Architecture is Political

Intersections: Where Diversity, Equity and Design Meet is a Fall 2022 Series at The National Building Museum.  It brings together leading Black voices in design, art, and architecture for a series of dynamic discussions about culture, equity and representation through the lens of design. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Mabel O. Wilson about researching anti-black spaces, the mental toll it can bring and the Memorial to Enslaved Laborers.

RECAP: THE NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM'S 'INTERSECTIONS' SERIES BRINGS TOGETHER MABEL O. WILSON, MALO A. HUTSON AND GLENN LARUE SMITH IN CONVERSATION

Dr. Mabel O. Wilson is the Nancy and George E. Rupp Professor in Architecture and a professor in African American and African Diaspora Studies at Columbia University. She also serves as the director of the Institute for Research in African American Studies and co-directs Global Africa Lab. With her practice Studio&, she is a collaborator in the architectural team that recently completed the Memorial to Enslaved African American Laborers at the University of Virginia. With Irene Cheng and Charles Davis, she co-edited Race and Modern Architecture: From the Enlightenment to Today (2020). For the Museum of Modern Art, she was co-curator of the exhibition Reconstructions: Architecture and Blackness in America (2021). She’s a founding member of Who Builds Your Architecture? (WBYA?), a collective that advocates for fair labor practices on building sites worldwide.

Launching September 16th and running through December 14th, Intersections engages nationally recognized Black architects, designers and artists in conversations focused on social justice in the built environment. Through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, this series is designed to provoke new thinking, spark conversation, enlighten and empower.

Nov 29 LARGE FIRM ROUND TABLE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY, ADVOCACY AND INDUSTRY

Dec 14 CORY HENRY...AT THE INTERSECTION OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY

In this episode, we talk about Dr. Edwards’ educational career in architecture and planning, why she stepped down as Chair at Howard University's Department of Architecture and the love she has for her students.

Dr. Hazel Ruth Edwards, FAICP, is an educator and planner whose career combines place-based research with planning and urban design practice and teaching. She currently serves as a professor in the Department of Architecture of the College of Engineering and Architecture of Howard University in Washington, D.C. When she joined the faculty in 2016, she became the first female department chair since architecture education was established in 1911. She began her professional career at Howard University, where she undertook research on the development of the campus that led to the university’s 1998 Central Campus Plan, as well as publication of the history The Long Walk: The Placemaking Legacy of Howard University, co-authored with University Vice President Harry G. Robinson III; she then served as the principal planner for both the West Campus and Central Campus. She has been on the faculty of the graduate program in City and Regional Planning at the Institute of Architecture and Planning of Morgan State University in Baltimore and the faculty of the School of Architecture and Planning at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., where she was the founding director of the school’s Master of City and Regional Planning program.

Edwards, the granddaughter of the first Black registered architect in North Carolina, was raised in Washington, D.C. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Howard University, a Master of Architecture in Urban Design degree from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in Regional Planning from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. She was a Carolina Minority Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a certified planner with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and was elected to its College of Fellows in 2018; she was appointed to its Fellows Committee in 2021. She has served on the Harvard University Graduate School of Design’s Alumni Council since 2020. Her teaching was recognized with the 2009 Lankford Giles Vaughn Award for Professor of Architecture of the Year by the Washington, D.C., chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects. She is the 2022 recipient of Architectural Record’s Women in Architecture Design Leadership Educator award.

BlackSpace…at the Intersection of Diversity, Agency and Design is a series of workshops, two virtual and one in-person, at the National Building Museum’s Fall Series, INTERSECTIONS. At the second workshop, Vanessa Morrison (along with other cohorts), introduced the importance of culturally relevant and affirming design principles and how these can be used as a tool to create and preserve inclusive spaces.

Vanessa Morrison is a social impact planner who’s dedicated to supporting people’s ability to thrive while exploring how the built environment plays a role within those experiences.

Vanessa’s professional and academic opportunities have led her to design and lead approaches to address inequity challenges for marginalized groups, domestically and internationally consult development projects, and activate both spatial and social environments. She is also highly experienced in leading teams while developing culturally responsive engagement strategies that reach into a diverse range of communities; including but not limited to: Black communities, business spaces, the nonprofit sector, and state and local governments.

