A people-first practice

The judges praised the practice for its fully embedded and comprehensive approach to diversity and inclusion, making a clear, measurable impact on its people, its projects and the wider sector.

With studios in Glasgow and Inverness, the independent practice was founded in 2008 and has grown to a team of 40. Many team members have worked together for over 25 years, reflecting a culture built on long-term relationships, care and trust. The practice is Real Living Wage accredited, and in 2023, Threesixty introduced a sector-leading enhanced maternity policy, offering six months’ full pay to support and retain women across the practice. This has now been followed up in 2024 with up to 6 weeks fully paid Paternity Leave to further address the gender pay gap.

From policy to practice

EDI at Threesixty is more than good intentions. A 12-strong voluntary internal working group continually reviews and improves practice policies, including recruitment, mentorship and parental benefits. The group is supported by expert input from Inclusive Employers, helping ensure a robust and inclusive culture underpins the entire organisation.

Staff development also reflects this commitment: in the past year alone, Threesixty has hosted six well-attended CPDs and seminars focused on inclusion, social value, and inclusive leadership. The practice has set a target for 2025 to prioritise training and knowledge sharing on inclusive design and are delivering a programme of events covering neurodiversity, mobility and visual impairment, age inclusion, LGBTQ+ allyship and gender-sensitive planning.

The EDI group is also working on an initiative to improve the physical environment of Threesixty’s two studios to enhance their support of neurodiverse and disabled colleagues and visitors, beginning with a company-wide engagement process.

Sector influence

Beyond their own studios, Threesixty is shaping the wider industry. In 2022, it became the first and only architecture practice headquartered in Scotland to achieve B Corp status, demonstrating a commitment to people and planet as well as profit.

Their influence spans key industry platforms. Director Kieron Goodman sits on the British Council for Offices (BCO) ESG Committee and spoke at the 2023 BCO Conference on the importance of B Corp values in the built environment. Threesixty also won the BCO’s 2021 design competition with a proposal centred on workplace equity for carers and disabled people.

Gina Colley, Architect and Associate Director at Threesixty, was part of the first cohort of BE-ST's Changemakers, through which she helped to shape EDI workshops that are now being used across the UK and Sweden as well as inspiring new leadership training and inclusive policies back in the practice.

Breaking down barriers

Threesixty’s commitment to equity extends to talent development and early career access. It offer summer placements specifically for international students on restricted work visas, helping diversify the future of the profession. It also runs annual work experience weeks for pupils from low-income areas, maintaining a 50:50 gender split and ensuring every student leaves with something tangible - like a 3D printed model and portfolio document.

Since 2019, the practice has also partnered with the EY Foundation to offer placements for young people from low-income or care-experienced background, an initiative that saw Threesixty named EY Employer Partner of the Year in 2024.

Designing with and for communities

Community engagement is central to how Threesixty works. From consultations attracting thousands of people, to working with the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities to improve accessibility, the practice consistently goes beyond statutory planning requirements.

Recent engagement events hosted for Buchanan Galleries attracted over 1500 people and catered for families with a bespoke exhibition, designed with accessibility in mind, both online and offline.

Their Inverness studio recently moved to a disused street-level retail unit, something which signals a commitment to town centre regeneration and making architecture visible to the next generation. That same space has hosted Highland Pride events, local B Corp events and campaigns for the Highlands and Islands Architectural Association.

The Victorian Market has provided a new civic space for the local community. The retrofit and reinvention of the 150+ year old market structure into an ‘urban room’ that physically manifests Threesixty’s research on the design of foodhalls; their cultural/community impact and ability to incubate businesses.

Threesixty’s work in town and city centre vision-led regeneration sets it apart in Scotland (and the UK). With the Scottish Government, it has developed a methodology to map out the direction and potential for town centres and notably applied this in publishing visions for Glasgow, Hamilton, Dumbarton, and East Kilbride in 2024 building on a legacy that includes Paisley, Clydebank, Inverness, Falkirk, Fort William, and various locations in England.

Advocacy and action

Threesixty’s influence isn’t confined to design. In 2023, it co-authored a letter to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, urging government to better consider the needs of women and girls in planning policy. It also hosted a 200+ person Revo webinar with author May East and campaigners Make Space for Girls on how public space can better serve women and girls. Threesixty continues to develop this work with contribution to working groups on this important topic with their collaborators May East and Revo.

Through in-house CODE lectures, the firm spotlights big social issues, from Black Lives Matter to gender bias in the arts, opening up discussions that go far beyond bricks and mortar.

The practice is one of three Glasgow-based creative studios that partnered to deliver Wilson’s Foundry. Wilson’s Foundry is a dynamic, fully-funded, design-led programme launched by the Glasgow City Innovation District Venture Studio. Its core purpose is to support Glasgow-based creative entrepreneurs and startups through a unique studio-based residency and support them to transform ideas into successful, sustainable business propositions. By providing creative spaces, tailored mentoring, expert coaching, and access to vital resources like 3D printing, digital visualisation, and business planning guidance, Threesixty is directly supporting the community in Glasgow, aligning their business activities with generating positive social impact.

Recognition that reflects real change

Threesixty Architecture’s win at the BE-ST Diversity and Inclusion Awards is well-earned. Judges highlighted the practice’s holistic approach where inclusion is not a box to tick, but a culture that drives decision-making, shapes policy, and delivers impact inside and out.

Find out more about Threesixty Architecture and their work:

• Threesixty Architecture Urban Portfolio
• 2024 Annual Impact Report