We are very excited to announce our 3rd EQxD Hackathon A'17 Scholarships! Today we introduce the 10 future leaders that will be joining us on Wednesday, April 26th in Orlando for the most anticipated workshop of the A'17 Conference on Architecture. We appreciate all that submitted applications for consideration - it was a really tough decision! Please consider joining us for this life changing experience that will propel your professional development (and career). If you haven't heard about #EQxDHack17, click below for more info.
MEET THE HACKERS!
Atianna Cordova - M.S. Candidate in Disaster Resilience Leadership at Tulane University, La.
Atianna is a graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA. She received her B.ARCH in May 2016. A native of New Orleans, Atianna is passionate about using design as a tool to assist under-served communities, and those affected by natural disasters. She is recognized as LSU School of Architecture’s first McNair Research Scholar with her research focusing on architecture and homelessness in New Orleans. With a drive towards academic excellence, community involvement, and professional development, Atianna was honored as an LSU Tiger Twelve recipient for the 2016 graduating class. Recently, Atianna was awarded a 2016 University of California at Berkeley Undergraduate Prize for Architectural Design Excellence Travel Fellowship, where she traveled to Haiti to further her research and examine the sheltering strategies/ resources that have been employed to assist those affected by the 2010 earthquake. Currently, Atianna is a Master’s Candidate in Disaster Resilience Leadership at Tulane University.
“The EQxD Hackathon embodies the essence of the human spirit; the spirit that the power to make this world a better place lies within the hands of every one of us. Throughout my collegiate career and upon graduation from Louisiana State University, I have invested my passion into how design can be used as a tool to assist under-served communities, and those affected by natural disasters. By working alongside affected populations, investing time to understand their needs and building community capacity that leads to sustainment, I believe that designers have an exceptional opportunity to address and promote economic and community development within vulnerable populations.”
Amanda Dunfield, AIA - Principal at Ad Astra Design LLC. in Columbus, Ohio
Operating under the philosophy that good design can change lives, Amanda is an architect who seeks to be a part of projects and work with clients whose aim is to create positive impact on the world around them, near and far. Amanda is a Registered Architect based in Columbus, Ohio with 10 years experience, having worked for a variety of firms across the country. Her passion for accessible good design, challenging the status quo and a genuine curiosity for the world led her to start her own firm in 2016 to focus on these pursuits fully. Currently, she is serving on both the board of AIA Columbus and the board of the Young Ohio Preservationists, while also actively participating on a variety of other committees including the newly formed Committee for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion within AIA Columbus.
“We are no longer working in our own bubbles, within our own cities, disconnected from each other. Like all other facets of life, culture, design and design thinking are being shared across the globe at rates and quantities that quite frankly are difficult to digest. Regardless this new information is there for all to see, read, critique and learn from. I believe that this makes us stronger, more efficient and cohesive.”
Beau Frail, Assoc. AIA - Project Designer at Michael Hsu in Austin, Texas
Beau is a Project Designer at Michael Hsu Office of Architecture. Beau served as the Chair of the community outreach component of his local AIA Austin chapter, the DesignVoice committee and currently serves on the Texas Society of Architects’ Board of Directors and on the National Associates Committee as the Regional Associate Director for Texas. Beau is passionate about social impact design and working with communities to design equitably and inclusively. He as led numerous public interest design charrettes for local nonprofits and developed outreach programs with the City of Austin promoting affordable housing. Beau’s civic engagement also includes serving as a Design Commissioner at the City of Austin and as a founding member of the Open Architecture Collaborative Austin chapter. Beau was honored with the 2016 Associates Award from AIA and the 2015 Texas Society of Architects Associate Member of the Year Award.
“I believe events like the Hackathon are pivotal to shifting the dialogue and practice of our profession to foster equity and diversity. I hope to be working with other passionate architects and gaining tools and strategies to implement at my office, AIA Austin, Texas Society of Architects, and at the National Associates Committee. Learning from others in an inspiring Hackathon environment and connecting with a network of architect leaders will expand the way I think about equity and augment my ability to advocate for new paradigms of practice. ”
Sarah Glass, Designer at Liollio Architecture at Charleston, South Carolina
Sarah is an emerging professional in Charleston, SC working at Liollio Architecture. She graduated from University of Florida with her Bachelor of Design and Clemson University with her Master of Architecture. Her passion for design is rooted in a desire to give back to her community. She believes that design can make a difference.
“We live in a global community with endless opportunities to collaborate with people in different cultures. This opportunity comes with great responsibility in that we have a much larger network and the need to pay extra attention to not lose sight of the human element. ”
Julie Lam, Assoc. AIA - Designer at Fung Associates, Inc in Honolulu, Hawaii
Julie Lam, Associate AIA, has been a member of Fung Associates Inc for approximately ten years before joining Prowork Pacific Inc. Her passion for AIA is evident in the committees and events that have been steered under her leadership- General Membership Meetings, Newly Licensed Architect, Young Architects Forum, and many others.
