EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
Good design is for everyone.
OUR VALUES
Striving for equity, diversity, and inclusion is a core tenet of LBBA’s approach to practice.
We truly believe that Good design is for everyone. This is both a mission statement and a call to action. Affordable housing and community-based projects represent the bulk of our work. We believe our expertise is best utilized on projects seeking to move the needle on key issues impacting the communities that have been historically underserved. In addition, we are committed to working from the inside to transform our office and our profession in ways that make architecture more accessible for all. We encourage you to explore this report to discover all the ways that LBBA is living its commitment through our project work, our collaborations and partnerships, and the ways that we choose to do business.
Partnership
Does this project feature women/minority partners in client, architect, consultant, or contractor roles?
Representation
Does this project feature women/minority representation in internal project leadership roles?
Empowering Neighborhoods
Is this project located in a community with a predominantly minority population or rapidly gentrifying neighborhood?
Addressing Issues
Does this project specifically address issues impacting communities of color?
Engaging Community
Did the design process for this project include community input (outside of the direct client)?
HOW WE MEASURE
To measure our progress, LBBA considers how a given project addresses the following five indicators of EQUITY, DIVERSITY, and INCLUSION. While we acknowledge that not all projects will be able to address all five indicators, we use these metrics to critically assess our office’s output as a whole, painting a picture of what it means to be a “community of practice.” By examining our firm-wide performance, we are able to document clearly that EDI practices are integral to everything we do. We also dive deeply into projects or initiatives that are worthy of more detailed analysis to establish best practices that can be applied to future work. Lastly, measurement allows us to set a baseline for future improvement, holding us accountable to our goals and mission while charting a path for future success.
OUR ETHOS
We collaborate with non-profit organizations and developers to identify the goals, needs, and issues within communities while navigating the architectural process.
Through these lasting partnerships, we design sustainable, affordable housing and community spaces that thoughtfully empower neighborhoods from within. We utilize our creative and technical skills, industry connections, and environmental expertise to approach each project in a way that provides lasting value.
OUR ETHOS
We collaborate with non-profit organizations and developers to identify the goals, needs, and issues within communities while navigating the architectural process.
Through these lasting partnerships, we design sustainable, affordable housing and community spaces that thoughtfully empower neighborhoods from within. We utilize our creative and technical skills, industry connections, and environmental expertise to approach each project in a way that provides lasting value.
Addressing Issues
Our work seeks to address the pressing issues facing our cities, especially the historically uneven allocation of resources in communities of color. These communities regularly suffer from a lack of available social services and affordable housing. By partnering with local mission-driven non-profit organizations and developers who focus on reversing these trends, LBBA is able to use our skills as architects to create spaces that face these challenges head-on.
97 % of LBBA projects in 2022-2023 directly address issues impacting communities of color.
Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center (REC Center) is a 43-unit queer-affirming affordable housing facility in Detroit’s Piety Neighborhood. A base for the Ruth Ellis Center—a nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, particularly those of color who are unhoused or at risk—the REC Center is a safe, welcoming space for a vulnerable population. To help confront some of the health issues that are often a part of being unhoused, the REC Center offers behavioral and mental health services in an onsite healthcare clinic that includes a small laboratory and an exercise room for yoga and movement-based therapies.
The design of the REC Center was created with input from the local LGBTQ+ community with a focus on bright colors, private spaces, and common areas. A mural on one of the exterior walls depicts the building’s namesake, Ruth Ellis, the trailblazing LGBTQ+ activist, and a colorful mural in the lobby captures many faces of the center’s residents. The residential units are located on the third and fourth floor, the services and offices are on the second, and the spaces meant to engage the community—town hall, cafe, and salon—are on the ground level.
97 % of LBBA projects in 2022-2023 directly address issues impacting communities of color.
Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center
Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center (REC Center) is a 43-unit queer-affirming affordable housing facility in Detroit’s Piety Neighborhood. A base for the Ruth Ellis Institute—a nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, particularly those of color who are unhoused or at risk—the REC Center is a safe, welcoming space for a vulnerable population. To help confront some of the health issues that are often a part of being unhoused, the REC Center offers behavioral and mental health services in an onsite healthcare clinic that includes a small laboratory and an exercise room for yoga and movement-based therapies.
The design of the REC Center was created with input from the local LGBTQ+ community with a focus on bright colors, private spaces, and common areas. A mural on one of the exterior walls depicts the building’s namesake, Ruth Ellis, the trailblazing LGBTQ+ activist, and a colorful mural in the lobby captures many faces of the center’s residents. The residential units are located on the third and fourth floor, the services and offices are on the second, and the spaces meant to engage the community—town hall, cafe, and salon—are on the ground level.
