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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 "Plus One" Voices: The More You Do, The More You CAN Do

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December, 2014. Barely coming out of the recession, I was working on commercial/ light industrial projects as an independent architectural consultant while balancing raising my two daughters, fourteen and eight at the time. Although architecture as a profession was clawing its way up from the Great Housing Depression, not everyone was employed to maximize their abilities. Being an immigrant woman of color, a mother, and a recent transplant from Pasadena to Irvine, I didn’t have the network and resources I needed to connect with companies that aligned with my interests. At that point, I was not a member of AIA Orange County yet. One fine day, while surfing the internet for current and relevant articles on architecture, I came across Rosa Sheng, and the initiative (originally known as) “The Missing 32%”. That was the straw I was looking to grasp, and I haven’t looked back ever since. 

#EQxDV Plus One Scholarship Recipients and Mentors

#EQxDV Plus One Scholarship Recipients and Mentors

This year, I was selected to participate in the “Plus One” scholarship program for 2018 Equity by Design Symposium. In celebration of the #EQxDV 5 year founding anniversary, Equity by Design paid it forward with five “Plus One” scholarships for students and emerging professionals to attend the symposium, and connect with five EQxD Mentors/ Champions to share insights on their careers in the built environment. My fellow “Plus One” cohorts were Olga Bracamontes, Taylor Holloway, Maggie Gaudio, and Itria Licitra. We were each paired with a mentor, and mine was Mani Ardalan Farhadi.

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Mani and I have known each other virtually for the past year, bonding over topics related to archimoms (mothers in the profession of architecture) and equitable future in the profession. She is a Senior Facilities Planner at Stanford School of Medicine, “Thought Leader” with Equity by Design, “Citizen Architect” formerly on the Los Gatos Union School District Board, Publicist at AIA Silicon Valley’s Women in Architecture Committee, and former blog editor at the Iranian American Women Foundation. It was a perfect mentor-mentee pair, with similar (and several!) work and life integration/ challenge parallels.

“What we see is that the gap between white men and women has narrowed, but meanwhile the gap between white men and people of color has gotten wider over time,”
— Annelise Pitts, AIA, (The 2018 Equity in Architecture Survey Encourages Industry Soul-Searching, Metropolis Magazine, November 13, 2018, Lydia Lee)

As a volunteer for the survey preparation and an AIA member taking the survey, this was a surreal moment where I was part of past, present and future of an equitable profession. Reality in the shape of graphs stared at me, and I wondered, why the denial? More data followed, showing how women of color with a master’s degree in architecture will earn significantly less than a white male with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. 

Natalie Tse, a presenter of “Building an Equitable Workplace from the Bottom Up”

Natalie Tse, a presenter of “Building an Equitable Workplace from the Bottom Up”

I attended a break out session titled “Building an Equitable Workplace from the Bottom Up”, and listened to Natalie Tse share her story of juggling caregiving and a career as a structural engineer, while also being the cofounder of SE3 Project (geared towards equitable future in Structural Engineering). Natalie’s story of Asian upbringing and the need for self-care resonated with me. As a mother of two, with a full-time job,the Chair of Women in Architecture Committee for AIA Orange County, as well as an ARE test taker, I admit that self-care is on the bottom of my list. Post symposium, I am rethinking self-care, and have made a promise to myself to never let my sleep or health suffer for anything.

During lunch break, the courtyard at the San Francisco Art Institute was filled with the energy and diverse voices of architecture, who were ready to transform the future of the profession. We networked, exchanged contact information, shared our stories, and wished each other success in our chosen paths. We got lunch and broke out into smaller groups.

Mani and I shared our backgrounds and stories. Within minutes into the conversation, Mani gave tips on how to handle performance reviews and negotiate for promotions/ pay raises. She explained how to prepare a folder with printed material and communication showcasing my accomplishments throughout the year, document over-time hours, and all examples that demonstrate going above and beyond my job duties. She advised me to do market research, be assertive, and acknowledge what I deserved without hesitation. Unfortunately I had just finished my review before the symposium, but there is always next year! I am so grateful for this unique experience. Mani is everything I would like to be as an archimom down the lane, willing to share her struggles, her triumphs, and her journey.

Later in the afternoon, I attended the breakout session “Chart Your Path” with Lilian Asperin (left) and Jill Bergman (right). This session integrated work, life, and everything that requires strategic mapping of professional development. Lilian shared her story (I Unsubscribed), and her visual mapping method using analogue tools (post-its!) to find patterns that guide your decision making. Jill shared how you can add more to who you are with a strategic growth plan. I worked on Jill’s method, and realized that I have a short term goal, a long term goal, but not a vision! This was my biggest take-away from the symposium. Seemingly simple, yet complicated when you sit down with a pen and paper. The path is never linear but the plan is, with the ability to meander and course-correct.

Rosa Sheng’s inspirational keynote at the end of the symposium brought almost everyone to tears, as she shared the story of her archimom’s dinner invitation with Steve Jobs. It was very sentimental, touching, and inspiring at the same time. Networking in the courtyard followed, with everyone sharing their takeaways and influences from the symposium. I made new friends, met my social media friends and influences, and connected with more like-minded people.

The EQxDV Symposium was inspiring and energizing, and there is a renewed fire within my soul to do more, to be more.

Two weeks after the symposium, I have taken my plans and goals more seriously than ever. A lot of thought has gone into the direction I want my career to take. The vision board is still a work in progress, and I know there will be challenges in the years to come as I transition from an actively involved parent to an empty nester to primary care-giving. But, to make this vision my own, and not my employer’s or my mentor’s, will help me become my authentic self and give my heart and soul to what I truly believe in.

