Step Up/Give Back — 1% at a Time

The 1%, a program of Public Architecture, connects architecture and design firms willing to give of their time pro bono to non-profits and other groups that need architectural services. Launched in 2005 with the support of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, The 1% is a first-of-its-kind effort to encourage pro bono service within the architecture and design professions.

Miller Hull is a long-time supporter of, and proud participant in the 1% Program, having provided close to 3,000 hours of pro bono service on more than 40 projects since 2005. The work that we have donated through this program includes traditional architectural design services as well as planning/programming efforts, feasibility studies and fundraising materials for capital campaigns. We have worked with a wide variety of non-profit organizations on projects as far ranging as an orphanage in Sri Lanka and a hospital in Afghanistan, to closer-to-home efforts for the Loon Lake Food Bank in Spokane, an Alcohol & Drug Dependency Recovery Center in Moses Lake and an administration and technology learning center for the Technology Access Foundation (TAF) in White Center. TAF is a non-profit foundation with a mission “to prepare underserved students of color for success in a technology-driven world by providing technology and life skills training.”

Last year, we were honored to be invited by Public Architecture to serve as a 1% Design Advocate — one of 14 firms in the country chosen in recognition of their exemplary public service, leadership in the pro bono movement, and track record of design excellence. The Design Advocates serve as 1% representatives on the ground in their communities, helping to build architecture’s commitment to public service by sharing their pro bono experience as well as the benefits and resources available to design professionals, and the nonprofits they serve.

To that end, we are pleased to host Step Up/Give Back — the first regional Design Advocates gathering in the country — right here in Seattle this Thursday afternoon. There will be representatives from many architectural firms and non-profit organizations along with a beautiful array of locally grown food and drink, generously provided by our sponsor Teknion. We will provide a brief overview of the 1% program and facilitate a discussion on the value of pro bono service. The event will include presentations by a number of non-profit organizations who have benefitted from this program, and will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have about getting involved.

Please join us — along with John Peterson of Public Architecture & co-presenters Matt Hutchins of CAST Architecture and Lisa Richmond of AIA Seattle — at Miller Hull on Thursday afternoon August 4th, 2011 from 4-6pm to learn more about the program and find out how your firm can participate. If you can’t make it to the event, please consider pledging 1% of your firm’s time to this worthwhile program.

Imagine the impact we could collectively have in our communities if we all participated. Just 1% of your time — that’s all it takes. The commitment is small but the benefits are great.