Addressing Issues
Our work seeks to address the pressing issues facing our cities, especially the historically uneven allocation of resources in communities of color. These communities regularly suffer from a lack of available social services and affordable housing. By partnering with local mission-driven non-profit organizations and developers who focus on reversing these trends, LBBA is able to use our skills as architects to create spaces that face these challenges head-on.
Displacement is a major concern in rapidly gentrifying areas like Logan Square in Chicago, a thriving neighborhood intersecting one of the busiest lines on the CTA. Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments (LGPA), led by nonprofit developer Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, responds to this need with 100 affordable rental units, extensive commercial space, and a design that is integrated with the surrounding neighborhood. As a centrally located, Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD), LGPA provides high-quality housing so that long-time residents can continue to call the neighborhood home.
In 2014, the ward Alderman convened three community meetings to gather input on the potential redevelopment of the underutilized Emmett Street Parking Lot and Logan Square Blue Line Plaza/ Bus Turn-around Area. Hundreds of area residents attended the meetings, which resulted in the idea of affordable housing and community spaces. Residents, neighborhood organizations, and various city committees and departments were key stakeholders throughout the planning process. This helped generate support for the project and played a key role in the design and planning process. LBBA actively engaged in these listening and planning sessions. After carefully considering the community’s requests, LBBA responded with a number of contemporary building drawings to creatively reflect the context, scale, and character of the neighborhood. The decision to change the building name from Emmett Street Apartments to Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments was also deeply rooted in the community.
Engaging Community
At LBBA, our goal is for all voices to be heard, not just those with power and privilege. This commitment manifests in our project work where we strive to include communities in our integrated design process through active engagement. LBBA looks for ways to bring all stakeholders to the table though working group meetings with residents, public workshops with neighborhood groups, and community art projects. By reaching out to communities, these voices are heard and those who participate are empowered to contribute to shaping their built environments.
80% of LBBA projects in 2022-2023 are located in communities with predominantly minority populations or rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods.
80% of LBBA projects in 2022-2023 are located in communities with predominantly minority populations or rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods.
Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments
Displacement is a major concern in rapidly gentrifying areas like Logan Square in Chicago, a thriving neighborhood intersecting one of the busiest lines on the CTA. Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments (LGPA), led by nonprofit developer Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, responds to this need with 100 affordable rental units, extensive commercial space, and a design that is integrated with the surrounding neighborhood. As a centrally located, Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD), LGPA provides high-quality housing so that long-time residents can continue to call the neighborhood home.
In 2014, the ward Alderman convened three community meetings to gather input on the potential redevelopment of the underutilized Emmett Street Parking Lot and Logan Square Blue Line Plaza/ Bus Turn-around Area. Hundreds of area residents attended the meetings, which resulted in the idea of affordable housing and community spaces. Residents, neighborhood organizations, and various city committees and departments were key stakeholders throughout the planning process. This helped generate support for the project and played a key role in the design and planning process. LBBA actively engaged in these listening and planning sessions. After carefully considering the community’s requests, LBBA responded with a number of contemporary building drawings to creatively reflect the context, scale, and character of the neighborhood. The decision to change the building name from Emmett Street Apartments to Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Apartments was also deeply rooted in the community.
Engaging Community
At LBBA, our goal is for all voices to be heard, not just those with power and privilege. This commitment manifests in our project work where we strive to include communities in our integrated design process through active engagement. LBBA looks for ways to bring all stakeholders to the table though working group meetings with residents, public workshops with neighborhood groups, and community art projects. By reaching out to communities, these voices are heard and those who participate are empowered to contribute to shaping their built environments.
Commitment to Partnership
Our projects cannot be completed without a dedicated team all pulling in the same direction. From 2022-2023, we were fortunate to collaborate with a broad team of women- and minority-led design, development, and construction partners who share a collective vision for change. It is in all of our best interests for a diverse and representative project team to be tackling these challenges together.
77 % of our projects in 2022-2023 include women and minority-led partners in prime, consultant, or contractor roles.
