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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?

Meet the Hackers...

by Rosa T. Sheng, AIA LEED AP BD+C 

We are very excited to introduce our 10 EQxD Hackathon Scholarship Winners that will be joining as on Wednesday May 18th at AIA National Convention in Philadelphia.  We appreciate all of you that submitted applications for consideration, it was a really tough decision.

MEET THE HACKERS....

 

Shawna Hammon, AIA, LEED AP BD+C - @shawna_hammon

Shawna is a licensed architect in North Carolina at Perkins+Will.  She earned her Master of Architecture degree from North Carolina State University where she now teaches Digital Representation as an Adjunct Faculty member.  Shawna is actively involved in her local section of AIA, currently serving as the architect chair for the Young Architects Forum (YAF).  Shawna also continues to pursue her greatest architectural passion – tall wood buildings.  When she isn't participating in a competition or scouring the internet for the latest on tall wood innovation, Shawna races motorcycles, and spends time with her husband, Kevin and their cat, Moo.

“Architecture and the Era of Connections means that technologically speaking, employers are more equipped than ever to promote flexible work environments - scattered teams can come together online to push a project forward and mothers can breast feed or pump while checking emails – just a few examples of how we can be more flexible as a result of technology. However, there are downsides – clients expect more from us but want to pay less, and many argue the craft is gone from our profession since anyone can utilize Sketch Up to design a house; do we even need architects anymore? How can we continue to demonstrate our value to society and keep our profession relevant?”
— Shawna

Ricardo J. Maga-Rojas - @_MagaRojas1906

Ricardo de Jesús Maga Rojas (born 22 October 1989) is an Afro-Cuban aspiring architect. Born in Banes, Holguin, Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida. A recent alumnus of Tuskegee University's Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Sciences (TSACS) in 2013, Ricardo is currently a Master’s Candidate in Urban Planning at Texas A&M University where he serves as the AIAS Chapter President while working part-time as an Architectural Intern at Patterson Architects in Bryan, TX.

“Architecture and the Era of Connections” means that an ever-changing profession in an ever-changing world seeks to promote diversity and justice in the architecture profession in order to effectuate change and form connections with our global brethren.”
— Ricardo

Kelly Duignan -  ‏@kelduignan  

Kelly Duignan grew up in Lancaster, PA and moved to Philadelphia in 2008 to attend Drexel University, an accredited part-time evening program from which she graduated in 2013 with her Bachelor of Architecture degree.  After some time at the Delaware Valley Green Building Council as a Marketing Associate and Graphic Designer, she is currently an Architectural Intern at Olaya Studio in West Philadelphia.  Kelly is also a volunteer with the Community Design Collaborative, and was recently awarded ‘Rookie of the Year’ by the nonprofit for her volunteer efforts within the organization.

“Architecture and the Era of Connections means visibility, creative collaboration, shared interests, stories with impact, uplifting others, innovative ideas, change and positivity.”
— Kelly

Braham J. B. Berg -  @BBB3rg

Braham Berg is an M.Arch and MSRED Candidate at Tulane University, the Tulane AIAS Chapter AIA Liaison on the AIA NOLA Executive Board, the National Charette Lead on the AIAS National Freedom by Design Advisory Group, and Creative Lead for Telephone NOLA [www.telephonenola.us], a New Orleans-based interdisciplinary arts exchange. Braham is engaged at bridging the connection between academia, practice, and community at local, regional, and national levels, from mentoring students through NOMA Louisiana’s Project Pipeline program, facilitating charettes at 2016 AIAS Midwest Quad (Detroit) and AIAS Forum (San Francisco), and serving as the Volunteer Coordinator at 2015 NOMA National “Rise” (New Orleans).

“Architecture and the Era of Connections means 1.) showing how architecture is inherent in the daily lives of everyone on this planet no matter gender, race, place, ideology, or background; 2.) Architecture spanning beyond the traditional realms of forms into all interdisciplinary realms (arts+sciences+business+law) where design and architecture can impact and address social issues as a problem; 3.) using/ adapting technology (wisely!!) as a way that enhances everyone’s experience of space or place (online or physical); 4.) inspiring others—of all a GWS and from all around the world— of the potential that they too can create their visions and improve the existing.”
— Braham

Ryan Orr – @ROrrArch

Ryan Orr is an architectural designer at KCBA architects and currently pursues his architectural license as an emerging professional. After graduating from The Pennsylvania State University with a B.Arch in 2013, Ryan now utilizes his design talents and technology interests to create a vision for 21st century schools and learning spaces. As a member of the PEA – Philadelphia Emerging Architects, he fosters relationships between professionals, students, and future members of the Architecture profession through mentorship programs, technology trainings, ARE study groups and high school career exploration activities.

“Architecture finds itself at a crossroads – dis-similar to the master builder of old; an architect connects across multiple platforms, places, and people in order to achieve architecture. From clients, consultants, and craftspeople to stakeholders, investors, and developers, an architect guides the process utilizing techniques and tools that may be improved by these connections. The ability to manage, develop, and maintain control of all the moving parts strains the real goal of architecture, and the capacity to design across disciplines, borders, and other barriers. The 21st century resources available to an architect, including technology and business strategies, are essential to the future of architecture.”
— Ryan

Obiekwe “Obi” Okolo - @ObiMatteo

The unique experience of living in Lagos, Nigeria during childhood shaped Obi’s perspective and passion for doing good for the world. To gain greater understanding about design, he studied at the University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA), where he received a degree in Interior Architecture.  Concurrent with his studies, Obi immersed himself within the community of fellow students and served as Chapter President of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) for two concurrent years.  It was during that time that his began working on aid-based design – a way to blend humanitarian efforts and entrepreneurship. In 2015, Obi served as AIAS National Vice President.

“Among other things living in an era of connections makes it nearly impossible for me, in my mind, to justify the many reasons you often hear for why architects/designers/the profession is the way that it is. In an age where an average patient can, at least, broadly understand an impending operation or crippling diagnoses through innovations in technology and story-telling, there is no reason we should still be asking the question “Why doesn’t the public understand what we do?” ...Simply put, it’s because we don’t really want them to yet.”
— Obi

 

Daniel Teed

Dan grew up in a small town on the Iowan banks of the Mississippi and his initial interest in architecture came from his love of the honest expression of steel, wood, and stone found in the bridges spanning the Mighty Mississippi. He graduated from the University of Utah with a master's degree in architecture in 2014 and has since practiced in Salt Lake City. He is passionate about architecture for under price ledges populations and has designed and implemented work on the Navajo Nation, in the rural desert towns of Utah, and in Salt Lake City.

“From smart homes to social media, “ease of connectivity” is the movement that defines our modern era. The way we interact with architecture, the environments in which we live, work, and play, is naturally changing in response to this concept of instant connectivity. In 2016 we are poised on the edge of an architectural revolution that will propel our concept of connections forward and forever change the course of our profession! ”
— Daniel


A. L. Hu - @a_l_hu  

A.L. Hu is a genderqueer first generation person of color who is currently a Master of Architecture student at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP). Their research, writing, and design work is at the intersection of gender, race, community, and architecture. A.L. is a GSAPP Program Council member; co-founder of GSAPP Students of Color Association; founding member of Queer Students of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation; co-organizer of ArchiteXX at GSAPP; and a GSAPP student representative on Columbia University’s Race, Ethnicity, and Inclusion Task Force. A.L. uses the gender-neutral pronouns they, them and theirs.

