Design for Freedom by Grace Farms

We are excited to announce our Open Call for 2025 Design for Freedom Pilot Projects Request for Proposals (RFP) is officially underway! Firms are invited to respond to the Request for Proposal with their mission-aligned projects starting now through Monday, December 16th, 2024.   This Open Call represents a critical opportunity to be part of the global Design for Freedom movement to end forced and child labor in the building materials supply chain and create a new, ethical path forward in architecture and construction.    Every Design for Freedom Pilot Project showcases that it is not only possible to incorporate ethical building practices, but also essential for the future of design.   Working with owners, designers, and construction teams across three continents, we have created twelve pilot projects and are now actively seeking additional Design for Freedom Pilot Projects from a range of typologies.   Let's create new findings, research, and outcomes together to amplify transparency in building materials and prioritize responsible supply chains.    To submit your project, find the answers to frequently asked questions about the RFP and submission, the Design for Freedom movement, and more, visit: https://lnkd.in/ekxR-BJ7   Pictured: 2024 Design for Freedom Pilot Project – Humanscale Showroom in Chicago, Illinois.

Our Ethical Materials Director, Nora Rizzo, will be at #Greenbuild 2024, participating in the sold-out session, "Environmental and Social Transparency of Building Product Supply Chains: Industry Insights," part of Greenbuild International Conference & Expo's Building Material Summit on Tuesday, November 12, at 2:45 PM EST in Philadelphia, PA. Joining Nora will be industry leaders and sustainability experts, Josh Jacobs (Sustainability Director, WAP Sustainability), Lionel Lemay (Executive Vice President, Structures and Sustainability, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association), and Olivia LaMarche (Sustainability Manager, WAP Sustainability Consulting). Together, they will provide vital perspectives on the need, and challenges, of valuing sustainability in supply chains and the available resources and strategies that AEC industry professionals can utilize to make a difference. Specifically, they'll deep dive into the impact of ethical material sourcing, transparency, and data-driven tools to improve our environmental footprint and at the same time, address the pressing issue of forced labor and human injustices in building materials supply chains. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eBbP6U_7

We're pleased to share this feature on the innovative and transformative features of the New Canaan Library, the first building in the U.S. to become a Design for Freedom Pilot Project, by Jennifer Krichels for Architectural Record. A mission-driven knowledge and learning center that redefines the standards of a modern library, the New Canaan Library's graceful design pays homage to the great tradition of mid-century modern architecture in New Canaan, while providing opportunities to meet, collaborate, and build community. With insights from Ellen Sullivan Crovatto, CEO of New Canaan Library, and Centerbrook Architects and Planners' Principal-in-Charge Childress Jim, the feature highlights the significance of the New Canaan Library in our surrounding community, the story behind its groundbreaking renovation, and its impactful role as a model for sustainability and accelerator of the Design for Freedom movement, activating the largest construction company in the U.S., Turner Construction Company. "With suppliers increasingly understanding that architects and institutions are expecting social responsibility from material manufacturers, the library is having a positive civic effect on its town and the broader world in more ways than one." - Architectural Record. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/gWWFXRRD

Over Greenbuild International Conference & Expo's four days of keynotes, 100+ sessions, networking activities, etc., you're bound to need a place to ... sit down. Maybe make a hot cup of Grace Farms Foundation tea, connect with industry friends over a foosball c/o MAPEI USA game, or grab a few group photos in the Material Bank® photo booth. Make sure to make time for the Lounge within the mindful MATERIALS Pavilion, made possible by the generosity of Construction Specialties, Conklin Office Furniture, Mohawk Industries, Moore & Giles, Garden on the Wall, Material Bank®, and Humanscale. See you there!

What a fantastic conclusion to the SAMS accelerator series for 2024 with our round table on Capital Market Actors and their potential to combat Modern Slavery. A big thank you to our host, Elaine Mitchel-Hill, International Lead for Design for Freedom by Grace Farms who developed the supply chain accelerator series for SAMS. Special thanks to our expert speakers: Dr Sofía González De Aguinaga, PhD, Research Fellow in Business, ESG & Modern Slavery; Dr. Martin Buttle, Better Work Lead at CCLA Investment Management; and David W., International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants and International CFO Alliance. We also extend our gratitude to everyone who attended one, two, three, or all four of our sessions. We hope each session provided valuable insights.