ARCHITECTURAL PARTNERS
Beehyyve
Brook Architecture
Johnson & Lee Architects
Livas Group
Moody Nolan
Taylor Staten, TnS Studio
WPA Architecture
DESIGN CONSULTANTS
CCJM
dbHMS
Dynacept Engineering
Eco Achievers
Engage Civil
EVA Design and Engineering
LightHive
McKay Landscape Architects
Nayyar & Nayyar International
Site Design Group
Prim Lawrence Group
TERRA Engineering
Vireo
WSP
CLIENTS
Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation
Brinshore Development
BUILD Chicago
Claretian Associates
Franciscan Outreach
Holsten Human Capital Development
Interfaith Housing Development Corporation
Kenwood Oakland Community Organization
La Casa Norte
LUCHA
The Michaels Organization
National Public Housing Museum
P3 Markets
POAH
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
Ashlaur Construction
BOWA Construction
Genesis Construction/Spurock & Son
GMA Construction Group
UJAMAA Construction
Jackson & Green
Legends South is a multi-phase project working to heal communities impacted by the historic failure of public housing in predominantly Black neighborhoods through thoughtful and dignified affordable/mixed-income housing. Robert Taylor Homes was a part of the “Dan Ryan Wall” corridor of isolated public housing which housed 27,000 people at its peak. Six of the ten poorest census tracts in the US could be found here, leading to issues with crime, drugs, and gang violence. This is the third phase of the Legends project seeking to reconnect the urban fabric that was severed by the previous development. While providing much-needed multi-family affordable housing, the project also includes commercial space and urban farming components.
Legends South A3 is a project for Brinshore | The Michaels Organization. LBBA is partnered with Brook Architecture (MBE) on the design. LBBA is responsible for the 4-story corridor building, while Brook is architect of record for the two walk-up buildings. Both firms share responsibility for coordinating the consultant team which includes IMEG, McKay Landscapes (WBE), Engage Civil (MBE), and Nayyar & Nayyar Structural (MBE).
Where there is limited opportunity for qualified people that look like me, EDI has had an immense impact on my career. Working with people that have different backgrounds and experiences has enhanced my self-awareness on inclusivity and diversity. LBBA has proven to me that no matter what your background is, we all have a voice and more importantly, we have a story to tell. I chose to work at LBBA, because they are committed to making a difference in all under-represented communities in Chicago, and I want to be part of that journey. As architects and designers, it is crucial that we design with inclusivity and diversity at the forefront, not merely to appease one group versus another, but to de-root structural racism and oppression through the built environment.
PROJECTS: 43 Green Phase 2, Stephen’s Commons, KOCO Cafe, Midwest Athletic Club
PROJECT DESIGNER
I grew up in a cultural “bubble” in the South and very happily had my worldview challenged as I grew into adulthood and traveled far from home, eventually landing in Chicago. Life experience has taught me the importance of embracing the humanity in others rather than looking for our differences. It is such a joy to live in a diverse urban center where myriad cultures thrive! Today equality feels out of reach—it seems like the divide grows larger every day. Even still, I feel lucky to fight the good fight at LBBA alongside folks that share the same ethos, building our dream world one project at a time.
PROJECTS: 43 Green, National Public Housing Museum, 37 Street School Apartments, Terrace 459 at Parkside of Oldtown, Highlander Phase 1
PRINCIPAL
When I dedicated myself to architecture, I strived to join a firm that cares about quality of design with its focus on people. I grew up in a Latino neighborhood that lacked investment in the architecture, the infrastructure, and the community; being a part of a team that addresses the issues I faced (and continue to face in the southwest side) is work that directly improves quality of life. Our buildings are designed with kindness, hoping to house people without a home, welcome people that have been marginalized, and remind those that have lived experiences that they too deserve good design. Our work recognizes the systemic inequality and takes on the challenge that many think architects can’t fix. I think we can, and that
we must.
PROJECTS: 43 Green Phase 1, Ruth Ellis Clairmount Center, Heiwa Terrace, Mariners Inn
PROJECT DESIGNER
47%
OF STAFF IDENTIFY AS WOMEN INCLUDING 38% OF THOSE IN PRINCIPAL, ASSOCIATE, OR SENIOR PROJECT ARCHITECT ROLES
20%
OF STAFF IDENTIFY AS BLACK, LATINX, ASIAN OR INDIGENOUS
Promoting Representation
Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion starts at home. LBBA seeks to have a staff that is representative of the neighborhoods and cities in which we work. While the profession in general and our office in particular still have a long way to go when it comes to representation, LBBA is proud to feature a diverse team from a variety of backgrounds. We commit to actively looking for additional talented and diverse voices to join our firm at all levels of experience.
Empowering Neighborhoods
LBBA project teams regularly feature women and people of color in leadership roles. We pride ourselves on the fact that our internal project teams are truly collaborative, with many members of our staff contributing to the vision for the project. We also seek to have younger staff from diverse backgrounds take on responsibility for projects at scales that are appropriate to their experience, with the goal of developing the next generation of project and firm leaders. Proactive hiring that targets qualified minority candidates allows our team to grow in ways that make our office more balanced and representative of the places that we work.