Additionally, Vanessa is the Associate Director at the Institute for Quality Communities at the College of Architecture, co-founder of BlackSpace Oklahoma, and is the co-founder and CEO of Open Design Collective; a non-profit organization that supports the social and spatial needs of marginalized communities.

twitter: @vinthecityy

Oct 18 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Oct 21 AMANDA WILLIAMS...AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Nov 10 GERMANE BARNES...AT THE INTERSECTION OF STORYTELLING, ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL NARRATIVE

Nov 19 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Nov 29 LARGE FIRM ROUND TABLE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY, ADVOCACY AND INDUSTRY

Dec 14 CORY HENRY...AT THE INTERSECTION OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY

Let’s get political! AIP talks to Evelyn Lee, FAIA and Je’Nen M. Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA from Practice Disrupted Podcast about the politics of AIA (American Institute of Architects). We discuss a brief governing history as well as the elections process.

Je’Nen M. Chastain, MBA, Assoc. AIA is the founder of Apostrophe Consulting, a practice focused on helping architects and next-gen leaders strengthen their teams and businesses. In addition to consulting with firm leaders on practice management issues, she mentors architects on career development, leadership, and strategy. She specializes in facilitating conversations that engage multi-generational teams and has designed, developed, and presented dozens of training programs that inspire next-gen leaders. She is currently working on several in-house training solutions with award-winning firms that provide support to their teams on leadership development, mentorship, and communication.

Je’Nen is a co-host on the podcast Practice Disrupted, a show that explores the evolution of architectural practice through conversations with industry thought leaders. Through this work she’s transformed her expertise in marketing and communication into a passion for telling the stories of leaders who are moving the practice of architecture forward. Common themes discussed on the show include business strategy, operations, technology, cultural shifts, entrepreneurship, and professional development. Je'Nen earned both her MBA and BArch, and has trained in architecture. She has received several awards for her leadership in the profession, including the 2017 AIA Associates Award.

Evelyn Lee, FAIA, is the first-ever Global Head of Workplace Strategy and Innovation at Slack Technologies, Founder of the Practice of Architecture, and Co-Host of the Podcast, Practice Disrupted. Lee integrates her business and architecture background with a qualitative and quantitative focus to build better experiences for the organization's employees, clients, and guests. She is widely published, wrote a monthly column for Contract magazine for over three years, and now is a frequent contributor to Architect Magazine. Evelyn has received numerous industry awards, including 2016 40 Under 40 award for Building Design + Construction and the 2014 AIA National Young Architects Award. She recently served as the first-ever female Treasurer to the AIA National Board in 2020-2021.

Evelyn has been a featured Keynote Speaker, Invited Guest, Panelist, and Moderator at national design and architecture conferences, including AIA National Convention, Dwell on Design, and Women in Green. Her topics focus on developing knowledge leadership, organizational change management, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and strategic approaches to implement design thinking.

The design voice of impact and change—Kia Weatherspoon, NCIDQ, ASID, D.F.A (h.c) has spent the last 15 years defying every design stereotype. The most damaging—interior design is a luxury reserved for a few. Her voice, advocacy for Design Equity™, and design practice have shifted the narrative, making interior design a standard for all. Kia is challenging the lack of these standards in economically challenged communities. Her presence and leadership have created ripples, prompting housing developers, agencies, and industry partners in economically challenged communities to not just take notice of her work—but to do better.

A design industry advocate and educator in business leadership, equity, and diversity. Kia is the most decorate black interior designer of her time having been recognized as ICFF Design of the Year, has an Honorary Doctorate from New York School of Interior Design, and ASID National Design for Humanity recipient, a HIP Designer for Good by Interior Design Magazine, CREW Washington, DC Raise Your Voice Awardee, a part of the Washington Business Journal’s 40 under 40 Class and the International Interior Design Association Luna Textile/Anna Hernandez Visionary Award recipient, and among many others.

Kia is adamant change is possible when difficult conversations happen. She has them every day as a female leader of color, speaker, educator, and mentor who exemplifies what’s possible for those who are determined by design.

