AIA YAF Connection 22.03 - Steering the Future of the Profession

The architecture and design journal of the Young Architects

This issue: Steering the Future of the Profession

Issue 03 celebrates a generation of architects who aren’t just adapting to change, but boldly steering the profession forward. From redefining career paths to amplifying diverse voices, these stories remind us that the future of architecture is ours to imagine—and to drive.

2025 Young Architects Forum Advisory Committee

2025 Chair

2025 Vice Chair

2025 Past Chair

2025-2026 Advocacy Director

2025-2026 Communications Director

2024-2025 Community Director

2025-2026 Knowledge Director

2024-2025 Strategic Vision Director

2025 AIA Strategic Council Representative

2025 College of Fellows Representative

2025 Council of Architectural Component Executives Liaison

Sarah Woynicz, AIA

Kiara Gilmore, AIA

Jason Takeuchi, AIA

Tanya Kataria, AIA

Nicole Becker, AIA

Seth Duke, AIA

Arlenne Gil, AIA

Carrie Parker, AIA

Patty Boyle, AIA

Bill Hercules, FAIA

Jillian Tipton, AIA AIA Staff Liaison

2025

Young Architect Representatives

Alabama, Ashley Askew, AIA Alaska, Zane Jones, AIA Arizona, Andrea Hardy, AIA Arkansas, Lauren Miller, AIA California, Magdalini Vraila, AIA Colorado, Kaylyn Kirby, AIA Connecticut, Andrew Gorzkowski, AIA

Delaware, Jack Whalen, AIA

Florida, Bryce Bounds, AIA

Georgia, Laura Sherman, AIA

Hawaii, Krithika Penedo, AIA

Idaho, Katie Bennett, AIA Illinois, Raquel Guzman Geara, AIA Indiana, Matt Jennings, AIA Iowa, Ben Hansen, AIA Kansas, Garric Baker, AIA Kentucky, George Donkor, AIA Louisiana, Calvin Gallion, III, AIA Maine, Sarah Kayser, AIA Maryland, Joe Taylor, AIA Massachusetts, Darguin Fortuna, AIA Michigan, Trent Schmitz, AIA

Minnesota, Constance Chen, AIA Mississippi, Robert Farr, AIA Missouri, Chelsea Davison, AIA

Montana, Elizabeth Zachman, AIA Nebraska, Angel Coleman, AIA

Kathleen McCormick

Nevada, Daniela Moral, AIA

New Hampshire, Courtney Carrier, AIA

New Jersey, Abby Benjamin, AIA

New Mexico, Diana Duran, AIA

New York, Mi Zhang, AIA

North Carolina, Colin McCarville, AIA

North Dakota, Brady Laurin, AIA

Ohio, Alex Oetzel, AIA

Oklahoma, Brian Letzig, AIA

Oregon, Elizabeth Lagarde, AIA

Pennsylvania, Mel Ngami, AIA

Rhode Island, Taylor Hughes, AIA

South Carolina, Ryan Lewis, AIA

South Dakota, Liz Brown, AIA

Tennessee, Sara Page, AIA

Texas, Kyle Kenerley, AIA

Utah, Zahra Hassanipour, AIA

Vermont, Devin Bushey, AIA

Virginia, Erin Agdinaoay, AIA

Washington, Rio Namiki, AIA

West Virginia, Joey Kutz, AIA

Wisconsin, Justin Marquis, AIA

Wyoming, Kendra Shirley, AIA

Washington, D.C., Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA

Puerto Rico, Reily J. Calderón Rivera, AIA

AIA International, Jason Holland, AIA

Connection is the official quarterly publication of the Young Architects Forum of AIA.

This publication is created through the volunteer efforts of dedicated Young Architect Forum members and made possible through generous grant funding from the College of Fellows.

Copyright 2025 by The American Insititute of Architects. All rights reserved Views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and not those of The American Institute of Architects. Copyright © of individual articles belongs to the author. All images permissions are obtained by or copyright of the author.

05 Voices That Shape Tomorrow: Editor’s Note

Nicole Becker, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C

06 Not By Default but By Design. Chair’s Message: Steering the Future of the Profession

Sarah Woynicz, AIA

07 Nonprofit Charting a Bold Path Forward Immigrant Architects Coalition

10 A Message of Hope to “Ms. Why Not Me?”

Christian Joosse, AIA, NOMA

12 The Impact of Global Trends on Future Practice

Cristen Oncescu, AIA

16 Evolution of AIA Contracts

Garric Baker, AIA

19 Are You a Mouse or a Panda?

Constance Chen, AIA RA and Dantes Ha, AIA, NOMA

22 Finding Home Through Design: Reflections of an Asian Immigrant Architect

Tanya Kataria, AIA

24 You’re Licensed. Now What? Navigating the Next Chapter in Your Architectural Career

Katherine Lashley, AIA and Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA

26 Creating Learning Environments that Inspire and Engage Students

Julia Eiko Hawkinson FAIA, ALEP, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, WELL AP

29 Charting Your Own Career Path as a Young Architect: Young Architects Forum Webinar Recap

Abigail Benjamin, AIA, NCARB, CNU-A

30 Saying Yes: Even When You Have No Idea What You’re Doing

Brian Baril, AIA, CPHC

32 Project Almost Architect: Equity in Action

Savannah Sinowitz, AIA, NCARB

34 Opportunities for the Next Generation

Sofia Orozco, NOMA, LEED GA

36 The Future(s) of the Profession: How Asking Big Questions Shapes Architectural Practice

Rocky Hanish, AIA

37 Bridge Builders: Mentoring as a Two-Way Street

Devora Schwartz, AIA, NCARB

38 Reimagining Architecture: How Young Architects Can Shape the Future

Dele Oye, MGBCN

40 Navigating the Profession: Where’s Your North Arrow?

Noor Alzuhairi, Assoc. AIA

38 ABC | Archi-TEXT Book Club

“Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve”, A Review

Justin Marquis, AIA, NCARB

Nicole Becker, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C

Constance Chen, AIA RA

40 Connection & Chill AIA YAF Knowledge Focus Group

Editorial team

Nicole Becker, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C Editor in chief

Nicole is an Associate and Project Architect at ZGF Architects in Portland, Oregon specializing in Healthcare. She is the 2025 Communications Director of the AIA Young Architects Forum.

Bryce W. Bounds, AIA, NCARB, CGC Senior editor

Bryce is a Miami native, a Construction Project Management Supervisor in the Public Works department of Broward County, and Florida’s YAR. He attended Design and Architecture Senior High School (DASH) in Miami-Dade and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with bachelors in both Architecture and Fine Art.

Constance Chen, AIA, NCARB Senior editor

Constance is a Minnesota native and a principal at Locus Architecture in Minneapolis. A University of Notre Dame graduate, her design approach intends to make meaningful connections between people and spaces. She serves as Minnesota’s YAR.

Andrew Gorzkowski, AIA, NCARB Senior editor

Andrew is a Senior Associate at Pickard Chilton in New Haven, Connecticut, where he works in design and project management roles on a variety of large-scale commercial projects. Passionate about advocating for a sustainable future for the profession, he serves as the Connecticut YAR and co-chair’s his local AIA Committee on the Environment. He received his degree at Cornell University, where he was a Meinig Family Cornell National Scholar.

Andrea E. Hardy, AIA, EDAC, NOMA, NCARB Senior editor

Andrea is a Senior Architect at Shepley Bulfinch, where she supports healthcare projects out of their Phoenix Office as a Project Manager. She is Arizona’s YAR, and is passionate about community involvement whether through work, AIA, or locally in the City of Phoenix. She has degrees from Wentworth Institute of Technology and ASU.

Kyle Kenerley, AIA Senior editor

Kyle is an Associate at Modus Architecture based in Dallas, Texas where he works on healthcare and workplace projects as the project manager and technical design lead. He is currently the YAR for Texas where he also serves on the board for the Texas Society of Architects. Kyle’s service with his local and state AIA chapter has primarily been focused on mentoring young architects and education outreach.

Justin Marquis, AIA, NCARB Senior editor

Justin is a Project Architect with Somerville Architects & Engineers in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Managing projects through all phases of development from conceptual design to construction administration, he currently supports the healthcare and educational studios at Somerville. He has a degree from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee and lives in the Fox Valley area with his family. Justin is the Wisconsin Young Architect Representative..

Garric Baker, AIA, NCARB Senior graphic designer

Baker is a graduate of the College of Architecture, Planning & Design at Kansas State University and excels in leadership positions with state and regional Chambers of Commerce, Young Professionals, the Kansas Barn Alliance, local and state Wide AIA Kansas Board of Directors, and Regional Economic Development activites.

Katie Bennett, AIA, NCARB Senior graphic designer

Katie is a project manager at Babcock Design in Salt Lake City, Utah and Boise, Idaho, and oversees projects during their inception phase through schematic design. She is the current YAR for the state of Idaho and is passionate about housing and sustainable design.

Calvin Gallion, III, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, LEED GA Senior graphic designer

Calvin is an architect and principal at studio^RISE in New Orleans. A Tulane graduate and Natchitoches native, he is a passionate advocate for community and rehabilitation projects. He serves as EDI Chair for AIA New Orleans and as Louisiana’s YAR.

Kendra Shirley, AIA, NCARB Senior graphic designer

Kendra is a project architect at Arete Design Group in Wyoming and Colorado and is Wyoming’s YAR. As a graduate from one of the top undergraduate architecture programs in the country, Kendra’s training and experience provides her with a unique and innovative perspective for creating extraordinary experiences and designs.

Voices That Shape Tomorrow

Editor’s Note

The future of architecture is being shaped right now, in studios, site visits, policy discussions, and design critiques. In this issue, we explore what it means for young architects to take the wheel; to lead with intention, question the status quo, and reimagine the profession we’re inheriting and evolving.

This quarter is filled with stories that reflect how the profession is shifting and how young architects are not just responding to change, but driving it. We highlight bold initiatives like Project Almost Architect, a movement tackling licensure equity, and a roadmap for You’re Licensed Now What, which reframes crafting your next chapter on your own terms and expanding architecture’s reach.

You’ll hear from first-generation and immigrant designers sharing how identity shapes design, as well as from the Immigrant Architect Coalition, whose interviews illuminate the layered experience of building a career across borders. We revisit the Charting Your Own Career Path as a Young Architect webinar which emphasized aligning values, embracing lifelong learning, and leading through curiosity and resilience. Through reflections on the Evolution of AIA Contracts, we examine the ways industry, law, and history have influenced the frameworks that guide our profession.

In this evolving landscape, we recognize that leadership doesn’t come with a title, it comes from a willingness to show up, speak up, and shape systems from within. Whether you’re navigating governance, redefining your relationship to practice, or learning how to say “yes” to new opportunities (or to say “no” for better balance), the profession needs your perspective. These voices remind us that shaping the future means honoring where we come from while daring to imagine where we can go next.

These pieces challenge assumptions about who architecture is for, how it’s practiced, and what it can become. We believe steering the profession forward means bridging generations, uplifting diverse perspectives, and embracing unconventional journeys, because the future is too important to leave on autopilot. Let’s drive it together.

With momentum,

Nicole Becker Editor in chief / Connection

Editorial Committee Call

Q4 2025:

Call for submissions on the topic Driving Wellness: Mitigating Burnout, Redefining Wellness.

Our editorial committee welcomes the submission of articles, projects, photography, and other design content. Submitted content is subject to editorial review and selected for publication in e-magazine format based on relevance to the theme of a particular issue.

2025 Editorial Committee:

Call for volunteers, contributing writers, interviewers, and design critics.

Connection’s editorial committee is currently seeking architects interested in building their writing portfolio to work with our editorial team to pursue targeted article topics and interviews that will be shared amongst Connection’s largely circulated e-magazine format. Responsibilities include contributing one or more articles per publication cycle (3–4 per year). If you are interested in contributing to Connection, please contact the editor in chief at: nicolejbecker1@gmail.com.

Not by Default, but by Design

Chair’s message: Steering the Future of the Profession

...how do we navigate into the future, harnessing an energy that is not just for this moment but a shift towards a movement?

Architecture as a profession, and its adjacent design fields, often do not follow linear career arcs. Our careers are woven from pivots and pauses, from leaps forward and quiet recalibrations, from shifts ranging from technology to society. For those who are mid-career, we often find ourselves in the middle of this complexity: close enough to where we’ve come from to remember, yet far enough along to feel the pull of what’s next.

This middle ground can feel like a balancing act. One foot is grounded in experience, the other reaching for new relevance. It can be a space of uncertainty. Yet it is also a powerful vantage point, one where we are uniquely positioned to shape what comes next.