“Architecture and the Era of Connections means that the profession must respond to the digital age in which we live — nowadays, we are always “on” through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and so on. It is now easier than ever to connect and reach a broader, diverse, global audience, not to mention research deeper and find information faster. But this new era of connections does not come without consequences to fields like Architecture, which has its roots in more “traditional” communication methods. We must ask, how does Architecture remain connected through this new mode of communication, and what changes need to happen to foster this connection?”
— A.L.

Hilary Barlow, AIA, LEED AP BD+C - @YDC_Payette

Hilary Barlow is an Architect at Payette, current co-chair of the firm’s Young Designers Core and a member of the AIA Center for Civic Leadership Committee.  Hilary is interested in engaging young leaders and creating new opportunities to supplement emerging professionals’ learning.  She led the firm’s award-winning submission for the IDP Outstanding Firm of the Year Award and has initiated new platforms to foster mentorship at Payette.  Hilary joined Payette after completing her B.Arch at Syracuse University in 2013, and has been highly involved with collaborative design assist at Payette.  

“Not only does Today’s technology keeps us connected and plugged in constantly, but it has the potential to disrupt the paradigm of Architecture. BIM, scripting and parametric design are just a few of the ways industry trends are reshaping and redefining the Architecture, Engineering and Construction professions. In the Era of Connections, Architecture has the potential to be at the forefront of change—from how buildings are conceptualized, designed, coordinated and built.”
— Hilary

Jonathan Meadows, RA @jonathanbmeadow

Jonathan Meadows.jpg

Jonathan Meadows graduated from Auburn University in 2010 with a B. Arch degree, became LEED accredited in 2013, and received his architectural license in August 2015. In addition to being a project architect at Williams Blackstock Architects, he is the Director of Emerging Professionals for AIA Birmingham. He has been very active in his community: he's a consistent volunteer for ACE Mentorship, co-chaired a lecture series designed to bring together the EP groups of contractors, engineers, and architects, has been a guest juror for the Auburn University Urban Studio, and organized and led a historic architectural walking tour of downtown Birmingham.

“I believe that more than at any other time, Architecture is a field of teamwork and collaboration. As our buildings become more complex, the need for specialization increases, and the architect’s role becomes one of coordination rather than as a master-builder. I see technology as a facilitator of this process from conception, to design, to construction, and the architect as a well-rounded generalist and team leader.”
— Jonathan

REGISTER FOR EQxD HAPPY HOUR ONLY

And don't forget to join us for EQxD Happy Hour at Smokin' Betty's after the Hack!

 

Special Thanks goes to our EQxD Hackathon Scholarship Sponsors including Autodesk, McCarthy Building Companies, WRNS Studio, HOK and HGA.

I make (a change)

by Jame Anderson, AIA

When invited to write a post about my “return to architecture”, my first thought was “What was this ‘Architecture’ that I had left?”  I pondered all of the ways I could describe this decision, anything I could share with others, and I started performing an epic Tina Fey eye roll.  Who would want to hear this?  It sounds like a cheesy self-help book or one of those posters in the breakroom of The Office.

Jame Anderson worked as an Architect at the National Gallery of Art for over a decade before returning to a private architecture practice. 

Jame Anderson worked as an Architect at the National Gallery of Art for over a decade before returning to a private architecture practice. 

So, let's embrace the cheese…

Everyone wants to believe in themselves, that they have an internal source of power.  It’s the stuff of super-hero movies, and Star Wars (admit it, you tried to move stuff by concentrating on it too).  I’ll be the first to admit, I’m drawn to down-and-out characters saving themselves and others, fighting free.  As an audience, we are totally sucked in by this stuff.  It is a lot more dramatic than seemingly happy people making a change.  Where’s the drama in that?  

In December, I left my position as an Architect at the National Gallery of Art (NGA) to return to private architecture practice at SmithGroupJJR, a company for which I’d worked prior to my 13 years at the NGA.  I was in an absolutely beautiful place, I loved my work and my colleagues at the Gallery.  I was surrounded by the most amazing objects in the world, and felt a sense of fulfillment and a touch of pride in making the Nation’s Collection shine.  I had great federal benefits, a wonderful schedule, and solid, stable pay.  My work was fulfilling, detailed, and my colleagues were driven.  

Sure, there was this lazy person over here, or that crappy office relationship over there, but I typically try not to let those things make my big life decisions for me.  Complaining about the day-to-day, or “sweating the small stuff” was not a part of the decision.  Besides, every workplace has that.  My decision was not about any of those factors.  My decision was about deciding to alter my path. 

This is not a tell-all, nor is it a list of observations of my new job.  This is about the moment of decision.

Changing jobs is not that big of a deal for some people.  For me, this was a pretty big thing.  

You may remember my last post, from January 2015.  I spoke about labels, titles, and life-work. 

Perhaps this was the first step in my “transformation”.  I felt that I was ready to put to greater use the skills I had honed in the field since I walked into my first museum internship at the age of 19. I was beginning to get a bit antsy.  Maybe that Scarlet Letter that some of us try to avoid – Ambition – had something to do with it.  Or, perhaps this disquiet came from not having that next step solidified in front of me: there were clouds at what looked like the top of the ladder.  In order to get to the bottom of this feeling of uncertainty, I started asking questions.

I talked to a lot of people: to mentors, to people who had jobs I could envision myself having, to those who had jobs I’d never want.  Things began to solidify.  I attended the AIA WLS Conference in Seattle and met amazing people, and I sat at a lunch table called “Taking Risks,” although I’m not quite sure why I chose that table… maybe the title was direct and short enough for me. Maybe I felt that I wasn’t taking enough of those.  I listened… really listened.  And I discovered that we are all searching for a place where we feel important, utilized, and a place where we are comfortable and can contribute… and lead.

All of this talking led me to discover that it was time for a change.  But, who wants to move, change jobs, find a new relationship?  It’s easier to do what we know, especially if we’re good at it.  But sometimes, we need to realize that the desire to move on, to do something different, to ‘go boldly where no man has gone before’ is just as human as the desire to stay put, and feel safe.

What was I doing?  I had one of the coolest jobs, EVER!  At parties, people’s eyes widened when I told them what I did for a living.  Visions of Night at the Museum and of the those Mixed-Up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler danced in their heads.  They can be magical places, right?  My daughter, I’m convinced, thought I was working in some fairy tale.  I had been to architecture school with the Gallery as THE goal….but what do you do when you get what you want in the middle of your career?  Sit still?  Camp out?  The more I became an expert, the easier things got.  Perhaps that was it.  I have a great fear of complacency, which is very different than boredom.  My work has never been boring, or easy. But in closing my mascaraed eyes, I took a deep breath and imagined… what would the Shonda Rhimes show of my life look like if I could “design it?”

