Design Voice Podcast

This is Part 3 of a special three-part mini series about the housing crisis in the Bay Area and the architects, designers, activists, developers, and innovators that are doing something about it. This final installment features individuals and organizations working toward three vastly different housing solutions, their design processes, and visions for the future. Guests featured in this episode are: Deanna Van Buren, Co-Founder and Design Director of Designing Justice + Designing Spaces Cara Eckholm, Chief Revenue Office at Nabr Osma Dossani Thompson, Architect and Senior Associate at DLR Group We hope you enjoyed this series! Let us know what you think by sending feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com

This is Part 2 of a special three-part mini series about the housing crisis in the Bay Area and the architects, designers, activists, developers, and innovators that are doing something about it. Part 2 explores how people are currently navigating building housing in the Bay Area and features conversations with Caroline Souza, principal at David Baker Architects, and Mauren Sedonaen, CEO at Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco. This series is sponsored by AIA San Francisco and DLR Group.

There's a massive housing crisis across the United States - what can architects do to help address it? In this special three-part mini series, we'll be digging deeper into the housing crisis in the Bay Area and hear from the architects, designers, activists, developers, and innovators that are doing something about it. This series is sponsored by AIA San Francisco and DLR Group.

Sarah Warto is a landscape architect and founder of Boxleaf Design.  Influenced by her mother and grandmother, fellow landscape designers and passionate botanical enthusiasts, Sarah was exposed at a young age to many aspects of the field; igniting her passion for design and its intersection with the natural world. Sarah is a proud New York native who earned her landscape architecture degree from Cornell University, where she learned how to apply rigorous technical skill to a growing appreciation for innovative and humanistic landscapes.   Her career began at HOK, working on large-scale and highly-complex international and national planning and landscape projects.  Later moving to the private sector, Sarah, was able to apply her appreciation for historical gardens to creating highly personalized, timeless and contextual spaces.    In 2012, she started her own practice, Boxleaf Design, a full service landscape architectural firm, focusing on high end residential and commercial work in the Bay Area. Sarah is continually seeking insight and creative rejuvenation from the Bay Area's native and diverse environment, in its purest and most rugged form.    In this episode, Sarah talks about how her interest in landscape architecture developed, what landscape architecture school was like, and her first job experiences out of school. Sarah also shares what made her decide to start her own studio, her experience growing and managing a practice, her design process, how landscapes are always evolving and never finite, and advice for those who want to start their own businesses.

Madelynn Ringo is an architectural designer specializing in experiential spaces that resound with purposeful beauty. With an insatiable passion for problem-solving and high regard for heartbeat moments, Ringo creates storied environments expressed within a formidable architectural framework. Simply, Ringo scales brand identities to life with a commitment to feel-good originality. Ringo received her Architecture Master's degree from Yale University and employs her classical training through an intuitive lens that celebrates beauty and architecture as an experiential artform. Her sculptural approach to space powers Ringo's adventurous use of texture, form, materials and color, pushing functionality into a realm of convention-breaking appeal. Previously, Ringo served as the creative lead on retail experiences for Glossier, designing locations in Miami, Boston, Austin and Atlanta.  Immersive experiences for iconic brands such as Studs, Bala, Funny Face Bakery and the Museum of Ice Cream are among her portfolio of designs for beauty, wellness and culturally inclusive lifestyle brands with a focus on collaborative exploration, collective solutions and a strong belief in spaces that resonate.  Madelynn is also the Head of Studio Design for aging wellness brand Modern Age, bringing the customer experience to life through careful consideration for every customer touchpoint.  Ringo founded Brooklyn-based Ringo Studio in 2020 with a focus on collaborative exploration, collective solutions and a strong belief in spaces that resonate.  In this episode, Madelynn shares her experience moving to New York City, navigating the early years of her career and curating her professional experiences before starting her own studio. Madeleynn talks about her design process, why she loves the discovery phase of projects, and how she balances inspiration versus invention in the visually saturated world that we all live in now. We also talk about designing for Gen Z and Millennial audiences, and the desire to create emotional reactions in people when they enter a space. You can also find Madelynn on Instagram @madelynnringo.

Deryl McKissack is the founder, chairwoman and chief executive officer of McKissack & McKissack, a national architecture, engineering, program- and construction-management firm currently working on over $15 billion in projects nationwide. Under her leadership, McKissack has worked for public and private clients in the civic, culture, energy, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, housing, infrastructure, mixed-use and office sectors and grown to over 150 employees with offices in Austin, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington, D.C. Deryl is a licensed engineer and the fifth generation of her family to work in design and construction. Her firm is an extension of the nation's oldest African American design and construction firm, and traces its origin to Moses McKissack, a master builder who was also a slave. Before founding her firm in 1990, Deryl earned a B.S. in civil engineering at Howard University and worked at Turner Construction and Dames & Moore to hone her experience in field work, business development and construction management. Among the many nationally significant projects in McKissack's portfolio of work today are Museum of African American History and Culture, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Obama Presidential Center and the Navy Pier Centennial Projects in Chicago. In this episode, Deryl talks about how she first got her start in the industry by drafting at her father's architecture firm at the age of 12, her experience managing a large university facilities team by the age of 27, and what ultimately made her want to start her own business. Deryl shares the challenges she's faced throughout her career as a black woman, how she's persevered to become the successful business woman she is today, and gives some great advice for those who want to start their own businesses. Deryl also talks about her 7 point plan to combat racism in the AEC industry.  

Liz Leber is the Managing Partner at Beyer Blinder Belle in New York City.  Liz is dedicated to advancing mission-based institutions through forward-looking architecture and planning projects. Guided by her astute and inquisitive nature, Liz excels at extracting the core objectives of her clients and their stakeholders and translating the collective needs and mission of institutions into creative architectural solutions. Both within and outside the firm, she is recognized for her ability to approach every challenge with a balance of creativity, pragmatism, and unfailing optimism. In this episode, Liz talks about her experience spending much of career at the same firm, and how she advanced to become Managing Partner. She shares what made her gravitate toward leadership and management roles, how one can learn or hone their leadership skills, and the importance of vulnerability as a leader. Liz also talks about what drew her to adaptive reuse projects, her approach to these projects, and what impact she hopes to leave on the world.

Latoya Nelson Kamdang is the Director of New York Operations for Moody Nolan. She is also a U.S. Fulbright Senior Scholar, Registered Architect, Certified Interior Designer, and LEED AP BD+C. Her experience spans architecture, planning, exhibit design, industrial and interior design. She has experience in hospitality, retail, museums, workplace, education, and institutional. Latoya was on the design team for the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of African American History and Culture. While practicing, Latoya has been simultaneously working as a Visiting Associate Professor at Pratt Institute. She educates students on interdisciplinary design and material theory. She has a research focus on expanding urban areas, neighborhood gentrification, sustainable technologies, and indigenous architecture. Latoya earned a Master of Architecture from University of Pennsylvania School of Design as well as a Certificate in Real Estate Design & Development from the Wharton School of Business. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from Georgetown University. She currently sits on the board for Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation, The New York State Board of Architecture, The First 500, and the Van Alen Institute VanGuard. In this episode, Latoya shares how she went from being a Fulbright Senior Scholar in Taiwan, to becoming Director of Operations at Moody Nolan in New York.  She shares her experience as a professor at Pratt, how she developed her skillset as a professor, her approach to teaching and meeting students where they are. We also discuss the challenges of becoming a working mother, and figuring out how to carve out space for yourself.

