Today's graduates from accredited architecture schools have a growing stream of opportunity to leave the "traditional path" practicing architecture for an occupation that seemingly offers better work-life balance and a higher salary than most interns working in an architecture firm. Having completed the intern development program and worked for firms designing everywhere from high-end residential, big box retail, k-12 educational, and government buildings, it did not take long for me to start looking for a chance to do something I felt could be more fulfilling than dealing with building departments, rotating boards, and multi-client projects. The search prompted me to make a move from Orange County to San Francisco, California in a result that led to more work, a little less pay, and oddly enough, an even greater appreciation for those still towing the “traditional path.” In July 2007 I joined Public Architecture's small staff of two as the first Program Manager to their 1% program .

A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Public Architecture strives to put the resources of architecture in service of the public interest through their advocacy design campaigns and The 1% program. Established in 2003, Public Architecture is probably best known for their Scraphouse project a six week blitz design-build project that resulted in a house built entirely of scrap on San Francisco’s capital lawn in conjunction with World Environment day in 2005. The project resulted in a National Geographic Documentary by Award winning filmmaker Anna Fitch. More recently Public Architecture has been getting attention for their Day Labor Station which was recently featured in the Cooper-Hewitt’s exhibition, “Design for the Other 90%” and The 1% program, that currently has over 300 firm participants pledging to close to 100,000 hours of design service (roughly $10 million services) pro bono on an annual basis.

The 1% program asks architecture firms for 1%, or more specifically 1% of billable hours from every firm employee, roughly 20 hours per employee per year. Although the program is not asking for much, the potential is enormous –

If every architecture professional in the U.S. committed 1% of their time to pro bono service, it would add up to 5,000,000 hours annually – the equivalent of 2,500-person firm, working for the public good.

This past October, in order to facilitate the pledges of The 1% firm participants, Public Architecture added a nonprofit matching component to the release of V2.0 of The 1% website. The response has been exceptional and there are currently over 100 nonprofits in need of design assistance. The AIA has been one of the largest contributors to The 1% program, with over $100,000 in funds coming from local and national components. Additionally the AIA has built a case for pro bono work within the profession by expanding the Ethical Standard 2.2, Public Interest Services in their Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct by adding explicit references to pro bono services, “rendered without expecting compensation, including those rendered for indigent persons, after disasters, or in other emergencies.”

“The Institute’s AIA 150—Blueprint for America initiative and the growth of Public Architecture’s 1% Program are but two instances that have prompted both AIA components and architecture firms to make a formal commitment to providing pro bono services to those sectors of our society that have not historically been well served by the profession.” 
                                                  ~Anthony Tony J. Costello, FAIA & co-chair of a subcommittee on pro bono.

Although a small amount of time, the past 8 months in my new position as Public Architecture’s program manager to The 1% Program has put me in touch with architects across the country making great contributions, of a variety sizes, within their local communities. We have Large firms represented such as Perkins + Will, notable firms such as William McDonough + Partners, and many sole proprietors giving more than their fair share of 1% back to the public. The work done by our 1% participating firms are an inspiration. The 1% is more than a program, it is a movement - bringing value back to the profession of architecture and giving everyone a chance to experience well designed environments. I am all too happy to tell their story and share the success of others.