Practice Disrupted by Practice of Architecture

Future leaders of the profession share diverse perspectives on architecture and the LGBTIQ+ community.

Guests:

Ryan Gann, Designer at Ross Barney Architects

A.L. Hu, Design Initiatives Manager at Ascendant Neighborhood Development

Lora Teagarden, Architect at RATIO

Yiselle Santos Rivera, Firmwide Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS

Amy Rosen, Sociospatial Designer at PLASTARC

Ryan Gann, Assoc. AIA

Ryan Gann has blazed a trail founded on service, leadership, and design. From his time as an engaged student leader to his expanding contributions to the built environment, Ryan has managed to stay ambitious while having fun along the way.

As a designer at Ross Barney Architects he has worked on some of the studio’s most ambitious civic projects. These architectural and urban design investigations have allowed him to collaborate with communities across Chicago and the world, expressing the role public space plays in everyday life.

Ryan is the recipient of the 2018 AIA Associates Award, Schiff Foundation Fellowship from the Art Institute of Chicago, and was the inaugural Architect-in-Residence at the Hyde Park Art Center. Ryan previously served on the national boards of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

A.L. Hu, Assoc. AIA

A.L. Hu is a queer, trans, nonbinary Taiwanese-American architect, organizer, and facilitator who lives and works in New York City. Their practice synthesizes organizing for racial, class, and gender justice with world-building and design; rethinks the architect’s role in facilitating accessible spaces; and manifests in design, visual media, and collaborative cultural work. They are a 2019-2021 Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellow and Design Initiatives Manager at Ascendant Neighborhood Development in East Harlem. They shared their experiences on a panel of queer architects at the AIA National Conference on Architecture in 2019; was a Thought Leader at the AIASF Equity by Design Symposium in 2018; and received the 2018 AIANY Emerging New York Architects ARE Scholarship. They received a Master of Architecture from Columbia University GSAPP in 2017, and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with a minor in Sustainable Design from UC Berkeley in 2012.

Lora Teagarden, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Lora is an Architect at RATIO, headquartered in Indianapolis, and the founder of L² Design, LLC. A published author and creator of #AREsketches, her passion for the profession drives her to mentor young professionals and volunteer in her community. She is a 2017 Young Architect Award winner, the 2019 Chair of the Young Architects Forum, 2020 AIA Indianapolis President, and was recently elected as an At-Large Representative on the AIA National Strategic Council. Her website and blog offer unique insights into professional practice, together with inspiration and tips for young architects.

Yiselle Santos Rivera, AIA, NOMA, LSSYB, WELL AP, LEED AP

Yiselle Santos Rivera is a medical planner and the Firmwide Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at HKS, Inc. With national and international experience on a broad range of healthcare, institutional, and commercial/mixed-use projects, she thrives on building belonging and designing for inclusion.

Seeking to empower the next generation of leaders, she co-founded the Latin American Interior Designers, Engineers, and Architects (LA.IDEA) DC Committee and founded the “Women Inspiring Emerging Leaders in Design” (WIELD) event, recipient of the 2019 AIA Diversity Program Recognition Award.

Mrs. Santos currently serves on the AIA National Board, the AIA DC Chapter Board, and is Advisor to the DC NOMA Board. She is a member of the AIA Equity and the Future of Architecture Board Committee, the New Urban Agenda Taskforce, and the AIA COVID-19 Health Impact Taskforce.

Yiselle is an author, storyteller, and recipient of the 2018 AIA Associate Award.

Amy Rosen

Amelia ("Amy") Rosen recently served as the 2018-2019 National President of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and the 2019 Student Director on the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2019 National Board of Directors.

Amy is currently working as a Sociospatial Designer at PLASTARC in New York City and is a 2020-2021 At-Large Representative on the AIA Strategic Council, where they serve as a co-convener for the Mental Health and Architecture Incubator. They were born and raised in Los Angeles, and moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2012, where they received a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master of Science in Sustainable Design from Carnegie Mellon University.