Anamika Goyal is a biologist-turned-architect solving for scale in a complex industry with high human impact.  She is Head of Design at Cottage, a San Francisco based start-up that helps homeowners build Accessory Dwelling Units. Anamika is committed to bringing fresh ideas, pace, and processes to the AEC industry, and made the leap into residential architecture from her former experience in commercial design & construction at WeWork. She has devoted her career to experiments on smarter ways of working within the AEC industry. In this episode, Anamika talks about her journey from being a pre-med student, to working at more traditional architecture firms, to jumping into the start-up world.. She talks about how the design process works at Cottage, what makes them different from a traditional design firm, and other innovations she'd like to see in the building industry We also talk about the difference between professional services and consumer services, how Anamika prepared for leadership roles, and advice for people who want to shift career paths. -- Books Anamika mentions in the episode: Radical Candor The Goal -- We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast.

Wendy Rogers is CEO and Chief Talent Officer of LPA Design Studios, an integrated design firm dedicated to creating projects that innovate, inspire and improve people's lives. Wendy leads a team of more than 400 architects, engineers, landscape architects and interior designers in California and Texas.  As CEO, she handles the day-to-day operations of the firm, with a special focus on increasing the role of LPA's proprietary research unit, LPAred, and expanding LPA's unique informed design approach. As Chief Talent Officer, she is also responsible for developing the culture and lifestyle at the firm to retain and attract people who want to grow and make a difference in the built environment. Wendy is a vocal advocate for sustainable design and the importance of using research to support design strategies. LPA has made energy performance a core value of the firm. For two years in a row, LPA was largest firm in the country to surpass the AIA 2030 Commitment, which establishes annual targets for reducing energy in projects. She is a regular speaker at events advocating for designs that respond to the environment and the needs of the people who use the spaces. A graduate of California Polytechnic State University in Pomona, California, Wendy is a LEED Accredited Professional and a Fellow of the AIA. In this episode Wendy talks about her career journey from starting as an intern at LPA to being named CEO in 2017. Wendy shares her advice for those who want to become leaders in their organizations, how to foster a culture where people can bring their authentic selves to work, and raising your hand for something when you don't think you're ready yet. Wendy also talks about being CEO during the pandemic, how she thinks architecture firms will need to evolve in the future, and gives some great advice for working parents.

Marilyn Moedinger is the founding principal of Runcible Studios. Like the runcible spoon she is happiest operating at the seams between practicality and whimsy, utility and beauty, the esoteric and the mundane. Deeply passionate about the capacity for design to affect positive change in the world, Marilyn's interest in all aspects of housing, the connections between urban and rural life, the construction process, justice in the built environment, and the overlaps among disciplines, methodologies, and practices fuels Runcible Studios' mission to be nimble, rigorous, curious, fun, and meaningful. An adjunct professor for over 10 years, she has taught design studios, construction detailing, building science, theory, and design-build and community engagement courses at Boston Architectural College, Wentworth Institute of Technology, and Northeastern University. In addition to her teaching, Marilyn has lectured on her research and served as a guest critic at architecture schools across the country.  In this episode, Marilyn talks about all the ins and outs of running your own architecture practice! We cover so many interesting topics in our conversation, from how Marilyn accidentally ended up starting her own business, to how she experiments with her business and is now getting into development, to finding the right clients and not undervaluing your work. We also talk about setting boundaries as a business owner and if you really have to be on all the time.

Kavitha Mathew is the Global Diversity Officer at KPF, and leads the firm's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, as well as the development and implementation of the firm's global Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitment. Mathew oversees KPF's many internal Communities such as KPF Public, KPF Pride, and KPF+, helps guide KPF's recruitment and resourcing, as well as its philanthropic and volunteer efforts. Leveraging her experience as an architect, Mathew's work at KPF has a project-focused component, advising on engagement and communication with the community. Kavitha is also the Founder and President of Equity Co:LAB, and the Special Projects Director of the American Institute of the AIANY. Previously Director of Corporate Architectural Services for Ralph Lauren, she has also worked in various architectural roles at firms including KPF, Spacesmith, and Ted Moudis Associates, as well as her own practice. In this episode, Kavitha talks about her career journey, from practicing as an architect, to working on the client side, to now becoming the Global Diversity Officer at KPF. Kavitha shares how her passion for equity and social justice work developed, what she thinks is needed at an organization to make equity and inclusion efforts successful, and her advice for companies who are just beginning equity work. We also talk about Corporate Social Responsibility, and the movement toward transparency. - We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast.

Kat Dovjenko is the Senior Creative Director at Muse & Company.  Inspired by the dynamic energy around architecture and urban planning, Kat believes that the more complex, ambitious, and unsolvable the problem, the better. She drives talented teams to unite and achieve outcomes they would not be able to do individually—at multiple scales and in multiple stages of the design process. She most recently worked at Google's R&D for the Built Environment where she oversaw workplace innovation projects.  Kat loves navigating speculative pockets of the future and weaving together how they might impact our built spaces. She never shies away from ambiguity, and is skilled at using foresight and storytelling to propel leading edge technologies into real products for the built world and beyond. She studied Finance in Vancouver, Canada, before earning her Masters in Architecture from the University of Toronto. In this episode we talk about: Kat's role as Senior Creative Director at Muse & Company Her career journey and pivoting from architecture to tech Advice and resources for people who want to work in tech Kat's experience working at Google How switching careers can often feel like burning off a piece of your identity Why architecture as a profession has such a grip on people's identities On not tying your identity and self worth to your job The biggest challenges facing the world, and how the architecture profession needs to evolve in order to address them Kat's predictions for where the future of the architecture profession should head Why we need to make the built world more like manufacturing How architecture tools need a revamp Resources Kat mentions: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Architechie Slack channel On Deck Fellowship Teal HQ Lambda School Turning School Google UX Design Professional Certificate - We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast.

Stacie Wong is a Principal at GLUCK+. Named by Fast Company as a top 10 most innovative companies in architecture, the firm is recognized for Architect Led Design Build. Stacie's considerable design and construction experience began 26 years ago with the Yale Building Project's design-build of a single-family residence in New Haven. Ever since, she has been involved in educational, commercial and residential work across the United States. Stacie brings expertise in leading strategic planning, research, programming, and community stakeholder engagement with private and public institutional clients, as well as stewarding the design and construction for the successful completion of many technically complex projects. She has been an advocate for architects' involvement in construction to increase their agency in the building process and impact on the design of the physical environment, including features in Metropolis Magazine, Wallpaper* and Architectural Design (UK). Notable award-winning projects include ONStage at Kaufman Astoria Studios in New York City, Pilkey Lab, a LEED Gold science research building for Duke University Marine Laboratory on their coastal campus; Artist Retreat in Upstate New York; and The East Harlem School in New York City. Current projects in progress include Van Sinderen Plaza, affordable housing in East New York and City Seminary of New York's campus in Harlem. Stacie received her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Architecture from Yale University.   In this episode we talk about: Stacie's desire to become a complete architect, and know how a building actually gets put together, led to her interest in design-build projects How GLUCK+ scaled up its design-build work to include both single-family residences and public institutional work Stacie's experience working as a Superintendent on a construction site Advice for emerging professionals on navigating construction sites and Construction Administration  Why there's no shame in not knowing everything, and the best way to learn How GLUCK+ is set up so everyone works on both the design and construction side Why there is less liability in design-build than people may think - We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast.

