We believe in the power of design to create positive change in our communities. And, we know that our people can have a profound impact as well. Steinberg Hart is a passionate supporter of our team members’ active involvement in the communities where we live and work. We believe that participating in volunteer activities is a tangible benefit for our communities and for our team members personal growth and leadership skills. We seek out opportunities to come together as a team to build camaraderie and support our communities.
Values
Community Engagement
Our communities matter. We proudly make real contributions to our communities, not only through the impact of design, but through our investment in long-term partnerships. Steinberg Hart passionately supports causes that align with our work and with our identity, to create memorable places that become part of the fabric of people’s lives.
Youth Mentorship
Architecture is a people business, and part of that means inspiring people to become architects. Steinberg Hart’s is proud of our reputation as a firm that cultivates young minds and exposes them to design and architecture. We aspire to see a next generation of young architects that truly reflects the communities that we serve, and we strive to open up new career possibilities for underserved students. Through our continued sponsorship and dedicated involvement in organizations such as ACE Mentorship and NOMA Project Pipeline, our team members uphold our values of building communities and supporting learning.
Community Volunteering
As Co-Chairs of the JEDI Committee, we are committed to promoting equity by addressing biases and embracing inclusion. We strive to support a company culture that encourages collaboration and innovation, where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but
recognized as crucial to our success.
Sunny Palmer, AIA & Rachel Case, AIA
JEDI Committee Co-Chairs
Scholarships
Steinberg Hart sponsors four scholarships annually for underrepresented students or students in need. Our scholarships at UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and Historically Black Colleges & Universities are awarded to outstanding architecture students to assist with the purchase of school and model supplies, and is awarded upon nomination by a professor and submission of a portfolio. The scholarship comes with an offer of a paid summer internship in any of our offices.
Community Stewardship
Steinberg Hart staff and leadership are deeply involved with local community committees, and many are active members and leaders of local community boards. We believe that real change can come from influencing policy and advocating for the needs of our cities and communities.
Leadership and Advocacy
Our firm leadership are members of the following, among others: San Jose Downtown Association Board of Directors, Urban Land Institute Los Angeles Advisory Board, City of Alameda’s Planning Board, SPUR Board of Directors, Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice Empowerment Board of Directors, Urban Confluence Silicon Valley Advisory Committee, San Jose Downtown Design Committee, Los Angeles Zoning Advisory Committee, and the San Jose Downtown Rotary Club Facilities Committee. In addition, as leaders in the profession, our team is committed to the knowledge sharing and advancing the field of architecture. As such, we are deeply involved in the American Institute of Architecture’s committees both at a national and local level.
Pro Bono
Steinberg Hart has pledged 1% of all billable hours each year towards pro bono efforts that tangibly benefit our local communities. Recent pro bono efforts include work with a WWI Veterans Community Center, the Institute of Music for Children, Los Angeles’ Skid Row Housing Trust, Homeless/Affordable Housing Options for San Jose Housing Symposium in collaboration with Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese, the Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana (MACLA) Best Buy Teen Center, and Mi Casa, Su Casa, an award-wining children’s play structure design and construction through the Ronald McDonald House.
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion [ JEDI ]
Steinberg Hart’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion [ JEDI ] was born of a renewed focus on the power that we have as design professionals and community members to identify, confront, and eradicate elements of inequity and racism in our company, in design, and in our communities. We sincerely believe that a diverse team makes us better – better designers, better collaborators, and better equipped to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.
JEDI Mission
Our JEDI group’s mission is focused on: supporting causes that align with our mission of justice, specifically those that work to advance anti-racism, equity in architecture, and the creation of economic opportunities in historically disadvantaged communities; developing and nurturing genuine relationships with educational institutions, sharing our passion for design with minority students to inspire the next generation of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) design professionals; and equitable opportunities for employment, meaningful contributions, and advancement for BIPOC within Steinberg Hart.
Day of Service
Our annual “Day of Service” causes are nominated and voted upon by firm employees from among a list of organizations curated by the JEDI Group. On occasion, our Day of Service provides the opportunity to collaborate with The Sustainability Group on their efforts, as climate change has greatly impacted underserved communities. Our involvement ranges from shelter builds, food service at shelters, food bank drive and organization, to assembling care packages. park cleanup and neighborhood beautification. Since 2020, we have been partnered with national hygiene bank Simply the Basics, annually assembling thousands of hygiene kits with basic essentials like toothbrushes, socks, deodorant, and soap more to support the health and wellness of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Donation Drive
Our annual giving drive benefits non-profits that specifically work to raise up underrepresented communities of color. Each office selects three local organizations that they are passionate about, drumming up support over the course of the month-long drive. When we reach our firmwide goal, Steinberg Hart matches employee donations 1:1. Since 2020, we collectively raised nearly $60,000 in support of organizations such as Community Coalition, ACE Mentorship, Girl’s Garage, and Second Harvest of Silicon Valley.
Being a part of the JEDI group has by far been one of the most meaningful experiences in my professional career. This employee-led movement has had a profound impact on office culture for the better, both on our efforts externally and internally. We have raised the firm's cultural awareness, creating opportunities for more meaningful connections between our team members and with our communities.
Samantha Chastang
Marketing Director
