Recently, Group 4 team members were honored to volunteer at the New World Architect’s Camp, an inspiring summer program founded by architects Jeremiah Tolbert and Cameron Toler, in partnership with AIA East Bay and the Fam1st Family Foundation. Hosted at UC Berkeley’s Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Davis Hall, the camp introduced middle school students from underrepresented Bay Area communities to the world of architecture and design. Group 4’s Justice Committee organized and supported the firm’s involvement, reinforcing our belief that programs like this are essential to building a more inclusive design community that truly reflects the populations we serve.

As volunteers, we shared Group 4’s current civic and community-based projects, led one-on-one desk critiques, and guided students through the process of turning conceptual bubble diagrams into floor plans. The students’ challenge—designing a scientific field station inspired by a tree species and its climate—reflected biophilic and sustainable design principles. We wrapped up the week celebrating their work at final presentations, where students confidently shared their creative ideas and design thinking.

Supporting programs like NWA reflects Group 4’s mission to shape resilient, inclusive communities—and to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the next generation of designers.