Building People has announced new partnerships which it hopes will help the online inclusion hub to further its mission to improve representation across the built environment.
Building People has announced new partnerships which it
hopes will help the online inclusion hub to further its mission to improve
representation across the built environment.
Formed in 2017, Building People provides a free-to-use
‘equity, diversity and inclusion’ hub that brings together built environment
work opportunities, events and knowledge, simplifying connections between
industry need and people from under-represented groups.
The new partners include the Chartered Institution of Civil
Engineering Surveyors (CICES) and the Chartered Institute of Architectural
Technologists (CIAT) which bring industry expertise, wide networks and a desire
to push for progressive change.
Commenting on the partnerships, Building People’s founder
Rebecca Lovelace said, “Joining forces with CIAT and CICES has bolstered both
the number and clout of professional bodies we partner with.”
“Our overall goal is to be the centre for excellence when it
comes to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the built environment – collaboration
is key to achieving that vision, which is why we’re looking forward to working
together to improve representation and to create inclusive cultures.”
Black Females in Architecture (BFA) and Deaf Architecture
Front (DAF) have also joined Building People’s wider network of organisations
that provide careers support to people from under-represented groups.
The ‘network of networks’ now has over sixty members, with
areas of focus including Race and Ethnicity, Gender, Youth, and Disability,
Neurodiversity and Wellbeing.
Chris Laing from the Deaf Architecture Front commented, “We
hope that being part of Building People Network will promote deaf awareness and
our work will give greater opportunities for deaf people to become visible in a
greater and wider built environment.”
“Shockingly, in the UK, there are fewer than fifteen Deaf
Architecture students and even fewer qualified architects. Underrepresentation
is due to several barriers, including a lack of British Sign Language
technology, limited work opportunities and low visibility.”
A spokesperson from Black Females in Architecture added,
“BFA is constantly seeking to collaborate with like-minded organisations within
our industry and this invaluable partnership with Building People allows us to
do just that. We’re excited to engage with such a rich network.”
Rebecca Lovelace concluded, “We’re thrilled to welcome Black
Females in Architecture (BFA) and Deaf Architecture Front (DAF) to Building
People and to our collaborative movement for inclusive change.”
“Bringing together and amplifying the voices of the
under-represented forms a key part of what we do at Building People. The more
that organisations such as BFA and DAF join in, the more we can drive
behavioural and cultural change together.”