Lest we forget, global warming is as much the result of people exploiting people as it is of exploiting resources. Thoughtless consumption by the ‘Golden Billion’ has long created desperation among the other five billion. Poverty in America continues to grow; the average CEO earns 300 times what the average worker earns; 15% of Americans own 85% of the wealth; and once again, the global economy is in chaos because of the greed of a few on Wall Street — who this time exploited the housing dreams of modest Americans. These same American workers are inextricably linked to the global workforce, for if workers in the Philippines aren’t paid livable wages, don’t get health care and decent housing, then US workers have a harder time getting these, for capital seems always ready to chase after cheaper labor.

While Pyatok Architects is best known for its work in the greater Bay Area, we are working in neighboring states and Hawaii, and in several developing countries. We have designed and proudly watched the development of more than 35,000 units of affordable housing. Individually and collectively, staff has advocated for housing reform, volunteered on community boards, and renovated deteriorated homes. We donate a sizable percentage of our modest profits to the nonprofit developers and housing advocacy organizations. We promote the incorporation of locally created art into our projects. And, we continue to do what we can to lighten the carbon footprint of our office and of the buildings we design.

It has taken all these years for warnings about the environment and youthful optimism about alternative lifestyles aided by new technologies to reach the mainstream. Now we need to ensure the changes will be comprehensive. Photovoltaic cells, bicycles, and ‘sustainable’ fads applied to buildings will not produce real change unless economic and social equity are also our goals.