“Our built environment can only continue to thrive if we expand amd work alongside our industry peers in a collaborative manner. No longer are we a single entity drawing in a studio with no input from the outside world. ”
Bryan C Lee Jr. - Place + Civic Design Director for the Arts Council of New Orleans, Louisiana
Bryan is a design justice consultant and currently serves as the Place + Civic Design Director for the Arts Council of New Orleans. With a background in architecture, Lee is tasked with creating, advocating for, and contribute to, the creative intervention of public art and social impact design in civic spaces across New Orleans. Before joining the Arts Council, Mr. Lee spent time at 2014 AIA National Firm of the Year, Eskew+Dumez+Ripple (Architecture) in New Orleans. Mr. Lee leads two award winning architecture + design programs for high school students through the Arts Council and the National Organization of Minority Architects Louisiana Chapter, respectively. He is the founder of the Design Justice Platform and he serves on several boards including the National NOMA board as the Design Education Chair and on the National AIA Diversity and Inclusion Committee. He was selected as the 2014 NOMA member of the year, 2015 Next City Vanguard Fellow, 2015 International British American Project Fellow. Bryan has given TED Talk and a SXSW Eco Keynote on Design Justice.
“Architecture in the age of connections makes me think of the many ways in which we have implicit and explicit connections to the places and spaces beyond the buildings we design. I see it as a frame for how the profession can be more intersectional, more stratified, more concerned with users rather than solely the clients. ”
Maraya Morgan, Designer at HKS, San Francisco, California
Maraya is an emerging Architectural professional in San Francisco. She has a M. Arch from Illinois Institute of Technology and B. Arch from Miami University. Her interests in equity, neurophenomenology, and anthropology inform her work at all scales - be it high-end hospitality, below market-rate feasibility studies, to two pedestrian bridges currently under construction.
“Technologically, architecture has the ability to accomplish so many things so quickly, be it designing previously unimaginable buildings, analyzing performance of a design before it is ever built, or working remotely with teams on different sides of the planet. The goal part for Architecture is to connect in inclusive ways that would be of a TED level of excellence!”
Kelsey Oesmann, AIA - Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow at Urban Housing Solutions
@koesmann
Kelsey is on a mission to redefine the role and responsibilities of architects to create solutions in affordable housing, public health, and social justice. She was a member of the 2016 Class of AIA Virginia’s Emerging Leaders in Architecture, and served as the communications coordinator for the 2016 AIA Leadership Institute. After cycling across the country with the nonprofit Bike & Build to raise funds and awareness for affordable housing, Kelsey was selected as an Enterprise Rose Fellow for 2017-2019 and is currently the Design Initiatives Manager at Urban Housing Solutions in Nashville. Kelsey holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech and never leaves home without a good pen.
“Our biggest strengths come from our connections to others. From our families, to our co-workers and clients, each connection plays an important role in the way our lives and professions progress.”
Korey White, AIA - Architect at RNL Design in Washington D.C.
Korey is a licensed architect at RNL Design in Washington D.C. During the work day, Korey focuses on transportation and infrastructure projects that are imperative to strong communities and improving the environment. In an effort to advance equity, diversity and inclusion, a committee has set inclusive metrics to be met in one year. She is currently the Chair of the National Associates Committee (NAC), representing all Associate members of the AIA. Korey is an advocate for the profession and was a founding member of the National Design Services Act Coalition, made up of students, Associate members and Young Architects from around the country, who are committed to finding a solution to high student loan debt and improving communities through design.
“To be in an environment with a diverse group of professionals, willing to challenge and develop actionable initiatives, will enhance my convention experience in unprecedented ways. Collaboration with other professionals committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion will provide me with key takeaways and opportunities to advance these practices in my firm and among my colleagues.”
Julia Weatherspoon, N.O.M.A - Designer at Perkins + Will in San Francisco, California.
Julia is an emerging professional in the architecture field. She currently works at Perkins + Will in San Francisco. She works on commercial and civic projects. She enjoys finding new and innovative ways to connect with her surrounding. At work she is involved in her Office Culture Committee and Fair and Just Workplace Initiative. Julia remains curious about the built environment and believes that design should focus on the needs of the end user. She is passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion within the design industry and is interested in Social Responsibility Initiatives to better serve communities and youth pipeline programs to better educate and expose them to arts and science education. Julia also holds a leadership position on the executive board for the San Francisco Chapter of National Organization of Minority Architects amongst many more Bay Area non-profit organizations championing diversity and inclusion in the Bay Area.
“Architecture and the era of connection to me means a human connection, a digital connection, a tactile connection all of which shape the way we move through space and our lives. A great way to explore is to ask if these connections will delight or deter the way we behave and interface with our environment and each other.”
Thanks to our #EQxDHack17 Sponsors!
