Global architecture, design, and planning firm HLW has achieved the International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) Just 2.0 Label.
According to an HLW news release, the firm is one of only 177 companies and one of the few architecture firms of its size and reach to obtain the label. The label was developed for organizations to evaluate themselves through a social justice and equity lens.
“The achievement recognizes HLW’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a people-first work environment that celebrates diversity, champions equity, and promotes inclusivity,” the release says. “A nearly two-year-long endeavor, HLW’s pursuit of the Just 2.0 Label establishes a framework for recentering the firm's culture around transparency, responsibility, and social justice.”
Initial certification surveys 22 key performance indicators across six categories:
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Equity
- Employee Health
- Employee Benefits
- Stewardship
- Purchasing & Supply Chain
Each indicator is broken down into a four-tier grading scale, which assesses where the organization falls after satisfying the baseline threshold.
Rather than self-selecting its benchmarks, HLW says it reported on all 22 indicators––in many cases, far surpassing the minimum requirements. Among its strongest categories: Gender Diversity, Engagement, Pay-Scale Equity, Physical Health, Training/Education, and Charitable Giving.
Here is the full press release on HLW achieving the Just 2.0 Label:
HLW is excited to announce our achievement of the International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) Just 2.0 Label, becoming one of only 177 companies and one of the few architecture firms of our size and reach to obtain the label. Developed as a way for organizations to evaluate themselves through a social justice and equity lens for the betterment and sustainability of people, product, and the planet, the achievement recognizes HLW’s ongoing commitment to cultivating a people-first work environment that celebrates diversity, champions equity, and promotes inclusivity.
“Over the last few years, we have spent considerable time looking inward, reflecting on the focus of HLW’s practice and the environment we have cultivated here,” said Susan Boyle, Managing Partner. “As a practice, we are steadfast in the belief that we can drive change in our communities and make a meaningful impact on our world; aligning with the Just program has allowed us to advance that mission at greater depth.”
A nearly two-year-long endeavor, HLW’s pursuit of the Just 2.0 Label establishes a framework for recentering the firm’s culture around transparency, responsibility, and social justice. This effort was spearheaded by BEYOND, the firm’s internal sustainability, resilience, and building performance consultancy led by Global Director of Sustainability and Wellness Jonce Walker, in close collaboration with Project Manager Stephanie Haedrich. Serving as a nutrition label for the firm’s “performance” along a series of targeted metrics, the Just framework also provides a platform for continued introspection, evaluation, and improvement.
“We knew from the beginning that our pursuit of the Just 2.0 Label would define our organization for the future, from policies and practices to the expectations we have set and commitments we have made,” said Walker. “Empowered by HLW’s willingness to be transparent about often-times difficult subjects, we took great time and care in this process and have been humbled by our achievements.”
Initial certification surveys 22 key “performance indicators” across six categories, including: Diversity & Inclusion, Equity, Employee Health, Employee Benefits, Stewardship, and Purchasing & Supply Chain. Each indicator is broken down into a four-tier grading scale, which assesses where the organization falls once satisfying the baseline threshold. Rather than self-selecting its benchmarks, HLW reported on all 22 indicators––in many cases, far surpassing the minimum requirements. Among its strongest categories: Gender Diversity, Engagement, Pay-Scale Equity, Physical Health, Training/Education, and Charitable Giving.
The rubric also established measurable opportunities for performance improvement across a handful of indicators, reporting on which will be required as HLW commits to recertifying every two years. The firm has already made internal adjustments, using the framework to inform new initiatives and strategies, with more planned in the coming months under the purview of Anjali Mathai, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at HLW.
“We could not be prouder of the considerable strides HLW has made in becoming a more transparent and just organization, and we are thrilled at the opportunity to highlight the hard work being done here; but this is only the beginning,” said Mathai. “We recognize the consideration, time, and effort that is required to sustain equity, particularly on a global scale, but we are committed to fostering a purpose and action-driven environment as we look to what’s next.”
Related Stories
| Aug 10, 2022
Gresham Smith Founder, Batey M. Gresham Jr., passes at Age 88
It is with deep sadness that Gresham Smith announces the passing of Batey M. Gresham Jr., AIA—one of the firm’s founders.
| Aug 9, 2022
Work-from-home trend could result in $500 billion of lost value in office real estate
Researchers find major changes in lease revenues, office occupancy, lease renewal rates.
| Aug 9, 2022
5 Lean principles of design-build
Simply put, lean is the practice of creating more value with fewer resources.
| Aug 9, 2022
Designing healthy learning environments
Studies confirm healthy environments can improve learning outcomes and student success.
Legislation | Aug 8, 2022
Inflation Reduction Act includes over $5 billion for low carbon procurement
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, recently passed by the U.S. Senate, sets aside over $5 billion for low carbon procurement in the built environment.
| Aug 8, 2022
Mass timber and net zero design for higher education and lab buildings
When sourced from sustainably managed forests, the use of wood as a replacement for concrete and steel on larger scale construction projects has myriad economic and environmental benefits that have been thoroughly outlined in everything from academic journals to the pages of Newsweek.
AEC Tech | Aug 8, 2022
The technology balancing act
As our world reopens from COVID isolation, we are entering back into undefined territory – a form of hybrid existence.
Legislation | Aug 5, 2022
D.C. City Council moves to require net-zero construction by 2026
The Washington, D.C. City Council unanimously passed legislation that would require all new buildings and substantial renovations in D.C. to be net-zero construction by 2026.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 5, 2022
A time and a place: Telling American stories through architecture
As the United States enters the year 2026, it will commence celebrating a cycle of Sestercentennials, or 250th anniversaries, of historic and cultural events across the land.
Sponsored | | Aug 4, 2022
Brighter vistas: Next-gen tools drive sustainability toward net zero line
New technologies, innovations, and tools are opening doors for building teams interested in better and more socially responsible design.