News: Architectural Nexus Earns JUST Label
Architectural Nexus has become the first organization in the Intermountain West and the first design firm in the State of California to earn the distinction of a JUST label. The social justice and transparency initiative is promoted by the Living Future Institute, the same organization that administers the Living Building Challenge.
The JUST program acts as a “nutrition label” for socially just and equitable organizations by providing measureable criteria on a wide range of organization and employee related indicators. These indicators fall into categories such as diversity, equity, safety, worker benefit, local benefit, and stewardship. Each of the indicator metrics asks for simple yet specific and measurable accountabilities in order for the organization to be recognized at a One, Two, or Three Star Level, which is then summarized elegantly on a label.
“In a relatively short timeframe since program launch, the JUST Program has garnered worldwide interest and is helping organizations to develop better employee engagement policies and community stewardship practices”, says JUST Program Manager, Francis Janes. “We are delighted to see Architectural Nexus join the ranks of JUST labeled organizations with the distinction of being the first design firm in Utah and California States to earn the JUST Label.”
For Architectural Nexus, an Employee Owned company, the value of pursuing and garnering the JUST label has revealed confidence in existing business customs such as pay-scale equity and continuing education for employees as well as areas where the company must yet strive to outperform standard professional practice.
Architectural Nexus president Kenner Kingston sees the JUST label as an extension to other transparency initiatives that the company is involved in. “The design and construction industry is currently undergoing a revolution relative to the full disclosure of building material ingredients, especially those known to be harmful to human health,” says Kingston. “Architectural Nexus has been a leader in this regard by requiring all of our vendors to provide transparency documentation so that we can make appropriate choices on behalf of our clients and the public-at-large. The JUST label is our way of demonstrating this ethic internally and has helped to reinforce our values of inspiration, stewardship, and regeneration by demonstrating that, after all, what we do is for people, not buildings.”
This label marks the beginning of a new era of corporate transparency. The International Living Future Institute invites organizations everywhere to evaluate themselves through this social justice and equity lens and become a JUST organization. With support from participating organizations, a better, more socially just and equitable world can be created.
For more information about the JUST label please visit living-future.org.