85% of LBBA projects in 2022-2023 include women/minority representation in internal project team leadership.
43 Green
43 Green is a three-phase, mixed-use, transit-oriented development anchored by the 43rd Street Green Line station at 43rd and Calumet. The combined development will invest over $100 million in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. The project is led by a joint venture between P3 Markets, a Bronzeville based development company, and The Habitat Company, a full-service developer and property management company with nearly 50 years of experience developing and managing residential and mixed-use projects in Chicago.
The configuration of the project team aimed to include as much minority and woman leadership as possible from developer to consultants. Each of the following firms working on the development is certified MBE or WBE: Moody Nolan, P3 Markets, McKay Landscape Architecture, dbHMS, Engage Civil, Nayyar and Nayyar International, BOWA Construction, Beehyyve, and Lighthive. From LBBA, the 43 Green projects are led by Terran Wilson (Principal), Jennifer Stanovich (Senior Project Architect), and Ronel Constantin (Project Designer).
85% of LBBA projects in 2022-2023 include women/minority representation in internal project team leadership.
Empowering Neighborhoods
LBBA project teams regularly feature women and people of color in leadership roles. We pride ourselves on the fact that our internal project teams are truly collaborative, with many members of our staff contributing to the vision for the project. We also seek to have younger staff from diverse backgrounds take on responsibility for projects at scales that are appropriate to their experience, with the goal of developing the next generation of project and firm leaders. Proactive hiring that targets qualified minority candidates allows our team to grow in ways that make our office more balanced and representative of the places that we work.
43 Green
43 Green is a three-phase, mixed-use, transit-oriented development anchored by the 43rd Street Green Line station at 43rd and Calumet. The combined development will invest over $100 million in the historic Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. The project is led by a joint venture between P3 Markets, a Bronzeville based development company, and The Habitat Company, a full-service developer and property management company with nearly 50 years of experience developing and managing residential and mixed-use projects in Chicago.
The configuration of the project team aimed to include as much minority and woman leadership as possible from developer to consultants. Each of the following firms working on the development is certified MBE or WBE: Moody Nolan, P3 Markets, McKay Landscape Architecture, dbHMS, Engage Civil, Nayyar and Nayyar International, BOWA Construction, Beehyyve, and Lighthive. From LBBA, the 43 Green projects are led by Terran Wilson (Principal), Jennifer Stanovich (Senior Project Architect), and Ronel Constantin (Project Designer).
Partnership
Does this project feature women/minority partners in client, architect, consultant, or contractor roles?
Representation
Does this project feature women/minority representation in internal project leadership roles?
Representation
Measure internal representation against the demographics of our city and our profession as a whole.
Make a recruitment plan for intentional hiring and retention.
For project representation, breakdown participation by designer, project architect/manager, and project principal roles. Seek to improve representation in project management and principal roles by 10% from 2023.
Partnership
Analyze partnership in projects by type.
Seek to improve the overall number of projects that include multiple Architects, Consultant, Clients, and Contractors by 10% in the next calendar year.
Identify at least one new project partner in each category in the coming year.
Engaging Community
Scrutinize community participation in projects by INFORMATIVE PARTICIPATION, PREPARATORY/ PLANNING, or DECISION-MAKING models.
Seek that the 50% or more of our projects include DECISION-MAKING community participation.
Addressing Issues
Investigate whether completed projects have been successful in addressing the issues that they set out to address by performing Post-Occupancy Evaluations.
Target collecting POE data from 50% of projects completed in the past year.
Empowering Neighborhoods
Explore the concept of whether locating affordable housing and community-based projects in predominantly minority areas is empowering or perpetuating existing patterns of segregation.
Assemble a roundtable of clients and stakeholders in the next year to discuss the topic. Make it open to the public.
Empowering Neighborhoods
Is this project located in a community with a predominantly minority population or rapidly gentrifying neighborhood?
Addressing Issues
Does this project specifically address issues impacting communities of color?
Engaging Community
Did the design process for this project include community input (outside of the direct client)?
Accountability
While we want to celebrate our successes, it is also important to scrutinize the work that still needs to be done. Accountability starts with transparency. First, we intend to be more explicit and intentional in the ways we define the terms included in our metrics. Next, having established a baseline, we aim to set clear goals to measure future progress. Lastly, we want to share what we’ve learned with those who are facing similar challenges. The following items are what LBBA seeks to investigate and improve upon in the upcoming year.