Amy applies integrated design methodologies to everything they do - seeking opportunities to tie architecture into systematic and fluid urban networks. Amy is an advocate for the power of design - to inspire, to unify, and to heal - and is especially passionate about queer space theory, efficient urban water management strategies, and innovative ways to blur the boundaries between the private and public realms. Using their architectural education as a backbone, Amy incorporates equity and social sustainability into their design process. Amy further leverages a passion for data, research, difference, and experimentation in order to unveil innovative design strategies that empower users and ensure a more resilient future. 

Show Links:

http://www.r-barc.com/

https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/solutions-and-innovation/rose-fellowship

https://ascendant.nyc/ 

https://www.l-2-design.com/

https://www.ratiodesign.com/

https://www.hksinc.com/

https://www.aiadc.com/committee/laidea

https://www.aiadc.com/event/wield-women-inspiring-emerging-leaders-design 

https://plastarc.com/ 

Future leaders of the profession share diverse perspectives on race, equity, and architecture.

Guests:

Leslie Epps, NOMA Student Representative, AIAS & NOMAS Leader at The City College of New York

Sarah Curry, AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMA

Beresford Pratt, AIA, NOMA

Melanie Ray, AIA, NOMA, LEED Green Associate, NCARB, Fitwel Amb.

Kendall A. Nicholson, Ed.D, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, LEED GA

Leslie Epps, NOMA Student Representative, AIAS & NOMAS Leader at The City College of New York

Leslie Epps is an accomplished rising fifth year architecture student at the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture. She has been passionate about architecture for half of her life and is eager to learn more and enact change moving forward in her career. Awarded NOMA Student Member of the Year 2019, Leslie Epps founded the CCNY NOMAS Chapter in 2018 and served as President until early 2020. Epps also received the title of NOMA Student Representative and serves on the NOMA Board of Directors for the role. In the future she aspires to combine architecture with urban planning in an effort to address social issues and ultimately better society. 

Sarah Curry, AIAS, Assoc. AIA, NOMA

Sarah Curry just finished an exhilarating year of living and working in Washington, DC as the 2019-2020 President of the American Institute of Architecture Students. No matter what her next chapter of life holds, she intends to explore and practice her passions for evidence-based and equitable design while pursuing licensure. None of that work would feel fulfilling though, if she is unable to continue advocating for the underserved and supporting design students and others who are interested in designing responsibly for those who need it the most. Originally from outside of Atlanta, Sarah earned her B.Arch in 2018 from Auburn University and completed her Thesis Design-Build Project at Rural Studio the following year. Her very flexible life plans include going to graduate school, teaching, and eventually enjoying nontraditional practice in the vast field of architecture.

Beresford Pratt, AIA, NOMA

Beresford Pratt is a licensed architect and Associate at Ayers Saint Gross in Baltimore, MD where he has worked on a multitude of education/institutional projects. He is passionate about active learning environments and pipeline initiatives, and he enjoys this cross pollination with his professional work. He is currently serving his second year in the AIA as the Mid Atlantic Young Architects Regional Director in the Young Architects Forum (YAF), and he is currently an editor for the YAF’s publication Connection. Beresford is also a co-founder of Baltimore’s local chapter of The National Organization of Minority Architects (Bmore NOMA). Beresford sits on the board and is the Communications Chair/Director. Outside of the industry, if he is not playing soccer, he enjoys volunteering his time with the United Way Central Maryland, and he currently sits on the Emerging Leaders United Council.

Melanie Ray, AIA, NOMA, LEED Green Associate, NCARB, Fitwel Amb.

Melanie Ray is a licensed architect and Associate in the Housing/Mixed-Use studio at Hord Coplan Macht in Baltimore, MD. Since graduating from Penn State’s architecture program in 2015, she has worked on various mixed-use and affordable housing projects, as well as community development projects in Baltimore city and beyond. She is the 424th living black woman licensed in the US to practice architecture and seeks to be an active mentor to promote the goal of doubling the number of licensed black architects by 2030. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Baltimore Chapter of NOMA, Bmore NOMA, and the Northeast University Liaison for NOMA National. In addition to her work at HCM, Melanie is a regular volunteer for pro bono design projects through such organizations as The Neighborhood Design Center and Habitat for Humanity.

