Social Impact

At WRNS Studio, design is a civic act that strengthens communities and enriches the public realm.

Pro-bono commitment

Since WRNS Studio’s founding in 2005, we’ve dedicated ourselves to pro-bono work, collaborating with non-profits like the Trust for Public Land, 826 Valencia, and numerous schools to create inclusive, welcoming spaces that offer educational opportunities and open green space in under-resourced communities.

Featured Pro-bono Projects

boeddeker-list-detail — Boeddeker Park, one of four projects with the Trust for Public Land, welcomes people of all ages.
Learn more

This new tutoring center for 826 Valencia sparks creativity and love of learning.
Learn more

The Hayes Valley Playground serves a vibrant and diverse urban neighborhood.
Learn more

The Bridge School supports students with speech and physical impairments.
Learn more

WRNS Studio Foundation

WRNS Studio Foundation offers scholarships to encourage and support Black students pursuing higher education and careers in architecture. WRNS Studio Foundation provides multi-year academic and financial support with dedicated advisors and mentorship. Visit us here to learn more.

Recipients

**Dillys “Nashia” Olise**
Class of 2024
I grew up in a community that was constantly flooded during the rainy seasons due to improper disposal of everyday waste and the poor drainage system in our community…I started to understand the politics involved in the allocation of resources for various communities, where some are favored more than others. As an architecture student, I want to confront these systems of oppression by engaging in these often overlooked topics and building for communities in need.

**Craig Thompson**
Class of 2024
Many high-rise apartment complexes are miserable, ugly, lonely places. Community interaction is important in public housing, and I would focus on building this into my designs…I feel that there is a lot that can be done in architecture and design to address these injustices.

**Carl-Hanee “Hanee” Coquillon**
Class of 2024
Having grown up in Haiti, I have witnessed first-hand the stark disparities between different social groups. The varying quality of neighborhoods, from slums to middle-class and upper-class areas, has shaped my understanding of how our environment influences our future. This has sparked my desire to address housing disparities and create homes that foster a sense of belonging, regardless of social standing.

**Frank Obi**
Class of 2023
“We as humans were created to make the world better for the people in the present and for the future generation.”

**Kaylie Jaquez**
Class of 2023
“Architecture encourages us to slow down, take a moment to notice our surroundings, and cherish the present.”

**Adneth Marie Kaze**
Class of 2023
“I’m committed to becoming the change I want to see and increasing representation in architecture.”

studioWRNS Education Workshop

The mission of studioWRNS (a reverse play on our name) is to attract Black and Brown students to the field of architecture by offering free educational programs, including after-school courses, workshops, and lectures at local schools and community centers.

For more information about studioWRNS, visit our Instagram. To participate in our courses, workshops, or lecture series, contact us at studioWRNS@wrnsstudio.com

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

For us, equity transcends the finished product of architecture; it’s embedded in the process. We begin by forming a diverse and culturally competent team to build trust during stakeholder engagement and we hold meetings in accessible locations and languages, at times when people can meet.

Inclusive design is good design

We believe inclusive universal design means creating spaces that are welcoming, accessible, comfortable, and full of choice for everyone. Our goal is to elevate the human experience by providing equitable access to daylight, fresh air, views, and nature. Beyond accessibility standards, we design to empower those with neurodiversity, mixed abilities, and different body types through thoughtful site planning, materials, colors, and furnishings.