It wasn’t that the museum was “wrong”.  I was ready for a different path…my own yellow brick road.   Journeys teach us something.  This time, I’m on my own terms:  I’ve picked my specialty,  I have a ton of knowledge many don’t, I’m confident in what I can do, and I’m confident I’ll pick up on the stuff I have no idea how to do.

I want to do more, I think I can, I will.

I was concerned, frankly, about some people’s reactions to my decision.  It takes a lot to get over what you may think other people’s expectations of you are.  I worried a little.  The reaction that had the most impact was my daughter’s. Change and suspense are not thrills for her and we had a fascinating series of conversations about it (which might be yet another post).  I was able to tell her that there was no boogie-man in the office and that she could visit the museum any time.  I think she understood.

You see, support matters.  There is absolutely no way I could do the things I’ve been able to do throughout my life without it.  I’m talking support in the form of a spouse that knows that my work and how I spend my time away from my family is one of my personifiers that makes me ME, in mentors who simply listen and then at times offer suggestions, in friends who give hugs and order champagne when they hear my good news, in parents who made sure I had the most fantastic art teacher they could find, in professors who were direct and supportive, in bosses that hired me for my potential, in a child that gives me hugs and looks up to me as if i am the most impressive thing in the world.  

You have to find support somewhere. You can't isolate yourself, and you can't do it all by yourself.

I’ve been surprised by the responses I’ve received about my “transformation.”  I've heard a lot from folks.  There have been some "Wows", the normal "Congratulations" from others, and the "What about your benefits?" from those who think I'm nuts.  Then, from most architects, an immediate commentary on how difficult my new life will be due to the pace of things, as if there's a secret I don't know.

But I try not to take it as patronizing.  There have been countless articles about women in the workplace that Leaned Back… that selected what's called a slower track or slower paced professions, took time away during their child-bearing and raising years.  I think it’s unfortunate to see choices through these do/don’t filters.  Nevertheless, I didn’t Lean Back, I did exactly what I set out to do when I enrolled in architecture school in the first place: work in a museum designing things.  I tried to be as smart as I could about my career, work in a firm to follow through on my education, and get licensed. It wasn’t for another 5 years that I had my kid. I feel lucky to have been able to do it that way… get ME done first before dealing with mini-ME.

Timing sometimes works, things sometimes fall into place.  But sometimes, you have to do some leaning.

Back to Architecture… this fictional place I left. Now, I can say I’m an Architect with no one asking me what I mean without the addition of the words Exhibit Designer.  Does that matter? People seem to need very cut and dry terms.  People also have a lot of crazy ideas about what an architect is or does… I’m not walking around with a blueprints, although I do still wear a lot of black.  But I don’t allow others to define me.  I am an architect, and I have been one, for quite a while. Now, I hope I am in a place where I can make spaces and containers for beautiful works of art, and also build buildings again, while I look at the greater whole. My experiences are not two separate pieces, they are part of me.

I want both, you see.  Will I get it? Who knows, but there is only one way to find out.

OK, the first month has been weird… honestly… and yet, exhilarating.  I have this headset at my desk and no actual phone (which makes me feel like Brittany Spears or Tom Cruise a la Magnolia).  Not that we used rotary phones at the museum, but you get what I mean.  Then there’s the culture, and the notions of money (profit vs. non-profit) which are quite new.  Most days my new colleagues say things to me and I stare back at them blankly.  Every trade and office carries its own language around, its lingo, its series of acronyms that one has to decipher.  Architects especially are known for their, wait, our, made up words.

I went on my first project interview this week.  It was peculiar not being on the client side of the table.  I felt very “nervicited” (a word from my daughter)  But, feeling uneasy is something I asked for.  Honestly, I question myself too, just like anyone.  Will I succeed? Can I contribute enough?  Will I be good at this again?  It all creeps in.  But I’ve learned to let it go.  No one has all the answers, no one can do it all, and no one is better than you, they are just different.  I just keep reminding myself that I have a ton of knowledge many don’t.  I’m confident in what I can do.  I’m confident I’ll pick up on the stuff I have no idea how to do.

I want to do more, I think I can, I will.  (But I've been here for like 3 months… talk to me in about 6 more.)

In writing this I began to wonder who reads the Inspire blogs? Who are you, reader? If you are mid way through your career, are you keeping up the good fight?  If you are in the beginnings of your life as an architect, or are contemplating a career as one, I’ll leave the cheese and get down to those brass tacks…

 

Here it is… the unsolicited advice…ready? 

Get licensed.  

Look at it like brushing your teeth… it’s something you have to do. If you never use it that’s another matter entirely. Just get it, and you will have it.

I would not have been at the level I was outside of the profession without this credential. I would not have had any choices in a return to an architecture firm without it.

So many of the other things that affect diversity in practice are non-tangible and seemingly out of our reach. This one is very cut and dry.  It is hard, it is annoying, but it is doable and quantifiable. So, make a plan and follow through. Life gets in the way and always will. I get it.

You can fix it.

Get your license.

Don’t go missing.

Then, go through whatever process you need to in order to figure out what you WANT to do.  Write it all down, talk to folks, imagine your future, go see a fortune teller… whatever.  Design it.  But keep it short, succinct.  Don't get stuck in that planning stage forever… in the time it has taken you to read this long rambling post, you could've gone online and signed up for the exam.  I realize this simplifies everything, but seriously… there is no try there is only do.

Just Do it.

Early Bird Registration for #AIACon15 ENDS Wednesday, March 23rd

Curious about joining the most innovative workshop at AIA National Convention in Philadelphia?

EQxD Hackathon Scholarship Winners!

And the winner's are...

And the winner's are...

Congratulations to our EQxD Hackathon Scholarship Winners! It was a very difficult time deciding who would be the lucky winners, so we include 2 more for a total of 10 scholarships. Thank you to everyone that applied. Even if you didn't get selected this year, please try again next time.

Thank you to Erin Emery, of Autodesk, Lilian Asperin-Clyman of WRNS Studio and Frances Choun of McCarthy Building Companies for being our scholarship jury. In the following weeks, we will be featuring their bios, photos and stories with more about the Hackathon experience.

EQxD Hackathon Scholarship 10 Winners:

  • Ricardo J. Maga-Rojas, Associate AIA, NOMA
  • Braham J. B. Berg
  • Ryan Orr
  • Obi Okolo
  • Daniel Teed
  • Shawna Hammon
  • A.L. Hu
  • Hilary Barlow
  • Jonathan Meadows
  • Kelly Duignan

And... some of the answers to the scholarship application questions:

Why do you want to attend WE315 EQxD Hackathon? 