When I drove to the symposium, I knew I was joining the Board of Directors for AIA Orange County, but I didn’t have a two-year plan. Post symposium, I know what I want to work towards… I am the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - aligning with the Strategic Plan developed by AIA Orange County. In that role, I will be the champion of change and an advocate for equity, or a JEDI Master (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) as Rosa Sheng puts it.

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"Their goal wasn't to stand out because of their differences; it was to fit in because of their talents.”

- Margot Lee Shetterly, Hidden Figures


This quote sums up what women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ aspire to achieve through an equitable framework for a better future. In an ideal world, nothing other than work ethics and talents should matter. Unfortunately, we need equitable frameworks, knowledge and intercultural intelligence (ICQ) to help dismantle the system barriers that prevent advancement. Architecture is a profession that can benefit from diverse experiences to shape our built communities. No one should feel stifled because of their gender, color or race. Let the learnings from the symposium empower us to seek  champions and pay it forward by mentoring the next generation. 

My tweets from the symposium: @meghanaira 

My Instagram story from the symposium: @meghanaira 

 

If you liked this post, please view the other posts here:

#EQxDV “Plus One” Voices: Speaking Up is Hard

#EQxDV “Plus One” The More You Do, The More You Can Do

#EQxDV "Plus One" Voices: How one day can impact your life

#EQxDV: "Plus One" Voices: Belonging Together

#EQxDV “Plus One” Voices: Change starts with Conversation and Community

#EQxDV "Plus One" Voices: Speaking Up is Hard

Written by Taylor Holloway

Speaking up is hard. Being the only one is hard. Succeeding in your profession without an abundance of support, peers, or mentors with shared commonalities, is even harder.

The #EQxDV Symposium, the 2018 Equity in Architecture Survey, and the AIA Guides for Equitable Practice, are the courageous efforts that give validity to the systemic, accepted, and covert, biases and injustices within architectural education and practice since the history of United States. Prior to the #EQxDV Symposium, I had never been able to articulate, voice, or discuss my experience of architectural education and practice that 90% of licensed architects have not experienced, and largely, cannot comprehend.

#EQxDV “Plus One” Scholarship Winners and Mentors - (Left to Right) Taylor Holloway, Jill Bergman, Olga Bracamontes, Frances Choun, Maggie Gaudio, Meghana Joshi, Mani Farhadi, Saskia Dennis-van Dijl, Itria Licitra. (Patricia Ramallo not pictured) Ph…

#EQxDV “Plus One” Scholarship Winners and Mentors - (Left to Right) Taylor Holloway, Jill Bergman, Olga Bracamontes, Frances Choun, Maggie Gaudio, Meghana Joshi, Mani Farhadi, Saskia Dennis-van Dijl, Itria Licitra. (Patricia Ramallo not pictured) Photo credit: Jordan A. Lim.

#EQxDV 5th Sold-Out Symposium at San Francisco Art Institute - November 3rd, 2018. Photo Credit: Andre Pennycooke

#EQxDV 5th Sold-Out Symposium at San Francisco Art Institute - November 3rd, 2018. Photo Credit: Andre Pennycooke

For the first time ever, alongside a band of driven equity and justice warriors, I recognized that I was not alone in my experience both at school and in practice. I am not alone in being the only black woman in my graduate M.Arch class. I am not alone in being told by firm leadership that I was “just was not a good fit” irrespective of my professional performance. I am not alone in grappling with the reality, cost, and isolation of being the first generation in my family to attend college as well as the first to attend graduate school. And most importantly, I am not alone in deciding to commit myself to changing the profession of architecture.

The #EQxDV Symposium was undoubtedly an exceptional event, but more so, it was a space of true dichotomy. It is a space where both pain and joy were unearthed. It is a space where both fact and feeling were examined. It is a space where both reality and the means for mobilizing a new reality convened. Above all, it is a space that architecture needs.

Intersectionality Workshop Presenters - (Right to Left) Rosa Sheng, Prescott Revis, Mani Farhadi, and A.L. Hu. Photo by Taylor Holloway.

Intersectionality Workshop Presenters - (Right to Left) Rosa Sheng, Prescott Revis, Mani Farhadi, and A.L. Hu. Photo by Taylor Holloway.

During a morning workshop - Intersectionality and Intercultural Intelligence, we utilized Milton Bennett’s Intercultural Development Continuum to aid us in pinpointing our personal Intercultural Mindsets. Our talented and patient facilitators helped participants identify how we each dis-engage with or actively integrate our understanding of cultural difference into our lives. Applying actionable tools and processes to confront inequity and bias that exists in all forms of professional practice, not just architecture, isn’t impossible--but it is work. It is work that requires iteration and a conscientious effort to be inclusive and self-aware.

Intersectionality Workshop Participants - Photo by Andre Pennycooke.

Intersectionality Workshop Participants - Photo by Andre Pennycooke.

Among the many learnings I drew from the Intersectionality workshop and the Symposium, what resounded most is that moving towards equity, justice, diversity and inclusion is not solely the work of the underrepresented. It is the work of all of us. Only in collaboration and from a place of openness can architecture emerge on the other side of history as an adaptable, valued, relevant, and evolving profession.