As we have increasingly seen in recent years, and as amplified by the first two Connection publications of this year, we stand at a moment when the pace of change in our profession is not just accelerating—it’s demanding evolution. Technology, sustainability, equity, and shifting needs of our clients and communities are redefining our work, our process, our practice, our profession. If we wait passively for the future to arrive, we will always be catching up. But if we engage it head-on— leading not just from the front, but also from within—we have the opportunity to transform pressure into purpose.

This is not a time for reaction. It is a time for intention. As architects, we are trained to envision what does not yet exist. That skill is not just for buildings—it’s for our profession too.

So how do we navigate into the future, harnessing an energy that is not just for this moment but a shift towards a movement?

By asking hard questions. By embracing the discomfort of change. By realizing that the most impactful contributions often come when curiosity meets uncertainty, and we move forward together anyway.

The Young Architects Forum is committed to creating space for these conversations, to elevating voices that challenge the status quo, and to empowering emerging and mid-career leaders alike to steer the profession into the future—not by default, but by design.

With purpose,

Sarah Woynicz 2025 Chair | Young Architects Forum

Woynicz, AIA

Nonprofit Charting a Bold Path Forward

By Immigrant Architects Coalition

Graciela Carrillo, FAIA

Graciela serves as Senior Manager at Nassau BOCES Facilities Services and oversees capital and operational school projects. She serves on the AIA Board as the 2025–2027 At-Large Director and as VP and Treasurer of the Immigrant Architects Coalition (IAC).

Gloria Kloter, AIA, NCARB, CODIA

Kloter, an author, advocate, and founder of Glow Architects, champions immigrant architects, women and mothers. She serves the AIA Strategic Council, AIA FL, and IAC. She is a recipient of the 2025 AIA Young Architect Award.

Yu-Ngok Lo, FAIA

Lo is the founder of YNL Architects and the President of the IAC. He’s received numerous awards including, the AIA National Young Architects Award, NAHB Young Professional Award, BD+C 40 Under 40 and is a fellow of the American Institute of Building Design. .

Oyuki Sulu, Assoc. AIA

Sulu is a designer II at CBRE in Pittsburgh, is licensed in Mexico and pursuing U.S. licensure and specializes in sustainable and commercial design. A champion of immigrant architects, equity, representation and community impact, she is the IAC Communications Director.

Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA

Terway is a Design Professional at Quinn Evans in Washington, DC, contributing to the heritage and living practice areas. A licensed architect in India pursuing U.S. licensure, she is the 2025 Associate Representative on the AIA Strategic Council and the IAC Secretary.

In an era when the architectural profession is being called to reimagine equity, access, and innovation, the Immigrant Architects Coalition (IAC) has emerged as a transformative force, centering the voices, experiences, and leadership of immigrant architects to steer the future of the profession.

What began as a grassroots effort to fill a glaring gap in support for immigrant design professionals has evolved into a nationally recognized platform with a clear mission: to elevate, educate, and engage. Since its founding, IAC has served as a vital resource for those navigating the unique complexities of practicing architecture in the United States-from licensure hurdles to cultural adaptation.

In 2023, IAC reached a major milestone by becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ushering in a new chapter of institutional stability and strategic growth. With the release of its second publication, Prospering in the U.S.: A Handbook for Immigrant Architects, in 2024 and the launch of key programs, IAC has

taken a major step forward. It is no longer just advocating for inclusion; it is actively building the infrastructure to ensure immigrant architects don’t just belong—they lead!

This article features a candid, roundtable-style dialogue with IAC’s Board of Directors, offering insights into their collective

Below: IAC Handbook Book signing at AIA24

vision, expanding initiatives, and long-term strategy. It also takes a closer look at the origin, purpose, and impact of Prospering in the U.S., IAC’s most recent publication that continues to empower immigrant architects across the country.

Q: Why is it important to center immigrant voices in shaping the future of architecture in the United States?

IAC Board: The future of the profession must reflect the world we live in, diverse, interconnected, and globally informed. Immigrants bring unique problem-solving approaches, cultural fluency, and resilience. When these voices are centered, not sidelined, we create more equitable, creative, and future-ready practices.

Q: What does “steering the future of the profession” mean to IAC?

[steering the future of the profession] means building a profession where inclusion is not just a policy, it is a practice.

IAC Board: It means building a profession where inclusion is not just a policy, it is a practice. Through our programming, resources, and leadership, we are centering the experiences of immigrant architects and creating pathways that were previously unavailable to us. We are designing systems that future architects can thrive in.

Q: What are the most exciting initiatives currently underway at IAC?

IAC Board: We launched our mentorship program in early 2025, matching seasoned professionals with immigrant students and emerging professionals all across the USA. In addition, we have introduced two new platforms to expand our reach and storytelling capabilities: the IAC Quarterly Newsletter,

Above: IAC Handbook Book signing at WLS23 Left: IAC Panel session at NOMA24

which shares organizational updates and resources, and IAC Perspectives, a monthly blog series featuring first-person narratives and reflections from immigrant architects. These initiatives help us build a community, share knowledge, and foster a culture of support that extends beyond one-on-one connections.

Q: How is IAC advocating for immigrant architects beyond individualized support?

IAC Board: We are actively engaged in system-level advocacy. That includes collaborating with NCARB, NAAB, AIA, and architecture firms to highlight licensing barriers and promote more inclusive hiring, retention, and leadership practices. We also host public events, podcasts, and panel discussions to elevate immigrant voices and normalize conversations around immigration within the profession.

Q: How do you ensure that your programs reach architects from diverse cultural, geographic, and language backgrounds?

IAC Board: We approach communication with accessibility in mind. That means using diverse formats and platforms that resonate across different regions and demographics. As a board composed of immigrant professionals ourselves, we understand the nuance and work intentionally to be inclusive in both message and delivery.

Q: One of IAC’s most notable resources is Prospering in the U.S.: A Handbook for Immigrant Architects. What inspired its creation, and who is it for?

IAC Board: The handbook came out of the many repeated questions we were receiving, about licensure, finding jobs, adapting culturally, navigating visas, and more. After the success of City Shapers, which highlighted personal stories, we wanted to create something equally powerful but practical. Prospering in the U.S. is designed for immigrant students, emerging

professionals, and even firm leaders who want to better understand and support their international team members .

Q: What topics does the handbook cover, and how does it differ from other career guides?

IAC Board: It covers a wide range of topics: EESA (Education Evaluation Services for Architects) and NCARB processes, job hunting, resume and interview preparation, communication skills, cultural adaptation, and immigration logistics. What makes it different is that it is rooted in lived experience. It is not just procedural, it is personal. It addresses both the logistical hurdles and the emotional realities immigrant architects face.

Q: How was the content developed, and who contributed to it?

IAC Board: We collaborated with 29 immigrant architects across the country. Each contributor, from emerging professionals to designers to licensed architects, brought their own story and expertise to the table. The result is a resource that reflects a rich diversity of backgrounds, pathways, and strategies. It was a deeply collaborative effort, and that diversity is its greatest strength.

Q: How do you hope firms and institutions will use this handbook?

IAC Board: It is a resource not just for immigrants, but for allies. We envision firms using it as an onboarding tool or part of their DEI strategy, and university advisors sharing it with international students. It provides real insight into the challenges immigrant architects face and offers actionable ways to foster more inclusive practices.

Q: What is your long-term vision for IAC in the next five to ten years?

IAC Board: We envision IAC becoming the hub for immigrant architects in the USA, supporting thousands of individuals, offering localized resources, expanding our scholarship and mentorship reach, and influencing policy at the state and national levels. We want to see immigrant voices not only represented but also leading in firm leadership, academia, and public discourse.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

IAC Board: We want immigrant architects to know they are not alone. This coalition was created by people who have walked that path, faced those same questions, doubts, and barriers. Whether you are just starting out or navigating licensure years later, IAC is here as a community, a resource, and a collective voice. And for allies, we invite you to engage with us to listen, support, and help build a profession that reflects the true diversity of those who shape our built environment.

YL: Anything else you would like to add?

BL and SO: We’d like to thank the AIA College of Fellows for giving us this amazing opportunity!

A Message of Hope to “Ms. Why Not Me?”

Excerpt from Letters to Ms. 1000| Words of Wisdom from African American Women Architects, Vol. 1

“[The National Organization of Minority Architects’ (NOMA)] directory currently identifies 632 African American Women Architects who are licensed and practicing in the United States. Upon joining this community of women, I recognized the urgency to advocate for more intentionality in mentoring the next generation. Since 2020, approximately 132 individuals have joined this community of women. If the current trajectory is maintained, Ms. 1000 [the 1000th Black Women Architect] will become licensed around the year 2040.

An unexpected yet powerful realization emerged while developing Letters to Ms. 1000—one that has pushed me to reconsider the future of the profession and reshape my vision for the next generation of architects, including ‘Ms. 1000.’

Every step you take is a wave of change. Envision a future where our brilliance isn’t defined by ‘firsts’ but our lasting strength, skill, and resilience.

Co-Author Jennifer Rittler, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB, WELL AP

Historically, African Americans have relied on storytelling to pass life lessons from generation to generation. These stories have become a critical part of establishing our identity. Publications elevating this community of women currently practicing are sparse [but] these inspiring letter-writers are among those in our community who believe in a dream coming to fruition. These letters illustrate that we are more than architects. We are Black women who have sculpted ourselves from various walks of life. We can change the narrative and empower our future Ms. Architect for many generations to come with our words of wisdom and encouragement. It is my hope that our future Ms. Architect will read these letters seeing a reflection of themselves.” (Joosse)

“More people have gone to space than there are Black women architects.” This reminder, during the Tangible Remnants podcast interview in April with Nakita Reed [originally quoted by Tiara Hughes, founder of First 500] is when one truly feels the gravity (no pun intended) of how few of us there are. While many may be aware of the shockingly low number of Black women architects in the United States, Letters to Ms. 1000 is a message of hope. It is a part of a greater conversation regarding the pivotal role of mentorship in the profession.

Presently, crucial effort and focus are being placed on the formation of early pathways at the educational level. Although AIA and NOMA have made great strides in diversity efforts through initiatives such as AIA’s K-12, Camp Architecture, and NOMA’s Project Pipeline, research shows us that we are only seeing a part of the equation.

More people have gone to space than there are Black women architects.

Concurrently, we are contending with the reality that data from The American Society for Microbiology (October 2024) demonstrates that women earn 50% of STEM-related bachelor’s degrees in the U.S. However, despite these advances, gender equity in STEM still lags, suggesting a “leaky pipeline” at the professional level. This study also shows direct correlation between effective mentorship programs and improvements in representation of women in STEM fields.1

A powerful thread intertwining each narrative within Letters to Ms. 1000 is that the writers attribute their success to a mentor who came at a critical cross section in their career after they had completed their degree program.

At AIA’s 2025 National Conference in Boston, I joined a conversation on mid-career mentorship during an EDI session co-hosted by NOMA and AIA, centered on the Guidelines for Equitable Practice. There, I had the opportunity to share the book and discuss how AIA’s Next to Lead program is actively building leadership pathways for racially and ethnically diverse women—precisely at this critical mid-career stage. Yet, in reflecting on NOMA’s goals during the EDI session to reach 5000 black architects by 2030, I pondered how Letters to Ms. 1000 could be a tool for mid-career mentorship and a pathway to an untapped pipeline in creating new architects.

I left the session wondering, “How do we get there? What are those barriers that we need to overcome to reach 1000?”

A few of those barriers came into focus when attending a keynote

speaker at a higher institution focused conference, ACUHO-i. The speaker from Georgetown University, Bryan Alexander, author of Academia Next: The Futures of Higher Education, referenced a 10-15% reduction in enrollment due to the value proposition of higher education decreasing in a tumultuous economic climate, as well as, the ongoing role of AI in reduction of certain job types and individuals attaining second careers. Despite these many changes in economy and enrollment, the provided visual outlined that architecture has maintained its enrollment as a profession for the last 10 years.

If enrollment has not changed for a decade despite the demographic shifts in STEM careers then how do we get to 1000 licensed architects? Perhaps, our future Ms. Architects must come from somewhere else.

The answer came in the form of a young woman at the same conference. She explained that she had spent years as a Resident Hall Director although she always wanted to be an architect. For her the book was her sign to complete her application for a second degree and career in New England.

Now I bring the book everywhere.

There are so many others who share her story. To embrace the future of the profession, we have to collectively and intentionally widen our circle; not just to make space for diversity but also for who we envision as the future of the profession. The decline in need for other industries is an opportunity for even more crossdisciplinary architects than ever before. Letters to Ms. 1000’s partnerships are a step towards unconventional outreach to come alongside communities from within; transforming the mindset of mentorship from being “who you needed when you were younger” to being a source of inspiration in a time when we are desperately in need of more innovators to solve universal challenges of the world.