Kendall A. Nicholson, Ed.D, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, LEED GA

Kendall Nicholson is a licensed educator, trained architectural designer, and an avid researcher. He works as the Director of Research and Information at the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). With degrees in architecture, real estate and education, his research explores the discipline of architecture through the lens of a social scientist. He has presented research internationally and his research interests surround equity, education, and curriculum within the discipline of architecture.

Nationally, his passion for equity and race relations manifests in his role as the lead researcher for the 2016 and 2018 Equity in Architecture Survey sponsored by AIA San Francisco and Equity by Design (EQxD). He also volunteers as a member of the AIA’s Equity and the Future of Architecture board committee and as an at-large director for the AIA National Associate Committee leading a work group on Mentorship and Equity. 

Show Links: 

https://www.noma.net/

https://ssa.ccny.cuny.edu/

http://www.aias.org/

https://asg-architects.com/

https://www.hcm2.com/

https://www.acsa-arch.org/

http://eqxdesign.com/equity-in-architecture-survey-2018

How is NCARB addressing industry change and transformation?

In this bonus episode of Practice Disrupted, Evelyn Lee and Je’Nen Chastain sit down with Patricia Ramallo and Jared N. Zurn, AIA, NCARB of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) to learn how NCARB is responding to wide-reaching industry change and transformation. We’ll discuss NCARB’s role in advancing equity in architecture, including the Baseline of Belonging Report, as well as the adoption of new policies intended to strengthen the pipeline of diverse talent into the profession. We’ll also discuss NCARB’s innovation team and the recent Analysis of Practice study. Learn how research studies like NCARB by the Numbers yield new insight into our industry, and how you can continue to share your ideas with NCARB to champion industry transformation.

Guests:

Patricia Ramallo started working at NCARB in 2015 as part of the Experience + Education team. In her current role as assistant vice president of innovation, she leads the design and implementation of innovative strategies throughout the Council and supports transformational initiatives such as strengthening international relations. 

Before joining NCARB, Patricia dedicated 14 years to the architecture field, fulfilling various design, management, and construction administration functions. She worked in Michigan, Kentucky, and New York on projects nationwide ranging from residential and multifamily to religious, commercial, and mixed-use buildings. Patricia also serves as an adjunct faculty instructor at the Boston Architectural College, where she teaches two graduate courses in professional practice.

Patricia holds a Master of Architecture degree from Lawrence Technological University and is licensed to practice architecture in Argentina, Kentucky, and New Jersey. She is a member of the American Institute of Architects, holds LEED AP® Homes & BD+C credentials, and the NCARB Certificate for national reciprocity. In 2019 she obtained a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University, and in 2021 she earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation.

Jared N. Zurn, AIA, NCARB, Vice President, Examination joined the Council in 2008 as assistant director, ARE development. He has been involved with all aspects of the examination including development, operations, security, and implementation of ARE 5.0. Promoted to vice president in 2013, Zurn is an advocate for transparency into the examination with a focus on refining the efficiency of the process while maintaining high standards and measurement quality.

Before joining NCARB, Zurn operated a sole proprietorship in northwest Minnesota. He also served as faculty of the Architectural Technology program and division chair at Minnesota State Community and Technical College where he led the Architectural Technology program in the areas of curriculum development, course assessment, and program outcome assessment. Zurn earned his professional degree from North Dakota State University.

📍 Show Links: 

Learn more about the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

📚 Continue Learning:

NCARB by the Numbers

NCARB’s Baseline on Belonging Reports

• Overview Report
• Baseline on Belonging: Experience Report
• Baseline on Belonging: Examination Report
• Baseline on Belonging: Education Report
• Baseline on Belonging: Firm Culture & Career Development Report

How has Practice Disrupted grown and evolved over 100 episodes?