Angelica Trevino Baccon is a principal at SHoP Architects in New York City. She leverages deep expertise in and a passion for evolving technology to create inspiring, sustainable spaces for people, often in next-generation workplaces. She led the SHoP teams for the new Uber Headquarters in San Francisco and the Atlassian Headquarters in Sydney, as well as several other large-scale projects for major global tech companies. Angelica has great success in meeting fast-paced and far-reaching design and delivery challenges and  finding consensus with multi-layered stakeholder groups—in the interest of spatial vitality and community connection—for some of the firm's most complex projects. She holds a Bachelor in Architecture degree from ITESM in Monterrey, Mexico, and a Master of Architecture from Harvard University, where she has also served as a professor. In this episode we talk about: What is was like having a baby during the pandemic, and the importance of flexibility How growing up in Monterrey, Mexico influenced the way Angelica views cities and spaces Seeing a city absorb a project after its completion What the future of work and workspaces will be like, and what elements will draw people to come back into the office Thinking about architecture as experiences rather than iconic forms Leveraging technology to think of space in a different way and to demystify the design process for clients On the patience and perseverance required to be an architect SHoP projects mentioned in the episode: Uber Headquarters Atlassian Headquarters East River Waterfront Domino Sugar Master Plan Essex Market - We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast.

Jennifer Sodo is a leading expert in the design and planning of dementia living environments. A senior associate with Perkins Eastman's senior living practice in New York City, Jennifer translates her own and others' research on biophilic design and whole-person wellness into thoughtful designs to create healthy and meaningful places for older adults living with dementia. She speaks regularly at conferences and industry events and has published articles and papers on a variety of topics pertaining to senior living. Jennifer is also co-host of Perkins Eastman's new Shaping Dementia Environments podcast, a show that explores uncommon thinking in design for dementia through interviews with industry leaders. In this episode, Jennifer shares how, like many others in the field, her personal experiences drew her to the senior living practice. She talks about innovations and the guiding principals in the design of these spaces, and gives her pitch on why emerging professionals should join this area of work. We also have a super interesting conversation about podcasting! Not many architecture firms have produced their own podcasts, and Jennifer and her co-host's show was the first of its kind at Perkins Eastman. Jennifer shares her experience with creating the show, if others at Perkins Eastman will be following suit, and her thoughts on if more firms should start producing their own podcasts. Resources / Links: Shaping Dementia Environments Podcast Missing Main Street: Reconnecting Older Adults with Dementia to the Fabric of Authentic Living Hogewey: The Un-Model Model Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande - We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast

This episode features three women who all left architecture for the real estate world! Chi-Chi Lin, Danlu Li, and Yi Li all studied architecture and practiced for a few years before realizing that they wanted to do something else. After leaving the profession and getting MSRED degrees, they now all work in different areas of the real estate industry in New York City. In our conversation, Chi Chi, Danlu and Yi Li share when each of them realized they didn't want to practice architecture anymore, how they transitioned to their new careers, what they miss about architecture, but what they love about their new work. They also give great advice for people who want to pivot from architecture to something else. We also talk about the challenges of being a woman in real estate, finding a firm that has your same values, and how both architects and people in real estate are inherently futurists.

Lilian Asperin is a partner at WRNS Studio, where she helps lead the design process and build teams that deliver aspirational outcomes. Lilian values a firm culture that embraces collaboration, connection to the community, risk taking, and fostering talent.  Lilian attended the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her BA in Environmental Design and graduated with honors. After completing her studies, Lilian worked at architecture firms around the Bay Area, including Stanley Saitowitz, the City of San Francisco's Bureau of Architecture, SOM, and NBBJ. Recently completed projects include the Salk Institute for Biological Studies Master Plan, the Center for Science and Innovation at USF, and UC Merced's 2020's Public-Private-Partnership (P3) project. A leader within the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), she organized the first-ever Hackathon for MOOC's as part of the Pacific Regional Conference and will be continuing her involvement with the organization as 2018-2021 Pacific Regional Chair. Lilian utilizes her experience as a practice leader and licensed architect to develop synergistic relationships with leaders throughout the architectural and educational communities. Deeply involved with the local community, Lilian works to raise awareness and help break the cycle of poverty in the Bay Area through her work as a Tipping Point Community Partner. Lilian also acts as a Board Director of AIA San Francisco and is the Co-Chair of the Equity by Design Committee, a call to action for everyone to realize the goal of equitable practice and communicate the value of design to society. In this episode, Lilian shares how her personal experience as a first generation Latinx student has informed her career and passion for the higher education sector. We also talk about inclusive design, how architects should re-think the timeline of the project process, how to map out your career goals with post-its and poster boards, normalizing mental wellness in the profession, and the importance of inviting everyone's full lives into the office.

Cecilia Cuff is a 20-year veteran of the hospitality scene and the Founder and Managing Principal of The Nascent Group, a hospitality design and project management agency. Cecilia has established herself as a pacemaker in the hospitality design industry, focusing on art and efficiency-inspired design, inclusivity, community  development and sustainability.   Cecilia has managed hospitality openings and brand launches for companies like Hyatt Hotels & Resorts all over North & South America, Ski Resort and Adventure Resort Renovations for companies like Taos Ski Valley and M Vacation Resorts & Properties. Her involvement and enthusiasm for corporate brand development is always guided using  community development, food sustainability and minority inclusion as a moral compass. Regenerative farming practices, local ingredient sourcing and at-risk youth professional development are common threads that link her work and programming that remain strong long after she has developed a project.   As a part of a career dedicated to flawless and carefully executed hospitality service, Cecilia's career client  list brags seamlessly handling celebrities from Sheryl Crow, Lil Wayne, Emeril Lagasse, Snoop Dog,  Rihanna, Kanye West, Seal, Brad Pitt & Angela Jolie. Elevated hospitality experiences in event production  has remained her differentiator, creating and curating large scale wine festivals all over the United States, as well as aiding in the production of multi day music festivals and experiences. Cecilia now operates her own firm, The Nascent Group, acting as an ally to urban planners and community developers to create more inclusive economic design, as well as aiding businesses with hotel and restaurant openings, operation brand launches and design. She also operates Parse SECO, a multidisciplinary art space offering art residencies  and space for underrepresented communities and mentorship for at-risk youth with sister branches in  New Orleans, San Francisco, New York and Mexico.   In this episode, Cecilia shares her career journey in the hospitality industry, using her entrepreneurial spirit as a force for good, and pushing for inclusivity in her work with developers. We also talk about how the hospitality industry has the power to change the trajectory of people's lives, and the magic of walking into a space and having your breath taken away.

