What happens when an architecture firm is built not only for profit but for purpose? What does it look like when design meets social impact—when a team of architects and builders dedicate their entire practice to making life better for underserved communities? That’s exactly what I explored in my recent conversation with Zach Sunderland of Haven, a certified BCorp based in Durham, North Carolina. Zach is a licensed architect and general contractor who leads Haven’s design and construction teams while managing the firm’s overall operations and long-term vision.
This episode was packed with lessons for all of us who are building small firms—especially those who want their work to mean something more. If you’ve ever wondered how to run a successful architecture firm that truly serves people, not just clients, this one’s for you.
You can listen to the full conversation at https://entrearchitect.com/617
Build the Firm You Want to Work For
Zach’s journey began with a clear dissatisfaction in the traditional architecture model. He wasn’t interested in climbing a typical career ladder that prioritized billable hours over impact. Instead, he and his team set out to create the kind of firm they wanted to be a part of—a place where values were as important as project schedules.
This wasn’t just about culture, although culture matters. It was about aligning every decision—from design to delivery—with a mission to improve housing outcomes for people who need it most. At Haven, that mission isn’t wallpaper. It’s the foundation.
So I asked Zach how they did it. How do you start a business where doing good is baked into the business model?
The answer: you start by deciding what kind of impact you want to have. Then you reverse engineer your operations to deliver it.
Leading with Purpose and Process
As a design-build firm, Haven takes an integrated approach. They manage both architecture and construction, which allows them to maintain control over cost, quality, and—perhaps most important—values.
Zach shared how this structure has helped them avoid some of the disconnects that often happen in the traditional project handoff between architects and builders. It also allows them to better align expectations with their clients, most of whom are not developers, but community-based organizations looking to create affordable and accessible housing.
That kind of alignment requires clarity, communication, and a shared commitment to purpose. It also requires trust.
And trust, Zach told me, is built slowly, through relationships—not just transactions.
Designing for Human Flourishing
One of the most inspiring parts of our conversation was when Zach described Haven’s design philosophy. Yes, they design buildings. Yes, they build on budget and on schedule. But at the heart of it all is a commitment to human flourishing.
Their projects are deeply rooted in the communities they serve. That means showing up, listening, and co-creating with residents and stakeholders—not parachuting in with a “vision” that ignores the lived experience of the people who will actually use the space.
Zach talked about design not just as aesthetics or function, but as a form of care. At Haven, design is a tool to create dignity, safety, and opportunity for people who have often been left out of the architectural process altogether.
That idea—that design can be care—should challenge every one of us.
The Power of a Certified BCorp
Haven is a certified B Corporation, which means they are required to consider the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. This framework offers more than a badge or marketing tool. It creates accountability—and that accountability reinforces their mission at every level of the firm.
For small firm architects wondering if this model is possible, Zach offers a clear yes.
Being a BCorp helps shape their hiring, their culture, and even their client relationships. When your values are public, when they’re codified into your business structure, you attract people—employees and clients—who share those values.
And those shared values? That’s where momentum comes from.
Scaling Impact Without Losing Your Soul
I asked Zach what growth looks like for a firm like Haven. Growth for growth’s sake isn’t the goal. But neither is staying small for pride or purity. For Haven, scaling is about increasing impact. It’s about creating more housing for more people, in more places, without compromising on their mission.
That requires systems, strong teams, and the ability to say no to projects that don’t align. It means turning down money if it comes at the cost of their values. That kind of clarity comes from leadership, and it’s something Zach clearly brings to the table.
As firm owners, we all face the same tension—how to grow without drifting from the things that matter most. Zach reminded me that the key isn’t balance, it’s alignment. If your mission and your business model are aligned, growth becomes a multiplier of your impact, not a threat to it.
Lessons for the Rest of Us
Whether you’re a solo architect designing custom homes or a firm of twenty doing civic work, there’s something to learn from Haven. Here are a few key takeaways:
- Design with, not for. Engage the community early and often. The people who will live in your projects should shape them.
- Own your process. If possible, explore how to integrate design and delivery to better align your work with your values.
- Clarify your purpose. Don’t wait until you’re “big enough” to define your mission. Start with why. Let your values lead.
- Say no to the wrong work. Not every client is the right fit. Protect your culture and mission fiercely.
- Invest in relationships. Success isn’t just about what you build. It’s about who you build with—and for.
Haven is proof that small firm architects can lead with heart and still run a smart, sustainable business. In fact, maybe that’s the future of architecture: firms that serve not only their clients, but their communities, their teams, and the world around them.
I invite you to listen to the full conversation with Zach Sunderland at https://entrearchitect.com/617. It’s a powerful reminder that we don’t have to choose between doing good and doing well. We can build thriving businesses that also build a better world.
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