Co-hosts Evelyn Lee and Je’Nen Chastain celebrate the 100th episode of Practice Disrupted by revisiting their favorite past episodes, some of the most popular episodes, and listener favorites. On this “best of” mixed tape, we’ll revisit re-occurring themes from the series related to: architectural practice, studio culture, technology, EDI+J, career pivots, and entrepreneurship. 

While this episode won’t capture every single one of our favorite quotes across 100 episodes, we hope it captures what has made this series so special. For those who want to dive deeper into conversations featured in this episode, we pulled clips from the following episodes:

Practice

Episode 010: Organizational Design, Process, and Innovation

Episode 062: 2022 AIA Gold Medal Winners: Brooks + Scarpa

Episode 086: A Large Firm Perspective on Innovation & Transformation

Episode 087: Designing New Workplace Policies

Culture

Episode 042: Building a Great Place to Work

Episode 047: Talent Development in Practice

Episode 091: How the Future Works

Technology

Episode 018: Remote Practice

Episode 074: Exploring the Evolution of Computational Design

EDI+J

Episode 009: Voices from the Future of the Profession (Black Architects)

Episode 095: Voices of Mothers in Practice

Career Pivots

Episode 007: [Re] Creating Your Career in Architecture

Episode 080: Season 4 Finale with Madame Architect

Episode 029: Taking the Leap from Architecture to Tech

Episode 019: Architecture, And: Film

Entrepreneurship

Episode 067: Architecture And: The Future of Workplace

Episode 075: Growing an AEC Startup / The Evolution of a Company

If you’ve enjoyed the show please leave us a comment and review on your favorite podcasting platform. While we are on winter break, be sure to tune in for a special bonus episode 101, replays of some of our favorite past episodes. A brand new season is ahead in 2023! (PS, we are looking for sponsors!)

Visit our full Practice Disrupted archive over at: https://practiceofarchitecture.com/podcast/.

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What is the present-day student perspective of architecture school?

In his docuseries, Critiquing Architecture School, Alvin Zhu captures what it's like being in architecture school one semester at a time. Along the way, he is also collecting the voices and experiences of his classmates who are all attending the University of New South Wales. Ultimately the series is about creating greater transparency around the educational system and the resulting culture that architecture studio creates.

In this episode, we interview Alvin and one of his producers Sana Tabbsum. Sana joined us on a previous episode and is based in London. She completed her Master's at the University of Greenwich. In the conversation, all four of us found shared experiences of what was happening in studio culture globally, and we collectively reflected on - what we would change about architecture education and what we would keep the same.

Guests:

Alvin Zhu is an aspiring filmmaker pursuing a Master of Architecture at the University of New South Wales. Shortly after graduating from undergrad in 2018, he founded a social media network for architecture students & graduates called “ProjectsbyPeople,” connecting a global community without being bound by physical limitations.  

Alvin began volunteering for the Australian Institute of Architects, SONA student body, and created 2 video series catered towards helping the next generation of students. 

In 2021, he was awarded the “Student Prize for the Advancement of Architecture” by the Australian Institute of Architects in recognition of his dedication to serving the wider community. This year, he also undertook the role of SONA Vice-President.

Sana Tabassum is a social entrepreneur, content creator, and final year MArch student at the University of Greenwich. She founded :scale (to-scale) in 2019, an architecture blog and platform for students and young designers, to create an inclusive and collaborative archi-community that champions a balance between well-being and productivity.

Since beginning her content-creating journey, Sana has led a team to self-publish an architecture magazine, curated the world’s first virtual architecture convention, and developed a cohort-based course to help architecture students build their skills during the summer.

📍 Show Links:  

Critiquing Architecture School

Episode 1 - Getting Started | Critiquing Architecture School

Episode 2 - Transparency from the University? | Critiquing Architecture School

Critiquing Architecture School on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/critiquingarchischool

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What is the next RIBA President’s view on the future of architecture?

