It is our responsibility to serve the public interest. Because this cannot be done without understanding the needs of urban dwellers of all walks of life, we should foster community engagement and collaboration as a critical part of a designer’s education and skill set. Buildings are not stand-alone pieces of art, but living, breathing pieces of our urban centers. Learning to craft shared visions, build consensus, and collect and incorporate feedback is critical to the success of most projects. It is not only the right thing to do, but the smart thing. With the benefit of community stewardship and creativity, buildings and public spaces can reflect, engage, and inspire those they serve through education and culture.

Context is so critical to architecture. Clients often view context through the lens of what physically surrounds a site. It’s our responsibility to show them how deep context goes, especially as it relates to the cultural and social dynamics that make a community distinct, and the environmental implications associated with architecture. The profession needs to get to a point where designing for context isn’t viewed as an option or add-on. It needs to be the only way we design.

Winston Churchill famously said, “We shape our buildings, thereafter they shape us.” In no place is this more critical and relevant than in the area of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The code requires members not to discriminate. However, architects must be more than passive nonoffenders. They must be active promoters of diversity within their firms and project teams. A diverse team brings a wide range of perspectives, which are in turn reflected in the ultimate design. A design born from a single perspective will serve to reinforce that perspective in society. Likewise, a design born of diverse perspectives will foster a community that values that diversity.

This rule references the applicable federal civil rights laws barring discrimination. What the Code fails to do is to contextualize this overarching statement to actionable steps to ensure an equitable workplace. Implicit biases are often overlooked in the workplace. When we work in an environment, we bring with us many preconceived ideas about ethnic groups other than our own. So the most important thing is to discuss the following: How do we create an office culture where we can first just acknowledge the powers at play? Who makes decisions in the office? Which groups are — and never are — at the table? How do we first assess the situation to create a more inclusive environment?

Architecture is a profession that influences and fosters social interaction, response, and behavior. The physical artifact that we produce and the accompanying social engagement that architecture generates provide a direct link between professional practice and interpersonal activities. An example to recognize that connection and to strengthen the Code of Ethics would be to edit E.S. 1.4 with “... all their professional and personal endeavors,” and its associated Rule with “... in their professional and personal activities.” Uncivilized behavior of any kind is not tolerated outside the workplace, including: racial and sexual harassment; verbal, physical, and online intimidation; and violence of any kind. It seems appropriate to more strongly link that intolerance to professional conduct.