Juliet Sakyi-Ansah is an architect experimenting with architecture as a tool for driving social and environmental change using participatory and collaborative approaches. Invested in the potential of collective action, Juliet’s explorative work and approach  often centres on people and place identity and how that manifests in the practice, process and production of architecture and the built environment. Juliet's emerging Studio OASA is her creative space for her research and design practice, process and production.

Juliet has taught at the Birmingham School of Architecture and Design as a Visiting Tutor. She has co-organised architecture conferences and symposiums including The Production of Place at UEL School of Architecture and Ecology theory forum 09 at the Sheffield School of Architecture. She recently collaborated with the Place, Culture and Identity research group on the inaugural Black in Architecture symposium on Race in Architectural Education: Decolonising the Curriculum at Oxford Brookes School of Architecture.

Juliet founded and spearheads The Architects’ Project. Here, she conceived and developed Narratives, a semi- academic publication space for projects exploring new and emerging ways of practice, writings on planning, politics and policy in architecture, the built environment and related subjects. As part of The Architects’ Project, Juliet is creating /tap Collective platform as a collaborative and creative lab that addresses complex social and environmental challenges and opportunities. Juliet’s current work on this platform includes Black in Architecture research unit, a change initiative addressing race and equity in UK Architecture. She also works on Learn/Play, a place-based design initiative that explores design opportunities for underused and abandoned outdoor spaces. Through the /tap Exchange platform at The Architect's Project, Juliet convenes interdisciplinary experts and communities for dialogue. For this, she currently coordinates the /tapTakeoverWeekends. She uses /tap Reach platform for community outreach projects.

Juliet received her BA Architecture and M.Arch from the Sheffield School of Architecture and completed her RIBA Part 3 at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. She is currently completing her PhD in Architecture and the Built Environment at Oxford Brookes University.

In partnership with the National Building Museum, AIP Podcast hosts a series of deep dive conversations from the Intersections series. This is a re-broadcast of a conversation with Demar Matthews. Founder of OffTop Design, Matthews will open the season with a presentation that addresses how architecture amplifies or silences perspectives and narratives and question if and how buildings, streets and landscapes serve to affirm identity and define community. Matthews’ practice investigates the power of architecture as a cultural signifier and vehicle of traditions, values and identity.  In this episode, we explore the question,“What if Black neighborhoods were defined by the beauty of the architecture that represents Black culture?”

In Fall 2022, the National Building Museum is bringing together leading Black voices in design, art, and architecture for INTERSECTIONS, a series of dynamic discussions about culture, equity and representation through the lens of design. Launching September 16th and running through December 14th, Intersections engages nationally recognized Black architects, designers and artists in conversations focused on social justice in the built environment. Through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, this series is designed to provoke new thinking, spark conversation, enlighten and empower.

Born in Moreno Valley, California, Demar received his Bachelor’s from HBCU Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and completed his Master of Architecture at Woodbury University where he was awarded the Graduate Thesis Prize for his project Black Architecture: Unearth-ing the Black Aesthetic. His introduction to the field was through his article ‘A Black Architecture Education Experience’. Demar believes architecture and good design should not only be for the privileged. Every community deserves to be proud of the built environment around them, and the built environment around them should be based on the cultures of the people who live there; regardless of income, race, and gender.

Intersections. Where Diversity, Equity and Design Meet.  This Fall, The National Building Museum is bringing together leading Black voices in design, art, and architecture for INTERSECTIONS, a series of dynamic discussions about culture, equity and representation through the lens of design. Launching September 16th and running through December 14th, Intersections engages nationally recognized Black architects, designers and artists in conversations focused on social justice in the built environment. Through interactive lectures and hands-on workshops, this series is designed to provoke new thinking, spark conversation, enlighten and empower.

Jacquelyn Sawyer is a fourth generation teacher and dedicated education professional with over 16 years of curriculum and program design, project management and partnership development experience. Jacquelyn began her career in the classroom as a middle and high school Social Studies, Environmental Science and Economics teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools. After welcoming her first son, Jacquelyn transitioned to the non-profit sector, where she worked with organizations like The Baltimore Urban Debate League, WE Charity and the National Aquarium to improve the educational opportunities of students in underserved schools and communities. In addition to her non-profit work, Jacquelyn has also had the opportunity to serve as a curriculum developer, administrative coach and teacher evaluator for school systems across the country, including District of Columbia Public Schools, Dallas Independent School District and Miami- Dade County Public Schools. Jacquelyn currently serves as the Vice President of Education and Engagement at the National Building Museum.