When Muyiwa Oki steps into the RIBA presidency, he will be the first black architect to hold the position and the youngest. The path to his election is unique and a result of a careful and considered campaign with a clear vision for the future and a call to change how things have been done for a long time.

We speak to him to learn more about his vision for the RIBA and the impact he hopes to have on the architectural community.

Guest:

Muyiwa Oki, RIBA, The Millennial RIBA president-elect (president 2023-2025).

Elected on a campaign to speak up for the future. With the responsibility and privilege of raising the profile of the architect in the UK and globally, his ambitions are to advocate for his campaign priorities of equity, transparency, and innovation in architecture.

As an Architect at Mace Group, he focuses on technology and innovation, working on Modern Means of Construction projects.

During his time at Grimshaw Architects, he was the founder and Chair of the MEGA (Multi-Ethnic Group and Allies) network that drove global cultural change for colleagues.

Muyiwa is an ambassador, speaker and mentor for aspiring architects in programmes such as Mayor of London Design Challenge, Scale Rule, and the Grimshaw Foundation, which exists to encourage greater social mobility within the industry.

📍 Show Links: 

‘Architect worker’ Muyiwa Oki wins RIBA presidential election, Architects’ Journal

Muyiwa Oki elected as the next president of RIBA, The Architect’s Newspaper

Muyiwa Oki elected first Black president of the RIBA, dezeen

Muyiwa Oki Elected as RIBA President, archdaily

📚 Continue Learning:

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)

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What topics are important to small firm owners?

In November 2022, the EntreArchitect Community came together for the very first time in Austin, Texas. This active and growing online community launched in 2012, bringing together a global community of small firm entrepreneur architects. On any given day, you can jump into the EntreArchitect Community Facebook group and see small firm owners sharing real-world advice, mentorship, and collaborating across time zones to support one another.

In this episode, we’ll document our experience participating in this first-of-its-kind event.

Featured guests:

Bolanle Williams-Olley, Mancini Duffy

Katelyn Parker, Bungalow Roots

Jennifer Kretschmer, J. Kretschmer Architect

Randy Wilburn, Zweig Group

Robert Yuen, Monograph

Mark R. LePage, EntreArchitect

A special thank you to the EntreArchitect musicians featured in this episode:

Dave Lockhart - Lead Guitar/Vocals

Teigen Eilertsen - Guitar/Vocals

Jennifer Kretschmer - Ukelele/Vocals

James Polk - Mandolin/Vocals (of Rough Draft Hattiesburg)

📍 Show Links: 

The EntreArchitect Community Annual Meeting

Join the EntreArchitect Community on Facebook

📚 Continue Learning:

Participate in daily learning conversations with Context & Clarity

Practice Disrupted Episode 056: Leading with Finance & Entrepreneurship featuring Bolanle Williams-Olley

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How do we expand mental health support to professionals across the industry of architecture?

Peter Exley, FAIA, RIBA, NOMA, a former AIA National President, Gregg A. Garmisa, J.D., Principal and General Counsel at Studio Gang, and Korey D. White, AIA, NCARB, Senior Associate at DLR Group and a member of the AIA Strategic Council join us to address the growing concerns related to the mental health and well-being of individuals working in the profession of architecture. 

“As the industry continues to transform and grapple with inequities, workforce diversity, labor challenges and climate change, among other current issues, we challenge our colleagues to join in a collective and inclusive commitment to expand mental health support throughout our profession.”

– Peter Exley, Gregg Garmisa, and Korey White, “We Need a Safe Place to Address Our Mental Health,” Chicago Architect, Summer 2022. 

In this episode, we’ll discuss the problem we’re facing related to mental health in the profession of architecture and steps we can take to start to address this challenge.

This episode is dedicated to anyone who is currently or has previously struggled with burnout, mental health, addiction, substance abuse, or related mental health challenges. You are not alone. There is a community of allies who seek to destigmatize, raise awareness, build acceptance, and build better overall well-being practices within our profession.

Guests:

Peter Exley’s career is committed to an equitable and inclusive built environment for children, families, and communities.

