It is an unprecedented time of change and turmoil in the United States and this warrants a public statement to directly address our positions as individuals, as a company and as architects. The systems and beliefs we incorporate in our private and professional lives are a matter of pride and dignity and this statement serves as that declaration.
In my lifetime, I have seen change for the better in lawmaking and social progress as a world leading country. I have seen hope rise and effort be rewarded for those who have been denied the power to be my equal. I have seen people of all kinds come together to strengthen one another and rise above the terrible mistakes of the past. Until recent times, I had never doubted we would, as a nation, continue down the path of freedom and the endowment of self power to the individual. These last few years have changed that, causing me to have doubt on the direction we are headed as a whole. My station is both a privilege and a power and I have not been using it. I will embetter those around me and in doing so, my hope is that I can become a stepping stone for others to achieve greatness, to achieve security, to achieve equity. I will not give up on the faith that this world and everyone in it has the power to be better, to do better and to actuate change for good. And that they deserve it.
As a company and individuals, we are (and will continue to remain) a professional discipline as registered architects. Our foundations have been tested and made stronger by the act of inclusion and our organization has spread beyond political borders. There have been times, historically, where we did only cater to a certain class, but younger generations have taught us how and why we needed to change. We pride ourselves on adapting and moving upward as a whole, especially within the framework of the rights and privileges of our fellow humans. We will not step backward in our code of ethics. We will not bend under legislation that attempts to force out those members who are not of the civil majority or the financial upper cap. We will honor those that brought change before us and offer our values and experience to those that will continue after. As professionals, we see everyone as constituents in the build environment and act accordingly. We are a profession, we are professionals. We acknowledge and accept the responsibility that comes from this declaration.
As a company and individuals, we are committed to the inclusion of all people. The very nature of sustainability applies to the aspects of economic, environmental and social continuation for future generations. We will not abandon any marginalized community. Not based on gender, not based on race, not based on physical and mental ability. We understand the marginalized community groups are those of different race, gender, sexual orientation, mental faculty, physical ability and financial stability. We make no distinguishing line between the needs of one as greater or less than any other.
As a company and individuals, we will not embrace, promote or condone legislation and majority practices that violate our ethical values of equality. It is a choice to be kind. It is a choice to be considerate. It is a choice to consider yourself no better than any other living breathing human on this planet. It is a choice to include everyone. A law can not supersede the inherent good in making decisions that benefit everyone, everywhere.
As a company and individuals, we will no longer promote products, services and goods from companies that do not share our same valuation of life and justice.
As a company we will assist marginalized communities by donating a portion of our profit every quarter to a different organization that promotes human rights or supports those in need in our community.
As a company we will discount all services for businesses owned and operated by marginalized community members.
As a company we will discount all services for businesses that, by their nature, benefit marginalized communities.
As a company and individuals, we will evaluate all of our professional associations and memberships in comparison to our moral code above and respond accordingly.
~ Jeremy Smith, AIA NCARB
Goals/Mission Statements
- We seek to promote sustainable development with an emphasis on energy efficiency, modern technology and integration of updated systems. We are always looking for ways to integrate modern best practice methods in an environment facing energy shortages and climate change.
- We work on small to medium sized projects so we can remain involved with our clients face to face and get to know them on a personal level.
- We promote architecture as a profession and seek to educate the next generation of designers while promoting architecture as both parts professional practice and a members of the art and design community as a whole.
- We acknowledge and promote human rights through universal design and a business philosophy that promotes the acceptance of clients and employees regardless of ethnicity, physical ability or gender identity & preference.
Then and Now: A History in Brief
Dimensions Architecture Studio, then branded as Dimensions Incorporated, was formed in 1992 by three partners. Each of the founding members was a licensed architect who brought their own flair and expertise to the company by focusing in different areas of business and architecture. During Dimensions’ early, formative years, two of the three partners sold their stock in the company to Michael C Perry, AIA who then become the sole owner and thus the entirety of the driving force in terms of business leadership and design ideology.
Mr. Perry was the principal architect for Dimensions for nearly 30 years and influenced the success of the company with a friendly, client oriented philosophy coupled with an old school, hands on approach to design solutions. The success of which is measured both in the volume of completed projects and the retention of a strong client base. As Mike approached the end of his tenure as president and looked forward to a well earned retirement, he opted to sell the ownership of Dimensions to ensure the company's continued success.
The transition was completed 2022 when Mr. Perry sold the business to Jeremy Smith, who had formerly been an employee mentored by Mike. Jeremy assumed the role of president full time and has continued the processes originally created by Mike, only adding touch of new technology and technique. Taking leadership queues from Mike, Jeremy employs the same traditions of personal client relationship while coupling design strategies with sustainable ideals and computer assisted analysis. The firm remains strong by supporting and promoting existing clients and seeking new means and methods to expand its portfolio of services and abilities. The next chapter for Dimensions is made possible by continued growth and the acknowledgement that our clients make us who we are.
