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There has been much discussion raised about "Why are women leaving Architecture? and more broadly, Why is the profession losing key talent?"  Both women and men practitioners are disillusioned by the myth of work/life balance: Women are grappling with "have it all" expectations of juggling family time with the demands of full-time work.  Men are struggling to support their families solely on an architect's salary and fall back on asking spouses to maintain their jobs. The lack of affordable childcare and high cost of living only magnifies the challenges.  How did we end up in this modern family dilemma? What can we do to improve the situation?

#EQxDV | Voices, Values, Vision

AIASF Equity by Design proudly announces theme for Symposium "V" November 3, 2018  

photo courtesy of Wanda Lau

photo courtesy of Wanda Lau

EQxDV marks the fifth anniversary of Equity by Design. We have made incredible strides towards equitable practice with three groundbreaking surveys that have launched a national movement in architecture and allied professions. In light of deep challenges and uncertainty within the profession, our communities, and the world, we remain steadfast and committed to our collective progress towards equity. Equity is the work of minimizing barriers to maximize our potential for success. We are focused on studying the root causes of a broken professional culture, creating just access for all, and giving everyone a fair chance to thrive. Working in collaboration with partners at all levels of practice, we will champion the difficult conversations and important work that still needs to be undertaken to further advancements in equitable practice and design impact.

Voices

To attract and retain the most diverse talent we must hear from those in practice and beyond. We need to listen to their challenges, concerns, and aspirations. With over 13,000 responses, the 2018 Equity in Architecture Survey is the largest and most comprehensive dataset of career perceptions and experiences in the industry. This unprecedented collection of professional voices is the testimony that allows us to build a deeper understanding of where we are and of the critical work needed to move forward. This year we commit to leveraging our platform to amplify all voices and create a safe space for everyone, regardless of position or identity, to speak up and be heard.

Values

Within a broad diversity of identities and experiences, we come together to find the common ground in our core values. This year we will explore how they guide us in choosing our collaborators, shaping our work culture, and cultivating our design leadership to make the most lasting impact within our communities. We will explore how we can “walk the talk” and communicate our worth as engaged citizens and as architects and leaders. Lastly, we uphold the values of equity, inclusion, dignity, and respect as an integrated approach in our design work that deeply resonates for individuals, practices, clients, and our communities.  

Vision

We continue to expand our focus and explore the future of a better world. As we begin to see equitable practice in action in practices of all sizes, we can build on that reality, exploring new types of services, new relationships, new symbiotic models for work culture and life. This year we will also look beyond our workplaces and envision how equity in practice can inform our design work, aiding us in creating equitable outcomes, inclusive experiences, and dignified spaces.

Now is Our Time to Lead.

We have come so far in our journey, yet we must go farther; our work is far from done. Working towards a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive profession is a marathon, not a sprint. Each of us has an integral role to play: sharing our stories, advocating for our values, and paving a new path forward to shape the future of architecture. Together we are stronger.

Will you join us?

Join these amazing Equity by Design 2018 Sponsors!