Admittedly, I also initially presumed that ‘Ms. 1000’ may now be a child. But I’ve realized that the message of hope to “Ms. Why Not Me” is that it is never too late to pursue your dream and inspiration can be found anywhere, even on a shelf.

Above: Book Spread at 2025 Conference

A special thank you to the many advocates that have come before this project and are honored in the publication, such as Riding the Vortex, 400 Forward, and First 500. I know this publication will certainly not be the last of its kind and what will happen between now and 2040 remains unknown, but one thing is certain: we cannot journey alone. We need every ally to make a difference.

Pre-order Letters to Ms. 1000 Limited Edition here. All book proceeds go to the Letters to Ms. 1000 Empowerment Fund to empower the next generation of architects by using the publication as a financial resource. #empowering1000

1 Women in STEM: The Importance of Mentorship and community | ASM.org. (n.d.). ASM.org. https://asm.org/articles/2024/ october/women-stem-importance-mentorship-community

Resources

Podcast Episode | Instagram | Website

Hashtag: #empowering1000

The Impact of Global Trends on Future Practice

The Impact of Global Trends on Future Practice

In 2024, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) published the Horizons 2034 Report, identifying four significant forces that will drive global change over the next 10 years: the Environmental Challenge, the Economics of the Built Environment, Population Change, and Technological Innovation.1 Each of the four themes was divided into four topics. Subject matter experts undertook horizon scans of the sixteen topics to evaluate the current state of the world and project how each issue will evolve as a driving force over the next decade. Together, they painted a picture of the complex challenges facing the global architectural profession: designing a resilient and just built environment for a growing and aging population amid a climate emergency. The research, analysis, and observations in this article are part of a report commissioned by RIBA to connect the Horizons 2034 Report to the ongoing Future Business of Architecture program, a research effort aiming to help firms recognize long-term business opportunities and challenges.2 The report “The Impact of Global Trends on Tomorrow’s Practice: The Horizons 2034/ Future Business of Architecture Review,” is published on the RIBA website in full, and this content and the following future scenarios have been excerpted and edited for brevity and clarity.

The Horizons 2034 Themes

Horizon scans and strategic plans undertaken by organizations like the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and RIBA offer moments of reflection to help us prepare for the future. Within the context of the aforementioned RIBA programs and their 10-year outlooks, the research report focuses on two basic

questions:

• How do the four grand themes steer the future of the architectural profession?

• How can architects shape or adapt to these forces over the next decade?

This report responds to the first question by painting two possible global futures, based on an analysis of the four Horizons 2034 themes and their projections, the data they are based on, t and new independent research. These possible paths are excerpted in the next section. The second question warrants a more expansive yet detailed answer and is explored in the full RIBA report. For the purposes of this discussion, the themes can be summarized in the following way:

• The Environmental Challenge underscores the need for architects and built environment professionals to prioritize carbon mitigation, climate adaptation, and biodiversity protection in building and urban design.

• The Economics of the Built Environment reveal how global finance and market forces accelerate urbanization. Architects must understand the commoditization of real estate as financial assets and the implications of urban density in order to create sustainable, just, and egalitarian solutions for cities in developed and emerging economies.

• Population Change, encompassing the growth, contraction, and migration of people, constantly reshapes communities globally. Architects and design professionals must address the varying effects of aging populations, international migration, and ethnic diversification at multiple scales.

• Technological Innovation highlights the ways in which the global architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry can adopt new design and construction methods driven by leveraging data, increasingly sophisticated tools and workflows powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), and the automation and industrialization of construction.

Guideposts to Possible Futures

The authors of the Horizons 2034 Report make a plethora of evidence-based projections across their essays, but the relationships between them vary. Some reinforce one another to effect greater change while others create tensions or are mutually exclusive. Further analysis was undertaken, qualified through new data, research, and global developments through the first half of 2025.

While the future is always hard to predict, we can build up evidence-based, interpretive, and somewhat speculative scenarios to serve as guideposts for the future. These can help architects in identifying signs of progress (or lack thereof). The aspirational Ideal Scenario and grounded Pragmatic Scenario lay out the opportunities and challenges facing the AEC industry to help make better decisions on the road to 2035.

• The Ideal Scenario materializes over the next decade if many things go right in the world, without relying on any silver bullet solutions. Great opportunities lie ahead, but the pathway to success is narrow given the competing challenges in the Global North and South.

• The Pragmatic Scenario is a plausible trajectory if less rosy current reports, computer model projections, and regulatory and practical challenges come to pass.

The Ideal Scenario

The year is 2035. Globalization has reached new highs as increased trade, capital, information, and people flows across borders. The value of global construction work has grown by 40% over the preceding 10 years, with China, the US, and India responsible for half of all work.3 Sub-Saharan Africa and emerging Asia compete for the title of ‘fastest growing global construction market.’ In western Europe, the UK is the fastest growing construction market.4

In the Global North, projects at all scales have benefitted from energy-performance-based design approaches, low-carbon energy technologies, and increased circularity for carbon mitigation. New low-carbon materials have come to market, though many projects continue to utilize high-carbon steel and concrete.

New national legislation has stimulated more adaptive reuse and renovation of existing building stocks, particularly housing. Urban environments have benefitted from less demolition and less new construction, resulting in healthier homes, greater biodiversity, and mixed-income neighborhoods with access to better infrastructure and transport.

Financialization is still the primary force shaping cities, but new public policies in many countries and international investor pressure have incentivized different behaviors. The prerequisite for developers sourcing real estate investment in 2035 is actionable progress on complete decarbonization of portfolio assets.

In 2035, Africa’s population has increased by 400 million people to 1.8 billion, as predicted, and the increased urbanization has turned sub-Saharan Africa into one of the fastest growing

markets.5 Delivering sustainable urbanization at a rapid pace is an ongoing project, enabled by a large, local, working-age population, imported professional expertise, and affordable solar technology and battery storage.

Architects from the Global North are collaborating with Global South professionals to work for local clients on developing sustainable projects that improve resilience, reduce poverty, and respond directly to the needs of local communities. Firms are taking on advisory services with governments to create modern building and energy codes and pass better built environment policies. Architects, engineers, and professional organizations are partnering with universities to educate new design professionals and upskill local labor forces.

Cutting-edge technology, powered by the AI revolution, is accelerating design and construction productivity in the Global North, and its use has become part of the professional standard of care. Years ago, large AEC software companies began pooling resources and drawing on new cross-industry data trusts, resulting in greater information-sharing and collaboration across the industry.6

Multimodal AEC AI/ML tools are trained on large amounts of curated AEC data, with functionality for end-users to incorporate firm-specific data. The design process is informed at every step by AI tools and AI agents that can compare a firm’s current design metrics with performance data from similar building projects, check code and program and automate cost estimating and supply chain analysis. Architects work more closely with builders within a combined data-driven ecosystem of building (and building component) performance.

To meet the construction demand anticipated for 2035 and beyond, the global construction industry has adopted new technologies and practices to increase productivity by 1% annually. Migration of skilled workers from the Global South has narrowed the skilled labor gap in the Global North. In the most developed nations, rather than focusing on innovations that only increase control of process and risk, the construction industry has adopted technology to improve workforce productivity

at scale, such as industrialized prefabrication, supply chain marketplaces, and AI tools.7

The Pragmatic Scenario

Over the previous 10 years, global policymakers continued to incentivize renewable energy development and adoption in line with 2025 projections. As a result, global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions peaked in the mid-2020s, then started a consistent decline as renewables overtook fossil fuels.8 However, the rapid population and economic growth in the Global South and a tenfold increase in global demand for data centers have meant that reductions are not even close to net-zero targets and a global temperature rise of 2.6°C by 2100 is anticipated. 9

The passage of new legislation incentivizing adaptive reuse has been slow across the Global North, and, where passed, building owners continue to seek exemptions from compliance. There has been a modest increase in the number of adaptive reuse and renovation/retrofit projects to improve energy efficiency and reduce GHG emissions, but city neighborhoods face other challenges. Newly constructed housing neighborhoods attract wealthy homeowners while displacing local communities, driven by real estate financialization and accompanying gentrification.

In developed countries, energy performance-based design approaches and low-carbon energy technologies are only implemented in well-funded projects, as policymakers offer little or no new financial support to bring hydrogen, carbon capture, and clean fuels to the mass market.10 Most construction projects are still built using steel and concrete, and minimal progress has been made towards decarbonizing the production process by 2050.11

Africa’s population has reached 1.8 billion, and the increased urbanization has turned sub-Saharan Africa into one of the fastest growing markets. India has over 1.6 billion people and is the third largest construction market.12,13

While the working-age population in India14 and in African countries such as Kenya and Nigeria continues to grow, economic growth is limited due to low labor force participation and reduced access to education. The plentiful young labor force has not left to fill the skilled worker gap of the Global North construction industry.

AEC software companies have invested in developing AI/ ML tools, but AEC industry-wide information-sharing and collaboration through data trusts has not come to pass. The preceding decade saw the peak and bust of the AI hype cycle, followed by an assessment of which AI firms have produced fitfor-purpose tools.15 The resulting AEC AI tools are not holistic building simulation and analysis co-pilots, but have a deep, narrow focus and excel at discrete, automatable tasks.

The construction site of 2035 is in many ways like that of 2025, but more digitized. Sensors, scanners, and robots are integrated into day-to-day operations, tracking and moving building components into place, some of which are prefabricated offsite. Despite some AI tools being widely adopted, the global construction industry has not seen meaningful productivity growth, and, coupled with skilled labor shortages, construction supply in the developed world falls short of high demand by trillions of dollars.

Conclusion

The purpose of forecasting programs is to provoke thoughtful discussion rather than lay out certainties, ultimately providing a long-term view that allows architecture firms to make informed decisions about their practice, work, and staffing. Each scenario comes with significant implications for the practice composition and skills, business models, clients, and markets that will affect US and global architecture firms. (These are explored in greater detail in the full RIBA report.)

In both scenarios, significantly increased construction demand due to global population growth is expected, as is aging and ethnic diversification in the world. The differences between the scenarios arise from our ability to meet the moment and respond to multiple demands at the same time in the coming decade and beyond. The adaptation and innovation of the AEC industry over the next decade will be driven by individual firms’ analyses and approaches as they respond to the global forces already in motion. Today, careful thought and strategic planning will help the architectural profession play an active role in shaping a more ideal future.

Footnotes:

1. Royal Institute of British Architects, Horizons 2034 Report, London, Royal Institute of British Architects, 2024.

2. Royal Institute of British Architects, Future Business of Architecture, London, Royal Institute of British Architects, 2025.

3. N. Fearnley, R. Graham, and J. Leonard, Global Construction Futures: A Global Forecast for the Construction Industry to 2037, London, Oxford Economics Limited, 16 March 2023, p. 12.

4. Fearnley et al., Global Construction Futures, p. 23.

5. World Green Building Council and Africa Regional Network, Africa Manifesto for Sustainable Cities and The Built Environment, London, World Green Building Council, 2022, p. 7.

6. P. Bernstein, Machine Learning: Architecture in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, London, RIBA Publishing, 2022, pp. 130–135.

7. J. Mischke et al., Delivering on Construction Productivity is No Longer Optional, New York, McKinsey & Company, August 2024, pp. 9–11.

8. D. Hostert, BloombergNEF New Energy Outlook 2025 Executive Summary, New York, Bloomberg Finance LP, 15 April 2025, p. 7.

9. Ibid., p. 8.

10. Hostert, New Energy Outlook, p. 4.

11. Ibid., p. 5.

12. United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, World Population Prospects 2024: India Total Population, 2024.

13. Fearnley et al., Global Construction Futures, p. 21.

14. N. Fearnley, Key Global Construction Themes 2025, London, Oxford Economics Limited, 9 January 2025, p. 3.

15. A. Jaffri, ‘Explore beyond GenAI on the 2024 Hype Cycle for Artificial Intelligence’, Gartner, 11 November 2024.

Evolution of AIA Contracts

Building the Documents that Build the Buildings

Laying the Foundation: Origins of the Documents

The field of architecture is a continually evolving one. From the outset of an established association of architects in 1857 originally called the New York Society of Architects by its thirteen original founders, to its subsequent renaming as the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Within ten to fifteen years later, chapters were being established all over the country, and today, the AIA has over 200 chapters worldwide.

By the 1880s, these various chapters began investigating the establishment of a standard contract to engage an architect and construct a project. This led to the formation of the Committee on the Uniform Contract of 1887. Together, the three member committees drafted and published the first AIA agreement, the Uniform Contract, the following year in 1888. As the Uniform Contract was utilized by more and more chapters, deficiencies within the documents became evident. This led to the first revision of the Contract in 1893, only five years after the initial publication. It took another nine years for the next revision in 1902.

