We believe creating an environment that promotes diversity, inclusion and equality is key to our strength and success as an organisation. By embracing these principles, we can create an environment where individuals thrive both personally and professionally. This year, we celebrated Pride Month (June) and Disability Pride Month (July) with a series of internal initiatives:
Innovation for inclusion
Eva Tisnikar, Architectural Researcher at Foster + Partners put together a timeline mapping the development of tools and devices that were originally designed to assist people with disabilities, but are now widely used by everyone. From typewriters (dating back to 1808) and dropped kerbs (1967), to electric toothbrushes (1954) and audio books (1931), Eva’s research acknowledges the original context that drove these inventions and their ensuing wider contribution to everyday life.
Illuminating talks
We hosted a series of talks and welcomed external speakers to the practice to learn from their lived experiences.
‘Queerness in Football’ with Chris Paouros.
We invited Chris Paouros, Consultant, Advisor, and LGBTQI+ activist, to share her journey and insights on how football, traditionally a conservative industry, has become a trailblazer for inclusion. Chris, who has been a prominent figure in the LGBTQI+ sports community, highlighted the power of football in bringing people together and nurturing a sense of belonging.
‘Where do I go? Navigating spaces as a blind bisexual mother’ with Dr. Amy Kavanagh.
Award-winning disability activist, Dr. Amy Kavanagh spoke about navigating sexuality, gender, motherhood and blindness. Amy advocates for a more accessible world through her consultancy, writing, and public speaking. Her talk emphasised the importance of ensuring Pride celebrations are inclusive of disabled queer people by challenging physical barriers and negative assumptions.
Experiencing Architecture
Our inclusive design specialists and our Disabilities Network hosted a collaborative panel discussion - in partnership with Sociability - which delved into the different experiences people have in the built environment and explored how design can be harnessed as a tool for empowerment and social transformation; an inclusive and resilient future for all.
The panel, titled 'Experiencing Architecture', welcomed Mei-Yee Man Oram, Access and Inclusive Environments Lead at Arup; Jos Boys, Co-founder of The DisOrdinary Architecture Project; Christopher Laing, Founder of Deaf Architecture Front; Dr Amy Kavanagh, Disability Activist and Access Professional and Saida Ahmed Actor, Poet and Writer.
The discussion was moderated by Matt Pierri, Founder and CEO of Sociability and Suzan Ucmaklioglu, Inclusive Design Specialist at Foster + Partners.
Global celebrations
Our global studios celebrated Pride in their own unique ways.