Voices Panel - Kevin Holland, Diana Jacobs, Julia V. Mandell, Tiffany Brown, and A.L. Hu. Photo credit by Wanda Lau

Voices Panel - Kevin Holland, Diana Jacobs, Julia V. Mandell, Tiffany Brown, and A.L. Hu. Photo credit by Wanda Lau

Tiffany Brown, the founder of 400 Forward, spoke at the Symposium about whether it is fair to steward African American women into a field where they will be underrepresented and undercompensated. And it is true; according to the 2018 Equity In Architecture survey data,  black women in architecture may find themselves possessing a master’s degree and still earning less than a white male counterpart with only a bachelor's degree. And it is true; in 2018 we’re still addressing whether a millennia old profession can be made equitable enough to include individuals of different races, creeds, gender identities, socio-economic backgrounds. Yet everyone at the #EQxDV Symposium was in attendance because they possess a belief, or at a minimum a hope, that the evolution and relevance we seek as a profession, will only come after we have made space for the very populations architecture never intended to make space for.

This past week I had the privilege of witnessing Tamara Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement, give a keynote address. Listening to Tamara, I began to fully understand that those of us working to overcome an injustice or a form of trauma can only do so if made aware that we are not alone. The EQxDV Symposium exists not simply to affirm the profession’s real challenges of inequity and bias, but to serve as a foundation and wellspring of encouragement for the efforts that are propelling the profession forward and ushering in new generations of designers, architects, and leaders.

The #EQxDV Symposium was a gathering of the most welcoming and authentic group of individuals in the profession that I have ever encountered. It is also the only gathering of architects I have ever seen collectively decide that they care enough about the profession to mobilize and develop strategies to evolve the field so that its future may look nothing like its past. It was an honor to attend the 5th Equity by Design Symposium, and I reiterate: it is a space that architecture needs.

#EQxDV 5th Sold-Out Symposium at San Francisco Art Institute - November 3rd, 2018. Photo Credit: Andre Pennycooke

#EQxDV 5th Sold-Out Symposium at San Francisco Art Institute - November 3rd, 2018. Photo Credit: Andre Pennycooke

#EQxDV "Plus One" Scholarship Winners!

This year in celebration of #EQxDV our 5 Year Founding Anniversary, we are paying it forward with 5 “Plus One” Scholarship Winners for students and emerging professionals to attend our 5th Sold Out Equity by Design Symposium and connect with 5 amazing EQxD mentor/champions to share insights on their careers in the built environment.

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Olga Bracamontes is on the path towards her architecture license, while currently working on a performance art center project that will serve the community. She was invited to the first Women in Architecture Conference at ASU in April 2018, a student let event, to participate as a panelist representing recent alumna. Olga recently presented at the 2018 NOMA Conference in Chicago as the College Liaison of NOMAarizona, based on a job search seminar with college students.

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Taylor Holloway is an architect, educator, and maker with broad experience using design-driven approaches to promote equity in the built environment. She is the Founder of Public Design Agency, a multidisciplinary design studio that fosters civic stewardship, urban revitalization, and cross-cultural exchange through art, architecture, and collaborative design practices.

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Maggie Gaudio is in her final year as a Bachelor of Architecture candidate at UT Austin. She is in San Francisco for a semester-long internship with Steinberg Hart as part of a residency program. She is interested in how architecture practice and education can become increasingly socially conscious.

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Meghana Joshi has worked on diverse commercial and residential projects throughout California, and specializes in senior and multifamily housing projects. Her projects have received SAGE award, PCBC Gold Nugget grand award, and SoCal award this year. She is the Founder/Chair of Women in Architecture committee for AIA Orange County, and she will join AIA Orange County Board of Directors beginning Jan 2019.

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Itria Licitra is a structural engineer (CE) based in the East Bay currently working at Tipping Structural Engineers in Berkeley, CA. Originally from Los Angeles, she came to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley (B.S., M.S.). She is curious about the intersection of structural and architectural design and the impact on community. She is also currently working on honing her carpentry skills.

Thank to our amazingly generous mentor/champions include Thought Leaders from current and past Equity by Design Symposia and Hackathons - Mani Farhadi, Jill Bergman, Patricia Ramallo, Frances Choun, Saskia Dennis Van Dijl.

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We are grateful to the generous #EQxDV Symposium sponsors of the Plus One Scholarship program, including Laura Thomas, AIA of Melville Thomas Architects and Patricia Ramallo of NCARB.








2018 EQxD Hackathon: Winners Take On Equitable Compensation

Recap of the invigorating 4th EQxD Hackathon and the winning team’s submission which was hosted by Syracuse University’s Fisher Center - by Lilian Asperin, AIA and Rosa T. Sheng, FAIA


This year on June 20th, the 4th Equity by Design Hackathon: ArchitectuREvolution took place before the AIA National Conference on Architecture in New York City. The hackathon theme was inspired by the U.N. Initiative - the New Urban Agenda serves as a multi-faceted platform for Architects to apply our best skills towards imagining and committing to a world that is truly inclusive, where equity is for everyone. The EQxD Hackathon embodies the defining characters of the Agenda - to reinvigorate, to ensure effectiveness, and to create resiliency. Urban development, while different in scale as Practice development, engenders similar goals of wellness for present generations, openness to embrace diversity and evolving demographics, and a pledge towards sustainability for the future by taking bold steps, together, and today.

As one of the most anticipated workshops at the annual AIA Conference, the EQxD Hackathon continues the goal to create a unique learning experience that is essential to building our skills as designers and architects. Designed as an immersive experience, the workshop is hands-on, action-oriented, inclusive and teaches the process framework for hacking. Groups of thought leaders, licensed architects, and emerging professionals gathered in an incubator-like setting at the Fisher Center to learn and apply radical thinking towards transformational concepts.

The goal - improving Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Architectural Practice and the Communities we serve. Teams presented their “Hacks” to industry experts and a winning concept was selected to be featured in our blog for further discussion and development. These photos communicate some of the amazing energy, creativity and high level engagement from the day that participants can share with their colleagues.