As these documents began setting the framework for how projects were governed, the Committee garnered input and feedback from organizations such as the National Association of Builders, contractors, legal counsel, and many others who

advocated for different parties involved in the projects. In 1900, the committee renamed itself to the Committee on Contract and Lien Laws, and on the twentieth anniversary of the establishment of the original Committee, a revised Uniform Contract was published in 1907 incorporating this feedback. Over the next four years, the Uniform Contract expanded the suite of governing documents. In 1911, the Standard Documents of the AIA were released. Furthermore, this evolution led to the Second Edition of AIA Documents in 1915 which established the first actual conditions of construction.

Catalysts for Change

By 1918, the entire suite of documents had again been revised and republished. This coincided with the end of World War I, when the United States started to bring soldiers home that needed jobs and housing, to begin living more urban lives. Shortly thereafter, the documents were republished with more revisions in 1925. By the thirtieth anniversary of the original agreement, it had been updated and revised eight times, with a new document being released, on average, every four years. Then, the Great Depression began in 1929. The economic downturn slowed rates of construction and the need for revisions of the documents. By the time the world started to recover from the recession, only one more revision was published which coincided with the influx of Works Progress

Administration (WPA) projects being implemented. This new growth was short lived and derailed by the coming decade.

World War II devastated the world and halted overall progress of the development of world economies. As the war came to a close the number of soldiers coming home seeking urban and eventually suburban lifestyles accelerated immensely. This increase in economic development sped up the number of revisions to the documents with new releases in 1937, 1951, and 1958. In this context, it can be noted that world events are catalysts for positive and negative changes in the construction industry. Reverberations of World War II had incalculable impacts on the construction world. As a result of the war and needing to move resources great distances at a rapid pace, the interstate highway system was established in 1956.

In this context, it can be noted that world events are catalysts for positive and negative changes in the construction industry.

Architecture is very much a knowledge-based industry whereas the contracts were commodities of the paper-era. In 2020, AIA recognized the need to shift back toward the knowledge-based industry model and sold the majority of ACD (AIA Contract Documents) to True Wind Capital steering ACD back to a service (in the tech community, it would be considered SaaS –Software as a Service). This initial partnership proved strategic – True Wind Capital has the means and resources to develop and revise the contracts, in digital format, rapidly and keep the documents accessible. AIA can then focus on other aspects of the mission while retaining the revenue generating stream from its minority shareholder position. This places AIA in a position to earn more through SaaS rather than attempting to sell phasedout paper documents.

Going Our Own Way, Together

Because of this, the nationwide network of movement fueled the ability of people to relocate to urban areas, displaced over a million residents, connected product to project pipelines, and further facilitated rapid development of new products. The impact of this resulted in four more revisions to the documents over the next ten years. Twenty years after the enactment of the interstate highway system, the population grew and the economy was expanding, leading the complexity of projects to grow exponentially. The American Institute of Architects acknowledged this by recruiting more members to sit on the documents committee, expanding from around five members to twelve. Since then, the committee has nearly tripled and the number and types of documents have grown in tandem.

Milestones for Change

After the turmoil of the first ninety years of documents being in existence, the documents had gone through a minimum of 16 revisions. To overcome the uncertainty of economic and world factors, and maintain continual updating, in 1976, AIA established the ten-year cycle of revisions. Thus, in today’s documents, we note the 1997, 2007, 2017, and similar editions. The 2027 release of documents will mark 140 years since the establishment of the original committee. Over the 140 years, the committee has grown from three to nearly thirty, while the document suite has grown from a single document to over 250.

Winds of Change

Since the 1960s, the introduction of computers into the world of architecture has created rapid change, especially in terms of software development. Just as the tools of trade, equipment, and materials have all changed within the construction industry, the same can be said for architecture. For more than a century, AIA raised capital through the sale of paper documents, however, with the need for physical, paper copies decreased once the digital world was established.

For AIA to create an online, digital platform for contracts, one could view it as a tech start-up without the tech resources. In July 2025, private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (WCAS) ACD Operations, LLC announced it had acquired a majority stake in ACD. As a result, True Wind Capital is a minority shareholder, but AIA a partner to both WCAS and True Wind Capital when it comes to advising its industry.

Steering the Documents Forward

Much like with historic preservation projects, the foundations were long ago placed, and then along the way, restructuring has been undertaken, and now, the systems have been updated for the next century. Here’s how it works: WCAS as the majority shareholder, and True Wind Capital, a minority shareholder, in partnership with AIA, ensure that AIA’s long-established Documents Committee and the ACD Content Team work together to cover all areas of the design-built industry along with insurance and construction law. For this section, Josh Flowers, FAIA, 2025-26 AIA Secretary and former Young Architect’s Forum Chair was interviewed for insight into what this process looks like. He has extensive experience not only in architecture, but specifically construction law and contracts. He serves as the in-house counsel for Gresham Smith – a multi-specialty firm that designs everything from roads to corporate campuses.

Every year, the call for volunteers goes out and at this time, interested parties can apply to the ACD committee. ACD and the selection committee then interview the potential candidates who will eventually serve a ten-year term. A limited number of seats become available annually, so potential candidates are kept in mind for whenever a position opens. Each sector, design, construction, insurance, legal counsel, among others is represented, and the selection committee attempts to cover all geographic locations in addition to representatives from varying size firms and practice areas. This ensures a representation of the entire country, a sampling of the design-built environment, as well as representation from every level of firm size.

Once on the committee, individuals are divided into task groups that take on a different suite of documents. They work with their industry partners to gain different areas of expertise, insights

into issues or ideas, and potential revisions or adjustments that need to be made to a specific set of documents. There is even a process that can be undertaken to establish an all-new document tailored to a new need.

The committee works closely with the management and staff of ACD, which remains constant in the entire process. WCAS, as the majority shareholder, and True Wind Capital, a minority shareholder, partner with AIA whose expertise makes the collaboration so valuable to all parties. Each division or suite of documents is revised every ten years and each section is staggered so that the entire 250+ documents aren’t released simultaneously.

When asking Josh about trends that he sees in the coming years, he noted the preference for collaborative project delivery options is driving the need for further diversified options to meet the needs of future project teams. This sense of shifting preferences is only one aspect of how the committee goes about selecting areas of the documents to remain relevant, balanced, and responsive to the needs of the AIA membership and the industry as a whole.

... he noted the preference for collaborative project delivery options is driving the need for further diversified options to meet the needs of future project teams.

Putting the Documents to Work

The AIA has long worked with the Associated General Contractors of America through a joint AIA-AGC Committee to help bridge the design and construction communities. The current focus of the committee is on developing best practices to improve collaboration between architects and contractors. Brian Baril, AIA, CPHC, Director of Preconstruction for A/Z Corporation and a former Young Architect Representative, brings over two decades of design and construction experience to the group. He emphasizes that while contracts are essential for managing risk and ensuring fairness, the most successful projects are built on a foundation of trust, open communication, and shared goals. “The contract should be there as a backstop,” Baril explains. “But the real work happens through collaboration. Our committee’s efforts are about strengthening that day-today partnership—building tools that support a more aligned, integrated team dynamic.”

The Evolution Forward

In its first half-century, AIA established itself as a collaborative partner in providing balanced, legal representation documents which began driving not only the country, but the global construction industry. The following half-century found AIA refining these documents to an all-encompassing suite that was responsive to a quickly changing world. Going into the third half-century, AIA has focused ACD on becoming even more responsive to a digital world by leaning on its roots of being a collaborative partner. Acknowledging that AIA is a membership-

Interviews

Josh Flowers, AIA

AIA Secretary, former Young Architect’s Forum. He serves as the inhouse counsel for Gresham Smith – a multispecialty firm that designs everything from roads to corporate campuses.

Brian Baril, AIA, CPHC Director of Preconstruction, Accidental Construction Guy, Still Technically an Architect

based organization, resources were redirected to support members rather than toward digitization of the documents. Bringing in WCAS and True Wind Capital has allowed AIA to continue delivering on the core mission of providing value to its members. Moving forward, ACD is now positioned to be agile and flexible, while retaining the steadfast knowledge built on over a century of experience, collaboration, and practice.

How do you see the profession and contracts changing in the coming years? What trends have you noticed that could potentially be benefited by updates to the documents?

About the Author

Garric Baker, AIA (Kansas’ Young Architect Forum Representative) is majority shareholder in Baker McMillan Architects, a Kansas-based architectural firm. He also leads Construction Evaluation workshops through Black Spectacles, an online learning platform for licensure candidates. The CE division focuses largely on AIA contract documents and how they are used throughout the life cycle of a project. His other writings include the Young Professional’s Handbook collection that covers everything from the young professional entering the workforce through becoming a manager.

Sources:

The History of AIA Contract Documents

AIA Documents Committee

WCAS Announcement

Brian Baril, interview.

Josh Flowers, FAIA interview.

Baker McMillan Architects; Kansas YAF Representative

Are You a Mouse or a Panda?

A jack of all trades is a master of none, though oftentimes better than a master of one. – William Shakespeare

Becoming an architect is no small feat! In most jurisdictions, it requires four to seven years of college, followed by 3,740 hours of documented experience, and six licensing exams. Some jurisdictions even have supplemental requirements (Alaska, California, and Florida, etc.). According to recent NCARB data, the average path to licensure now takes 12.5 years. That’s a long road, especially since it’s only then you can finally call yourself an “Architect”.

If you graduated in the 1990s, your path to licensure likely looked very different. At that time, you could sit for all your exams in a single four-day window. If the timing aligned, you could become licensed just months after graduation.

You were trained to be a mouse. And we say that with admiration, not criticism.

The mouse thrives in a world in flux—where the food sources are scarce and environmental pressures are mounting. Agile and adaptable, it can survive on anything from steak and chocolate to junk and litter. It’s not picky, it’s resilient. And that resilience was built into your training.

So what changed? Have buildings become so radically complex that it now takes nearly twice as long to prepare architects for the profession? Or are we using space-age materials and antigravitics that require more time and attention?

The buildings haven’t changed as much as our process. Here’s what we mean.

In the early ’90s, most architects still drew by hand. Project teams were relatively unified because everyone drafted. Drawing was the shared language of the office and the cornerstone of project delivery.

Then came technology… And with it, “The Fracturing”. Firms that couldn’t adapt were gradually pushed to the margins. Fastforward a few decades, and many offices now host an eclectic mix: hand-drafters, CAD veterans, Revit-ers, SketchUp-ers, Enscape wizards, Photoshopers, and spreadsheet gurus all working in parallel, often speaking different technical languages. What once felt like a studio now resembles a production floor, divided by tools and tasks.

Issue No. 17: 2019 Quarter 3

Like the Tower of Babel, our shared [drawing] language splintered. The profession began to drift apart into isolated islands of specialization. As technology evolved across generations, larger firms started encouraging new grads to find their niche–to pick a lane and be productive. But for those still figuring out what excites them, that kind of early specialization can feel more like a trap than a launchpad.

Smaller firms face their own challenges. They often need someone who can manage a project from start to finish, but without the luxury of years of in-house training. It’s a tough spot–one that leaves both ends of the spectrum struggling to balance expertise with flexibility.

Is this necessarily a bad thing? Not when business is booming. But as AI looms, promising speed, efficiency, and automation, we have to ask: what happens to those hyper-specialized roles if the environment shifts?

Enter the panda. Once on the brink of extinction, pandas have become the poster animal for conservation. The opposite of the mouse, they can eat one thing and one thing only, Fargesia rufa, a woody bamboo native to western China. They are helpless in the wild and seem to lack basic survival instincts. (See hilarious Youtube video of panda moms trading their cubs for snacks.) They survive only in artificial environments.

Architectural specialists risk a similar fate. Deep expertise is valuable until the environment no longer needs that particular skill set.

However, like a clever, omnivorous rodent, the generalist thrives in uncertainty. They adapt. They survive. In a profession constantly reshaped by new tools and processes, versatility is essential.

Of course, becoming a generalist takes longer. Architecture is a broad field, and projects are long and complex. Gaining fluency across design, codes, budgets, and coordination doesn’t happen overnight. These skills are gained through learned experience and can’t be “hacked” to learn quickly. But architecture has historically been a generalist’s game. Think about it: client meetings, budget talks, coordination calls—these aren’t niche skills. They require context, perspective, and the ability to zoom in and out. Architects don’t just make drawings. They connect the dots.

In the end, generalists may not be the flashiest. But like those small mammals that survived the asteroid, they’re built for change. And in a profession that’s rapidly evolving, adaptability might just be the most valuable skill of all.

So, if you must specialize, specialize in being a generalist.

Finding Home Through Design

Reflections of an Asian Immigrant Architect

This May, I had the honor of participating in a panel hosted by the University of Washington’s National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) chapter for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Titled “A New Chapter: Home, Origins, Resilience (ANC:HOR),” the panel invited Asian American architects to reflect on the meaning of home, their lived experiences, and how those themes shape our work in the built environment. As an Asian immigrant architect, the topic felt deeply personal. It gave me an opportunity to pause and look inward—how migration has shaped my identity, what gives me fulfilment, and the legacy I hope to build.

