Photo credit: Travis Watson Photography

As a firm committed to social and environmental sustainability, Studio G Architects was an early adopter of The 1% program of Public Architecture. Currently the firm contributes about 5% of its time to pro bono projects, touching the lives of countless individuals and organizations serving those in need. One recent project provided urban planning support to Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative to help formulate a vision for the future of the Dudley Village Campus.

Another is the preliminary design of The Shared Green Roof at Boston Latin School (BLS), in which Studio G worked with middle and high school students involved in the Youth Climate Action Network to design a sustainable and experiential green roof for the oldest school in the country. The pro bono project expanded beyond anybody’s initial expectations. At the start, the goal was to reduce CO2 emissions and heat island effect, and make a visible statement about climate change. The team hoped to improve air quality in their neighborhood and inspire local schools and universities to follow suit. Studio G guided students through a participatory design process including design charrettes, planning sessions and research trips. The resulting roofscape garnered national attention with a segment on the Today Show, special recognition from IFMA Boston at its 2010 Awards of Excellence, and a featured presentation at the School Building Expo in Chicago.

Studio G is currently providing pro bono services to non-profit Historic Boston Inc to figure out a mixed use development that will preserve and repurpose a former farm in the City of Boston.

To learn more about Public Architecture and the 1% challenge, please visit: http://www.publicarchitecture.org/about/