Why Prickly Prompts?

Design has the power to shape our lives and communities. It can create spaces that are welcoming and inclusive, or it can reinforce segregation and inequality.

All too often, we intentionally or unintentionally design buildings and spaces to reflect our own biases, experiences, and understanding of the world without considering the diverse range of needs and identities of all users. HGA developed Prickly Prompts as a tool to challenge our assumptions and invite opportunities to address, unpack, and integrate equity into the design process.

The intention of this tool is not to assign blame or find fault, or even to find the “right answers”—but rather to promote vulnerable and empathetic dialogue amongst our team to mindfully design a future where architecture is a driving force for equity.