Above: Panel discussion, “A New Chapter: Home, Origins, Resilience (ANC:HOR),”by NOMAS & AANHPI.

Home: Inheritance and Becoming

For me, the idea of home is layered. Delhi is the home I inherited. Seattle is the home I am building. One does not replace the other; rather, they compound.

I was born and raised in Delhi. It’s where my roots are—where my family lives, the place of my childhood, where the smells and sounds are familiar, and where I instinctively understand how the culture and life works. It’s my place of comfort, memory, and belonging.

Seattle, by contrast, began as unfamiliar. I arrived here with no family, but slowly, through friendships, conversations, small rituals, and meaningful work—I found my community. Over time, the relationships I’ve built, the life my husband and I

share with our dog, and the buildings I’ve helped design, have woven themselves into my own evolving narrative of home. In designing spaces here, I’ve not only made my mark on the city, I’ve discovered new parts of myself: what brings me joy, what fuels my work, and what gives me purpose.

In designing spaces here, I’ve not only made my mark on the city, I’ve discovered new parts of myself: what brings me joy, what fuels my work, and what gives me purpose.

From Surviving to Thriving

A formative moment in my migration journey came during the pandemic. With life slowing down, I suddenly had extra time, and the first thing I wanted to do was to get licensed. That milestone was something I had longed for, but once it was checked off, I found myself asking: What now?

For the first time, I wasn’t just in survival mode as an immigrant. I had the power to take my career by the reins and shift into thriving mode. I started soul-searching and reflecting on what truly drives me. I enrolled in AIA’s Next to Lead programleadership training designed for diverse women and volunteered in my city’s Housing Commission as a citizen architect. Through that experience, I discovered a new side of myself - one that was passionate about leading and serving others.

This new sense of direction fuelled my involvement with AIA Washington Council, then the Young Architects Forum as Washington state’s Young Architect Representative and eventually YAF’s Advocacy Director. That journey from survival to agency wasn’t linear, but it was transformative, and it continues to shape how I show up in the profession.

Weaving Cultural Memory in Practice

I recently heard Karen Braitmayer, FAIA, of Studio Pacifica say: “The best architecture happens when the people designing the spaces actually reflect the diversity of the people using them.” That resonated deeply with me. When our teams reflect the communities we serve, the spaces we create become more authentic, more inclusive and more meaningful.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on in my career was an affordable housing building for formerly homeless AANHPI seniors in Tacoma, Washington. From the beginning, the design was centered on wellness, dignity, and the embodying the feeling of home for residents who may not have had one in a long time.

I drew inspiration from lanterns– a recurring symbol in many Asian cultures that represents celebration, warmth, and new beginnings. Those were the exact emotions we wanted to evoke in the building. In designing the building, I often asked myself, “What would my grandmother want if she lived here?”

I imagined her sipping tea on a bench in the courtyard, enjoying an evening stroll while chatting with neighbors, or reading by the window in her sunlit apartment. That vision and cultural memory helped guide my design direction. I incorporated large windows for amply daylit apartments, created inviting communal areas, and added intimate nooks for quiet reflection. Walking paths, seating surrounded by lush plantings, and a community garden were all shaped by a desire to support wellness, connection, and joy.

My Anchor: Creating Home for Others

A majority of my career has been spent working on affordable housing projects in Seattle. Once these projects are complete, I frequently hear deeply moving stories from the leasing team of new tenants brought to tears as they receive their keys, overwhelmed with relief and gratitude at finally having a place to call home. For many, it’s more than just a roof over their heads, it marks the beginning of a new chapter and a renewed sense of hope.

Knowing that I played a role, however small, in creating a space that feels beautiful, safe, and welcoming, fills me with a profound

sense of purpose. This is my anchor, the reason I do what I do. In helping others find home, I continue to build my own, right here in Seattle.

Speaking on the ANC:HOR panel was not only a chance to reflect on my own journey, but also an opportunity to connect with students and the next generation of architects. The students in the audience asked thoughtful, courageous questions about urgent challenges faced by AANHPI populations in Seattle, design spaces for intergenerational living, and creating successful project teams. It was deeply fulfilling to offer guidance, share lessons I’ve learned, and see the spark of leadership and vision in their eyes. To be part of a conversation that both honored our collective heritage and inspired future paths felt incredibly meaningful.

The best architecture happens when the people designing the spaces actually reflect the diversity of the people using them.

You’re Licensed. Now What?

Navigating the Next Chapter in Your

Licensure is a milestone worth celebrating. After years of study groups, AXP hours, exams, and juggling project deadlines, you’ve earned your title: Architect. But once the confetti settles, many young architects find themselves asking: Now what?

It’s a question the Young Architects Forum (YAF) hears often and one we’re here to help answer. Licensure isn’t the finish line, Instead,it’s the starting point of a career you get to shape intentionally. Whether you want to deepen your expertise, expand your network, advocate for the profession, or pivot into a new focus area, there is a path for you.

Here’s a roadmap to help you navigate your next chapter:

Grow: Deepen Your Expertise

Post-licensure, many architects find purpose in sharpening their skills and exploring new focus areas—but growth doesn’t always require a big leap. Some of the most meaningful development can happen within your current role.

Architectural Career

Networking isn’t only about finding your next job; it’s about finding mentors, collaborators, and peers who will inspire and support you.

Serve: Give Back to the Profession and Community

Architects play a critical role in shaping communities, and postlicensure is a chance to step into leadership and service. Serving the profession and your community doesn’t just help others, it strengthens the relevance of architects in society. By showing up, sharing your expertise, and participating in your community, you help people see the value of design thinking in addressing everyday challenges, building trust in the profession, and ensuring architects have a voice in shaping the future.

Service enhances your leadership skills, broadens your perspective, and strengthens the architectural profession for the future, while reminding your community that architects are essential contributors to a more equitable and resilient built environment.

Promote: Celebrate Your Work and Others

“Expertise isn’t built overnight; it’s the result of curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to keep learning.”

Whether it’s earning certifications like LEED or WELL, learning new tools, pursuing a niche like housing, sustainability, or adaptive reuse, or stepping into project leadership, this is the time to shape your expertise with intention. Reflect on what excites you and align your growth with your long-term goals.

Expertise isn’t built overnight; it’s the result of curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to keep learning.

Connect: Expand Your Network

Your community will shape your career just as much as your projects will. Post-licensure is a prime time to find your people, those who will cheer you on, challenge your thinking, and remind you why you chose this profession in the first place.

Architecture often can feel isolating, and it’s easy to get lost in project demands or firm pressures. Finding your community helps counter burnout by providing spaces to share challenges, celebrate wins, and gain perspective outside your day-to-day. It’s a way to be reminded that you’re not alone in your journey.

You’ve achieved licensure, don’t stop there. Advocating for yourself and the profession is part of your journey, and sharing your work and knowledge can inspire others like you to step up and lead change within their own careers.

Promoting your work isn’t about self-importance. It’s about ensuring architecture’s impact is visible and valued, and showing emerging professionals they too can step forward to shape the future of the built environment. Sharing your process, lessons learned, and successes can empower others to do the same. Mentoring someone through such a process helps ensure that the profession continues to grow with diverse, and passionate leaders.

Pivot: Explore New Horizons

Licensure can also be a launchpad to explore adjacent paths. Your license gives you a foundation of credibility and expertise that translates into many impactful careers. Whether it’s development, policy, academia, sustainability consulting, tech, or design leadership in a different industry, your architectural training gives you a unique advantage.

Expand Your Network

The right community will fuel your career and remind you you’re not in it alone.

Celebrate Your Work and Others

Explore New Horizons

Your license is a launchpad, use it to expand into new fields and opportunities.

Sharing your story inspires others and helps amplify the impact of the profession.

O N YOU’RE L E

Deepen Your Expertise

Licensure gives you the chance to focus your skills and shape your expertise with intention.

Architects are systems thinkers, skilled at navigating complexity, balancing constraints, and crafting solutions that serve people and purpose. Your ability to problem-solve creatively, communicate ideas visually and verbally, and synthesize input from diverse stakeholders makes you well-equipped to lead in many fields.

“Licensure isn’t the finish line, but a launchpad for you to grow, connect, serve, promote, and pivot...”

Crafting Your Next Chapter

Pivoting doesn’t mean stepping away from architecture, it means expanding its reach.

Give Back to the Profession and Community

Giving back strengthens both your leadership and the relevance of architects in society.

Acknowledgement: Grateful to Kathrine Lashley - YARArkansas - 2023/2024 for their research and insights, which helped shape and enrich this article.

Your architectural career is yours to design. Licensure isn’t the finish line, but a launchpad for you to grow, connect, serve, promote, and pivot in ways that align with your values and ambitions. Take time to map out your next steps: explore what excites you, gather resources that will support your goals, and seek out mentors who can help guide your journey.

As you step into this next chapter, remember: licensure marks the start of a career filled with creativity, impact, and lifelong growth—on your terms.

Stay tuned as we share deeper dives into each of these five pathways to help you shape your future with intention and confidence.

Katherine Lashley, AIA

Katherine is a Project Architect at Marion Blackwell Architects and has served as an active volunteer within AIA AR and the YAF.

Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA

Kumi is passionate about public interest design and affordable housing, and currently serves as the YAR for DC and co-chair of the CKLDP DC program.

Creating Learning Environments that Inspire and Engage Students

Schools may be one of the only building types that we as architects almost all have direct experience with, for most of us went to school in school buildings. What were our experiences in school? How did we relate to those buildings and more importantly how did those experiences shape who we are as architects and planners for the students of the future? When we design, we carry with us our own experiences and memories both positive and negative.

Our experiences shape who we are as designers and planners, but they also may impede our ability to listen openly to our students of today. Their needs and their experiences of the world and of school are very different than ours. Designing places that inspire students to come to school each day excited to learn begins with listening to students with an open heart and an open mind.

What happens when we listen? We learn what school experiences students find memorable, inspiring, and motivating. We learn what makes them feel that their school is for them and is designed with their needs in mind. We learn how they value and connect with their school’s identity. We learn what makes them feel safe.

This guidance informs the creation of schools with strong sense of place and an accessible and relevant identity. All aspects of the learning environment - from the welcoming entry to the comfortable shared spaces to the inspiring classrooms - shape and influence the student experience and create a place of belonging.

We learn from students that some of their most memorable learning experiences happened outside of the traditional classroom or were connected to a specific teacher or coach. As architects, we have less impact over interpersonal experiences than we do over placemaking which is our strength as designers. However, there are still opportunities to create learning environments that engage learners, beginning with identifying activities that motivate and inspire, provide a sense of purpose, and that bring joy. These are exciting spaces to plan and design because we utilize an essential skill of architects: “Tell us what you want to do and we will design a space to do it.” This process is an exciting and rewarding aspect of the planning and design of student-centered learning environments.

Outdoor learning environments are located adjacent to classrooms to engage students in nature-based learning, active play, and

environmental awareness. Landscaped school yards reflect and demonstrate native plants and ecosystems teaching students about their place in the world. Edible gardens and raised planters support interdisciplinary project-based learning opportunities integrating science, health, and geography.

Flexible career technical education (CTE) spaces incorporate specific technical requirements to support innovative aspirations and programs, including engineering, patient care, biotechnology, sports medicine, culinary, filmmaking, esports, and gaming. CTE facilities, maker spaces, and hands-on learning labs are integrated into the campus to encourage curious students to participate. Visibility between classroom spaces and lab areas encourages collaboration, supports safety, and allows for ease of supervision. Infrastructure rich adaptable spaces allow for a variety of teaching methods and future programs. The auto shop of yesterday is transformed to include electric vehicle technology of today.

Visual and performing arts spaces support students engaged in music, visual art, dance and theater, infused with the latest technology and allowing for individual expression and collaboration

across the disciplines. Art studios are designed with attention to daylight and views; music rooms are carefully planned for acoustical performance.

Special education learning environments provide facilities that are accessible to all students and are integrated into the school campus. A variety of learning spaces, ample daylight, and access to outdoor learning provides a comfortable and supportive environment for learning. Students requiring additional support are included in the daily life of their school and have convenient access to school activities.

Shared spaces for gathering including dining, performance, physical education, and libraries provide a variety of opportunities for students who prefer to be a part of large groups or to have time alone. There is a place for everyone on the school campus: one student reads on a window seat in the library, another plays an instrument in the music room, a student paints in the art classroom, another is running around the track, and one is eating lunch and talking with a group of friends.