It's a special podcast crossover episode, featuring Practice Disrupted!  The evolution of architectural practice has been relatively slow towards change, yet modern shifts in business and design management have prompted today's leading architects to rethink how they work. The Practice Disrupted podcast addresses how technology, cultural shifts, and emerging best practices in business are prompting industry disruption and transformation. The series features thought leaders on business, innovation, entrepreneurship, and/or architecture.    About the Practice Disrupted Hosts: Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, MBA, MPA is a licensed architect in the state of California, with over 15 years of experience working with individuals and companies that are looking to reshape their future. She is the founder of Practice of Architecture, the first-ever Senior Experience Designer at Slack Technologies, and the first female Treasurer to AIA National‘s Board of Directors.   Je'Nen M. Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA is trained in architecture and business management with a decade of experience working with award-winning architects. She founded Apostrophe Consulting to help architects improve firm culture, and strengthen their teams and businesses. She specializes in talent development, change management, and business strategy, including marketing and communication.   In this episode, Evelyn and Je'Nen share some great insights on how to push for change within an organization, how to know when to stay or leave your current job, the value of having an entrepreneurial mindset even if you work for someone else, what services architects should be offering but aren't, and more!   Check out more episodes of Practice Disrupted at: https://practiceofarchitecture.com/podcast/

Lauren Schmidt is a Principal at KPF in New York City.  The youngest woman in KPF's history to be named Principal, Lauren is invaluable to projects of all types, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, consultants and design teams, and overseeing projects through all phases.   Lauren has served as designer and manager for some of KPF's most notable and complex New York City projects. She collaborated to develop the design for One Jackson Square, a national AIA award-winning residential building situated over several active subway lines. Lauren managed 55 Hudson Yards, a large-scale, transit-oriented office building that features a unique, finely-crafted wall system. The building's irregular structure incorporates a ventilation building for the subway station below, requiring detailed coordination with the MTA and city stakeholders.   Much of Lauren's work focuses on maximizing the potential of underutilized or outdated buildings through repositioning. She has contributed management expertise to adaptive reuse projects such as Hudson Commons, which adds 17 stories above a former warehouse creating state-of-the-art office space; 175 Park, a reimagining of a traditional suburban office building in New Jersey; and 660 Fifth Avenue, for which a new, custom glass curtain wall façade maximizes occupant comfort while reducing energy consumption.   Lauren also plays an integral role in the operations of the firm itself overseeing recruitment, staffing, and mentorship alongside KPF's senior leadership. She holds a board seat on the Design Futures Council, and was named one of PWC's 20 Under 40 Outstanding Women in Construction. Lauren helped launch KPF's Educational Program, actively participates in the ACE mentorship program, and has taught Architect Registration Examination courses at the New York Center for Architecture.   In this episode, Lauren talks about her experience of moving up through the ranks at KPF, how architecture is a group effort, and the importance of communication and collaboration. She shares some great advice on what makes someone a good leader, how to develop and hone their leadership skills, and how one can differentiate themselves at a larger, international firm. Lauren also talks about how being an athlete has informed who she is as a person and the importance of having an outlet in your life that isn't architecture related. - We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast

J. Meejin Yoon, AIA FAAR, is the Gale and Ira Drukier Dean at the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP) at Cornell University and cofounder of Höweler + Yoon, an award-winning design studio engaged in projects across the U.S. and around the world. An architect, designer, and educator, Meejin is committed to advancing pedagogy, research, and practice to expand new knowledge across fields and disciplines, and to bringing deep expertise to the urgent environmental and social challenges facing our cities and communities. In this episode, Meejin talks about her journey to becoming Dean at Cornell AAP, why she always wanted to maintain a creative practice alongside teaching, and what qualities she thinks makes someone a good architecture professor. Meejin also talks about how making the architecture discipline more accessible will make it more impactful, and how our disciplines in the built environment have to step up at this moment to address climate change, justice and equity in ways we haven't before. Visit the Cornell AAP website here: https://aap.cornell.edu/ - We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast  

Saakshi Terway is a Designer at Wiencek + Associates in Washington DC. She is especially interested  in responsible and sustainable architecture that has a social impact on local and global communities, and seeks to produce work that allows architecture and design to become a tool in empowering communities. In this episode, we talk about job search advice for recent grads, finding a mentor (and why you need multiple mentors), figuring out what you want to do, and advocating for yourself. Saakshi also talks about the challenges and biases many immigrants face in the AEC profession, and why speaking out and sharing your story is so important. -- We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast.  

Christine Williamson is the founder of the Building Science Fight Club, an Instagram community dedicated to teaching building science and construction to architects and other building professionals. She also provides technical design consulting services to architects, developers, and contractors, assisting with design development and reviewing details and specifications to improve durability, comfort, and energy efficiency.     In this episode, Christine and I talk about how building science is design, pushing through the painful early years of your career where you feel like you don’t know anything yet, how Christine ended up teaching architects about building science and creating an online course. Christine also shares why she started the Building Science Fight Club,  and gives a behind the scenes look at how she creates content for account.   Learn more about Christine at https://www.christine-williamson.com/   -   We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/designvoicepodcast

Janet Tam is a founder and Principal of Noll and Tam Architects. Janet grew up in Richmond, California, and studied architecture at UC Berkeley in the 1970s and early 80’s, when the university was a pioneer of socially responsible design. There, she encountered groundbreaking courses on social factors and user needs, and was drawn to the power of architecture to enrich people’s lives by serving the public good. Janet and her business partner, Chris Noll, founded their firm in 1992, to establish a talented studio of architects that pursued the ideal of active community involvement and environmentally responsive design. Since its founding, the Berkeley-based firm has become a leader in Bay Area public architecture, and is noted for championing women in leadership roles. Janet’s work, and that of the firm, is regarded for its emphasis on recognizing and articulating shared community values with projects that bind people together in a common vision for the future.   In this episode, Janet talks about: her experience of starting a practice while raising two daughters; how introspection and surrounding yourself with experts is key to building a healthy firm; working with a firm therapist; how the strength of the firm’s culture helped them get through the pandemic; what it means to stay “fresh” in the architecture profession; succession planning, letting things go, and passing on knowledge; and how architects never retire but morph into something else.   We want to hear from you! Please send your feedback to hello@designvoicepodcast.com and follow the show on Instagram @designvoicepodcast.

Primaverarch is an organization dedicated to stimulating change for the recognition of women in the architectural profession. Inspired by the renaissance era and the symbolic idea of spring, Primaverarch is a movement of rebirth, revival, and renewal. Primaverarch was created by Nadeen Hassan, Chaerin Kim, and Soany Marquez, three minority-women who recently graduated from the Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York. Throughout their studies, they experienced a lack of professional support, mentorship, and recognition, and so decided to start Primavera. Primaverarch is a catalyst movement that is dedicated to creating a seat at the table for all women in the field. Learn more about Primaverarch at: https://www.primaverarch.org/ In this episode we talk about: Why Nadeen, Chaerin, and Soany started Primaverarch On giving their interviewees a space to feel empowered, and feel like they have a voice Primaverarch’s goal of showcasing diverse voices, and that white women do not represent all women. How amplifying black voices should not just be a trend, but is something you’re supposed to be doing constantly. The long term goals for Primaverarch, and creating not just a platform but a space for opportunities and a support system for emerging professionals Expanding nationally and internationally, collaborating with NOMA and AIA On infiltrating national organizations like AIA to push for change Creating a space for people to ask regular questions, and fighting against the perception that architects are snobby Being conditioned in architecture school to just accept the status quo, and the need to push back and question who is being taught or amplified The lack of statistics on Middle Eastern or Arab architects is problematic How Nadeen, Chaerin, and Soany provide a support system for each other, have each others backs, and push each other forward   LISTEN to other episodes at www.designvoicepodcast.com FOLLOW the show on Instagram @designvoicepodcast EMAIL us at hello@designvoicepodcast.com

