovations which will participate in the development of the interior landscape of the new building.

Westwood Recreation Center

With a major role in the new $350M Hotel and Transit Center, AMD was keenly aware of the challenges and opportunities of a community-based project in Denver. For this project, AMD put together a team to serve as Architect of Record that included nearly 32% MWBE participation, exceeding the City's 20% goal. AMD conducted a qualifications-based selection process and interviewed several candidate firms. The collaborators have raved about this selection process as an unusual and valuable mentoring experience.

Hotel and Transit Center, Denver International Airport

Seeking to support the community, the team embarked on a three-year community outreach and engagement effort focused on deep listening to identify local needs and heal a history of distrust, broken promises, and social stigma surrounding mental health. A direct translation of this process, the campus addresses social inequity through a rich collection of community spaces and programming focused on a comprehensive approach to community well-being, transforming an abandoned food desert into a community food oasis.

Dahlia Campus for Health + Well-being, Mental Health Center of Denver

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

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