And the winner is….

Compensation Facts

clear, comprehensive and customized for you

Equity is for everyone. Everyone is different. And, everyone’s compensation goals vary over the course of a career.

The winning concept “Compensation Facts” was developed by participants Christina Booher; Michael Ford, Assoc. AIA; Marissa Kasdan, Assoc. AIA; Marisa Nemcik, AIA; Yiselle Santos Rivera, Assoc. AIA; D. Brooke Robinson, AIA; and Laura Wheaton, AIA.

Compensation Facts Team: Christina Booher; Marissa Kasdan, Assoc. AIA; D. Brooke Robinson, AIA; Marisa Nemcik, AIA; and Laura Wheaton, AIA, Yiselle Santos Rivera, Assoc. AIA, Michael Ford, Assoc. AIA;

Compensation Facts Team: Christina Booher; Marissa Kasdan, Assoc. AIA; D. Brooke Robinson, AIA; Marisa Nemcik, AIA; and Laura Wheaton, AIA, Yiselle Santos Rivera, Assoc. AIA, Michael Ford, Assoc. AIA;


Insight

A firm should not expect all to thrive under the same compensation package. Compensation Facts makes it easier for firms to communicate a competitive and customized compensation package that supports recruitment and retention of top quality talent while also measuring equity in compensation across all staff.

Hack

The first step in improving the navigation of the compensation negotiation is to ensure consistency. We believe the AIA can be the catalyst that turns architecture into the leading industry for transparent work agreements. Similar to AIA contract templates, we encourage the AIA to produce and distribute compensation fact templates. Working with you, we propose to inform and draft clauses that reflect ways that compensation is equitable.

“Compensation Facts: Modeled on nutrition labels, which help you watch what you eat, Compensation Facts helps you watch what you make”.  

~ Excerpt from Equity by Design Hackathon Team Pitch

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“An at-a-glance template of pay and benefits, which aggregates into a complete picture of work/life integration. This two-part template lists salary and baseline benefits including: insurance, paid time off, retirement, and other benefits clearly and concisely, the same way every time, across positions, across firms, and across the country. Additionally, it includes a range of opt-in benefits an employee can experience while at a particular firm.”

Implementation

The use of Compensation Facts templates will enable complex compensation packages to be compared apples to apples. This clarity creates the framework for conversations about creative and personally relevant types or mixes of elements of compensation that can be customized based on need and/or preference to support work/life satisfaction. In practice, a firm might offer two or three equivalent compensation packages for the same position, allowing the employee to select the best fit for them.

Given the diverse composition of the Equity by Design Hackathon team members, a few potential scenarios include: greater professional development opportunities and tuition reimbursement; more PTO days for family vacations; flexibility or subsidized funds for caregiving needs; or zeroing out benefits in exchange for higher salary and retirement plan strategies.

While full Compensation Facts would be private, employers could opt to make a partial facts chart publicly available as part of their talent recruitment.

Next Steps: We are seeking interested leaders and firms who are willing to help us prototype this concept! Please contact us via LAsperin@WRNSStudio.com.

 

Thanks to our #EQxDHack18 Sponsors

We are grateful for the champions who provided scholarships for students and emerging professionals to attend. We are also grateful for Syracuse University Fisher Center and Staff for making this event possible.

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Join our Champions! #EQxDV Sponsorship Opportunities

The movement for equitable practice can't happen without the generous support and commitment of the Architectural and Engineering community, both individuals and firms that have doubled down on forging the path forward for more equitable workplace culture, creating new value for design and practice and impactful outcomes for the communities we serve.

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Become a #EQxDV Symposium Sponsor! 

Join the current group of Champions for the #EQxDV Symposium on November 3, 2018. There are many benefits to sponsorship support of this premiere event, including reserved tickets for the events based on the level of support so that you don't have to worry about registration being sold out. Please get in touch with us before the August 22th Registration launch.

Firm Sponsorship Benefits Prospectus

Premium Sponsorship Benefits Prospectus

 

2018 Equity by Design Sustaining Sponsors

We would like to take the time to thank our AIASF EQxD 2018 Sustaining Sponsors who have supported the 2018 Equity in Architecture Survey Research effort that has resulted in over 14,000 responses.

EQxD Curated Collection - Guide to A'18 in NYC

What should I attend at A'18 AIA Conference on Architecture in NYC?

by Rosa T. Sheng, FAIA

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If you are like me, I get overwhelmed by the vast amount of programs that are offered at AIA National Conference on Architecture. Add on that next week's marathon of events will be held in multiple locations in New York City and you have yourself a "deer in headlights." Have no fear, we have taken the guess work out of your experience with quality content that has been curated by topics we hold near and dear to us. Of course we will showcase the EQxD Seminars that we have crafted and honed over the past 4 years. We also want to expand our reach to those seminars that amplify our core values and mission.

 

EQxD Programs  - Year 4

SOLD OUT!!!! EV202 EQxDHackathon: ArchitectuREvolution: Just, Equitable, Diverse, & Inclusive Practice

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Time: 1PM - 5PM
Location: Syracuse University's Fisher Center

Celebrating its 4th year, the EQxD Hackathon is an experience described as action-oriented and career changing. Groups of thought leaders, licensed architects, and emerging professionals will assemble in an incubator-like setting to apply radical thinking to develop transformational concepts for improving justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in architectural practice and the communities we serve. The event will lead off with luminary panelists, Danny Guillory of Autodesk, Katherine Darnstadt of Latent Design, Lilian Asperin of WRNS Studios, and Frances Choun, Equity Champion and long time past sponsor. Teams will present their hacks and the winner will have the opportunity to launch their concept into practice. This year we are excited to welcome #EQxDHack18 Scholarship Winners!

