Purpose

A planet friendly, productive, and fair future is ours to create.

Incremental transforms bold ideas into transformative architecture and urban strategies. Rooted in research, visionary thinking, and deep material knowledge and expertise, Incremental creates spaces that spark people focussed change and planet friendly futures. 

Decisions about the built environment reinforce inequalities, deepening the challenges of climate change, health disparities, and economic exclusion. Marginalised communities bear the greatest burdens, with limited access to spaces that promote well-being and prosperity. At the same time, the construction industry is responsible for 35% of global carbon emissions and 50% of material extraction.

We can meet the needs of all people and restore the health of the planet. The way forward means ensuring everyone has at least the basic things they need to live with dignity and opportunity—that’s the social foundation we must rise above. At the same time, we must stay within the limits of what the planet can handle without causing lasting harm. We create a fair and sustainable space where people and nature can thrive together when we meet both goals.

5 key values reflect the ideals behind our work. They also serve as a guiding framework that holds us accountable to each other, our team, and our partners.

1

We help partners to create transformational change through phased actions.

  • We seek to support partners with bold missions to improve lives.

  • We develop clear project objectives, assess feasibility, and build community support.

  • We measure impact and lift up compelling narratives that inspire systemic change.

     

2

We believe that the design process can be a force for good. 

  • We engage with communities to generate dialogue, build trust, demystify the design process, and inspire collective action.

  • We honour lived experience, local wisdom, and centre marginalised voices.

  • We prioritise collaboration, culture, and craft to celebrate the beauty of how things are made.

3

We make choices to nurture a thriving planet.

  • We champion strategies to reverse climate change through project construction and operations.

  • We use natural building materials where possible.

  • We reuse materials where possible.

  • We advocate for preservation over demolition.

  • We advocate for transparent and ethical supply chains that are restorative for people and ecosystems.

  • We advance regenerative systems to protect and rebuild biodiversity.

4

We value the talent and diversity of our team and our collaborators, and encourage each other to grow.

  • We seek to support partners with a diverse range of clients.

  • We support our staff and our collaborators to get access to training and grow beyond the scope of any one project.

  • We seek to support like minded partners.

5

We seek to expand access to design.

  • We identify new pathways for systemic change, even in sectors and geographies where design has not been at the forefront of progress.

  • We leverage our nonprofit structure to creatively find ways to make projects happen and bringing together unique coalitions.

  • We support a more diverse generation of designers that represent our communities.

  • We teach the next generation of change makers.