In the design and planning of learning environments we strive to amplify the positive student experiences and create built environments that support those experiences. Students involved in programs that inspire them are more engaged in learning. For example, students in the arts are more likely to stay in school and go to college. CTE students may find that understanding realworld challenges helps them to achieve in their academic courses. Student athletes are motivated to be physically active and healthy, but also may learn leadership, cooperation, collaboration, and people skills.

Creating places of belonging where students feel respected, safe, and inspired should guide the planning of learning environments and this is something architecture has the power to do. We provide places that show our students that they are cared about, that they are honored, and that we believe in them.

RESOURCES:

• Association for Learning Environments (A4LE)

• AIA Knowledge Community: Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE)

• The Impact of School Facilities on Student Learning and Engagement

Charting Your Own Career Path as a Young Architect: Young Architects Forum Webinar Recap

Panelists

Janiece Williams

Co-founder and Executive Director of LeaderFlow. Janiece has found her work in developing architectural leaders outside of the office. Her work focuses on the individual and developing their own talents and confidence, through which a meaningful career will come.

Petere Noonan, FAIA, LEED AP

Professor at the University of Maryland and Principal at McIntruff Architects, and a lifelong student. He spoke on the importance of evaluating one’s impact not only on the public, but on oneself, in order to be fulfilled.

Vivian Lee, FAIA, LEED AP

Principal and Design Director at Genseler in New York. Vivian is a true global citizen architect, having grown up in Taiwan and Paraguay and practicing in Italy, China and the US. Vivian framed her career path and impact through the lens of her design work and the communities that she serves.

Erica Nelles, AIA

President at Dewberry, is an aspiring engineer turned architect. Erica has leaned into the twists in her path and leaned on her support system of family and friends to develop a career that suits her.

The AIA Young Architects Forum Advocacy workgroup hosted the “Charting Your Own Career Path as a Young Architect” webinar in June 2025. This session discussed the untraditional career paths of four licensed architects and their pivots throughout the industry. The panel, moderated by Laura Sherman, AIA, Georgia Young Architect Representative (YAR) and Joey Kutz, AIA, West Virginia YAR, featured:

Despite the panel’s varied backgrounds and ultimate career paths, a few key pieces of advice for young architects resonated throughout. First, each panelist emphasized the need to be in tune with oneself outside of the profession. There is no secret key to unlocking a fulfilling career, but rather finding what suits oneself and seeking out opportunities that align. Janiece said it best, when she mentioned that intentionality is paramount, along with understanding one’s own values. Young architects need to know what they stand for so that they can align their values with those of their workplace. As Vivian stated, by achieving this level of self-awareness, young architects can build fulfilling careers with meaningful impact.

Although it looked different for each panelist, they also emphasized the importance of continued learning. Erica spoke about working in a large firm with architecture, engineering, and construction services under one roof. Working in this setting allows her to explore multiple interests at the same firm. Despite his role in teaching, Peter, the self-proclaimed lifelong student, spoke about the joy he gets in learning from his students and the world around him. He reminded attendees that travel can be as close as your own doorstep and to take the time to really understand what is around you; to see the whole picture. Vivian spoke about designing without borders and how she allows her previous experiences to shape the designs of the future, without geographical limit. Together, their experiences underscored that learning in architecture is not confined to formal education—it’s a lifelong, evolving process shaped by curiosity, environment, and openness to new perspectives.

Finally, each of the panelists spoke on the organic path to leadership. Vivian summarized it well, stating that leadership does not have to wait, you can be a leader at any stage of a career. Through conversation on failure and mistakes, the panel agreed that if you are afraid to make mistakes, you will never move forward in life. The greatest lessons come from making mistakes, trying new things, and exploring failure. Their paths to leadership were shaped by uncertainty but each of the panelists found growth in these moments, embracing the unknown, making the leap and exploring new opportunities. In the end, the panelists showed that true leadership emerges not from certainty, but from the courage to take risks, learn from failure, and grow through the unknown.

The webinar offered an inspiring and honest look into the multifaceted journeys of architects who have carved their own way in the profession. Through stories of personal growth, continued curiosity, and fearless exploration, the panelists encouraged attendees to embrace the pivots of life and trust in their own values, instincts, and aspirations. As architecture continues to evolve, so too do the definitions of success, impact and leadership within it—reminding young architects that there is no singular path forward, only the one they choose to create for themselves.

Saying Yes: Even When You Have No Idea What You’re Doing

There’s a whole self-help industry built around the idea that saying yes will change your life. It will, just not the way you think. They are usually talking about taking a vacation, or asking for a raise, or ordering something weird off the menu. They are not talking about switching careers during a global financial collapse. But then again, most people handing out career advice aren’t thinking about seven-story historic rehabs in New Britain, Connecticut.

In 2009, I was laid off from a four-person architecture firm. I didn’t see it coming. One minute I was knee-deep in construction admin on a project I had shepherded from the initial field survey through 100% construction documents. Next, I was staring at my computer, updating my résumé, and drinking a comically large bottle of cheap white wine. That was the plan: Pinot Grigio and denial.

Three weeks later, the project manager from the construction company called. “Want to try construction?” he asked.

Now, I could pretend this was a bold move. I could say I had a vision for my career and made a calculated pivot into construction. But that’s not what happened. I was 27, unemployed, and needed a job. So I said yes, figuring I’d do it for a year, ride it out, and then get back to my “real” profession.

That yes turned out to be the first in a long line of professional shrugs.

Sure, I’ll manage this renovation project.

Sure, I’ll deal with the fallout when a painting contractor fills an occupied health clinic with toxic fumes and the fire department shows up.

Sure, I’ll become Director of Estimating with no formal training and a department in minor chaos with major egos.

Why not?

If this sounds like a tidy success story, it’s not. I started as an Assistant Project Manager and quickly learned that project management wasn’t exactly my calling. The pace, the pressure, the constant grind of budget and schedule over beauty and joy wore me down. After a few especially rough projects, I seriously

considered going back to architecture. But then someone asked if I’d be interested in a newly created preconstruction role. So I said yes. Again.

This time, it stuck. Something about the overlap between design thinking, project constructability, and cost strategy just made sense. The chaos was still there, but now I had a hand in shaping it.

The hardest yes came when I left the company I had been with for 14 years and joined A/Z Corporation as a Preconstruction

Manager. My first project at A/Z was described as “small.” It was a $12 million addition over an active manufacturing floor. It was anything but small. But I learned quickly: the problems were the same. Just with more zeros and fewer excuses.

Fast forward. I’m now Director of Preconstruction, leading 19 estimators across five states. I work on everything from bathroom renovations to $250 million resorts. And somewhere along the way, I found myself reconnecting with the architecture world. That came through the AIA Young Architects Forum, the AIA Connecticut Board of Directors, community service, ACE Mentorship, and becoming a Certified Passive House Consultant. It turns out you can leave the architecture firm without leaving the architect behind.

The most useful thing I can say to anyone reading this, especially if you’re young, overwhelmed, or in that quiet panic where nothing is working the way it should, is this:

Say yes. Not because it’s brave. Not because it’ll work. But because it’s movement. Doing something weird, or different, or uncertain beats the hell out of waiting for clarity that never shows up. And if it doesn’t work? Try something else. Architecture isn’t going anywhere.

The best thing I’ve built isn’t a building. It’s a career that only makes sense in reverse. A patchwork of mistakes, pivots, crises, friendships, failures, and lucky breaks that somehow added up to something real.

And it started with saying, “yes”.

Project Almost Architect

Equity in Action

In a bold step toward equity and inclusion within the architecture profession, AIA Oregon launched Project Almost Architect (PAA) in 2025—a groundbreaking program designed to expand access to licensure across the state. Focused on reducing financial and systemic barriers, this innovative program offers critical resources to professionals who might otherwise struggle to reach licensure.

Savannah Sinowitz, the creator of Project Almost Architect and current Chair of the AIA Oregon Emerging Professionals Committee, was inspired to launch the program after witnessing the significant inequities on the path to licensure. When she began her own licensure journey, she was fortunate to receive a scholarship from AIA Oregon to offset the examination fees. While the exam fees posed a barrier before being awarded the scholarship, she did have access to quality study materials offered by her firm, an advantage that illuminated a larger issue: even a single barrier can prevent an aspiring architect from becoming licensed.

Over time, the financial obstacles associated with licensure have only intensified, preventing many from even beginning the process—which starts with access to study resources. Savannah believes that the AIA is uniquely positioned to alleviate this challenge by providing affordable, high-quality study materials to associate members. Doing so would not only increase member value and strengthen AIA’s membership base, but also help emerging professionals advance their careers and achieve licensure.

In its pilot year, the program received an overwhelming response: 54 applications were submitted in just two weeks. From that impressive pool, 10 applicants

...the AIA is uniquely positioned to [provide] affordable, high-quality study materials to associate members.

were selected for the year-long program, which provides a comprehensive suite of support at no cost to participants. Each individual is matched with a one-on-one mentor through a curated mentor match system, ensuring personalized guidance on the licensure journey.

Participants also benefit from a robust series of professional development workshops specifically tailored to licensure candidates. A dedicated study cohort fosters community, accountability, and mutual encouragement among peers. Perhaps most significantly, the program includes a one-year subscription to Black Spectacles—an industry-leading licensure study platform—completely free of charge. By eliminating financial burdens and offering sustained, structured support, Project Almost Architect is helping to level the playing field for future architects across Oregon. The initiative was made possible in its first year through generous funding from the Chris White Scholarship Fund, and its future will be supported through continued fundraising, including the Chris White Golf Tournament.

It’s important to note that this program doesn’t only benefit emerging professionals, but also those at all stages of their careers. The pilot group of ten includes a mix of emerging designers, mid-level professionals, and even a firm owner. Licensure is sought at all career levels, yet the barriers in place prevent many from attaining it. Just three months into the program, more than half of the participants have already passed exams. Having resources and support creates accountability, which has led to a very high success rate in just the first few months of the pilot year.

Looking ahead, AIA Oregon plans to expand the program to reach even more licensure candidates and will launch a new spinoff initiative aimed at firms. This new track will help firms identify and support team members who could benefit from the program’s resources and aid.

[Project Almost Architect is] a movement to ensure that licensure is attainable for all, regardless of the resources offered at the firm level...

Project Almost Architect represents more than a program—it’s a movement to ensure that licensure is attainable for all, regardless of the resources offered at the firm level, which vary greatly by firm size. With its early success and a vision for growth, AIA Oregon is setting a new standard for access and support in the architectural profession

Learn more about PAA and starting your own program here Testimonies from Project Almost Architect 2025 Participants:

This program has lit the fire I needed to take on the challenge of getting my license!

All of the in-person events organized by the PAA program have been insightful and exciting, and the use of Black Spectacles has opened the door to the learning I was looking for.

- Joshua Fox

Before this program, I wasn’t sure how I was going to tackle the ARE’s, but PAA has helped create a path to licensure that feels a lot more achievable. It’s helped me stay focused and has created a real sense of community with all of us in this journey together.

- Adel Makboul

Savannah Sinowitz, AIA, NCARB

Sinowitz is an Associate at ZGF Architects in Portland, Oregon. She is currently serving as a co-chair of the AIA Oregon Emerging Professionals Committee.

Opportunities for the Next Generation

As architects, we often are asked when our journey to architecture started. For some, it might have begun early in our youth when seeing architect parent(s), show us the possibilities of what designers can do in the built environment. For others, it may have been due to an affinity for Legos and wanting to create with whatever tools were available to us. Or for others, architecture may have come later in life, or even mid-career. All stories are unique and tied to an individual’s surroundings.

My story began towards the end of my undergraduate years. Although my start in the AEC industry began in marketing, I would not change one thing about how I ended up where I am now. I owe tremendous gratitude to the mentors and individuals who have taught me how architects can create spaces that did not previously exist. We were all introduced to architecture at some point in our lives, and I think when and how that moment occurred is what cultivates each architect’s story.

For nearly two decades, a nationwide program has been introducing architecture to young students across the United States, but with a focus on teaching to communities of people of color in an effort to advocate for fellowship, equity, and excellence in design. This is the aspiration for the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) Project Pipeline summer programs.

Project Pipeline aims to tailor summer camp curriculums to not only introduce the fundamentals of architecture over the course of a two-to three day camp, but also tie it to the local environment that middle school students are familiar with. With this objective in mind, students can begin to grasp the importance of architecture in their everyday lives, as well as broader cultural, social, and historical implications. Thus fostering the next generation of design professionals, civic leaders, and change makers with the confidence that their voices are needed in the profession.

