Advocating for Change

We recognize the important role architects play in community development and are committed to using our voices and professional skills to advocate for platforms that we believe benefit others and contribute positive change. Beyond good design theories and practices, it takes a holistic mix of industries and services to advance commitments to mental health services and school resources.

Practicing Stewardship

A truly sustainable school, campus, or community space encourages conservation and restoration when it comes to the use of financial, environmental, and human resources. We believe that educational institutions and municipalities have a civic responsibility to practice stewardship. And we believe it is our obligation as architects to provide high performance buildings to the communities we serve.

Measuring Our Impact

In addition to reporting on the 2030 Commitment, we are signatories of advocacy initiatives calling for the stronger emphasis on the need to address climate change. We are also signatories of the Architects Advocate and are participating in the Just Design initiative to promote best practices related to hiring and firm management. The JUST Label offers a framework for building firm-wide accountability and engaging staff in an ongoing dialogue about what it means to be a socially just and equitable organization. VMDO is the first architecture firm in Virginia and the third firm in the Mis-Atlantic to achieve the label.

We are proud to design high quality work that exemplifies the power of architecture to respond with care and nuance to the large issues facing our and future generations, and to advocate for the health and wellness of people and ecosystems both far and near.