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DB3 join the Force of Good with Heart of the City

Following a comprehensive assessment, DB3 Architecture is delighted to accept a place in the newcomer programme run by the charity Heart of the City. Their responsible business programme seeks to guide SMEs in making an even more positive impact on people, places and the planet.

DB3’s application for this important programme reflects our shared value of doing the right thing and aims to expand on our existing Environmental, Social and Governance activities. With the expertise and help of Heart of the City, we aim to firm up our objectives and activities and implement these across all our UK-wide studios from London, to Cardiff and Aberystwyth in Wales, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds and all the way up to our Glasgow studio in Scotland.

The Beating Heart

The Beating Heart

Established in 2000, Heart of the City is a charity supported by the City of London Corporation and City Bridge Trust. Working with SMEs, the charity delivers workshops, masterclasses, webinars, expert mentors and networking opportunities to guide businesses to making a genuine positive impact.

Their programme focuses on how businesses can support their local community, reduce their environmental impact, build a more diverse workforce and look after their employees’ wellbeing.

Protecting the Environment beyond Sustainable Architecture

Protecting the Environment beyond Sustainable Architecture

As architects we are very conscious of the impact that buildings have on the environment, in particular with regards to carbon emissions. We are passionate about reducing these through sustainable designs and are also investing in Passivhaus training.

With the help of the Heart of the City programme, DB3 aim to explore further practical environmental steps we can also take in running our seven UK-wide studios. Initiatives such as further waste reduction, additional recycling programmes as well as reviewing existing energy suppliers are some of the areas that we aim to enhance.

Making a Positive Impact on our Communities

Making a Positive Impact on our Communities

The very essence of our work and the main drive for our architects, engineers and designers is creating buildings and spaces that positively improve people’s lives and also bring joy to them when using them.

 

We are looking to expand our engagement with our local communities on a regular basis and aim to identify further actions we can take to making lasting impacts locally. One initiative we are exploring is a DB3 Employee Volunteering Programme – any organisation who would benefit from volunteering hours are invited to get in touch. 

Celebrating Diversity

Celebrating Diversity

We are continuously working at enhancing diversity in our business and are committed to eliminating discrimination by encouraging a working environment which is inclusive to all.

We are proud of our existing international team and recruit based on merit with special care taken to ensure procedures are free from biases related to a candidate’s age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and other personal characteristics that are unrelated to their job performance.

Health and Wellbeing : Fundraising for Mind

Health and Wellbeing : Fundraising for Mind

The pandemic has triggered, what Mind call a mental health emergency, so DB3 decided to support them in their quest to help those affected by it by choosing them as our Charity of the Year 2021. We have a series of challenges and activities lined up as DB3 seek to not only raise funds but also awareness of mental health across our business but also the wider community.

Our activities tie closely together with the DB3 Wellbeing value, which also includes the introduction of private healthcare for DB3 employees as well as other initiatives to nurture DB3 staffs’ wellbeing. We will explore other initiatives and ideas from Heart in the City to further boost health and wellbeing.

“Being accepted on the Heart of the City programme represents the next milestone in our journey to be more responsible as a business and we are proud to be part of their expansive network. The first workshops have already been incredibly insightful and we look forward to implementing our learnings and collaborating with their community of likeminded businesses who also strive to make a difference.”

“Being accepted on the Heart of the City programme represents the next milestone in our journey to be more responsible as a business and we are proud to be part of their expansive network. The first workshops have already been incredibly insightful and we look forward to implementing our learnings and collaborating with their community of likeminded businesses who also strive to make a difference.”

Julius Steinert, Director and Head of DB3 London Studio

Date Published: 18 March 2021
Tags: Charity, CSR, Environment, Environmental, Fundraising, Heart of the City, Julius Steinert, mind, Social and Governance activities., sustainable, Wellbeing

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