As co-founder of Architecture Is Fun, he uses the power of design to build places and spaces that reflect the values, ambitions, and purpose of every stakeholder on myriad civic, cultural, private, and not-for-profit agencies.

As a teacher, he is nurturing future architects as the primary and credible resource with the explicit training and qualification to lead the creation of healthy and equitable net-zero place-making.

As the 97th President of the American Institute of Architects, he led AIA’s delegation to COP26 in Glasgow, and advanced the AIA Headquarters renewal project embodying the urgent need for climate action alongside a dramatic transformation for workplace, member, and community experience.

Gregg Garmisa is Principal and General Counsel at Studio Gang, based in the Studio’s Chicago office. Gregg interacts with clients, consultants, and our design teams on all projects to establish and maintain productive and collegial professional relationships.

Immediately prior to joining the Studio, Gregg was Vice President and General Counsel at a national engineering and sustainability consulting firm, where he became one of Studio Gang’s earliest collaborators. Before that, he practiced law and provided public policy guidance to clients in Washington, DC, and Chicago, and served as a legislative advisor to a US senator on Capitol Hill.

Gregg is an invited member of the Society of Illinois Construction Attorneys, a former board member of the American Institute of Architects Chicago, and a former trustee of the Chicago Architecture Center. He is an experienced lecturer on current topics at the intersection of the design profession and the law, which he has delivered at undergraduate- and graduate-level architecture programs as well as conferences across the US and abroad.

In 2019, he accepted an academic appointment as a Lecturer in Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Since then, he co-teaches each Fall semester “Foundations of Practice”, a required course for M.Arch I degree candidates that examines models and issues that define the modern architectural profession.

Gregg earned his J.D. from Georgetown University, where he was a law review associate editor and his undergraduate degree from Stanford University.

Korey White is driven by her zest for the built environment, bringing open-mindedness and creativity to her role as an architect and urban planner. She applies her dual master’s degrees in architecture and urban and regional planning to an interdisciplinary approach that creates impactful outcomes for her clients and the community. Korey currently works for DLR Group in the Chicago office, focused primarily on educational facility master planning for K-12 school districts and leading the planning discipline. 

Korey is recognized for her leadership within architecture by her recent election the AIA Board of Directors as an At-Large Director for 2023-2025. She has most recently served as the AIA Strategic Council 2022 Moderator and was awarded the 2018 AIA Young Architects Award, the 2017 BD+C 40 under 40 and the 2016 AIA Colorado Leadership Award. She is currently enrolled at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the iMBA program. She is a Forte Fellow and will graduate with her MBA in Fall 2022.

📍 Show Links: 

Peter Exley, Gregg Garmisa, and Korey White, “We Need a Safe Place to Address Our Mental Health,” Chicago Architect, Summer 2022. 

Reposted on LinkedIn

Program Referenced: Lawyers’ Assistance Program

📚 Continue Learning:

Katherine Flynn, “The Burnout Problem in Architecture,” Architect magazine, April 01, 2022.

Sean Joyner, “Debunking Architecture’s Mythological Work Culture,” Archinect, April 04, 2022.

Ian Volner, “Paradigm, Interrupted,” Architect magazine, April 14, 2022.

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What can architecture firms do to support mothers who are working in practice?

Leaders of the profession share diverse perspectives on their identity between practice and motherhood. This discussion aims to explore the experiences of working mothers in diverse career stages who are raising children of different ages.

Practice Disrupted is committed to elevating conversations on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to teach, empower, and build greater awareness across the industry.

Guests:

Christina Cho Yoo, AIA, PE, LEED AP BD+C is co-founder of Atelier Cho Thompson. She received a BS & MS in civil & structural engineering and construction management at Stanford University and received a masters in architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. She was a structural engineer at the international engineering company Arup, where she was the Structural Sustainability Champion for the Americas & worked on projects such as the LEED-Double Platinum California Academy of Sciences, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Kaiser hospitals, Schroder Overcrossing, and various other projects. She went onto work at architecture firms internationally including Kao Design Group on Richard Branson's Eco-Island, SHoP Architects on the Google HQ, Neri & Hu in Shanghai, Mass Studies in Seoul, and Bohlin Cywinski Jackson on Apple stores, the Apple iAd office, and the Square HQ. Christina is a licensed architect and engineer in California and has been LEED accredited since 2003.