Recognition & Awards
AIA CHICAGO DISTINGUISHED BUILDING AWARD SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Tierra Linda
AIA CHICAGO DISTINGUISHED BUILDING AWARD CITATION OF MERIT
Chicago Center for Arts and Technology (ChiCAT)
AIA/HUD Secretary’s Housing and Community Design Award for Housing Accessibility
IFF Access Housing
AIA ILLINOIS CAPITOL AWARD
Tierra Linda
AIA/HUD SECRETARY'S AWARD FOR COMMUNITY-INFORMED DESIGN
Tierra Linda
AIA DIVERSITY RECOGNITION PROGRAM
LBBA Labs
AIA Chicago Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Landon
AIA Illinois Crombie Taylor Award
Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative
AIA Illinois Daniel Burnham Award
Woodlawn Park
AIA Illinois Daniel Burnham Award
Woodlawn Park
AIA + HUD Secretary’s Creating Community Connection Award
Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative
AIA Chicago Distinguished Building Award, Special Recognition
Dorchester Art + Housing Collaborative
“The firm works hard to ensure a high quality of design. They take a craftsman approach instead of a cookie-cutter approach.”
HUME AN
Vice President of Acquisitions and Development, The Michaels Development Company
EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
Good design is for everyone.
Empowering Neighborhoods
Part of moving the needle on critical issues facing our cities is meeting our clients and building users where they live. LBBA’s project work is focused on empowering neighborhoods that have been underserved because of disinvestment, changing demographics, or structural racism. Our projects seek to provide housing, social services, and community spaces in places where they are needed the most.
80% of LBBA projects in 2022-2023 are located in communities with predominantly minority populations or rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods.
In 2018, over 400 leaders from Chicago’s Austin neighborhood came together to develop a neighborhood revitalization plan. The resulting Quality-of-Life Plan, Austin Forward. Together. (AFT), serves as a blueprint for healthy growth and development in Austin. AFT is in active use, and as a lead member of that coalition, BUILD was asked to lead two critical strategic areas—Youth Empowerment and Public Safety. BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development) is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based on Chicago’s West Side. LBBA worked with BUILD to develop their programming and design for an expansion of their existing facility located in the Austin neighborhood. Conceived of as a campus, the project includes the rehabilitation of BUILD’s existing building, and the new construction of a 37,000 sf facility.
Since its completion in 2022, the new campus has become a community hub for the Austin neighborhood. Directly off I-290, BUILD not only serves as a powerful and visible reminder that new opportunities have arrived, but it plays an active part in revitalizing the neighborhood through its many and continually expanding programs—youth services, community work zone, locally-owned café, and community garden.
80% of LBBA projects in 2022-2023 are located in communities with predominantly minority populations or rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods.
Empowering Neighborhoods
Part of moving the needle on critical issues facing our cities is meeting our clients and building users where they live. LBBA’s project work is focused on empowering neighborhoods that have been underserved because of disinvestment, changing demographics, or structural racism. Our projects seek to provide housing, social services, and community spaces in places where they are needed the most.
BUILD Chicago
In 2018, over 400 leaders from Chicago’s Austin neighborhood came together to develop a neighborhood revitalization plan. The resulting Quality-of-Life Plan, Austin Forward. Together. (AFT), serves as a blueprint for healthy growth and development in Austin. AFT is in active use, and as a lead member of that coalition, BUILD was asked to lead two critical strategic areas—Youth Empowerment and Public Safety. BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development) is a nationally respected gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organization based on Chicago’s West Side. LBBA worked with BUILD to develop their programming and design for an expansion of their existing facility located in the Austin neighborhood. Conceived of as a campus, the project includes the rehabilitation of BUILD’s existing building, and the new construction of a 37,000 sf facility.
Since its completion in 2022, the new campus has become a community hub for the Austin neighborhood. Directly off I-290, BUILD not only serves as a powerful and visible reminder that new opportunities have arrived, but it plays an active part in revitalizing the neighborhood through its many and continually expanding programs—youth services, community work zone, locally-owned café, and community garden.
CLIENTS
77 % of our projects in 2022-2023 include women and minority-led partners in prime, consultant, or contractor roles.
Commitment to Partnership
Our projects cannot be completed without a dedicated team all pulling in the same direction. From 2022-2023, we were fortunate to collaborate with a broad team of women- and minority-led design, development, and construction partners who share a collective vision for change. It is in all of our best interests for a diverse and representative project team to be tackling these challenges together.