Taking to the stage next are Sylvia Kim, Sharon Prince, Emna Ghariani and Lisa Bhathal Merage for a session on empowering the women collective! This dynamic discussion features trailblazing ‘queens’ who have overcome barriers and successfully navigated predominantly male industries to make a positive impact in the world. Thank you to our panel for sharing their insights and experiences at GAIM Ops West! #GAIMOps

"The finance sector has a massively important role to play in the elimination of modern slavery and human trafficking." - Elaine Mitchel-Hill, International Lead, Design for Freedom to Scottish Financial News.    Read the full feature by Scottish Financial News for more insights from Mitchel-Hill on the upcoming virtual discussion, "Capital Market Actors and the potential to address modern slavery" to be held on Thursday, October 31st, part of Scotland Against Modern Slavery’s (SAMS) four-part accelerator series: https://lnkd.in/eKQPZaYC   To register for the online event, visit: https://lnkd.in/ez2etr4Y

Sharing this interview published by Forbes featuring Humanscale’s Chief Sustainability Officer (and Design for Freedom Working Group member) Jane Abernethy, and Sinyi Professor at the Cambridge Judge Business School and award-winning author, Christopher Marquis, illuminating the efforts being made by Humanscale, a Certified #BCorp, to amplify circularity and reuse strategies in furniture. Specifically, this compelling feature highlights Humanscale’s brilliant new program, “Refreshed,” designed to amplify circularity and sustainability by accepting pre-owned furniture for restoration and revitalization d to be used again, thus providing an accessible way to affect change. We are honored to have partnered with a forward-thinking organization like Humanscale and the project team, The Sheward Partnership, LLC and Reddymade Architecture & Design, on Humanscale’s innovative new Chicago-based Showroom, a Design for Freedom Pilot Project. What’s more, earlier this year, Christopher Marquis took to the Sanctuary stage at Grace Farms to discuss the impact of ethical business practices, alongside Joseph Kenner, CEO of Greyston Bakery, Aidaly Sosa Walker, Head of Marketing USA at Tony's Chocolonely, and our CEO and Founder, Sharon Prince, who alongside Adam Thatcher is the co-founder of Grace Farms Tea & Coffee (a certified B Corp innovating a new model of social entrepreneurship whose teas and coffees not only bring people together, but support Grace Farms Foundation’s mission to create a more ethical and humane future). Here's to charting a new path forward that prioritizes transparency and circularity! Read the interview: https://lnkd.in/enHrejuX

“To have the built environment and building products and materials supply chains discussed and explored by parliamentarians in this context is highly important and significant. For too long the sector has not been scrutinized in the same way as food and textiles. Design for Freedom is honored to support and to be part of this seminar.” - Sharon Prince, Founder & CEO, Design for Freedom, Grace Farms Foundation, in an address made to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK) in London, England. In a significant gathering at the UK Parliament, leaders from Grace Farms Foundation's Design for Freedom converged with global policymakers to advance the fight against modern slavery. Sharon Prince joined Design for Freedom's International Lead, Elaine Mitchel-Hill, and Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives and Investor Engagement, Karen Kariuki, for high-level roundtable discussions at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK's Legislative Strengthening Seminar. This strategic convening, attended by over 50 parliamentarians from 17 legislatures, fostered critical dialogue and knowledge exchange aimed at strengthening legislative frameworks to combat forced labor. The Grace Farms delegation's participation underscores the growing momentum behind international efforts to eradicate modern slavery in the construction materials supply chain through collaborative action and policy reform. Pictured [l-r]: Karen Kariuki, Martin Buttle PhD, Better Work Lead, CCLA, Dame Sara Thornton DBE QPM, Modern Slavery Consultant, CCLA, Sharon Prince, and Elaine Mitchel-Hill

In a significant moment for global humanitarian efforts, Design for Freedom and Grace Farms Foundation CEO and Founder, Sharon Prince and Design for Freedom International Lead, Elaine Mitchel-Hill further amplified the reach of the Design for Freedom movement, engaging with Commonwealth parliamentarians in London, England, with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK (CPA UK) during the UK's Legislative Strengthening Seminar on Modern Slavery in Supply Chains. During this landmark session, Prince announced a confidential preview of Design for Freedom's International Guidance & Toolkit—a comprehensive framework targeting the critical issue of forced and child labor within global construction supply chains. “The opportunity to share the Design for Freedom International Guidance with parliamentarians will enable them to quickly understand and assess the situation in the global building materials supply chain. Design for Freedom stands ready to support CPA UK in any way that is helpful as we all work towards the elimination of modern slavery.” Sharon commented. This groundbreaking guidance document, set to be released publicly in the coming weeks, represents a significant step forward in the international fight against labor exploitation in the construction industry. Photos (l-r): 1. Sharon Prince speaks to Commonwealth parliamentarians 2. Panel: “The Role of the Investment Sector in Addressing Modern Slavery in Global Supply Chains”, featuring speakers: Dr. James Corah, Head of Sustainability, CCLA , Martin Buttle PhD, Better Work Lead, CCLA, Dame Sara Thornton DBE QPM, Modern Slavery Consultant, CCLA, Sharon Prince, Founder & CEO, Design for Freedom, Grace Farms Foundation, Peter Hugh Smith, CEO, CCLA, and Elaine Mitchel-Hill, International Lead, Design for Freedom, Grace Farms Foundation 3. Programme: Legislative Strengthening Seminar