Angie Brooks on social and climate concerns as part of design

“I have always seen sustainability and social concerns as part of design,” says architect Angie Brooks. This perspective is rooted, in part, in her undegrad architectural studies that emphasized regionalism. And since her early days in practice, Angie has felt that architects should shape the framework within which they work. Her career and practice, with partner Larry Scarpa, shows how architects can be proactive agents of change. Angie's passion for communities has led to advocacy and policy work and a commitment to tackling tough topics. This manifests in a number of ways, including the recent Density for Quality of Life and Social Capital exhibit and grant funding for affordable housing pilots and a toolkit for developers, community groups, and architects. “We have to continue to think beyond the building,” she says. “Our profession can do so much good if we reject traditional silos and respond to the community.”