We Are OZ Architecture: 2020 Year in Review

As we look back on 2020, we have learned so much on how we work and live. Join us as we look forward to big changes in the design industry.

At OZ, we strive to create a culture of success, respect, and positivity. We believe that "who we are" is so much more than an architectural firm.

Contributing to our mutual communities is one of the great honors of doing business with you. Together we aim to improve our communities by enriching the lives of those in need.

With this in mind, the selection of organizations for OZ Architecture’s 2020 year end gifts came with consideration of our values and goals, impact in the communities that we work, and potential for future partnerships. These organizations are providing services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and support our values of stewardship of the community, making others successful and pioneering as well as our goals to fight climate change and for social equity.

Growhaus We selected Growhaus because they are a local organization focusing on social equity and food justice within our neighboring communities. Since March, Growhaus has pivoted their services to provide emergency food packages to families in need due to the impacts of COVID-19. They have delivered the equivalent of nearly 500,000 meals to 550 unique households (2,550+ individuals) through over 15,000 home deliveries. As the need and demand for their program has continued, they have hired additional staff to assemble emergency food packages and community health workers to continue with service navigation, specifically by connecting residents with available COVID-19 resources and provide highly-personalized support for the families they work with.

GRID Alternatives We selected GRID Alternative because they are a national organization with a local presence that focuses on getting clean and affordable solar power to low-income communities, communities of color, and off-grid communities like Native American tribes. They currently have 306 projects in CO with 263 in Denver. They have additional programs that provide training in solar panel installation for job seekers with a focus on DEI and social equity. We have specifically selected to support their Solar Futures Program which provides STEM education in the solar field to K-12 students. The Solar Futures Program also supports our goal of providing mentorship to the future generations of leaders in professions that can impact our built environment and climate change.

We are immensely grateful to our clients, our partners, and our friends.

Here's to a safe, healthy, and prosperous 2021.