Jacquelyn Sawyer received her undergraduate degree in Urban and Suburban Studies from George Mason University and her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Johns Hopkins University. She is the proud mother of two boys, Thomas and George. In her time away from work she is an avid reader, jazz enthusiast and enjoys hiking, biking and all things outdoors.

Sept 8 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Sept 16 DEMAR MATTHEWS...AT THE INTERSECTION OF IDENTITY AND COMMUNITY

Sep 20 HARRIET TUBMAN...AT THE INTERSECTION OF LEGACY AND LANDSCAPE

Sept 23 MABEL WILSON...AT THE INTERSECTION OF REPRESENTATION AND TRADITION

Oct 18 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Oct 21 AMANDA WILLIAMS...AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART, ARCHITECTURE, AND SOCIAL COMMENTARY

Nov 10 GERMANE BARNES...AT THE INTERSECTION OF STORYTELLING, ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURAL NARRATIVE

Nov 19 BLACKSPACE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK FUTURES, AGENCY, AND DESIGN

Nov 29 LARGE FIRM ROUND TABLE...AT THE INTERSECTION OF EQUITY, ADVOCACY AND INDUSTRY

Dec 14 CORY HENRY...AT THE INTERSECTION OF DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY

Black Students in Design (BSD) was created in recognition of the many barriers faced by Black students in the design and architecture fields.

Clara James is a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at the Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto, Canada. In 2020 Clara founded Black Students in Design, a student-led community for Black students at Daniels. And with the support of the Daniels outreach office and her all Black executive team, Clara successfully developed and executed Building Black Success through Design – a mentorship program for Black high school students interested in design. During her time as a student she worked with the Student Equity Alliance and Equity Committee within the Daniels Faculty, fighting to address anti-Black Racism and equity. Since then, she’s worked in the school as an Assistant Studio Technologist helping students with any issues they might have. She is currently the Interim Coordinator of Public Programing and Outreach in the Outreach Office at Daniels. And when she can find the time, she is also a free-lance graphic designer.

In this episode, AIP talks to Lori A. Brown FAIA, an architect and Professor of Architecture in the School of Architecture at Syracuse University and Jordan Kravitz, AIA, LEED Green Assoc, WELL AP, a healthcare architect and medical planner at Smithgroup, about TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) Laws and the call to action to mobilize a list of architects who can assist in design and construction of new clinics in states where abortion is still legal.

If you are an architect and are willing to be included on the list, please contact Lori Brown lbrown04(at)syr(dot)edu

As a healthcare architect, and medical planner, Jordan Kravitz believes we can bolster community healthcare practices by creating a strong pillar of health and wellness by designing without bias but with dignity, compassion, and sustainable thinking towards our future. With projects across the entire care continuum from medical office buildings to complex hospital projects she can effortlessly execute the duties of both project architect and medical planner, playing an essential role in integrating the programmatic and spatial demands of a project with its technical requirements. Jordan is known as a leader in her place of work and community through her activism in justices, equity , diversity, and inclusion (J.E.D.I) initiatives and involvement with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the Women in Healthcare Organization.

Lori Brown FAIA is an architect and Professor of Architecture in the School of Architecture at Syracuse University. Her creative research practice examines relationships between architecture and social justice and seeks to create political engagement.

Links:

https://www.routledge.com/Contested-Spaces-Abortion-Clinics-Womens-Shelters-and-Hospitals-Politicizing/Brown/p/book/9781138271623

https://www.averyreview.com/issues/54/legal-houdini

http://www.harvarddesignmagazine.org/issues/41/zoned-out-buildings-and-bodies

https://unladylike.co/bonus-episodes/24/lori-brown-clinic-design

https://www.curbed.com/2022/07/abortion-roe-architect-list.html

https://metropolismag.com/viewpoints/architectures-role-in-a-post-roe-world/

Sarah Wesseler, "The Abortion Clinic Next Door," The Architectural League of New York, July 7, 2021

https://archleague.org/article/the-abortion-clinic-next-door/