"As the past Volunteer Coordinator at NOMA National (in New Orleans), a Project Pipeline Louisiana, and active AIAS member (national-- through AIAS Freedom by Design Advisory Group and local--representative on AIA New Orleans Executive Board), I care strongly about the future of our profession and believe that our profession will not move forward if we continue to lack representation and opportunity for agency from a plethora of / including all genders, race, perspectives, and backgrounds. From attending two of Rosa Sheng's Keynote address this past year (NOLA/SF), I am a motivated believer in the mission of EQxD and I want to attend this Hackathon to learn more about EQxD; meet other like-minded individuals; hear their stories and what they are doing to advocate/encourage for equity in the field, and also learn about how I can act as a champion. I'm aware I'm only a student but I believe through my current involvement and future associations, I can make a difference to the ExD that results in progress and (hopefully soon) equity."

 

"First, as a Master of Architecture student at Columbia University, I am acutely aware of how new technology impacts the architectural profession. I am interested in exploring and implementing tech in the context of architecture as a new method of communication and understanding, both for the client and for the designer. Second, as an openly transgender/genderqueer person of color (I am Asian-American) aspiring to become an architect, I bring a unique perspective to the conversation on diversity, inclusion, and equity in architecture. I possess an entrepreneurial spirit because the architectural field lacks precedents for my identities and modes of practice, and I believe that I would benefit greatly from the topic of discussion and networking at the Hackathon."

 

What does "Architecture and the Era of Connections" mean to you? 

"Among other things living in an era of connections makes it nearly impossible for me, in my mind, to justify the many reasons you often hear for why architects/designers/the profession is the way that it is. In an age where an average patient can, at least, broadly understand an impending operation or crippling diagnoses through innovations in technology and story-telling, there is no reason we should still be asking the question "Why doesn't the public understand what we do?" ... Simply put, it's because we don't really want them to yet."

 

"Architecture and the Era of Connections means 1.) showing how architecture is inherent in the daily lives of everyone on this planet no matter gender, race, place, ideology, or background; 2.) arch spanning beyond the traditional realms of forms into all interdisciplinary realms (arts+sciences+business+law) where design and architecture can impact and address social issues as a problem; 3.) using/ adapting technology (wisely!!) as a way that enhances everyone's experience of space or place (online or physical); 4.) inspiring others--of all a GWS and from all around the world-- of the potential that they too can create their visions and improve the existing. It's not so much social media, technology, and the Internet inherently in all things; it's about using these platforms as tools to our advantage to bring people (through physical interactions--everything should be brought back to physical space) in ways that haven't been done and which broadcast to others what impact architecture and design can have."

 

Early Bird Registration for #AIACon15 ENDS Wednesday, March 23rd

Curious about joining the most innovative workshop at AIA National Convention in Philadelphia?

THANKS TO OUR EQXD HACKATHON SPONSORS!

 

 

Architecture And...The Era of Connection #Architalks 18

 

Architecture And...The Era of Connection #Architalks 18March 6 — Rosa Sheng

This month's #Architalks 18 topic is "Architecture And..." and was suggested by yours truly to Bob Borson, AIA, the originator of "Life of an Architect" blog and #Architalks blog series. The term "Architecture And" came about in our Equity by Design committee meetings about two years ago when we were discussing how the profession would benefit more from an inclusive and collaborative mindset. Architecture And is also looking back to the roots of what architects use to do beyond "basic services" of design and documentation of buildings; master planning, programming, renderings, engineering, fundraising, and master builder. In the last 2 decades, the advancement of technology has expanded more quickly than professional practice has been able to keep up.

During the Equity by Design Symposium in 2014, one of the main break-out sessions was titled Architecture And to expand the conversation and definition of what is means to channel what people are passionate about and adapt it into new business models to support equitable practice. The positive feedback from that session led us to create a dedicated EQxD "U" Workshop - Architecture And in October 2015 with featured panelists who started as architects and have expanded their practice in different ways with great insights on their experiences.

Emily Grandstaff-Rice also wrote an article for YAF Connection that we republished in our blog . She reinforced and expanded our conversation about the importance of looking outward as a profession. "When it comes down to it, there is a value proposition at the crux of how architects can begin to innovate in practice. Think about it-architects as problem solvers; architects as strategists; architects as connectors--all possibilities."

Ever since I read Phil Bernstein's piece "The Era of Connection is Coming and Design will Never Be the Same" from Autodesk's Line, Shape, Space, I have been thinking about the "New Era" and what it means for our profession. Our ability to adapt to a rapidly changing world, relies with us keeping up with constant disruption brought on with the hyper-advancement of technology. "How will people design and make things in the future?" The idea of inspiring innovation was also discussed at AIA Grassroots in Detroit by Keynote Speaker Josh Linkner. He suggested that we 1. Get Curious 2. Ask What's Next 3. Defy Tradition 4. Get Scrappy 5. Fail Fast, Adapt Fast to have the right mindset for innovation in our industry.

This May, at the AIA National Convention, we are featuring the 2nd EQxD Hackathon to further the discussion with "Architecture And the Era of Connections" on May 18th, 1-5pm.  In the new edition of the EQxD Hackathon: Architecture And, the Era of Connection, we will start with an exploration at the intersection of design, architecture, tech and entrepreneurship featuring a diversely experienced panel. This will be an "out of the box" experience looking at the future of architectural practice beyond what we know today. We will be inspired by examples of innovation and the evolution of the business of architecture in the new digital economy.

During the second half of the workshop, participants will form small groups and develop a plan of action or business plan for a new product/service to positively impact the future of the architectural practice. At the end, Teams will present their concepts to judges in an "elevator pitch", and the winning team will present its "hack" to conference participants at the EQxD Happy Hour and social/networking event at at location near the Convention Center from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Equity by Design is excited to announce that we will be providing scholarships to attend AIA National Convention 2016 pre-convention workshop WE315 EQxD Hackathon: Architecture And, the Era of Connection on Wednesday May 18th from 1-5pm located at the Philadelphia Convention Center. The scholarship is focused on providing access for Architecture School students, as well as recent graduates, emerging professionals, and newly licensed architects to this "not to be missed" un-conventional workshop. Scholarship applications will be accepted from Feb. 22 thru March 11th w/ scholarship winners announced by March 18th. We are thankful for our EQxD Hackathon sponsors for making these scholarships available.

If you would like to hear the other interpretations of #Architalks 18 Architecture And, you can read them here.