Kate Thatcher is the Chief Executive Officer of Architecture + Information (A+I), a strategy-led architecture and experience design agency based in New York. As CEO, Thatcher drives the acceleration of innovation, collaboration between teams and subject areas, and further development of culture and inclusion initiatives within A+I. Kate first began her career at A+I in 2004, returning again in 2011 upon completion of her Masters in Architecture degree from Yale University. At A+I, Kate has led design teams creating spaces for world-class companies like Equinox, Chanel, and Horizon Media. She became a principal at A+I in 2018 and was named the agency’s first CEO in 2020. Her innovative project experience and unique perspective having worked up the ranks of the organization inform her leadership style. A tireless advocate for equity within the architecture and design professions, Kate is responsible for the launch, in 2020, of the firm's +IMPACT initiative, a platform for A+I’s employees to leverage their talents and expertise on opportunities at the intersection of design and social impact.  In this episode we talk about: How Kate became the first ever CEO of A+I, what she did to prepare for the role, and her advice for younger professionals on how to develop their leadership skills Challenging the status quo narrative of the lone starchitect Nonlinear career paths, and not regretting the forks in the road Why it can be difficult to leave things behind as you advance in your career, but not being afraid of the new opportunities it may bring How her role as CEO is like a design exercise What a strategy-led integrated design agency is, and how A+I is different from traditional architecture firms The alignment of an institution’s vision, the space they occupy, and the people that inhabit that space What a strategist does, and how they are equal parts data scientist and spatial storyteller Kate’s experience as a parent during the pandemic, and her hope for what the future post-pandemic work-life might be like

Sylvia Kwan, FAIA is a principal based out of DLR Group’s San Francisco office. She has practiced in San Francisco for more than 40 years and her past and present designs continue to impact the built environment in the Bay Area. Sylvia founded Kwan Henmi Architecture in 1980, and in 2017 Kwan Henmi joined DLR Group, where Sylvia continues to focus on the transportation and higher education sectors. She takes great pride in building relationships with clients and exceeding their expectations.   Sylvia is an AIA Fellow, and has served on AIA boards at both national and local chapter levels. She has received numerous awards and personal recognitions for her design and business achievements, including the San Francisco Business Times’ 75 Most Influential Women in Business. In this episode we talk about: Sylvia’s experience of starting her own firm in her 20’s, and what she attributes to her success On relinquishing control as the size of your firm grows Going into full rainmaker mode, and how Sylvia honed her business development skills over the years Business development tips, and advice for public speaking On building relationships with decision makers and developing your reputation Sylvia’s experience of running her practice while raising two sons Kwan Henmi’s merger with DLR Group  Sylvia’s goals for this next phase of her career after being in the profession for 40+ years Her career highlight How Sylvia ended up being cast on Survivor Fiji!   Special thanks to Drew Henmi for this episode’s intro song. Check out the full version of the song here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4K7uFzRNNk   LISTEN to other episodes at www.designvoicepodcast.com FOLLOW the show on Instagram @designvoicepodcast EMAIL us at hello@designvoicepodcast.com

Liz Brack is a structural engineer based out of DLR Group’s Phoenix office, where she is actively involved in a diverse range of building types with a focus on K through 12 projects.  Liz is active in the community through the organization and participation of multiple STEM outreach with the local schools. She is also the active Philanthropy chair of the Structural Engineers of Arizona Young Member Group. In addition to her work with DLR Group, Liz teaches an intro to structural engineering course at Arizona State University. In this episode we talk about Mentorship programs, and what qualities an ideal mentor has What Liz finds most compelling about working on K-12 projects The percentage of women engineers in the AEC field, and what the profession could do to encourage more girls to pursue the career How every structural engineer has a favorite type of structural system The career trajectories of structural engineers Design challenges in projects, and the crazy things architects ask for Advice for engineers newer to the profession Leaning on your mentors

Elaine Molinar is a Partner and Managing Director at Snohetta. She began her career as a designer of the Alexandria Library in Egypt after participating in the initial conception for Snøhetta’s winning competition entry. Throughout her time with Snøhetta, Elaine has held key positions in major cultural projects and competitions in Canada, the Middle East, Europe and the United States including the award-winning Norwegian National Opera & Ballet and James B. Hunt Jr Library at NCSU. In 2005, she helped found Snøhetta’s New York office after the firm was awarded the National September 11th Memorial Museum Pavilion at the World Trade Center in 2004, the office’s first commission in the Americas. Elaine currently leads the general management of Snøhetta’s US practice. Elaine’s commitment to the issues of social and physical well-being influences her work not only as a design leader but also as an employer and cultivator of Snøhetta’s growing practice. Her early training in classical dance and performance brings an insightful understanding of ergonomics, perception, and comfort to the environments we design and inhabit. Her experience in the design of theaters, libraries, and the workplace has given Elaine an in-depth understanding of complex programmatic issues and has positioned her well to champion design from the user’s point of view. Elaine’s work has led to numerous international awards and recognition including the Stanford Prize for Innovation in Research Libraries,  AIA/ALA American Library Award,  and an AIA Presidential citation, among others.  Elaine has served as guest lecturer, studio critic, and awards juror in addition to daily practice. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects and is a LEED accredited professional.

Erica Loynd, FAIA is a Principal based out of DLR Group’s Seattle office, and is a Justice and Civic Studio Sector Leader. Erica is particularly passionate about sustainability, restorative justice, and the impact of the built environment on human wellness. She is an expert at leading teams to elevate conditions for disenfranchised people, and setting innovative justice standards that support wellness, equity, and transformative programs to successfully return people to their communities. Volunteering with AIA WA Council as the state licensure advisor, AIA Seattle’s mentorship programs and membership steering committee, Erica has worked with architects and aspiring candidates to enrich their careers in architecture. She has also been leading the national AIA Academy of Architecture for Justice Knowledge Community to push for innovations in research and operations to better serve all people. In this episode we talk about: Being elevated to an AIA Fellow, and what Erica’s application experience was like Why Erica believes architects should not walk away from justice architecture work Inspiring and educating justice architecture clients to do better Changing existing conditions as much as we can on a path towards stopping incarceration How Erica first became involved in the justice + civic sector, and what she finds most fulfilling about her work The rapid testing and COVID response sites in King County, Seattle that Erica and DLR Group designed at the outset of the pandemic -- LISTEN to other episodes at www.designvoicepodcast.com FOLLOW the show on Instagram @designvoicepodcast EMAIL us at hello@designvoicepodcast.com

Qeturah Williams is a Senior Architect based out of DLR Group’s Houston office. As a Project Manager and Senior Architect with 16+ years of design and construction experience, her expertise lies in the management of all phases of the architectural design process - from direct collaboration with new and existing clients to visioning, programming, design, and construction administration. She loves the technical aspect of architecture and finds that there's nothing more satisfying than seeing a well-drawn detail implemented by a skilled tradesperson. Qeturah’s broad range of work includes diverse commercial projects across multiple market sectors - institutional, industrial, Laboratories, Healthcare, High Education, and K-12 Education. Qeturah is especially passionate about education projects, and their immediate, positive impact to the client, community, educators, and learners. She believes that through design, architects are the stewards of the future, entrusted by the clients as partners to meet and exceed their goals. Qeturah is the 11th Licensed Female African-American Architect in Texas and 7th in Houston. In this episode we talk about: Qeturah’s 10 year plan to become an architect, and her experience in architecture school at University of Houston Qeturah’s licensure journey, and why it was never an option to not get her license Becoming a mentor, and stepping forward as an example of what success in the field can look like Moving into a Project Management role, and Qeturah’s advice for new PMs What Qeturah loves about K-12 projects, and the challenge and joy of being entrusted by clients to make a positive mark on society How architecture is a very visceral profession, and what Qeturah finds most rewarding about being an architect Qeturah’s advice for emerging professionals and her advice specifically for Black female professionals