As a member of the NOMAarizona chapter, I have had the privilege to be a part of the Project Pipeline Planning Committee for the past two years. I chose to join the Committee because I see great value in education, especially in underserved communities. Being a part of this Committee to me, means introducing architecture as a possible future to young students that may not have envisioned this profession for themselves given that currently only 19% of architects in the United States identify as a person of color1

The NOMAarizona chapter has recently achieved grand milestones and is directly impacting the diverse neighborhoods of the Valley of the Sun. Planning for each camp begins in early spring and continues into late summer as the Planning Committee works diligently to provide the best experience possible for students. The Committee, which consists of Fatima Garcia, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA, Olga Brocamontes, Nikki Hernandez, NOMA, Mary Sellin, and Nicholl Hubbell, Assoc. IIDA, WELL AP, and myself, make a conscious effort to reach out to middle school districts that service underrepresented ethnicities. It is a collaborative process and overall a wonderful group to work with. My responsibilities revolve around the communication and coordination efforts to connect the Arizona design community to be a part of this program. This includes practicing professionals and university students pursuing their studies in architecture education. Architects and architecture students are the heart of the summer camps as they bring their energy and representation that inspires students. From guiding students to the camp site as soon as they walk in, to helping put together their model, being able to bring together volunteers from both the practice and education side of the industry is a wonderful synergy that I am proud to help make happen.

The mission of the camp is to not only teach students about the architectural process but to also connect students to architects that design the buildings in their neighborhood. To achieve this goal, a fun and engaging activity that is part of the camp curriculum, and that I have had the joy to lead, is Architect Bingo. In this activity, a bingo card not only features worldfamous architects of color but local minority architects that have designed buildings the students have seen and often visit, such as the state’s baseball park or fun aquatic centers. By providing this representation to students, it instills the confidence that they too can design incredible buildings in their own communities and beyond.

At each of NOMAarizona camps, the curriculum covers the fundamentals of architecture such as sketching, model making, and the opportunity for students to design their own building – this year a community center. Each camp is then tailored to include unique elements tied specifically to each camp’s location. For example, this year the students at the Phoenix camp had the opportunity to go on a field trip to a construction site and see

for themselves one of the high-rise buildings that is changing the downtown skyline. With PPE equipped and many smiles, a group of 17 middle school students were guided up 26 floors of a residential tower and witnessed firsthand the various stages of building construction. The students returned to the camp site excited and inspired to apply what they learned to their own project.

The second camp is hosted at St. Michael’s Indian School, on the Navajo (Diné) Reservation. and is the first Project Pipeline to be hosted on a reservation in the U.S., specifically for the indigenous student community. . A testament to the Planning Committee’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. In its third year, with the dedication and support from local Indigenous architects, the curriculum was expanded to focus on storytelling, Indigenous design, and even had the opportunity to participate in an adobe brick-making workshop; connecting local tradition to architecture practice. Additionally, the Committee collaborated with the newly founded NOMA New Mexico chapter, working together to make future camps happen in other states. Opportunities such as these further deepen a student’s sense of belonging and encourage them to rethink the world around them and most importantly instill the confidence that they can be future contributors to the built environment.

Whether the students who attend these camps pursue a career in architecture or not, what I find most rewarding is teaching the basics of how to express one’s thoughts creatively. Additionally, representation in this profession is a key driver of mine and by being a part of this Planning Committee I see it as my way to directly contribute to the design community that I think will help steer the future of the profession in a diverse, and inspiring trajectory.

Footnote:

1.

The Future(s) of the Profession

How Asking Big Questions Shapes Architectural Practice

The purpose of this short piece is to convince you that individuals, when encouraged to trust in their own means in tandem with supportive others, take paths and arrive at places they didn’t foresee, the edge conditions of the genuinely new. Method, per se, only gets one so far, although it has its uses, like getting started.

Rapid changes in society occur in waves or phases. Whether they reflect advances in theoretical thinking, technology, shifts in culture, ethics, or fundamental changes in how we create cities, design professions stand at the center of critical conversations about the future. Moving forward, how we collectively create an equitable, sustainable, diverse, and flourishing future in which everyone has a chance to realize their full creative potential, is ripe ground for exploring new ideas.

In relation to “the future of the profession,” ideas related to improving the processes of our collective impacts on the planet, especially in the built realm, require advanced study, deep and broad thinking, as well as abstract ideas which serve as foundations for any action we undertake—informed making, in short. In my experience teaching architecture studios, certain truisms float to the surface which serve this informed process. Three “rules” I use in teaching are:

1. There are no dumb questions

2. Be curious not judgmental

3. Work hard, but show kindness to self and others

These aren’t original or groundbreaking, but they foster the exploration of ideas.

On close examination, our ability to envision any “future” begins with questioning our default modes. While concepts in architecture often take the form of “patterns,” repeated spatial practices or behaviors (see Christopher Alexander), they reflect an evolutionary process, constructed and constructed again not only by architects, but by master builders and ordinary builders across millennia.

Concepts in architecture are often invisible to us unless we take special care to focus on, observe, and at times step outside of our own cultures to see how mutable they can be. Two “modes” present themselves: 1. horizontal thinking— creates new associations and ideas; 2. vertical thinking— placing these ideas within vertically integrated processes. These seemingly simple concepts make it possible to explore the dynamic relationship

between how we organize life collectively and how we live individually in relation to what we do in the company of others. Jaime Lerner’s “Urban Acupuncture” approach to city-making reflects this potent fusion. But more exploration is required.

While future thinking often takes a narrative form, artificial intelligence (AI) widens our horizon, not least by working with data and rubbing our faces in its implications (one need not look at data to understand the gravity of the situation our cities face, but it helps!) Beyond the quantitative methods we use to address our critical infrastructural and ecological systems at a planetary scale, are the harder-to-measure elements of the creative process central to design, the arts, music, and almost everything else to do with making something. Meaning in making is generated by its relationship to other ideas. When we make individually and collaboratively, the outcomes typically benefit.

“When we make individually and collaboratively, the outcomes typically benefit.”

Young architects should take to heart the idea that they develop their own methods as creators and collaborators, taking their meaning from experience, and applying it to real-world problems that are so often as thorny and intractable as ever. In the spectrum of ideas related to the built environment, the responsibility we owe the future to re-solve age-old issues for our own time, humanity as we know it and will know it has work to do. I call this integral, regenerative thinking, the articulations of which are a part of all we touch.

Bridge Builders: Mentoring as a Two-Way Street

When we talk about mentorship in architecture, it’s often framed as a one-way transfer of wisdom: the seasoned architect, guiding the emerging professional. But in reality, effective mentorship is a dynamic exchange. It’s a bridge, not a ladder—one that connects people across generations, backgrounds, and career stages, with knowledge and growth flowing in both directions.

Over the past several years, I’ve had the privilege of standing on both sides of that bridge. As a former intern manager, peer tutor, current licensing advisor for NCARB, and mentor with programs like the Architectural League of New York and my alma mater’s alumni network, I’ve experienced firsthand how mentoring relationships evolve—and how much mentors can gain from the people they support.

Early in my career, I approached mentorship as a way to give back and help others navigate the same challenges I faced as a young woman entering the AEC industry, especially in the highly competitive New York City market. I offered portfolio reviews, answered ARE questions, and coached students through interviews. What I didn’t expect was how much I would learn in the process. These interactions challenged me to articulate my own values more clearly, stay informed about shifts in academic and licensure paths, and—perhaps most meaningfully— remain empathetic and open.

One mentee, a student transitioning from an insular religious community, shared how isolating it felt to be pursuing a career her family didn’t understand. Her courage in forging that path reminded me of why cultural representation in our field matters—and how important it is to meet people where they are. In mentoring her, I became more mindful of the assumptions we bring to the workplace, and how inclusion starts with small, consistent acts of listening and support.

I also found inspiration in my mentee’s work. As we all know, academic studio projects are rarely restrained by budgets, construction realities, or even client preferences. They exist in a space of pure exploration—untethered by precedent or professional compromise. When another mentee recently asked for feedback on a school design project, I was struck by the freedom and ambition of his ideas. His design reminded me of the joy I once felt working in an unconstrained, conceptual space, and it nudged me to bring some of that mindset back into my own practice. Since then, I’ve found myself looking for similarly free-thinking approaches to real-world problems Those moments reignited a sense of creativity that can get lost in the routine of deadlines, regulations, and project constraints.

On the flip side, as a newly licensed architect, I continue to seek out mentors who challenge me to grow into new roles. I’ve learned that mentorship doesn’t always require a formal title. Some of the most powerful advice I’ve received has come from spontaneous conversations with principals who shared how they bounced back from failures, colleagues who modeled what equitable leadership looks like in action, and even individuals outside the AEC industry who have shaped my career.

What makes mentorship truly reciprocal, in my opinion, is humility: the willingness to both teach and learn. For emerging professionals, that might mean sharing digital skills, cultural insight, or perspectives on work-life balance that reshape traditional workflows. For seasoned architects, it might mean creating space for early-career voices in design discussions, licensure strategy, or firm culture decisions.

As the profession continues to evolve, we need more bridges stronger, wider, and built with intention. That includes not only one-on-one mentorship, but also designing workplace systems that support mentorship as a norm, not a bonus. It means recognizing that every architect, regardless of title or age, has something to offer and something to learn.

If you’ve ever hesitated to call yourself a mentor because you didn’t feel “expert” enough, I challenge you to reframe your thinking. Mentorship isn’t about having all the answers— it’s about showing up, being curious, and walking alongside someone as they find their own path. In doing so, you may just discover a new perspective of your own.

If you’re interested in taking a first step into mentorship, my advice is to reach out to the alumni program at your alma mater. See if you can give back to your school by serving as an advisor to a student for a semester. It’s a simple yet powerful way to begin building those bridges—and you may be surprised by how much you gain in return.

Devora Schwartz, AIA, NCARB is a Project Manager at LMV Architects in Poughkeepsie, NY. She is a mentor passionate about empowering future architects and is training for the NYC Marathon for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Reimagining Architecture

How Young Architects Can Shape the Future

Early-career architects know hard work all too well. Sleepless nights in design studios are the norm as students; hours spent envisioning gravity-defying museums, futuristic cities, and glass towers that glint like aspirations themselves. This boundarypushing creativity is celebrated in school, where the focus is on ideas unshackled by limits. But the moment they step into the real world, a jarring shift occurs. Instead of soaring visions, clients ask for cost-effective solutions. Negotiations with contractors, bureaucratic codes, and rigid firm hierarchies quickly take center stage. The world beyond academia bears little resemblance to the dream-fueled studio.

Burnout isn’t a right of passage, it is a system failure .

Evelyn Lee, FAIA, NOMA

This disconnect leads to burnout, as young architects struggle to reconcile their creative aspirations with the harsh realities of the profession. As Evelyn Lee notes, “Burnout isn’t a right of passage, it is a system failure.”¹ For architecture to evolve meaningfully, the bridge between education and practice must be rebuilt, and with it, a reimagining of how young architects are trained and supported. Two profound shifts are key to this transformation: redesigning architectural education and fostering collaborative, egalitarian models of professional practice.

Rethinking Architecture Education

While architecture schools excel at nurturing design thinking, they often omit the gritty realities of professional practice. Students spend more time in studio than any other major (according to a 2016 NSSE study²), yet they rarely grapple with client expectations, zoning regulations, or construction budgets. The result is a generation of talented graduates who can design iconic buildings but may struggle with the pragmatic demands of housing affordability and compliance. This isn’t just a matter of tacking on a few practical courses. It calls for a fundamental change in educational philosophy that aligns more closely with real-world demands. Imagine studio environments where students collaborate with nonprofits or municipalities on projects that could actually be built. Curricula that teach contract negotiations and agile project workflows alongside rendering software. A focus on sustainability and human-centered, small-

scale design over sprawling, theoretical megastructures. Cooperwood Senior Living in Central Mississippi is a testament to the kind of quiet, revolutionary impact such training can unlock—proof that transformative architecture thrives not on extravagance, but on purpose and adaptability.³

The Rise of Collaborative Practices

Even with more grounded education, young architects often find themselves boxed out of opportunity by a profession still controlled by a few powerful firms. Oftentimes, a small group of elite practices dominates major commissions, leaving fresh talent with few avenues for growth. The traditional path of climbing the hierarchy in a large firm, or risking it all on a solo venture, can be riddled with setbacks. But a promising alternative is emerging: the collegiate system. In this model, the cult of the “starchitect” fades into the background, replaced by shared ownership, collaborative decision-making, and collective resilience. It’s a cooperative approach where all contributors including architects, engineers, and even clients, have a seat at the table. These studios emphasize agility through cross-disciplinary teamwork and digital tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM), embrace lean thinking by delivering focused, user-driven solutions, and

It’s a cooperative approach where all contributors including architects, engineers, and even clients, have a seat at the table.

foster institutional longevity through shared leadership.

This isn’t just theory. Firms like ADP Architecture, AHMM, AMKNA, MVRDV, ShoP Architects and other emerging collectives around the world are proving that cooperation, not competition, is the future. In a professional landscape increasingly defined by remote work and fluid teams, the collegiate model offers the transparency, flexibility, and equity that many young designers crave.

