Casius Pealer

Pro bono clients like any other The McCall Design Group, a 35-person firm based in San Francisco, also pledged its time through The 1% program and integrated pro bono service into its business model. The firm specializes in retail interiors for corporate giants like Banana Republic, Williams-Sonoma, Gap, and Victoria’s Secret. This national commercial work is balanced by local pro bono design efforts, including an ongoing relationship with Goodwill Industries to design new Goodwill retail stores. “People say how good it feels to give back, but our primary motivations for doing this work go way beyond a kind of ‘feel-good’

Good Deeds, Good Design Good Deeds, Good Design is the title of a book edited by Bryan Bell, founder of Design Corps, that responds to the notion that the quality of nonprofit design work must inevitably be compromised. Max Bond, FAIA, a partner at New York’s Davis Brody Bond and an architect noted for his interest in underserved communities agrees with the premise of Bell's book. “I always thought that it is really an artificial separation. An interest in community and social issues in no way reduced my interest in design.” Photo: © Jamie Blosser Blosser worked with Van Amburgh

Public and nonprofit practices are playing an increasing role in the professional development of young architects and yield great benefits for all concerned. The entrepreneurialism, close client contact, and quality design work achieved by those fortunate enough to obtain these positions make them desirable for traditional firms who want experienced interns. Yet, the architecture profession does not support these unique training settings as thoroughly as professions such as law and medicine do, so the interns who wish to gain this kind of experience, and those who are in need of services, both go wanting. Photo: © Jamie Blosser Rose Fellow