Architecture at its best transcends buildings—it serves communities. DesignOne brought this philosophy to life with “The Architect Is IN”, a CSR-focused seminar and volunteer workshop in Colombo, in partnership with the Yale Day of Service. The initiative united architects, planners, alumni, and community organizations for a day dedicated to social impact, demonstrating how design expertise can address real-world challenges.
Architecture in Action
The Colombo edition of The Architect Is IN featured a one-day intensive workshop where volunteer architects applied their skills to support local organizations. Participants offered design consultations, feasibility studies, adaptive reuse concepts, and planning guidance.
Supported groups included:
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Habitat for Humanity
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World Vision
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Calvary Church
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Meditation Museum
The event showcased architecture as a tool for practical, social transformation, turning professional expertise into community solutions.
Connecting Yale Alumni with Local Communities
Originally launched in 2014 in New York and Washington DC, The Architect Is IN connects Yale architectural alumni with communities in need of guidance. The Colombo edition, hosted by DesignOne, brought this global model to Sri Lanka, fostering mentorship, collaboration, and cross-generational dialogue.
CSR Through Knowledge Sharing
DesignOne’s leadership underscores a CSR philosophy beyond funding. By convening students, alumni, practitioners, and community leaders, the workshop created:
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Collaborative problem-solving spaces
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Long-term partnerships
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Real-time design thinking for social impact
The open, hands-on format encouraged dialogue, immediate solutions, and the co-creation of resilient strategies.
Preparing for Post-Flood Recovery
Building on its success, DesignOne is launching a post-flood CSR seminar. Architects and engineers will advise on resilient rebuilding, retrofitting vulnerable structures, and climate-adaptive design—reinforcing DesignOne’s commitment to safety, sustainability, and community resilience.
Architecture with Purpose
Under the Yale Day of Service banner, The Architect Is IN demonstrates DesignOne’s belief that architects play a critical role in shaping resilient, inclusive, and socially impactful environments. By pairing design excellence with community service, the firm transforms professional knowledge into meaningful action.
DesignOne’s mission is clear: every project—whether built or advisory—contributes to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities.