A Blueprint for Emerging Architects

The architects who will lead us forward won’t be solitary visionaries working in isolation. They’ll be part of nimble, conscientious collectives that champion sustainability, equity, and adaptability.

The next era of architecture isn’t just a question of innovation, it’s a matter of survial.

For that future to take shape, we need educational institutions that prepare students for the nuanced realities of practice, firms that welcome fresh voices instead of clinging to legacy hierarchies, and a profession that values social and environmental impact as much as sheer scale. The next era of architecture isn’t just a question of innovation, it’s a matter of survival. Young architects hold the tools and the energy to change the field for good. The question is no longer whether they’re ready—it’s whether the profession is ready for them.

Footnotes

1 . Evelyn Lee Quote

2 . 2016 NSSE Study

3 . Cooperwood Senior Living

Dele Oye, MGBCN Oye, MGBCN, is a Construction Manager at Tobchy in Ogun, Nigeria. Oye is also an architectural journalist who has published in RIBA Journal, Architecture Nigeria, Livin Spaces, among others.

Navigating the Profession: Where’s Your North Arrow?

A student’s reflection on growth, uncertainty, and direction in the architectural profession.

Navigating the architectural industry varies from individual to individual. The world of designing is never linear. Much like the extensive and obstacle ridden process of bringing a building into being, finding oneself in the profession evokes difficulties of its own. This is not to be a cause of discouragement, but rather a point of encouragement. It will truly take time. It will require patience as well, but it is possible. Be as resilient as the buildings we strive to put forth.

“The world of designing is never linear.”

Each of us have our own interests and come from a background of education that varies in curriculum. This includes coming into the profession with a profound basis of technical knowledge. Beyond the collaborative environment present in the academic setting, there is a world of online student cohorts beginning to make a name for themselves in the profession. A global scale domain of emerging professionals experimenting, sharing, creating, and rooting for one another. These informal settings uplift and inspire each other. Shared pinups, LinkedIn connections, email, DMs, or even a comment on a post, are all plausible means of connection and can be done anywhere in the world.

Leveraging these relationships with one another will extend beyond the walls of the academic setting. A crossborder collaboration supports you overall. Design demands collaboration, even in an individualized project.To engage, to ask, to create, and to present, requires various points of assistance to build the foundation. No project is ever a one person show. It is something to be recognized, embraced and encouraged.

You, as an architect, are responding to social needs. It is more than just talking about buildings. Our role is to cater to a greater audience through our service to problem solve and innovate the design decisions of the future. Shaping the public with our efforts. A building that meets the stakeholders’ needs and caters to the demands of the user. A coincidental factor in our effort is communicating our contribution and the design intent to the public.

Tending to uncertainty is essential. Together, we strive to ensure health, safety, and welfare remain at the core of our work, even as we learn through collaboration and experience. We work in an interdisciplinary team of professionals, collaborating various modes of efforts combined in a project to make the project happen. We are students, after all, who have plenty to learn. With how many other professions architects collaborate with, it is necessary to be able to tend to it all emphatically. Recognize your limits as you are not meant to know everything. Henceforth, we leave consultants and other specialists to tend to situations we are unable to do. Do what you can and remain open to learning. Familiarizing yourself and encompassing oneself in areas you lack knowledge of will be a key component in your growth in the profession. It is an opportunity that makes you stand out.

Enacting a dynamic approach to how you manage your professional development is vital in how you will be able to grow. The ability to adjust accordingly regardless of the setting enables you to be flexible and engaged in various modes of action during the building process. This level of adaptability not only presents you in a positive light, but demonstrates your ability to engage with various interdisciplinary teams and balance pressures from various directions; a truly powerful soft skill. To be willing

to learn reflects well in the workplace. It will allow for better opportunities to be achieved.

A key factor in the profession is familiarity in various aspects of life. For many, the goal is not to be well renowned in a particular subject area, but rather to have a general working knowledge of diverse topics. Each topic aids one in their ability to problem solve accordingly. Being conscious of the design decisions, such as how material influences the project, or the historical premise of the space, can be pivot points within a project. Case studies are a great resource depicting what was done by another prior. Precedents enable the ability to determine the possibilities with the current project.

The profession does carry forth plenty of uncertainty, yet it calls on us to be resilient and deliberate, always seeking our own north arrow. Building your narrative in this diverse profession is truly compelling; each point of interest can be completely different from their counterpart, but they still stand beside another in the same profession. There is no direct definition of being an architect. Indulge and welcome your interests in photography, digital art, woodwork, glassmaking, ceramic, watercolor, painting, etc. Use it to build your niche. Welcome to the everevolving cultural dynamic of architecture.

ABC | Archi-TEXT Book Club

Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, A Review

Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve by: Allison Fragale, PhD and reviewed by: Justin Marquis, AIA, NCARB, Nicole Becker, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, and Constance Chen, AIA CPHC, LEED Green Associate, NOMA

Introduction

“I am not a woman, so what would I possibly have to learn from this book?” you might be asking yourself after seeing our review selection of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve by Allison Fragale. This might seem like a reasonable question, given that only 27% of architects identify as female, according to the latest NCARB By The Numbers report1. But that is changing—46% of current licensure candidates are women, and they are completing licensure, on average, one year faster than their male counterparts.

With this quarter’s theme of “Steering the Future of the Profession”, we took that data as a starting point to explore what social science research can teach us about success, leadership, and the structures we work within. Whether you’re an aspiring architect struggling to find your seat at the table or a mid-career professional mentoring the next generation, there’s something in this book for everyone, though, it might not tell the whole story.

The core premise of the book is that women are forced to choose between either being likeable or being assertive as ways to succeed in the workplace, but not both. You are either the warm, approachable, friendly worker but come off as “weak”. Or you are the confident, competent, but cut-throat manager that comes off as overly “aggressive”. This tension, Frangale argues, between “likeability v. competence” is rooted in gender expectations and stereotypes only, and has no basis in your actual ability. The book then gives strategies to reframe an approach to your everyday interactions, so we can have success in balancing confidence, competence, and approachability.The goal being, not just what you achieve, but how people feel working with you, or put another way, “respected for your competence and valued for your warmth.”

Justin’s

Perspective

Reading Likeable Badass, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own tendencies toward likability and how they sometimes dampen my perceived confidence and clarity in professional interactions. While I don’t face the same gendered stereotypes many of my colleagues do, I grew up in Wisconsin, where “Midwest nice” often gets mistaken for weakness. I can’t count how many emails I’ve started with, “Sorry for the delay…” or “I might be wrong, but…”.

Fragale argues that language like this can trigger an unconscious perception of incompetence, and she suggests replacing it with reframes like “Thank you for your patience…” or “From my perspective…”. That simple shift stuck with me. Rather than trying to gain credibility by downplaying warmth or overemphasizing confidence, this book offered practical ways to strike a healthier balance between the two.

Another key takeaway was the idea of being an “Other Promoter”, someone who champions the success of others and amplifies their stories. I realized I’ve tried to do this in my own practice, but hadn’t thought of it as a defined strategy. Framing it this way underscores how powerful it can be, especially in mentorship roles, where elevating the contributions of emerging professionals is critical.

Nicole’s Perspective

I couldn’t help but feel a little frustrated while reading Likeable Badass. On the surface, it offers useful strategies for navigating corporate cultures, especially for women trying to balance warmth with ambition. Its advice is practical and easy to apply, promising a way to reconcile being likable and being assertive. But the book’s limitations lie in the framework it reinforces, one where value is defined primarily by workplace status, recognition, and advancement. It emphasizes adapting to existing structures rather than questioning or reshaping them. In doing so, it risks alienating readers who see career as only one part of a meaningful, values-driven life.

While the book may be empowering in certain contexts, its vision of success feels narrow. Equating fulfillment with fitting into inherited systems misses the deeper potential of true empowerment: not just succeeding within the status quo, but imagining and building new structures that serve everyone more equitably.

Constance’s Perspective

Reading Fragile felt like revisiting familiar emotional landscapes. Like many books that rely heavily on anecdotal storytelling, it offers moments of genuine resonance—those small, personal truths that seem to speak directly to the reader. The stories are intimate and reflective; while not every anecdote may feel universally relevant, several struck a meaningful chord. The book attempts to guide readers in navigating the delicate balance between assertiveness and warmth. More importantly, it underscores the value of authenticity. It explores what authentic assertiveness and warmth looks like in practice, especially in the context of complex interpersonal dynamics. The idea that one can be both firm and kind—without compromising either—is one of its most powerful takeaways.

Though Fragile may not present groundbreaking frameworks or deep psychological analysis, its strength lies in its relatability. It invites introspection and encourages readers to reflect on how they show up in the world, particularly in moments of vulnerability.

Closing Thoughts

Together, our perspectives reflect the dual nature of this book. For some, Likeable Badass provides tangible, actionable strategies to navigate the challenges of being both competent and likable in professional settings. For others, it raises important questions about whether success should be defined by existing systems at all. When taking this book at face value, it offers good narrow insights for individuals on their own professional development.

But if we are looking at steering the future of the profession, maybe we could benefit from a widened perspective. We must ask ourselves, do we each work on ourselves in order to build the industry we want? Or do we ask ourselves what success even looks like in order to chart a path forward.

Footnotes:

1. NCARB By the Numbers: NBTN 2025 Demographics | NCARB - National Council of Architectural Registration Boards

If you read this quarter’s book, we’d love to hear what you thought. Whether you loved it or found it lacking—one sentence or one paragraph—share your reflections with us at nicolejbecker1@ gmail.com. And if you have suggestions for future reads, we’re all ears!

Nicole Becker, AIA NCARB, LEED AP BD+C

Associate, Project Architect ZGF Architects in Portland, OR 2025-2026 Communications Director AIA Young Architects Forum.

Constance Chen, AIA RA

Principal of Locus Architecture in Minneapolis. She currently serves in the Communications focus group of the YAF.

Connect + Chill

Cocktails & Streaming Content for the Casual Consumer

Each quater the YAF Knowledge Focus Group curates streaming video content and a cocktail / mocktail recipe to salute each quarterly theme. In Q3 we highlight Steering the Future of the Profession with the following recommendations:

MENTORED IN MANHATTAN

RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 oz Rye Whiskey

0.5 oz Sweet Vermouth

0.25 oz Grand Marnier

A subtle complexity for wisdom

1 bar spoon Maple Syrup

A touch of brightness for the future

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Garnish: Orange Peel and Brandied Cherry

Instructions:

Add whiskey, vermouth, Grand Marnier, maple syrup, and bitters into a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled.

Strain into a chilled glass.

Express an orange peel over the drink, then garnish with the peel and a brandied cherry.

Why it fits: The maple and Grand Marnier add a gentle, mentoring richness. It’s a Manhattan that feels guided, nuanced, and ready for the next generation.

Streaming Recommendations:

Each quarter the YAF Knowledge Focus Group curates streaming video content and a coctail and mocktail recipe to salute each quartely theme. In Q3 we highlight Steering the Future of the Profession with the following Recommendations:

Grenfell: Uncovered (2025) - This Netflix original documentary explores the tragedy of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London. Learn about the contributing factors that resulted in the deaths of 72 people, and the decisions along the way that could have prevented it. Available now on Netflix.

If You Build It (2013) - Follow along as high school students are introduced to the design and construction process through a local project. The film showcases the power of expanding the pool of people exposed to architecture and construction and the impact it can have on communities. Available to rent on various platforms.

Author: AIA YAF Knowledge Focus Group (Arlenne Gil, AIA/Joe Taylor, AIA/Mel Ngami, AIA/Robert Farr, AIA/Elizabeth Zachman, AIA/Brady Laurin, AIA/Trent Schmitz, AIA/Diana Duran, AIA/Mi Zhang, AIA/Reily Joel Calderon Rivera, AIA/Daniela Moral, AIA/ Courtney Carrier,AIA)

- Steering the Future of the Profession

to you by the Young Architects Forum

THE STUDIO SESSION

MOCKTAIL RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 oz Cold Brew Coffee

1 oz fresh Grapefruit Juice

0.5 oz Rosemary Syrup (1:1 simple syrup infused with fresh rosemary)

2 oz Tonic Water

Garnish: A Grapefruit Twist and Rosemary Sprig

Instructions:

Add cold brew, grapefruit juice, and rosemary syrup to a shaker with ice.

Shake briefly and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Top with tonic water.

Garnish with a grapefruit twist and a sprig of rosemary.

Why it fits: Bright, slightly bitter, crisp — it keeps the mind sharp and creative, just like a design team bouncing ideas deep into the night.

Author Bio: The AIA YAF Knowledge Focus Group is dedicated to identifying important issues of recently licensed architects and the creation of knowledge resources to enable young architects to advance their careers