Her work has spanned typologies from single-family to multifamily residences, hospitals, labs, museums, innovative workplaces, hospitality and food service, to retail, exhibits, furniture, and graphics for various organizations. Before architecture school, she staged at Tartine Bakery while taking courses at the California Culinary Academy. She has lectured on Green R&D at Harvard and served as a critic at Parsons, Stanford, Harvard, & the California College of the Arts (CCA). She is an Adjunct Professor at the CCA, having taught advanced urban studio on the Post-Retail City and Integrated Building Systems. She served as Design & Innovation Chair of the Stanford Club of SF and currently is on the Board of Directors at Pacific Primary School.

Jennifer T. Matthews, Associate AIA, is a full-time remote Architectural Designer at SS&A Design Collective based in Montgomery, Alabama. With eight years of healthcare design experience, Jennifer has worked on architectural projects for multiple healthcare providers and national government entities across the United States. She was awarded the 2018 Healthcare Design Magazine's Educator Honor Award for creating an annual event that introduces architecture students to healthcare design and careers within. Her recent outreach efforts include professional practice seminars and managing her professional development platform, Creative's XP. 

In 2013, Jennifer graduated from Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Architecture. In 2020, she acquired a Master of Arts degree in Business Design and Arts Leadership from The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Jennifer served as the 2013-2014 National Vice President of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS).

📍 Show Links: 

Atelier Cho Thompson

Creative's XP

Practice Disrupted Diversity Series:

Episode 009: Voices from the Future of the Profession (Black Architects)

Episode 016: Voices from the Future of the Profession (LGBTQIA+ Architects)

Episode 035: Asian American Architects

Episode 048: Architecture, Identity, & Culture

Episode 053: Immigrant Architects

Episode 054: Architecture, And: EDI+J

Episode 057: Southeast Asian American Architects

Episode 059: Building the Pipeline Through K-12 Education

Episode 068: 2022 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Honor Award Winners: RIDING THE VORTEX

Episode 070: She Builds Crossover in Three Acts

Episode 079: Increasing Black Women in Architecture

Episode 088: Latina Voices in Practice

Episode 090: Madame Architect: Work, Family, and Everything in Between

Stay tuned for upcoming episodes in this series!

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How can architects eliminate forced labor in building material supply chains to create a more equitable future?

“Over the past few decades, substantive strides have been compounding to sustainably design and construct with less harm to nature; yet there is a startling blind spot in terms of the entropic brutality forced upon the workers who are critical to the production of the very materials we source. Their suffering should not be built into our construction” 

– Sharon Prince, CEO and Founder of Grace Farms Foundation

The $12 trillion construction industry is the #1 industrial sector at risk of forced labor. Sharon joins us to discuss the new Design for Freedom Toolkit and her work to help implement ethical, forced labor-free material sourcing strategies across the AEC industry. 

Guest:

Sharon Prince is the CEO and Founder of Grace Farms Foundation and commissioned SANAA to design Grace Farms in New Canaan, Connecticut. The Foundation’s interdisciplinary humanitarian mission is to pursue peace through nature, arts, justice, community, faith, and Design for Freedom, a new movement to eliminate forced labor from the building materials supply chain. The open, porous architecture of the River building at Grace Farms is embedded into 80 acres of natural landscape. The building, designed to break down barriers between people and sectors, invites all to pause and reflect, while also encouraging engagement with its initiatives, creating new outcomes.

📍 Show Links: 

https://gracefarms.org/

📚 Continue Learning:

Learn about the comprehensive resources for design and construction professionals to help ensure ethical material sourcing strategies: https://www.designforfreedom.org/

https://www.fastcompany.com/90762815/sharon-prince-grace-farms-most-creative-people-2022

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