The Kubala Washatko Architects becomes Wisconsin’s first ‘Public Benefit’ Design Firm
A benefit corporation is a for-profit company that focuses on making a positive impact on society.
Urban Ecology Center. ©The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc.
Milwaukee, March 13, 2018 – The Kubala Washatko Architects, Inc. (TKWA) announced a new chapter in its history as a leader in social and environmental responsibility. TKWA has become the first architecture firm to embrace Wisconsin’s newly-enacted benefit corporation legislation. A benefit corporation is a for-profit company that focuses on making a positive impact on society. In November 2017, Wisconsin became the 34th state to pass legislation creating this new legal entity. Benefit corporation status is a way for a company to enlarge its mission to advance the public good in addition to bottom-line financial performance.
“This firm was founded 38 years ago on the belief that architecture can and should have a regenerative influence on our communities and the planet. This new legislation allows us to write that belief into our articles of incorporation,” said Erik Hancock, partner, and TKWA’s new Benefit Director. “This is also an opportunity to open a new dialogue within our firm as to how we can renew and advance our commitment to positive impact through design.” TKWA embraces a design philosophy of Wholeness, where the built environment supports and enhances both human activity and natural living systems.
TKWA has built their business partnering with like-minded organizations, including:
Urban Ecology Center—Milwaukee’s pioneering model of urban outdoor education.
Arts@Large—transforming the way communities build and support arts-rich education.
First Unitarian Society—a major expansion to a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed National Historic Landmark and one of the world’s most innovative examples of church architecture.
Goodwill Stores and Donation Centers—retail with a social investment mission.
Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center—non-profit social service agency.
Aldo Leopold Legacy Center—dedicated to promoting Aldo Leopold’s pioneering vision of stewardship and restoration of the land. World’s first building to be certified carbonneutral in operation by LEED.
The Dohmen Company—life sciences/health industry company and Wisconsin’s first public benefit corporation.
John Michael Kohler Arts Center—a unique community-based art museum with a mission to foster exchange between artists and the public.
As part of its commitment to equity and transparency, TKWA is also a JUST-label organization. The JUST designation is a platform for companies to self-report on a range of specific equity metrics. TKWA’s JUST label is annually updated and publicly available at http://bit.ly/kwa01just.
TKWA Projects
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
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I have previously saluted Kubala Washatko for their wonderful work in designing the Urban Ecology Center’s Riverside Park branch, and am pleased to recognize them for becoming a public benefits company!