Natasha Espada, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C is the founder and Principal of STUDIO ENÉE Architects. She has over 25 years of design and construction expertise in both renovation and new construction for institutional, civic, and commercial clients. Natasha served as the 2020 President of the Boston Society for Architecture. Her platform focused on equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice in the profession, as well as working to make Boston a Design City by bringing art and design to all neighborhoods in Boston. She has been a speaker on Equity and Practice at the AIA Grassroots Conference in Washington, D.C., AIA Connecticut’s Equity Summit, and AIA New Hampshire’s The Future of Practice Conference. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Northeastern University and has been a design critic and lecturer at Harvard GSD, MIT, Yale, Wentworth, Roger Williams, and the BAC. Since 2012, she has served on the Committee for Green Communities and the board of the Permanent Public Building Committee in Needham, MA. Natasha is a graduate of University of Florida and holds a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Virginia with a certificate in American Urbanism. In this episode you’ll hear: When Natasha decided she was ready to start her own firm The prep that went into it before she made the jump The biggest challenge of starting the practice On forming a new, collaborating type of design practice Her goals for the firm, and what the ideal size is Natasha’s experience as an adjunct professor The idea of code switching and feeling like you need to hide your true self at work When Natasha realized she could be herself Advice for emerging professionals who feel like they still have to mask themselves at work Natasha’s work as the 2020 President of BSA, and what she plans to do next -- LEARN more at www.designvoicepodcast.com FOLLOW the show on Instagram @designvoicepodcast EMAIL us at hello@designvoicepodcast.com

Vanessa is a Cultural+Performing Arts design leader based out of DLR Group's New York office. She works closely with teams across the firm to facilitate design discussions and provide critical guidance on considerations around site, programming, massing, aesthetics, and execution. Vanessa has extensive experience designing for significant cultural programs throughout the United States, as well as in Canada and Mexico. As a strong proponent of collaboration and an integrated design approach, Vanessa works to foster client, consultant, and internal design team relationships from concept design to construction completion. Born and raised in Texas, Vanessa is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and a LEED Accredited Professional. As a champion for the power of design, Vanessa focuses a great deal of her time on educating and mentoring the next generation of designers and has served as a visiting professor at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and a guest lecturer at the Haifa International Waterfront Conference in Haifa, Israel. She previously led a research-based design workshop at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Environmental Design, and has served as a studio critic at Columbia University, the Pratt Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Syracuse University, and the University of Pennsylvania. In this episode we talk about: - Vanessa’s design philosophy, and how it has been shaped by her previous experiences at OMA/REX and Snohetta, and now at DLR Group - How to build a strong design culture  - What we miss about being in the office - How to increase diversity in design leadership, and Vanessa’s advice for emerging professionals who want to become Designers - How we need to expand the notion of what constitutes “design” - If you can teach someone to be a good designer - What Vanessa finds most rewarding about being an architect -- LISTEN to other episodes at www.designvoicepodcast.com FOLLOW the show on Instagram @designvoicepodcast EMAIL us at hello@designvoicepodcast.com

She Builds Podcast is a show featuring the seldom told stories of women who build; women whose worth is not taught in architecture school, but who have shaped the industries of architecture, construction, and development throughout history. The podcast was started by Jessica Rogers, Lizi Raar and Norgerie Rivas, three friends who, after graduating from Syracuse University School of Architecture together, wanted to fill in the gaps in their education and share those with others. Episodes have featured Norma Merrick Sklarek, Julia Morgan, Jane Drew, Eileen Gray, Zaha Hadid, and many more!  In this episode, Jessica, Lizi, and Norgerie share the origin story of She Builds, their process for researching and putting together the show, and the most interesting things they’ve learned about the women they’ve featured. We also talk about the importance of seeing others like yourself in the profession, and how architecture history curricula are still stuck in their old male-dominated Eurocentric ways, but that this might slowly be changing. Learn more about She Builds at www.shebuildspodcast.com! -- LISTEN to other episodes at www.designvoicepodcast.com FOLLOW the show on Instagram @designvoicepodcast EMAIL us at hello@designvoicepodcast.com

Joann Lui is an architect and founder of the Facebook community Women Architects Collective. With over 2700 members and counting, the Women Architects Collective has grown into an active community where women architects find support, build their networks, and celebrate their accomplishments. Joann is also a personal brand strategist and helps architects and designers build an unforgettable online presence and get noticed in their careers and businesses.  In this episode we talk about what inspired Joann to form the Women Architects Collective, why everyone should have a personal brand, and what the most important factors are in building your personal brand. Joann also gives some great advice for introverts on how to find your voice when it might be out of your comfort zone, and shares her thoughts on leadership and mentorship. Learn more about Joann here: www.joannlui.com. And check out the Women Architects Collective here! -- LISTEN to other episodes at www.designvoicepodcast.com FOLLOW the show on Instagram @designvoicepodcast EMAIL us at hello@designvoicepodcast.com

Julia Nagele is the Director of Architectural Design at HEWITT Seattle. She believes the success of today’s projects rely on the expertise of many, and is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment that promotes participation from a broad range of diverse thinkers. Julia helps enforce these values at HEWITT, as the team strives to address complex urban conditions in a straightforward and elegant manner. Her experience as an Assistant Affiliate Professor at the University of Washington reinforces her professional practice by guiding team projects as an editor and forming strategies for successful outcomes. She believes the art and science of making architecture, navigating agencies and understanding complex client organizations requires her to connect the dots at the right time for the right people. In doing so, the most opportunity and value for a client’s project will be realized. In this episode, Julia tells the story of how a chance encounter in Rome led to her moving to Seattle. Julia shares how her career transitioned from an ebbing and flowing path to a clear trajectory upware, and gives some great advice on how to become a Designer at a firm. We also talk about how there are no shortcuts to being innovative or creative, and what it’s like to be on a Wikipedia list of the tallest buildings designed by women. HEWITT projects referenced in the episode: The Emerald Luna Apartments Mama Tower 222 Dexter

Winka Dubbeldam is the Chair and Miller Professor of Architecture at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design, where she has gathered an international network of innovative research and design professionals. She has also taught advanced architectural design studios at Columbia, Cornell, and Harvard University, among other prestigious institutions. Winka was named one of the DesignIntelligence 30 Most Admired Educators 2015, and has been a juror at the Prix de Rome, several AIA juries, and at the Bogota Architecture Biennale in 2010. As the founder/principal of the New York firm Archi-Tectonics, Dubbeldam is widely known for her award-winning work, recognized as much for its use of hybrid sustainable materials and smart building systems as for its elegance and innovative structures. Archi-Tectonics' work ranges from residential to commercial, from real to virtual, and is realized in urban designs, architectural designs, and installations. In this episode, Winka talks about her role as Chair of Architecture at UPenn, and highlights some of the exciting programs and research that's happening at the school. Winka also talks about her experience starting Archi-Tectonics, what the hardest part of running your own practice is, and the impact she hopes to have through her work.