Bob Borson – Life of An Architect (@bobborson)
Life of an Architect

Marica McKeel – Studio MM (@ArchitectMM)
Architecture and Photography

Jeff Echols – Architect Of The Internet (@Jeff_Echols)
Architecture and a Future Without Architects

Lee Calisti, AIA – Think Architect (@LeeCalisti)
architecture and __

Lora Teagarden – L² Design, LLC (@L2DesignLLC)
Architecture and Travel

Jes Stafford – MODwelling (@modarchitect)
Architecture and Gaming

Eric T. Faulkner – Rock Talk (@wishingrockhome)
architecture and m&ms

Rosa Sheng – EquitybyDesign [EQxD] (@EquityxDesign)
Architecture And the Era of Connection

Michele Grace Hottel – Michele Grace Hottel, Architect (@mghottel)
#ArchiTalks 18: architecture and… the bigger picture

Meghana Joshi – IRA Consultants, LLC (@MeghanaIRA)
Architalks 18: Architecture and Mathematics

Amy Kalar – ArchiMom (@AmyKalar)
Architalks 18: Architecture and … Parenting

Michael Riscica – Young Architect (@YoungArchitxPDX)
Architecture and Yoga

brady ernst – Soapbox Architect (@bradyernstAIA)
Architecture and Ego

Michael LaValley – Evolving Architect (@archivalley)
Architecture and Ego / The Architect’s Unique Struggle with ‘Good’ Design

Sharon George – Architecture By George (@sharonraigeorge)
Architecture and Kids

Emily Grandstaff-Rice – Emily Grandstaff-Rice FAIA (@egrfaia)
Architecture and More

Jarod Hall – di’velept (@divelept)
Architecture and the Myth of the Master Builder

Jeffrey A Pelletier – Board & Vellum (@boardandvellum)
Architecture and Interior Design

Samantha Raburn – The Aspiring Architect (@TheAspiringArch)
Architecture and Wrestling

Keith Palma – Architect’s Trace (@cogitatedesign)
Architecture + Memories

Adam Denais – Defragging Architecture (@DefragArch)
[#ArchiTalks 18] Architecture and Strange Travel Etiquette

Jim Mehaffey – Yeoman Architect (@jamesmehaffey)
Architecture and…my Generation.

2016 Equity in Architecture Survey Launches!

AIA SF Equity by Design's 2016 Equity in Architecture Survey launches today and can be taken thru April 1, 2016. Inspired by the 2014 research study "The Missing 32% Project" this survey will have questions on the professional experiences, backgrounds, and aspirations. This new survey goal is to attain 3,000 to 5,000 people who have graduated from Architecture schools and are currently residing in the United States. Current employment in professional practice is not required to take the survey. Survey links will be distributed via email through participating Architectural membership organizations, Academic alumni networks and firms.

Project Description

The Equity in Architecture Research Project will provide data on the ways in which men’s and women’s careers in architecture differ and the potential pinch points that affect talent retention in the industry. The survey will offer insight into ways in which individual practitioners, employers, and the industry as a whole can make changes on a policy and culture level that promote satisfying careers in architecture.

On average, the survey should take 20-25 minutes to complete, and will be administered within a 5 week period via Survey Monkey by email invitation. The survey results will be processed by the professional research team between April 2016 – July 2016, with preliminary results available in June 2016.

Survey Outreach:

Prospective survey participants will be reached through a joint effort by industry associations, including: 

  • AIA National & AIA State and Local Components
  • AIAS  American Institute of Architecture Students
  • ACSA  Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
  • NAAB  National Architectural Accrediting Board
  • NCARB  National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
  • NOMA National Organization of Minority Architects
  • Architecture Firms - of all sizes (firms can be provided a link to promote their entire staff to participate.)

Presentation of Findings:

It is anticipated that the key findings for the survey will be presented at the 4th Equity by Design Symposium: Meaning, Engagement, & Influence on October 29th 2016 at the San Francisco Art Institute followed by a Final Report in early 2017.

Project Background

In the United States, women represent about 50% of students enrolled in architecture programs, but only 18% of licensed architects are women.  Place this disparity alongside the widely distributed Denise Scott Brown Pritzker Prize Petition, the success of  Lean In by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, the Australian Institute of Architects’ recently approved Gender Equity Policy and continuing attrition of women architects in the profession, and there is a perfect storm: a climate restless for discussion about women’s equitable representation and participation in the future of architectural practice.

The Equity in Architecture Research Project is an outcome of AIA San Francisco’s 2012 and 2013 sold-out Missing 32% symposium.  Formed from the desire for sustained discussion about equity in architectural practice, these events produced a commitment to change the status quo for both women and men by conducting additional research, publishing best practices, and fostering peer-to-peer accountability and collaboration among firms regionally and beyond. Of primary importance is attracting and retaining the profession's best talent pool by providing equitable conditions that empower individuals to succeed. .

Equity By Design's Mission Statement:

Equity by Design is a call to action for both women and men to realize the goal of equitable practice, advance architecture, sustain the profession and communicate the value of design to society. Our mission is to understand the pinch points and promote the strategic execution of best practices in the recruitment, retention, and promotion of our profession's best talent at every level of architectural practice.

 

Survey FAQ's 

Who are the researchers on the project?

Due to the sensitive nature of the information being collected, the selected researcher shall not be any person who will pursue admission to, or is currently enrolled in an architectural program, or has graduated from affiliated programs with professional degrees related to architecture.  Please see below for research team information.

What should participants expect?

Participants will complete a 15-20 minute online survey administered and secured by the research team. At the end of the online survey, participants can indicate their interest to be contacted by the research team for a follow up interview to their initial responses.

Where will the survey take place?

Participants can complete the online survey with a link provided in an official outreach email that will be forwarded by supporting professional organizations. Participants can take the survey wherever they choose, and at whatever time during the open survey period, from February 29, 2016 to April 8, 2016. Once the survey period is complete, no additional survey responses will be taken. Follow-up interviews will be scheduled at the participants’ convenience.

Are there any risks based on involvement? 

The research team will protect the anonymity of the respondents during the collection, analysis, and results phases. We do not foresee any risks based on involvement for either participants or firms given the confidentiality of the source data collected and rigorous protocol for statistical analysis being administered by our research team.

The survey time commitment seams rather long. What if I get interrupted while I take the survey?

If you find that you need to leave the survey and return where you left off, you can do so only from the same computer that you started your survey from.

Are there any benefits based on involvement?

Survey respondents and interviewees will not be paid for their involvement. We expect the architectural community to benefit from increased understanding about the impact of recruitment, retention, and professional development practices on both women and men in architectural practice.  Findings from the research will be shared with all participants and organizations in the form of infographics and a final report. Select organizations supporting the research will get a preview of the research results prior to release.

How will we maintain confidentiality and privacy, and ensure security of the data once collected and stored?

The research team will separate any names, usernames, and email addresses collected via the survey. Quotations from open-ended questions may be used in research publications, but never in a way that would specifically identify a participant.  Upon request, we will provide verification of the researchers’ procedures as endorsed by their Institution.

I took the AIA National Diversity Survey last year, how is this study different?

The Equity in Architecture Survey 2016 differs from the 2015 AIA Diversity Survey. This survey is a comprehensive deep dive in uncovering the Career Pinch Points and "Intersections" that influence professionals success and unique trajectories. The questions range from salary compensation, advancement goals, the type of work they do and what firms are providing in terms of benefits and workplace culture that encourages talent retention. 

I have many friends in the profession that I think should take this survey, can I forward them the letter and link I receive?

In order to maintain the integrity of this survey, we rely on a data set that fully represents the survey participants we are sampling. The 2014 survey was conducted as a popular survey and thus was prone to a self-selection bias with more women respondents than men. The 2016 survey link will be made available via email to architectural graduates through their alumni affiliations to Architectural schools and the architectural collateral membership organizations including those identified below. So, please do not forward your survey letter and link. 

I did not receive an invitation to participate in the survey, but would like to participate. How can that happen?

