Why paying a Living Wage matters at studioHuB architects

In this short blog, Annerieke van Hoek, Partner & Architect AIBC at studioHuB architects, shares why the firm chose to become a Living Wage Employer and what that commitment means in practice.

studioHuB architects is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, with our office located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are a full-service architectural practice with a team of 23 architects, intern architects, designers, and administrative staff. Since our establishment in 1976, we have specialized in socially and environmentally responsible design, with a focus on public-interest projects that directly support community well-being.

Our work spans Indigenous communities, school districts, municipalities, childcare facilities, and social and affordable housing providers. These projects are often rooted in care, equity, and long-term resilience, and they serve people at all stages of life. Designing spaces that support learning, health, culture, and housing has shaped our understanding of responsibility, not only to our clients and communities but also to the people within our own studio.

We have been a Living Wage Employer since May 2022. At studioHuB architects, we take our social responsibility to the profession seriously and are deeply committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our team reflects a wide range of perspectives and lived experiences, including members of Indigenous, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities. Becoming a Living Wage Employer was a natural extension of our values and our belief that social sustainability begins within our own practice.

Paying a living wage doesn’t just benefit our team. It supports stability, well-being, and the ability for people to participate fully in their communities. It also strengthens the local economy and helps families thrive. Beyond our day-to-day work, studioHuB architects’ principals volunteer their time in a variety of ways, including AIBC mentorship and oral reviews, serving on Advisory Design Panels, and acting as thesis advisors and guest lecturers.

We’re proud to be part of a growing movement across British Columbia that recognizes fair pay as a foundation for a more just and sustainable future. We encourage other organizations to consider becoming Living Wage Employers. Together, we can make meaningful change.

--------

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment to investing in people, communities, and local economies. There are now more than 450 Living Wage Employers across BC. The living wage represents the hourly rate needed to cover basic essentials such as food and housing; it does not include debt repayment or retirement savings. In Metro Vancouver, the living wage is currently $27.85 per hour.

To learn more about studioHuB architects and our work, visit www.studiohub.ca