Katie Swenson is a nationally recognized design leader, researcher, writer, and educator. She is a Senior Principal of MASS Design Group, an international non-profit architecture firm whose mission is to research, build, and advocate for architecture that promotes justice and human dignity. Before joining MASS in early 2020, Swenson was vice president of Design & Sustainability at Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., a national nonprofit that invested over $43.6 billion in community development. She founded Enterprise’s National Design Initiative, directing the Affordable Housing Design Leadership Institute, the Pre-Development Design Grant, and the Rose Fellowship. The Rose Fellowship partners emerging architectural designers and cultural practitioners with local community development organizations to facilitate an inclusive approach to development resulting in sustainable and affordable communities.  A prolific writer, she released two books in the fall of 2020: Design with Love: At Home in America, and In Bohemia: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Kindness, both by Schiffer Publishing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Architecture from The University of Virginia. Katie was also a Harvard University Graduate School of Design Loeb Fellow in 2018-2019, and has taught at the Boston Architectural College and Parsons School of Design at The New School and lectured extensively on sustainable community development and affordable housing.  

Bonnie Bridges is the founder and Principal of Studio BBA in San Francisco. A strategic, clear thinker, perceptive listener and creative dynamo, Bonnie leads Studio BBA with adaptability, energy and fearless optimism. Drawing on deep expertise in the skilled facilitation of decisions and processes, and an intuitive, analytic nature, she guides the studio’s atelier of designers in creating beautiful, enriching, successful spaces and buildings for their clients. Bonnie brings a keen awareness of place and purpose to her work, with an approach to the design process grounded in human experience, logic and thoughtful actions. This humanistic methodology took form during her graduate and doctoral research, which explored the relationship between being and building—through contemporary architectural theory and the study of phenomenology as interpreted and developed by Husserl and Heidegger, Kenneth Frampton, and Juhanni Palassma. Site-specificity and material simplicity are essential aesthetic principles in Bonnie’s work, informed by growing up in California and ten years in the Sonoran Desert. She was profoundly inspired by these landscapes—imprinting within her a fundamental experience of light and space. Actively involved in the civic realm and the greater architectural community, Bonnie is fueled by a deep, longstanding dedication to advancing the profession—through mentoring, teaching, advisory and Board roles. Bonnie founded the firm in 1992, preceded by working for award-winning firms in California and Arizona. In this episode Bonnie shares how her deep knowledge of contemporary architectural theory enriches all projects at the firm. Bonnie talks about how at the core of her work is the belief that everyone who participates in a project actually matters. She also shares her experience of starting her own practice while raising a family, and that one can be dedicated to their intellect, values, and what they bring to society, but equally dedicated to their family.

June Grant is an architect, designer and researcher committed to the craft of buildings, their potential to enhance cities and develop socially responsible solutions to complex real-world problems. June is the founding Principal of blink!LAB architecture, a boutique, research-based architecture practice focused on adaptive and transformative sustainable development. Her design approach rests on an avid belief in cultural empathy, data research, and new technologies as integral to design futures and design solutions. She is also the current President of the San Francisco Chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects (SFNOMA), where she is committed to growing practice opportunities for under-represented groups by strengthening the role of communication. In the episode we talk about: June’s experience being President of SFNOMA during the “Twin Pandemics” Planning the first ever virtual NOMA Conference How the act of building is one of the most political events, and there’s no such thing as a neutral building The power and importance of observation  The structure of blink!LAB, and how 70% of the work is for private clients which in turn supports 30% of the work which is for communities Advice for young professionals who want to pursue impactful, non-traditional practices The one underrated tool emerging professionals have to offer communities June’s research and work on Accessory Dwelling Units. Why June wanted to become an architect   The 2020 NOMA Conference will be October 14-18, 2020! Check out https://www.noma.net/conference/ to learn more.    

Alyssum Skjeie is a museum professional focused on presenting multi-faceted stories related to architecture and history. She is the new Director of El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo, CO. In her new role she is eager to learn more about the Southern Colorado region in order to create collaborative exhibitions with the community. Prior to moving to Pueblo last December she lived and worked in Pittsburgh, PA for 8+ years. In her time there she was part of the Heinz Architectural Center at Carnegie Museum of Art, and curated or was a team member for over 20 architecture exhibitions and countless public programs. Significant exhibitions Alyssum curated are Sketch to Structure (2015) and Copy + Paste; The Hall of Architecture (2017-2018). She also particularly enjoyed being an integral team member on HACLab Pittsburgh: Imagining the Modern (2015-2016) and Lina Bo Bardi Draws (2019).   In her free time Alyssum runs, hikes, and quilts. She started hosting architecture runs in Pittsburgh as a way to share her love of both running and buildings. Colorado architecture runs are coming soon. She currently enjoys summiting the mountain peaks near Pueblo.    In this episode, we talk about: Alyssum’s journey of studying design, to studying architecture history, to becoming a museum professional  Alyssum’s love of introducing architecture to the public How exhibits have the power to raise questions and engage people in public discourse about architecture and design The importance of people being able to express what they like or don’t like about their cities Using your voice to talk about what you want to see in museums Exploring architecture through movement, and Alyssum’s architecture running tours in Pittsburgh Alyssum’s new role as Director of El Pueblo History Museum, and her goals of creating collaborative exhibits with the community.

Mani Farhadi is a Senior Facilities Planner at Stanford University School of Medicine in the Office of Facilities, Planning and Management. A global thinker and creative thought leader, Mani has three decades of experience in planning and architecture, and in collaborating with both public and private institutions. She enjoys combining her passion for education with her extensive planning skills to bring about stakeholder consensus and thoughtful solutions. Mani’s leadership extends into volunteer duties as well. She is a former Board of Trustee member at Los Gatos Union School District, and Chair of the Bond Oversight Committee, for which she received the ‘Citizen Architect’ award. Mani also volunteers for the AIA Silicon Valley Women in Architecture Committee, as well as for various Iranian-American cultural and advocacy groups. In this episode, we talk about: Mani’s experience of growing up in Iran, and how she came to embrace her intersectional identity On feeling in-between Bonding with other Iranian-American architects The duality of being a mother and working professional, and Mani’s advice for how to merge the two sides of yourself How Mani made the transition from working at private architectural firms to becoming a Senior Planner at Stanford University School of Medicine Mani’s volunteer work with the Women in Architecture Committee for the AIA Silicon Valley, and how organizations like WIA have evolved to become more than just about women’s issues Mani’s experience during COVID and having her two adult sons at home (they made a Tik Tok video!)

Shalini Agrawal brings over 25 years of experience in community engagement, and has dedicated her career to bringing diversity and equity in design, art and architecture. She is co-director of Pathways to Equity, a leadership experience for responsible community-engaged design, and founder and principal of Public Design for Equity, an equity-driven practice for equity-driven outcomes. Shalini is on the board of Architects Designers and Planners for Social Responsibility, and Association for Community Design, as their Director of Fellowship. She is Associate Professor in Critical Ethnic Studies, Interdisciplinary Design Studios and Decolonial School at California College of the Arts. In this episode, we talk about: How working for Philip Johnson early on in her career made Shalini realize she wanted to explore alternative avenues of architecture How a trip to India made Shalini want to design projects with people, not just for people What inspired Shalini decide to co-found the Pathways to Equity program How we can acknowledge our power and privilege as design professionals, and recognize that every time we step into a community we are a guest How architects should change their mindset when it comes to Community Engagement Holding ourselves and our profession responsible for spatial injustice, and what individuals can do about it The interdisciplinary courses that Shalini teaches at California College of the Arts, including her Radical Redesign course On questioning the status quo to think about where equity can live Taking an Equity Pause The ADPSR holding the AIA responsible for their code of ethics and wanting them to address the prison industrial complex. Holding space for and supporting women of color in design and architecture

For the first time in the history of the Harvard Graduate School of Design, there are four Native American students enrolled at the same time. They are Elsa Hoover, Zoe Toledo, Heidi Brandow, and Jaz Bonnin, and together, they have formed the Harvard Indigenous Design Collective. Their aim is to support the education and work of Indigenous architects, planners, designers, scholars, allies, and alumni of the Harvard Graduate School of Design. In this episode, I speak with Elsa, Zoe, Heidi and Jaz about how they all met and found each other at GSD, what inspired them to form the HIDC, and how their Native backgrounds influence the ways in which they think about their work. We also discuss how architects can better acknowledge Native lands, how we all have a responsibility to push projects to have a richer and deeper connection with the lands they sit on and communities they serve, and the importance of including indigenous voices in architecture and design conversations.

