Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)

To design the healthiest communities possible, architects must embrace our responsibility to foster a true culture of DEIB. While SMS has embraced a culture of diversity since our inception, we started researching options to formalize DEIB in our workplace in 2022. We actively seek to build upon our established foundation of diversity through continual assessments, workshops, and training offered by professional DEIB consultants. By celebrating our individual backgrounds and lived experiences, we bolster internal unity, discover broader solutions to external challenges, and empower staff to confront difficult cultural issues. The result is a better workplace and better projects.

Minority, Small, Veteran, and Women’s Business Enterprises (MSVWBE)

Studio Meng Strazzara is a proactive member of our business community and an unwavering supporter of opportunity for small businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans. Our formal mentoring program consists of outreach, partnering, knowledge sharing, and evaluations. We maintain communication with our MSVWBE partners to review teaming opportunities, staff involvement, and industry insights. We firmly believe that as our partners grow, our collective team grows.

SMS remains responsive and committed to our clients by maintaining a small staff of dedicated professionals. In the instances where we need to reach outside our firm to fulfill a project need, we engage our network of emerging and established MSVWBE subconsultants. We frequently work directly with clients during the procurement process to compose the best team to meet their overall goals.

Finally, we also enlist DEIB consultants for project outreach. These important collaborators help make sure all community voices are heard while holding our project teams accountable to pre-established MSVWBE goals.

Land Acknowledgement

Our Seattle office overlooks Pike Place Market and Elliott Bay—the traditional and unceded land of the Duwamish People. We draw inspiration from this beautiful setting and seek to honor the first, present, and future people of this region by creating truly communal spaces.