HMC Architects last Saturday participated in the Second Annual Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA) Design by Diversity (DxD) Block Party at Sci-ARC in Downtown Los Angeles. The event, held on Saturday, March 25, celebrated inclusivity in design-related disciplines by providing various activities and modes of engagement between students, educators, and professionals to share information, resources, and excitement for design.

DxD is a committee under the ACLA umbrella that focuses on raising public awareness regarding the role of architectural design and creating outreach programs within student communities to develop a more diverse talent pipeline. HMC hosted an interactive booth and activity, building a community with structures created from everyday objects. HMC employee-owners also shared the firm’s purpose, Design for Good, and engaged students through portfolio reviews, mock interviews, and mentorship sessions.

Every year the DxD committee aims to highlight a renowned architectural figure in the Southern California region. This year’s featured architect was Norma Merrick Sklarek. Sklarek was the first African American woman licensed in California and New York and the first African American woman Fellow with the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Her major projects include California Mart, Los Angeles; Fox Plaza, San Francisco; Park Center Commercial Complex, San Jose; San Bernardino City Hall, San Bernardino; Commons-Courthouse Center, Columbus, Indiana; The United States Embassy, Tokyo, Japan; Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles; Terminal One at the Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles; and Mall of America, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

As a proud majority-minority firm whose mission is to positively impact the communities we serve, it was a natural way for HMC to contribute and connect. If you’d like to get involved next year as a student, volunteer, or sponsor, please visit the ACLA website here.