If you did not receive a letter to participate in the survey from your member organization, Please also check your spam folder to make sure it didn't accidentally get placed there. Please contact your member organization for information if you wish to participate, but did not receive a link.

Research Funding

The survey is funded through AIASF’s sustaining sponsorship program, equity champions and in part through the AIA National Diversity & Inclusion Grant. For a full list of sponsors and supporters, please visit http://aiasf.org. If you are interested in survey sponsorship, please contact us by completing the form below.

Find out more information on survey here.

EQxD's TEDxPhiladelphia Video - Why does Equity in Architecture Matter?

by Rosa T. Sheng, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

TEDxPhiladelphia 2015 - Why does Equity in Architecture Matter?

TEDxPhiladelphia 2015 - Why does Equity in Architecture Matter?

On June 11, 2013, I made one of the most important life changing decisions, ever. While I was having a pre-midlife crisis and could have easily chose to give up out of hopelessness, fear, and self-doubt, I was asked to present as a panelist at a conference called "The Missing 32%".  There, I met my future champions, who assured me that my career, life and achievements had value worth sharing with others. We collectively agreed to take action in the name of equity in architecture. On that fateful day, I asked many to come to the table to form what would become "The Missing 32% Project" and later evolved into Equity by Design, a committee of AIA SF. On June 11, 2015, I shared the amazing story with an audience of 1200 at TEDxPhiladelphia of what came about during the 2 years since I made the decision to stay in the profession and take action for positive change. There is a lot of work still to be done, and plenty more bites of the whale to go around. But the sight of more people coming to the table with forks in hand is very encouraging and we have a lot more in store for 2016! So grab your fork, watch the video, share with all the architects and non-architects you know. We can make a difference, one bite at a time.

This week, TEDxPhiladelphia is releasing all 14 talks to the public via Youtube. I am honored and humbled to be in the presence of so many amazing people, their work and causes, and their message to the world. Please visit the official website to view them all and please consider supporting future talks produced by this amazing group.

10 Power Tools to Kickstart Equitable Practice

by Rosa T. Sheng, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

This month's #Architalks "secret ingredient" topic is "TOOL" as suggested by Bob Borson, AIA, the originator of "Life of an Architect" blog and #Architalks blog series. According to dictionary.com, the word "TOOL" actually has 17 meanings! For this particular post, I chose "Power Tool" as a metaphor playing on the following two definitions. (And the reference "power" suggests increased effectiveness and efficiency at accomplishing the task).

/to͞ol/  noun

  1. An implement, especially one held in the hand, as a hammer, saw, or file, for performing or facilitating mechanical operations.
  2. anything used as a means of accomplishing a task or purpose:

There has been a lot of discussion (and frankly some confusion) about Equity, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the last few years within our profession, but also in society at large. In 2013, I founded The Missing 32% Project to shed light on the challenges we face as a profession by not supporting our talent. Our work has evolved into Equity by Design to promote equitable practice in Architecture. The means to achieve this task have become our essential kit of power tools. 

Power Tool # 1 - Data

The 2014 Equity in Architecture Survey Final Report  - Inspired by Alexandre Lange's "Architecture's Lean In Moment", Metropolis Magazien, July/August 2013, this report summarizes the data analysis collected in the inaugural survey we conducted in early 2014. The report has been used by architects and allied professions nationally and globally as a starting point of discussion for the challenges and pinch points occurring in the workplace that cause talent to leave a firm or the profession. And things are happening. The research has been the impetus for action: from the AIA National Resolution 15-1 Equity in Architecture, to the establishment of the Commission for Equity, to firms of all sizes re-evaluating workplace policies for equitable practice.  But we are not done yet. We are getting ready for our 2016 Equity in Architecture Survey which will launch at the end of the month. Stay tuned!

Power Tool #2 - Knowing Your Worth

In the survey, the top 2 answers for why people leave the profession - Long Hours, Low Pay. While, compensation is predicated on the economy, the size of the firm, and the skill sets of the professional, there are valuable tools to better understand if you are being compensated fairly. AIA National has launched the tool - AIA Compensation Survey Salary Calculator to provide top line compensation information for 17 architectural positions by region and firm size. 

Power Tool #3 - Negotiation, The Art and Science of making the Deal. 

Less than 40% of EQiA survey respondents had negotiated for a higher salary if they had an unsatisfactory offer. This turned into a popular series of workshops to learn better negotiation skills. I shared an article in AIA YAF Connection in April 2015 that highlights the key components to becoming a better negotiator.  You can also sign up for our next edition of the workshop at AIA National Convention in Philadelphia this year. TH209 EQxD Negotiation is your Power Tool- on May 19, 2016 from 2-3pm. 

Power Tool #4 - Parlour Guides to Equitable Practice

Many have reacted positively to the Survey findings, but ask, where do we start? and HOW? While one might associate the process with "Eating a Whale", there is help and guidance to get started. Our friends in Australia have been very productive in publishing this resource for firms to address all aspects of equitable practice, including: pay equity, flexibility, leadership, mentoring, licensure, career breaks, and work culture. While there is a state side version in development, Parlour's Guides are a great start for anyone who is asking.

Power Tool #5 - Getting Connected

Architects may have mixed feelings about engaging in Social Media. I know that I did. Prior to starting Equity by Design, I was suspicious about it and worried about trolls. 3 years later, I am happy to report that I haven't been stalked or stoned to death by trolls yet (although I did have one troll, but I blocked him). In all seriousness, there is an amazing world of connections to be made to forward the movement for equitable practice. You can also strengthen your professional development, building relationships and connections to people who will likely become your future champions. Suggested: Twitter, Linked In, Facebook. 

Power Tool #6 - Using your Voice for Thought Leadership

While Architects are generally known for communicating in graphic ways, we are hard pressed sometimes in communicating who we are, what an Architect does, and our contributions to the value of a better society via the built environment. A great place to do that is having a blog on your website, or post on Linked In. If you don't have a website, you can easily start one up for free on Wordpress or a small subscription cost on Squarespace . These sites have design savvy templates and are easier to set up and maintain than a customized website. Another benefit of a website and blog is a place to showcase your work and a new way for potential clients to get to know you before even meeting. But, who has the time to keep up a blog post? Another option is to become an occasional contributor / guest blogger on our EQxD blog or www.TheEquityAlliance.com . It's a good way to get your feet wet, without making a larger commitment to maintain your own site until you are ready.

Power Tool #7 - Find your Champions, Be a Champion

So, what are Champions? Are they mentors? What is the difference? The main differentiator is that champions are those that are actively and openly advocating for you in terms of professional feedback and advancement. They are going to bat for you and they have a vested interest in your success.  They can be your clients, your 'manager', your firm Principals, your teammates, your peer colleagues or consultants. They can also be people you meet through social media who are endorsing you, your achievements, your cause. In turn, be a champion to others. Make it a point to pay it forward.