EQxDHack18 Scholarship Winners!

EQxDHack18 Scholarship Winners!

 

FR205 - Equity by Design: Architects as Catalysts for Community Engagement & Social Impact [1.50 LUs/RIBA]

Date: Friday, June 22, 2018
Time: 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: Javits Center, Room 1A07

How does architecture impact the social fabric of our communities, and how does equity influence outcomes? Hear from a panel of architect champions who are pushing the boundaries of social and cultural concern - Michael Ford, Katherine Darnstadt, Garrett Jacobs moderated by Rosa Sheng, FAIA . They'll discuss design as a problem-solving tool and explore how your work can affect the social structures of communities everywhere, creating measurable and practical effects on how people interact and experience community. By considering equitable access, you can reshape the way people experience public space and, by extension, public life. Join us for a revealing conversation about how you can be a catalyst for solving shared challenges, driving social change, and fostering engagement.

 

Equitable Practice Sessions

Practical skill builds and discussions for Career Pinch Point challenges

EV204 - Share Your Voice: Guides for the Future of Equitable Practice

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Are you interested in building a more equitable workplace, but unsure of how to start? Do you have expertise on an equity issue that could benefit others? In either case, the Equity and the Future of Architecture Committee wants your feedback on a new series of Equitable Practice Guides designed to provide strategies for advancing equity within your workplace. Come ready to learn about EQ+FA's work, and to contribute your ideas towards a guidebook poised to shape the future of design practice.

 

TH317 - Show Me the Money? Exploring Pay Transparency [1.00 LU/RIBA]

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time: 8:45 AM - 9:45 AM
Location: Javits Center, Room 1E07
 

Pay transparency is a polarizing topic. Some argue that it has the potential to increase pay equity while improving trust and employee morale. Others argue against it, citing concerns that it prevents them from rewarding high performers and puts them at a disadvantage in a competitive talent market. Join this lively discussion and debate about the benefits and drawbacks of pay transparency. You'll hear a moderated panel discussion that will engage leaders from award-winning, nationally recognized firms. You'll also be able to assess whether pay transparency is a management strategy you would find beneficial in your own firm.

 

"J.E.D.I"  Focused Sessions

What are the other must attend events at AIA Conference and Beyond? Last year we introduced the concept of J.E.D.I Architecture - Just, Equitable, Diverse and Inclusive ways that we, as citizen architects and civic design advocates, can transform our practices into vital, valued and relevant services to better serve our communities. 

TH112 - Defense of the Public Realm [1.00 LU/HSW/GBCI/RIBA]

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time: 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Location: Hilton Midtown, 1334 6th Avenue, Regent Room

Times Square is the most visited place in New York, with over 40 million people passing through every year. Designing an open space where people want to gather while considering the security concerns of a post-9/11 New York was a unique challenge. Safety and security were critically important in designing New York's newest plaza, as evidenced by closing Broadway to car traffic and giving two-and-a-half acres back to pedestrians in the middle of Manhattan. Join Craig Dykers, founder of Snohetta and partner-in-charge of the Times Square plaza, to discuss the designer's critical role in dealing with security and freedom in public space.

 

TH409 - Addressing Inequality in Our Cities: Building a Resilient Future (ArchiTalk) [1.50 LUs/RIBA]

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time: 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Location: Hilton Midtown, 1335 6th Avenue, Trianon Ballroom

Structural disadvantages-racial segregation, poor infrastructure, and chronic underinvestment-have a significant impact on who benefits from community investment. Vulnerable communities are often disproportionately affected and often experience lasting consequences. Communities under stress, such as Boston, New Orleans, and Ferguson, Missouri, have revealed the lasting effects of segregation and racism and points of weakness that can no longer be ignored. Join us for this enlightening session to explore these complex issues in greater depth. A former mayor, former chief resilience officer, and two practicing architects will examine the complicated intersection of architecture, public health, climate change, and racism.

 

TH516 - A Citizen Architect’s Field Guide to Building Resilience. Get Involved! [1.00 LU/HSW/GBCI/RIBA]

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Hilton Midtown, 1334 6th Avenue, Gramercy Room

Successful design and planning were never limited to the drafting table. When practitioners recognize the value of sharing their time, talent, and training to effect change in their communities, transformative worlds emerge. This panel will discuss how the role of architects shapes and supports state and local government before, in response to, and after a disaster. Come with an interest in doing more. Leave with a plan of action!

 

FR401 - A Conversation with Sir David Adjaye & Tamara Eagle Bull (Pro Series) [1.50 LUs/RIBA]

Date: Friday, June 22, 2018
Time: 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Location: The New School, 63 5th Avenue, Tishman Auditorium

Join us for a captivating moderated discussion with A'18 Day 1 Keynote Speaker and AIA Awards recipients. They'll be discussing topics such as leading change in the profession, legacy, community impact, etc.

 

FR407 - Building for Density & Affordability: Creating Resilient Equitable Urban Communities [1.50 LUs/HSW/GBCI/RIBA]

Date: Friday, June 22, 2018
Time: 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Location: Javits Center, Room 1E10

As global cities address the need for more affordable housing, little attention is paid to how these communities become socially and economically resilient. Amenities, including education, healthcare, retail, and open space are essential, along with civic engagement. Low-rise, high-density (LRHD) housing prototypes have introduced quantifiably better models for urban living compared to "tower in the park" models. Join this session and hear from an expert panel as they examine LRHD models around the globe and discuss the future of affordable housing and resilient communities.

