Why paying a Living Wage matters at Christine Lintott Architects

In this short blog, Laurie Aves, Principal of Christine Lintott Architects (CLA) explains why they became a Living Wage Employer, and the benefits they’ve found from being part of the program.

Founded by Christine Lintott in 2009, CLA has grown into a diverse team of 18 professionals. Today, we are a tightly integrated collaboration of practitioners who share a passion for creativity, innovation, and nature inspired design. Together, we strive to advance a regenerative architecture that strengthens the communities in which we work. Through an iterative, enquiry-based process, we respond to our clients' needs while listening to and reflecting the local context, including its ecology. We provide a range of architectural services throughout all stages of the development process, from master planning and feasibility studies to building design, document production, and construction support. 

We have been a Living Wage Employer since 2025. Providing a living wage is foundational for CLA. Becoming a Living Wage Certified employer was a natural extension of that commitment and helps us communicate our values to our employees, clients, and industry peers. We are proud to support and promote a metric that we believe is fundamental to realizing a more equitable, healthy, and resilient community. 

Since becoming a Living Wage Employer, we’ve noticed real, positive changes in our workplace.  There is a strong sense of trust within our team that CLA provides competitive compensation and regularly reviews wages to keep pace with rising living costs. As that trust has grown, the focus has moved away from concerns about pay and toward pursuing work that is meaningful, rewarding, and enjoyable. This has contributed to a more engaged and positive workplace culture, which attracts the work we enjoy, a self-reinforcing loop. 

Paying a Living Wage doesn’t just benefit our team, it strengthens the local economy and helps families thrive. We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s making a difference across CLA is also a JUST Certified organization through the International Living Future Institute, demonstrating our commitment to social justice and equity. The certification recognizes our efforts in diversity and inclusion, employee health and well-being, fair compensation and benefits, and community stewardship. By fostering an equitable workplace and providing opportunities for all team members to succeed, we help create the conditions for individuals to make meaningful and lasting contributions to their communities. 

We encourage others to join us in becoming Living Wage Employers. Together, we can create a fairer, more sustainable future for everyone. 

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies. There are now over 500 Living Wage Employers across BC. 

The living wage is the hourly amount someone needs to earn to pay for basic essentials like food and rent, it doesn’t include paying off debt or saving for retirement. The Living Wage for Victoria is now $27.40 an hour. 

Find out more about Christine Lintott Architects on their website: https://www.lintottarchitect.ca/