Equity in design
Equity in design is an approach that emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility, and addresses systemic inequities by incorporating design that is informed by marginalized communities. Rooted in the principles of social justice, the concept aims to address disparities and promote wellness and accessibility through design outcomes.
Continued exploration of equity in design will ensure students on PCC campuses are centered and that projects honor each site’s unique landscape. OPC will continue building sustainably, and supporting a welcoming and flexible educational environment that serves PCC’s student population and the region’s future.
heart Trauma-informed Design
Trauma-informed design (TiD) integrates the principles of trauma-informed care to create physical spaces that promote safety and well-being.
OPC is committed to providing inclusive engagement opportunities. In partnership with Dr. Amara Perez, M. Ed., OPC is working to implement the tenets of Critical Race Theory (CRT), a framework that examines systems of inequity in our built environment. The process offers stakeholders a new lens by which to study existing structures on campus, offering a path toward identifying more equitable spaces.
This lens includes ways in which we:
- Situate our work within the history of inequalities in the U.S.
- Understand how place and space reflect inequalities and racism in the U.S. dating back to post-reconstruction/Jim Crow laws
- Recognize that the history of city planning in our country has embedded designs that exclude People of Color and low-income communities
Read more about Critical Race Theory.
lightbulb Project engagement
Each project is driven by a team of OPC project managers, architects, construction firms, and designers, with support from technical teams to refine project scopes within the broader framework. These teams include facility managers, accessibility experts, public safety personnel, and sustainability consultants. Projects also include steering committees, consisting of deans, faculty, staff, community members, and department directors, who inform and guide decision-making.
OPC is committed to providing inclusive engagement opportunities. In partnership with Dr. Amara Perez, M. Ed., OPC is working to implement the tenets of Critical Race Theory (CRT), a framework that examines systems of inequity in our built environment. The process offers stakeholders a new lens by which to study existing structures on campus, offering a path toward identifying more equitable spaces.
wheelchair Accessibility
One of the primary goals in OPC’s work is to improve the experience for visitors with accessibility needs, which includes consideration of language barriers, and cognitive and physical disabilities. OPC partners with field experts and the college’s accessibility community to ensure the updates and construction are in alignment with the ADA Comprehensive Transition Plan. This includes updates to equipment and technology as well as fortifying safety and security measures that improve accessibility access across all PCC facilities. Learn more about accessibility at PCC.