 

SA104 - Citizen Architecture: Reinventing the American Legacy City [1.00 LU/RIBA]

Date: Saturday, June 23, 2018
Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: The New School, 63 5th Avenue, Room UL105

Good cities demand excellence in brick and mortar - but also in inclusion and equity. Join this review of best-practice examples that illustrate how you can overcome "design of exclusion" from intended or unintended planning paradigms. You'll hear how you can engage your community using the pillars of professional ethics; support reinvestment in existing communities through co-ops, land trusts, and CDCs; leverage the cultural and physical DNA of the industrial legacy city; grow equity through "smart city" innovation and startups; and more. When it comes to shaping our futures, knowledge is power. This session will deliver real resources for effective practice.

SA401 - Social Entrepreneurship as a Practice Model (Pro Series) [1.50 LUs/RIBA]

Date: Saturday, June 23, 2018
Time: 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Location: The New School, 63 5th Avenue, Tishman Auditorium

Interested in learning how to integrate social impact work into your firm? We will discuss different models to operationalize community impact design. You will hear from four types of organizations’ traditional Architectural service firm (Leddy Maytum Stacy Architects), a nonprofit design & real estate development firm (Designing Justice + Designing Spaces), an international design network (Open Architecture Collaborative), and a nonprofit doing graphic design advocacy with communities (Center for urban Pedagogy). Each of these organizations takes a different approach to defining its services to reach its ideal clients. You'll learn how certain services that might seem nontraditional actually support the organizational mission while generating revenue to fuel growth. This session is part of the Pro Series, four seminars covering advanced topics. The Pro Series sessions are free with your A'18 registration.

 

Women in Leadership Sessions

These sessions cover topics focused on celebrating, advocating and advancing women into leadership and ownership of professional practices.

TH408 - Agents of Change: When Women Lead (ArchiTalk) [1.50 LUs/RIBA]

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time: 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Location: Hilton Midtown, 1334 6th Avenue, Mercury Ballroom

Throughout the architectural profession, more and more women are sitting at the leadership table, or at the head of that table. Hear from three different perspectives on what that leadership table looks like today and how they got there. What does increased leadership roles mean for women, and how have they changed their firms and the profession? How do they leverage their strengths to make a difference? Change within organizations can happen slowly and these leaders have been at the forefront, reshaping the firms and the practice of architecture. Learn from leaders who have carved paths to the top and hear how they hope to profession evolves in the future.

 

TH506 - From Young Female Designers to Firm Leaders: The Boston Experiment [1.00 LU/RIBA]

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Javits Center, Room 1E07

What's possible when you bridge the gap between young female designers and leaders in architecture?

This session is a reflection on a one-year experiment on design equity in Boston called the Girl UNinterrupted Project. The experiment served three key functions: It offered a manual to young designers on how to jump-start careers, it provided firm leaders with an understanding of young designers' struggles, and it offered suggestions for creating an office culture that is equitable and maximizes talent.

Gain critical insights from these firsthand accounts, and bring practical knowledge back to your practice.

 

TH509 - The Missing 32 Percent (Women) & Missing Small Architects [1.00 LU/RIBA]

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2018
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Javits Center, Room 1E12
 

Women architects and firm owners still have meager access to steady and meaningful project opportunities. Licensing statistics are low for women, and they also face roadblocks to prosperity and equal access similar to small firms. This session takes a critical look at the reasons why. 

Join this solutions-based discussion addressing the gender disparity that is still pervasive in the architecture profession. 

Led by a woman FAIA and a panel of public sector leaders, you'll dissect how to expand access to steady and meaningful project opportunities for women architects and small firm owners. You'll explore potential solutions, including how public sector could make a difference.

 

Professional Conduct - Harassment Free Workplace Culture Sessions

FR519 - Harassment in the Workplace, Part 1-Compliance and Culture: Building a Respectful & Harassment-Free Workplace Culture [1.00 LU/RIBA]

Date: Friday, June 22, 2018
Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Javits Center, Room 1E14

Every organizational leader has the responsibility to create a culture that values diversity, demonstrates respect, and is free from any form of harassment or discrimination. This session will cover both the compliance and legal issues related to harassment in the workplace and will outline the values, norms, and practices that must be in place in order to prevent harassment from being a common occurrence. The presenter will introduce participants to the most current information regarding forms of harassment in the workplace and the federal laws that prohibit it. She will also help leaders understand what constitutes inappropriate behavior, what actions must be taken to address it, and how they can create a more respectful, inclusive, and harassment-free workplace culture.

 

SA113 - Harassment in the Workplace, Part 2-Community and Resources: Hearing Voices & Exploring Conversation Strategies [1.00 LU/RIBA]

Date: Saturday, June 23, 2018
Time: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Location: Hilton Midtown, 1334 6th Avenue, Mercury Ballroom

Panelists will provide an introduction on the topic of harassment, and there will be an open forum in which participants will be able to raise various factual scenarios for discussion. The panelists will respond to questions, covering prevention, reporting and long-term remedies. The session will also cover key resources, including relevant government agencies and other organizations, as well as educational resources.

 

Other "Must Attend" Events

A+ Session: Architectural Activism Then & Now
12:50pm, Friday, June 22 Javits Center Exhibit Hall 

Abstract: Design should create a feeling of social, racial, and cultural equity. These leading architects are challenging the industry to create spaces that change behavior and advance inclusivity. Attend this session to learn how. 