Power Tool #8 - Build Recognition for Good Work

Despina Stratigakos launched a movement in June 2013 in Places Journal with an article titled "Unforgetting Women Architects" . Despina's modern day strategy to undo the effect of women architects being left out of the history books suggested that Wikipedia was the new medium of measuring existence and recognition. Since then, Architexx, Parlour, and N-ails have answered her charge to document notable and inspirational women architects. Write a Wikipedia entry to contribute to the restoration and ongoing legacy. Write about women contemporaries in architecture that you admire. Use the WiKiD guide developed by Justine Clark's Team at Parlour. Collaborate with other groups like SheHeroes.Org to expand the storytelling beyond our profession. 

Power Tool #9 - Work Life Fit

For many of these things that I have suggested, you may ask "Who has any time?" There are many tools out there for higher efficiency of time management including the Pomodoro technique . But beyond time management, the deeper question is "Is your day to day work meaningful to your career goals?" If yes, than your passion is the driver and you can find the means to optimize your time and priorities. If no, then you should consider re-assessing what it is that you are passionate about in all aspects of your life. By trying to integrate and align your passions you will have a better chance at leading the life that you want as we learned from Stew Friedman.

Power Tool #10 - Be In It, to Win It.

At the AIA Women's Leadership Summit in Seattle, Julia Donoho, AIA, Esq. in her presentation about leading a campaign to nominate Julia Morgan for the AIA Gold Medal summed it up pretty well. "You can't win the lottery, if you don't by a ticket". That doesn't necessarily mean that buying a ticket ensures a win, but it definitely increases your odds.  In essence, participate, be present, get involved before you submit for awards. Volunteer for selection juries so that you can understand the process. Be a champion to get others nominated and recognized. There are also many opportunities to promote the equitable selection of speakers and panelists at conferences, design awards juries, and elected Board Members for AIA Components. Get involved.

 

Here are more posts, in no particular order, from my friends that wrote for #Architalks 17 "TOOL" .  Read, tweet, share, comment, etc.

Bob Borson - Life of An Architect (@bobborson)
http://www.lifeofanarchitect.com/the-tools-of-an-architect/

Marica McKeel - Studio MM (@ArchitectMM)
3 Tools to Get Our Clients Engaged and Involved

Jeff Echols - Architect Of The Internet (@Jeff_Echols)
The Best Tool In Your Toolbox

Lee Calisti, AIA - Think Architect (@LeeCalisti)
tool

Lora Teagarden - L² Design, LLC (@L2DesignLLC)
The Tools That Help Make #AREsketches

Jeremiah Russell, AIA - ROGUE Architecture (@rogue_architect)
tools #architalks

Jes Stafford - MODwelling (@modarchitect)
One Essential Tool

Eric T. Faulkner - Rock Talk (@wishingrockhome)
Architools - Mind Over Matter

Michele Grace Hottel - Michele Grace Hottel, Architect (@mghottel)
#ArchiTalks 17 "Tool"

Meghana Joshi - IRA Consultants, LLC (@MeghanaIRA)
Tools of an Architect #Architalks 17

Amy Kalar - ArchiMom (@AmyKalar)
ArchiTalks #17: Three Tools for Change

Brian Paletz - The Emerging Architect (@bpaletz)
Can we talk?

Michael LaValley - Evolving Architect (@archivalley)
Why An Architect's Voice Is Their Most Important Tool

Eric Wittman - intern[life] (@rico_w)
it's ok, i have a [pen]

Emily Grandstaff-Rice - Emily Grandstaff-Rice FAIA (@egrfaia)
Tools for Learning

Jarod Hall - di'velept (@divelept)
Something Old and Something New

Greg Croft - Sage Leaf Group (@croft_gregory)
Tools...

Jeffrey A Pelletier - Board & Vellum (@boardandvellum)
Helpful tools found within an Architecture blog

Aaron Bowman - Product & Process (@PP_Podcast)
Sharpen Your Tools

Kyu Young Kim - Palo Alto Design Studio (@sokokyu)
Super Tool

Jared W. Smith - Architect OWL (@ArchitectOWL)
Construction: An Architect's Learning Tool

Keith Palma - Architect's Trace (@cogitatedesign)
(CTRL A) (Command-A)- Edit

INSPIRE%: Grit is what it takes… Lots of it

By Damaris Hollingsworth AIA, LEED AP

Grit (noun)
Google Dictionary:
courage and resolve; strength of character
Cambridge Dictionary:
courage and determination despite difficulty
Synonyms:
courage, bravery, pluck, mettle, backbone, spirit, strength of character, strength of will, moral fiber, steel, nerve, fortitude, toughness, hardiness, resolve, resolution, determination, tenacity, perseverance, endurance; spunk

    To go from a black girl growing up in the inner cities of Sao Paulo, Brazil to an accomplished Architect in the United States takes a good amount of grit.
Damaris Hollingsworth (left) working with team members at  RSP Architects in Minneapolis. 

Damaris Hollingsworth (left) working with team members at  RSP Architects in Minneapolis. 

    When I was seven years old, my dad hired an architect to design and handle the city approvals for our house. That alone was something out of the ordinary. In the inner cities of Brazil, the land is often “taken,” the houses are built without city approvals, and there is no such a thing as the reinforcement of master plans, city zoning or code regulations. My dad, though an unsophisticated labor worker, has great character and refused to take anything that was not legally his or do anything that was not approved by the city. He and my mom notified us that for a few years there would be no birthdays or Christmas gifts. We would all collaborate to save money, so we could purchase the land and build a house. Once the land was purchased, it was time to hire an architect. Rosana, the woman my dad hired, came to our house for the first meeting on a Saturday afternoon. Up to that point, I honestly did not know that women could work outside of the house. My mom worked, she worked a lot, but she worked at home - sewing clothes for her clients, so she could keep a close eye on me and my two older siblings. In my seven year old mind it was the norm that moms stay home with the kids and dads go to work outside of the house. That was what all our neighbors and church friends did.

Hollingsworth's family home in Sao Paulo, Brazil (left). When she met the architect of her family home, Rosana, she knew she wanted to be an architect. Her family saved for years to buy the land, hire an architect and build a home. She lived there f…

Hollingsworth's family home in Sao Paulo, Brazil (left). When she met the architect of her family home, Rosana, she knew she wanted to be an architect. Her family saved for years to buy the land, hire an architect and build a home. She lived there from 10 to 28 before moving to the United States. 

    When I saw Rosana around our dinner table meeting with my parents, I thought she looked powerful, intelligent and beautiful. I decided right there and then that I wanted to be whatever she was when I grew up. I asked my parents who she was. They told me she was our architect. I told them that I was going to be an architect too. My dad said that to be an architect I would need to attend college and colleges were not for people like “us.” I did not give him too much attention. I was going to be an architect.

    The years passed and it was time to talk about going to college and becoming an architect. My dad reminded me that our family could not afford to send me to college. Architectural schools were full time which meant I would not be able to continue to work full time and take classes only in the evenings as I had done through high school. My dad said the only option would be for me to go the University of Sao Paulo because it was free, even though it was the best school in the country and even in the Latin America. But that also was not for people like “us.” Now I was confused. I could understand why expensive was not for people like us, but I could not understand why free was also not for people like us. I asked questions and my dad explained that the selective process for that university benefitted kids who had been going to the best private schools all their lives. My inner city public school background would not cut it.