Siboney is an architect and Enterprise Rose Fellow in the Boston area.  She works to understand how architecture and design can best serve communities.  From 2015-2017 Siboney served as Zoning Commissioner for District 1 in San Antonio.  Most recently she helped complete a 63,000 square foot new construction facility for ChildSafe, a non-profit children's advocacy center while at Overland Partners. In San Antonio, Siboney dedicated her time to various non-profit arts organizations including the SAY Si Board of Directors, VIA Metropolitan Transit Community Council and the City of San Antonio Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee. She was a founding member and co-chair of the AIA San Antonio Latinos in Architecture Committee that advocated for multi-generational mentorship in design professions.  She is currently working at Opportunity Communities, a community development corporation.  Her work for the next two years will focus on affordable housing development and community building because they are inherently connected. Siboney received her B.Arch from Cornell University.  She insists that creative fields are viable vehicles for social change and is committed to prioritizing community voices in design processes.   In this episode, we talk about: Siboney’s experience in architecture school, and the problem with the curriculum How Siboney was raised to question what narratives are prioritized Siboney’s work with the AIA San Antonio Latinos in Architecture Committee The importance and power of being able to enter a space in which you feel welcomed The systems aren’t broken - they are working exactly how they were intended to Siboney’s experience so far at OppCo as a Rose Fellow On learning the right language to challenge real estate developers The responsibility that comes with creating space You can read Siboney’s Op-Ed in ARCHITECT magazine here.

Meghana Joshi is a Senior Project Manager at Little Diversified, Newport Beach.  Her projects have been honored with multiple SAGE Gold, PCBC Gold Nugget, SoCal, Argentum, & NAHB awards. She received 2019 AIA Orange County’s “Service Award”,  2018 AIA California’s “Associate” award and “Presidential Citation” honoring her commitment to the profession. She is a board member of the AIA Orange County Chapter, and Director for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She founded and chaired the Women in Architecture Committee. Under “Project Amplify” that she founded, she amplifies and celebrates voices and works of minority architects throughout the world with diverse projects.  Furthering her passion for life/ safety in architecture, Meghana has invented an artificial intelligence powered smart device. She spoke at the 2019 AECNext/ SPAR 3D Conference, A’19 Conference on Architecture, 2019 Computational Building Design Seminar, 2019 NOMA Conference on “Enhancing Life & Safety through Artificial Intelligence”. Meghana’s professional contributions were honored at the “Say it Loud” exhibition at A '19 Conference, and she is one of the “Inspiring Moms of 2019” for OC Register.

Bethany Borel, WELL AP is a Senior Associate at COOKFOX Architects in New York City. Since joining COOKFOX in 2012, Bethany’s combined knowledge of architecture and interior design has been a valuable asset to a variety of New York City projects. Currently, Bethany is spearheading the transformative design of the Solaire building in Battery Park City and the International WELL Building Institute headquarters at 220 Fifth Avenue. Bethany also designed and orchestrated the design of COOKFOX’s new, award-winning office on 57th Street, and the interiors of 62 Wooster Street, a landmarked 1920's industrial building to a luxury residential property in the heart of SoHo. Bethany frequently speaks on the topics of biophilia and high-performance design at events such as Greenbuild and the New York Green Building Conference. Additionally, Bethany teaches a sustainability studio course at the New York School of Interior Design and regularly serves as a guest juror at Columbia University and the Pratt Institute. Having spent her childhood in the seemingly disparate locales of Tokyo, Japan, and rural Iowa, Bethany has found that a common thread in her design philosophy is that she holds the utmost respect for the natural environment. At COOKFOX, Bethany brings this thinking to her projects as she pursues environmentally responsible design. In this episode we talk about: Ways to improve your home office environment How Bethany and her team at COOKFOX are staying connected while WFH during the pandemic What is biophilia and examples of biophilic design strategies in architecture and interior design How COOKFOX is rethinking the future of office design in a post-covid world

Melissa R. Daniel is an architectural designer in Washington D.C., with a broad range of project experience including multi-family housing, public housing, retail, embassies, federal buildings, and mission critical facility projects. Since 2013, Daniel has ensured that women in architecture have an established platform to tell their stories. She founded a Women in Architecture lecture series for the D.C. metro area, developed fluency with social media and web platforms to boost her storytelling and empowerment capabilities, and served as executive co-chair of the 2017 AIA Women’s Leadership Summit. Melissa is also a recipient of a 2018 AIA Associates Award, the 2018 AIA|PV Emerging Leader Award, and a 2015 BD+C 40 Under 40 Award. Beyond the profession, Daniel has been a member of the steering committee for She Should Run Frontrunners, a nonprofit that encourages women to run for public office. She has provided direction for the development of the organization’s mission and engagement strategies, and actively recruits new members and potential leaders. Melissa is also the creator and host of Architecture is Political, a podcast where Black and Brown folks have a conversation about architecture. - Check out the latest Architecture is Political episode where Melissa discusses the recent global protests, reflects on the written responses from architecture firms and allied organizations and how to cope in a work environment when you are the only black/brown person.

Mia Scharphie is a career and business strategist, and the founder of Build Yourself. She helps women in design, tech and innovation move from managing the work to setting the agenda. She helps women move past bias and make their industries and workplaces better places for women's talent. Mia has trained national industry groups like the American Institute of Architects and Americans for the Arts, and works with leadership and staff at global design and innovation companies such as Stantec, Gensler and HOK. She's a former Harvard Innovation Lab resident, ran a research effort on women in social impact design for the Harvard Business School, and was named as one of Impact Design Hub’s Social Impact Design 40 under 40.  You can find Mia at Build Yourself, on Instagram, or on Linked In.  In this episode, we talk about: - Why online collaboration is more formal than it should be - How we will hopefully come out of this pandemic with new virtual ways to collaborate and get things done - but that you can’t learn what it feels like to have the sky as the ceiling in Google Earth - What we should all be doing to advance our careers during economic high and low times, and actions items to take now  - How to hold onto your career North Star during uncertain times - The concept of “Umbrella Careers”   For the toolkit that Mia mentions in the episode on finding and approaching mid-career mentors, check out: buildyourselfworkshop.com/designvoicementor

Donna Sink, AIA is a registered architect who is committed to good design for everyone in the community. She has worked on urban design, cultural institution, and art exhibition design projects for the last 25 years and has previously lived in Philadelphia, Detroit, Portland, and Phoenix.  Donna now lives in Indianapolis and works at Rowland Design, an architecture and interior design firm doing cultural, educational, and residential projects across the country.  Locally, Donna is Board Chair for People for Urban Progress, a non-profit known for salvaging used leather from Amtrak’s Acela seats and turning it into fashionable bags sold to fund urban equity projects. Donna received a Bachelor of Architecture from University of Arizona and a Master of Architecture from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Donna is also one of the hosts of the Archinect Sessions podcast.