Moderator: Bill Richards, senior director, digital content strategy, AIA

Tiffany Brown,

 

Now What?! is the first exhibition to examine the little-known history of architects and designers working to further the causes of the civil rights, women’s, and LGBTQ movements of the past fifty years. The exhibition content, conversations, and stories will inspire a new generation of design professionals to see themselves as agents of change by looking at the past to see new ways forward.

An exhibition by ArchiteXX.

NOW ON VIEW

HAZEL AND ROBERT H. SIEGEL GALLERY, PRATT INSTITUTE, BROOKLYN, NEW YORKMAY 24 – JULY 6, 2018

 

 

OUT OF THE SHADOWS: BLACK WOMEN’S ACTIVISM & WRITING THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE

Friday, June 22, 2018

11:00 AM  - 12:30 PM

S9 Architecture - 460 West 34th Street, 20th floor  New York, NY, 10001

1. Black Women Architects: A History of Activism 11:00–11:45

Moderator: Roberta Washington

  • Panelists:
  • Alexa Donaphin, AIA, NOMA
  • Kathryn Prigmore, FAIA, NOMA
  • Katherine Williams, AIA, NOMA

2. Out of the Shadows: Telling the Story of African American Architects 11:45–12:30

Moderator: Pascale Sablan or Roberta Washington

  • Panelists:
  • Kathleen Ettienne, NOMA
  • Brad Grant, AIA, NOMA
  • Melvin Mitchell, FAIA, NOMA

 

VOICES OF EQUITY - FLASH MOB

Friday, 12:30-2pm - Location Details Forthcoming

Inspired by the energy of the flash mob event from the Voices of Women (VOWArchitects.com) in Venice, a consortium of architectural activist groups and individuals will gather as a united group for "Voices of Equity" to support the equitable treatment of all design professionals of diverse identities and backgrounds. We will gather to show solidarity and share in reading a manifesto for dignity and respect for all. Stay tuned for more information.

#EQxDHack18 ArchitectuREvolution : SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS - TEN VOICES

by Lilian Asperin, AIA

We love creating opportunities, opening big doors and channeling the enthusiasm that comes when you feel both welcome and invited. This year we are grateful once more to all our #EQxDHack18 Hackathon Sponsors, with our biggest champion, Autodesk's Danny Guillory - Head of Diversity and Inclusion, who have graciously partnered with us to support our goal of creating a multi-disciplinary and inclusive framework by sponsoring scholarships for participation in the fourth EQxD Hackathon at an AIA National Conference.

We have awarded this year's scholarships to include a unique and amazing group of graduate students, emerging professionals, and young architects. The excitement in their own words let us know that they are READY.

 

“I'm excited to participate in this year's hackathon because this event will be unlike anything I have ever experienced.  I can only imagine that when a group of creative people is united with one goal in mind, to create an architectural profession that is more diverse, inclusive, and equitable – something amazing will happen. I can’t wait to learn, collaborate, and create. I’m sure that this experience will be challenging, rewarding, and most of all fun.”

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Kymberli D. Barrett, Emerging Professional

Instagram: @kymbo_nice

Twitter: @kymbo_nice

 

 

Kymberli is a designer at TreanorHL in Atlanta, GA. She holds a dual Bachelor of Science in architecture & construction science from Prairie View A&M University and a Master’s in architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design. She is passionate about building up communities through service and thoughtful design.

 

“I will just have returned from Kenya, and am excited to jump right into this hackathon. I’m excited to meet the other Hackers and see what kinds of solutions we can create.”

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Devanne Pena, Registered Architect

Instagram: @archidev

Twitter: @devannepena

 

Devanne Pena (Deh-vin Pee-nuh) is a freelance architect who is spending 2018 with no zipcode. She is currently conducting pre-design research and development for her non-profit organization Sustainable AF (Architecture Foundation). In 2016, Devanne became the 375th African-American woman licensed to practice architecture, in history. She activates this unique platform by sharing her story while participating and supporting efforts that align with the advancement of people of color. She served as assistant editor then editor-in-chief of the National Organization of Minority Architecture Magazine from 2012 to 2015, and was a 2016 American Institute of Architects Emerging Fellow. Devanne has been featured in articles by National Public Radio, National Council of Architectural Registration Board, Austin Women Magazine, The Greater Austin Black Chamber of Commerce.

 

“The equity, diversity, inclusion topic is very close to my own day-a-day living experience. I’m a woman that immigrated from Colombia 14 years ago. I work for an Engineering company where men comprise 99% of the professional workforce. I’m the only foreigner and one of two female Architects. I’m excited to learn from other experiences, to share my own and to be able to develop concepts for improving justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.”

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Graciela Carrillo, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Instagram: @gracecol

Twitter: @gracecolny

 

Originally from Colombia, Graciela Carrillo immigrated to the US in early 2003. While in Colombia, Graciela worked as an Architect at the Bogota’s Institute of Urban Development (IDU), a Government owned institution in charge of city planning and infrastructure construction for Bogotá. Currently she works as an Architect for Cashin Associates, P.C . At Cashin, she has worked on and lead all scales of urban design, planning and architectural projects, and LEED project administration and CX services. Graciela has committed almost a decade of volunteer leadership service to the AIA. She has been involved with the AIA at the local, state and national level, currently serving as the President-Elect as well as the EP and WIA Co-Chair of the AIA Long Island Chapter. On a National and State level in 2017, Graciela was appointed as the NY Regional Director (YARD) for the Young Architects Forum (YAF) and sits on the AIA NYS Board of Directors. Graciela obtained her B. Arch in Colombia, and a MS in Env. Planning from Pratt Institute and is a LEED Accredited Professional.