He was partially right. It took me three failures before I succeeded. The academic content that I had learned did not cover one third of the exams that I had to pass. I had to quit my job and take full time complementary classes, for which I got scholarships, for two full years before I was fairly competing with, what my dad used to call, the rich kids. The selective system did not benefit people like me, but I decided that I would find a way to get into that school. I was four years older than most kids when I started college. For two years, I baked cakes and sold them every day to make money for lunch and school supplies. In my third year I got an internship at the university planning department as an Urban Designer Intern. I did not have to bake cakes every day any more.

Hollingsworth (left) at the University of Sao Paulo where she studied Architecture and Urban Design.

Hollingsworth (left) at the University of Sao Paulo where she studied Architecture and Urban Design.

    Getting into the university and graduating after six years was hard. I had all types of hurdles to jump. From textbooks only in languages other than Portuguese (and back then I could only speak and read Portuguese) to the constant reminder that my background education did not prepare me enough for the university, or even to simply carry on a culturally rich conversation with my peers and professors. That feeling of not belonging in a group nagged me almost every day. But little did I know that while those had truly required a lot of determination and hard work, the hardest was yet to come. When the hardship in front of you depends on your efforts and resilience only, as demanding, unfair and difficult as it may be, it will only take you. It may take me three failures before I succeed, but I will get it done. By the time I earned my Architect and Urban Designer degree in Brazil, I had broader plans. I wanted to be an architect in the US. (Very) long story short, I moved to the US right after earning my degrees and started working as an intern at an architectural firm. The IDP hours were not a problem. My supervisor was pretty awesome and gave all the opportunities I needed to meet the hours and type of work requirements. A few years later I decided to stop avoiding the AREs. Once my mind was set on that, it took me nine months to pass all seven exams. This short summary may make it sound like this phase of my journey was easy. It was not. It was physically and emotionally draining. I thought about giving up and going back to Brazil where I was already a registered architect. But I held my ground and kept on pushing. Again, I was convinced that the hardest part was done.

“That was when I first sensed the infamous glass ceiling and invisible walls. They frustrated me more than any of the barriers I had previously faced because overcoming them was not something my grit alone could do. I needed my peers, my leadership and the community to acknowledge their existence, and then work with me to remove them. ”

What I soon realized is that there was a lot of ground to conquer if I wanted to climb the ladder, reach for leadership and be an accomplished architect. That was when I first sensed the infamous glass ceiling and invisible walls. They frustrated me more than any of the barriers I had previously faced because overcoming them was not something my grit alone could do. I needed my peers, my leadership and the community to acknowledge their existence, and then work with me to remove them. The first big frustration was the fact that most people around me would not even believe that there was such a thing as a resistance to women, and more specifically to women of color in leadership roles. To be quite honest, at first, I did not recognize it myself. I would sense the resistance, the lack of acknowledgment to my leadership and the lack of respect for my position, and I always assumed that it was probably because I did not know how to answer that specific question, or because I had an accent, or because I looked young. I blamed myself for years. Only when I started to have dialogues with other women, especially women in leadership roles, I understood that the problems that I had been facing were far from being “my” problem.  

When I had only two out of seven exams left to pass, I asked my then leaders for a conversation. I had been consistently requesting feedback and talking about my goals since the very beginning of my journey with the firm. At that time I had new managers, and I wanted to make sure they were aware of my professional development progress, my goals and of my dedication. The meeting started with them going over a summary of all my previous reviews and the recommendations from my past managers. They seemed quite impressed with the comments, the compliments and with my professional development, personal growth and how, year after year, I had met and surpassed the goals that myself and my managers had set for me. Then they asked me what I was looking for, what was my long term goal. I told them that my goal was to be a principal at the firm some day and that after so many years being as dedicated and truly committed to the firm, I believed that my next step was a promotion to an associate position. The stares I received were filled with a mix of disbelief, shock, sarcasm and pity. It was like I had said something completely out of the ordinary. I reminded them that all my (white male and some white female) peers that had shown the type of work quality, work ethic and commitment that I had were already associates. After a couple of hours of conversation, I was told that maybe, in my case, it would be best if I left the firm, went somewhere where people did not know me since when I was an intern, so that they would be able to see past the inexperienced girl I once was. It broke my heart. I loved that firm. They took me in when I was fresh out of Brazil, they sponsored me through the immigration process, they taught me a great deal of skills. I had dreams and goals for myself in that firm and that conversation shattered my dreams. An awesome large firm hired me as a Higher Education Client Leader to oversee project staff, work with clients to ensure their goals are met, guide program development and facilitate vital documents during the design and construction phases; In other words, everything I had told my former managers I could do and was already doing.

    The reason I told the short version of my life story in the beginning is to say that, though going from inner city black girl to a registered architect in the US seems like a lot of hard work and determination (and it was), going from a registered architect to a senior leader architect as a woman and a person of color will take me much more than that. And in many workplaces, hard work and determination will not matter at all. It may get you pats on your back, “great job”s, high fives, mediocre bonuses and safe promotions. But the real progression toward the C suite will depend on the decision makers valuing the professional for their values, their talent (current and potential) and their loyalty and collaboration to the firm, nothing else.

    At this point you may be asking what I am doing to promote change and make our profession truly an equal opportunity profession. I am an active member of the AIA MN Diversity Task Force, and I have collaborated with writing the Diversity Task Force Report that was issued in October 2015. As a group, we talk about the initiatives that we need to take, both as individual professionals and as an organization, to significantly improve the representation of underrepresented groups in the architectural profession. When watching a lecture by Dr. Heather Hackman last November, I learned that diversity is the end goal, not the solution. When we add diversity into a broken system that benefits the dominant group, diversity will not last. Women and people of color will eventually be pushed out of the profession, which according to the data shared during the AIA Women in Leadership Summit in Seattle last year, has been the case for decades. I have just recently committed to private coaching with Dr. Hackman to truly educate myself on the subjects of unconscious bias and social justice. I believe that education is the mandatory first step for change to happen. As the new elect 2016/2017 co-chair for the AIA MN Women in Architecture Committee, I have had the opportunity to engage in conversations with the decision makers of the industry in the Twin Cities, along with the other co-chairs Amanda Aspenson and Maureen Colburn, to identify the problem, educate ourselves and the professional community on the roots of the problem and then create strategies for the solution and ways to implement it.

I know my story alone can inspire many to keep on pushing toward their goals and dreams, but the truth is, this journey should not have to be so difficult. I want the results of my work as a professional, as a member of the DTF and as a co-chair for the AIA MN WIA to be a not so bumpy road for the younger professionals and generations to come. If we accomplish the structural changes that we as a committee and as a task force are aiming for, the path toward senior leadership for women and people of color will  not be so painful, stressful, unfair and for some, too hard to stay on.

Do you have an INSPIRE% story you would like to share with the Equity by Design community? Email susanjkolber@gmail.com if you want more information on submitting a blogpost