Core Values & Principles

Angie Scott Design guides organizations through their well-being and equity journey, connecting research to action for those committed to a culture of inclusion through the convergence of policy and place-making in the built environment and beyond. We focus on culture, equity, and the principles of well-being or salutogenics – which means looking at health from a preventative perspective – when aspiring to live our optimal lives by aligning the mind, body, and spirit. Below are elements of well-being principles that we incorporate into all of our work.

 

Founding Principles

  • We believe the built environment impacts people's mental, physical, social, and spiritual health and well-being. From the design of buildings that support belonging to the quality of air and water, every aspect of the built environment can contribute to our lives positively or negatively.

    We believe the built environment has the power to heal. Using a well-being framework unlocks a salutogenic perspective that supports optimal lived experiences.

    We believe in whole systems thinking. Making sense of complexities through a perspective of connectedness helps us see circumstances in a multifaceted way, which is important for deeper understanding and innovative problem-solving.

  • People are our heartbeat. They are the center of everything we do. Using convergent and divergent thinking helps us create research and sustainable solutions that inspire innovative strategies.

    We believe racial equity is one of the most critical issues of our time. Period! We use an embodied equity framework to guide our process in addressing and highlighting its importance.

    We understand that our culture (values, traditions, and beliefs) significantly impacts well-being. Our cultures guide us through life. Without considering culture, we cannot fully achieve personal well-being or human-centered spaces.

  • We speak people’s truth to power. Through co-creation and coalition building, we amplify the spirit of the community and celebrate collective impact.

    We treat everyone with fairness and respect. Regardless of a person’s station in life, every voice deserves to be heard and regarded.

    We are empathetic and curious. Continuously exploring the “why” and embracing the unknown helps us find the right solutions. Using a Design Thinking approach allows us to innovate by “designing for the extremes to benefit the means.” We always ask people what they need.

 
 

Key Terms & Definitions

 

  • Cultural well-being entails recognizing and honoring the values and norms of diverse cultures and identities. These perspectives are often ingrained and passed down, influencing people's decisions throughout life. Culture plays a crucial role in well-being, underscoring its significance in shaping quality of life factors.

  • Examines how equity is applied and celebrated throughout a system or process.

  • Uses the best available evidence to make informed decisions and guide actions using a scientific-process.

  • A process that starts with and centers people. This process cultivates empathy and solutions that fully integrates people's needs and ways of knowing.