 

“Developing concepts to improve justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in architectural practice and the communities we serve is a relevant and important task for the design community to hack.  While the task at hand is complex and daunting, I believe it is an important conversation to lead and continue as design professionals. I am looking forward to the format we will use to tackle such a problem; working with fellow professionals who will challenge the practice of architecture by openly discussing the problems and creating radical actionable solutions through a hackathon.”   

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Lubna Chaudhry, Associate AIA

Ayers Saint Gross - Baltimore, Md

Instagram: @chaudhrylubna

 

 

Lubna Chaudry graduated in 2015 with a Masters of Architecture from The University of Maryland, where she was also the Chapter President of AIAS during her undergraduate study. She is currently on the path to licensure, working AXP and ARE's.

 

“I am excited to be a part of the Hackathon as a way to meet like-minded architects who are conscious of topics such as inclusion and diversity in their design practice. I am particularly interested in urban planning and find that it is our responsibility as designers and architects to consider context when designing buildings. I have always enjoyed design charrettes as a way to meet people and quickly exchange ideas when confronting everyday situations in the architecture field.”

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Stephanie Haller

Master of Architecture Candidate, Syracuse University

Instagram: @snhaller

 

 

Stephanie Haller is currently at candidate for a Master of Architecture degree at Syracuse University. She graduated from Temple University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and Architectural Preservation.

 

“I'm incredibly excited to participate in the Hackathon to gain insight in how to address and become a resource for empowerment within my firm and the profession in the conversation about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. I'm looking forward to meeting leaders of the industry and learning from their experience and expertise. I'm also interested in joining a growing network of EDI champions across the country for the betterment of our industry and our communities.”

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Yiselle Santos Rivera, Assoc. AIA

HKS - Washington, D.C.

Twitter: @YiselleSantos  

 

 

Yiselle Santos, Associate AIA, LEEP AP is a graduate of Syracuse University School of Architecture and currently leads the HKS, Inc. Washington, DC office Practice Technology efforts in all phases of design and construction documentation enhancing workflows through the incorporation of innovative technologies. She is a co-founder of the Latin American Interior Designers, Engineers, and Architects (LA.IDEA) Committee of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Washington, DC Chapter with the mission to become the leading collective of Latin American design professionals in the DC area by creating opportunities for interaction among members, fostering professional development, and engaging the community. She is an AIA Washington, DC Chapter Board member, a Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program Scholar, the Emerging Professional Outreach Committee Leader for the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit, and the Advocacy Outreach and Education At-Large Director of the AIA National Associates Committee. Yiselle recently founded the AIA WIELD series, an inspiring and empowering story telling event where Women Inspire Emerging Leaders in Design and is a 2018 AIA Associate Award recipient.

 

 

“I am curious about the connection between social problems and design progress, and how the whole society can impact on architecture and make our space a better place to live. ‘Equity’ is largely ignored during design process because we, as designers, are biased, so the designs from designer's experience most of time are not related to people who actually live there. I hope from this event, I can broaden my horizon and rethink the architecture design and how it can make a better place for everyone.”

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Miao Hui

Master of Architecture Candidate, Syracuse University

Instagram: huimiao1993

 

 

Miao Hui is a graduate of Beijing University of Technology. She is currently at candidate for the Master of Architecture degree at Syracuse University.

 

 

“It is an action-oriented and inspiring workshop. Equity is important for everyone, and the EQxD Hackathon embodies the human spirit. I also interested in the value of architecture to society.”

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Han Jiang

Master of Architecture Candidate, Syracuse University

 

 

 

Han Jiang is currently at candidate for the Master of Architecture degree at Syracuse University.

 

“I am excited and inspired by this year’s Hackathon theme ArchitectuRE:evolution. Architecture is currently undergoing an evolution as a profession and I want to be part of the generation that embraces inclusiveness and equity in architecture. I am looking forward to having a thoughtful, engaging and challenging hack discussion with other professionals about to future of architecture academically and professionally.”

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Anesu M. Dhliwayo, Emerging Professional

Twitter: @anesumercy

Instagram: @anesumd

 

Anesu Dhliwayo is an emerging professional in architecture and a recent graduate of Boston Architectural College. As the Alpha Rho Chi Bronze Medal – 2016 Recipient, Anesu hopes here career in architecture is guided by the awards principals of leadership and service. She currently lives in San Francisco and works at Gould Evans where she is a member of the Equity Committee and Licensure Committee.

 

“To be a part of the Hackathon, I expect to prepare myself to have an experience with AIA members and (to study a) collection of information related to architecture. I'm excited to enjoy the event since I could be invited to learn about design, profession and practice of architecture. I am glad to share my own stories with the goal that my work advances equity in architecture and to learn from others' stories - that will also inspire me lots.”

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Peilin Hu

Master of Architecture Candidate, Syracuse University

 

 

 

Peilin Hu graduated from Arizona State University at May 2016 and now joined in Master of Architecture program at School of Architecture in Syracuse University. Peilin's experience is grounded in practical and hands-on architectural design adept at successfully and effectively interacting with contractors across multiple construction sites.

We are eager to gather these voices of emerging professionals, graduate students and those of 60 others who signed up for A'18 EV202 Wednesday, June 20th, 2018 to hack at the Syracuse Fisher Center.  (Yes, the event is sold out.)

Happy Hour IS SOLD OUT! Thanks for your support of our event!

Thank you Syracuse University Fisher Center

Special Thanks to Syracuse University School of Architecture, Dean Michael Speaks, Xiaoyin Li, and dedicated staff at the Fisher Center for making this event  possible.

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Special Thanks to our amazing EQxD Sponsors!

#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!