The Face of Competency

At Flow Design Architects, we serve everyone—without regard to appearance, background, or assumptions. But I want to share a truth: competency has no face.

We once debated adding our faces to emails. We chose not to—and that saddened me. I’ve worked hard to normalize diversity. Yet bias persists—whether by ethnicity, youth, or other perceptions. That choice reminded me that, despite our qualifications, people often judge us by what they see, not what we’ve earned.

We’ve seen clients of diverse backgrounds struggle disproportionately for permits and trust. I say this not to attack, but to acknowledge reality. As a licensed architect, I earned my credentials—just like many others. Yet competency should never rely on age, appearance, or background.

In fact, we’ve served thousands of clients—and we see the pattern. Some get permits in days, others face months of hurdles for similar projects. This is not about competence—it’s about perception.

Competency reminds me of a show where singers were judged behind a curtain—just by their voice. Imagine if homes or businesses were judged only by their contribution, not who owns them. We, too, as professionals, should be judged by what we deliver—not how we look.

We all profile by instinct—safe or unsafe, right or wrong. But we must rethink those instincts. Just as we’ve encountered skepticism due to our youth or diversity, I’ve learned that everyone—whether a client, a neighbor, or a stranger—deserves a second thought. Competency is everywhere—in every face, every background, every voice.

When we say competency has no face, we mean it’s not about bringing people to the table for token reasons. It’s because each person brings unique strengths we may lack. True equity means recognizing that. As architects, we protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. That public is everyone. Competency, in the end, is simply about how we treat each other and the world we build together.

About the Author

My name is Darguin Fortuna, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, a licensed architect and founding principal of Flow Design Architects. I am a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the Boston Architectural College, where I was honored with the Henry Adams Medal and Certificate, the Dean Arcangelo Cascieri Award, and the Emerging Designer Award.

My work and leadership have been recognized with several distinctions, including the 2024 AIA Young Architect Award, making me the first Dominican-born architect to receive this honor. I have also been recognized with the Boston Magazine Rising Star Award, the Latino Excellence Award from the Boston State House, and the Latino Excellence Award from the Boston State Senate. Additionally, I was honored with the AIA Film Challenge People’s Choice Award (2022) for the film The Change We Seek, and received special recognition from the Instituto del Dominicano en el Exterior (INDEX).

Through my practice, teaching, mentorship, and advocacy, I remain committed to advancing architecture as a tool for equity, dignity, and opportunity for all.

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