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There has been much discussion raised about "Why are women leaving Architecture? and more broadly, Why is the profession losing key talent?"  Both women and men practitioners are disillusioned by the myth of work/life balance: Women are grappling with "have it all" expectations of juggling family time with the demands of full-time work.  Men are struggling to support their families solely on an architect's salary and fall back on asking spouses to maintain their jobs. The lack of affordable childcare and high cost of living only magnifies the challenges.  How did we end up in this modern family dilemma? What can we do to improve the situation?

Meet the Hackers...

by Rosa T. Sheng, AIA LEED AP BD+C 

We are very excited to introduce our 10 EQxD Hackathon Scholarship Winners that will be joining as on Wednesday May 18th at AIA National Convention in Philadelphia.  We appreciate all of you that submitted applications for consideration, it was a really tough decision.

MEET THE HACKERS....

 

Shawna Hammon, AIA, LEED AP BD+C - @shawna_hammon

Shawna is a licensed architect in North Carolina at Perkins+Will.  She earned her Master of Architecture degree from North Carolina State University where she now teaches Digital Representation as an Adjunct Faculty member.  Shawna is actively involved in her local section of AIA, currently serving as the architect chair for the Young Architects Forum (YAF).  Shawna also continues to pursue her greatest architectural passion – tall wood buildings.  When she isn't participating in a competition or scouring the internet for the latest on tall wood innovation, Shawna races motorcycles, and spends time with her husband, Kevin and their cat, Moo.

“Architecture and the Era of Connections means that technologically speaking, employers are more equipped than ever to promote flexible work environments - scattered teams can come together online to push a project forward and mothers can breast feed or pump while checking emails – just a few examples of how we can be more flexible as a result of technology. However, there are downsides – clients expect more from us but want to pay less, and many argue the craft is gone from our profession since anyone can utilize Sketch Up to design a house; do we even need architects anymore? How can we continue to demonstrate our value to society and keep our profession relevant?”
— Shawna

Ricardo J. Maga-Rojas - @_MagaRojas1906

Ricardo de Jesús Maga Rojas (born 22 October 1989) is an Afro-Cuban aspiring architect. Born in Banes, Holguin, Cuba and raised in Miami, Florida. A recent alumnus of Tuskegee University's Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture and Construction Sciences (TSACS) in 2013, Ricardo is currently a Master’s Candidate in Urban Planning at Texas A&M University where he serves as the AIAS Chapter President while working part-time as an Architectural Intern at Patterson Architects in Bryan, TX.

“Architecture and the Era of Connections” means that an ever-changing profession in an ever-changing world seeks to promote diversity and justice in the architecture profession in order to effectuate change and form connections with our global brethren.”
— Ricardo

Kelly Duignan -  ‏@kelduignan  

Kelly Duignan grew up in Lancaster, PA and moved to Philadelphia in 2008 to attend Drexel University, an accredited part-time evening program from which she graduated in 2013 with her Bachelor of Architecture degree.  After some time at the Delaware Valley Green Building Council as a Marketing Associate and Graphic Designer, she is currently an Architectural Intern at Olaya Studio in West Philadelphia.  Kelly is also a volunteer with the Community Design Collaborative, and was recently awarded ‘Rookie of the Year’ by the nonprofit for her volunteer efforts within the organization.

“Architecture and the Era of Connections means visibility, creative collaboration, shared interests, stories with impact, uplifting others, innovative ideas, change and positivity.”
— Kelly

Braham J. B. Berg -  @BBB3rg

Braham Berg is an M.Arch and MSRED Candidate at Tulane University, the Tulane AIAS Chapter AIA Liaison on the AIA NOLA Executive Board, the National Charette Lead on the AIAS National Freedom by Design Advisory Group, and Creative Lead for Telephone NOLA [www.telephonenola.us], a New Orleans-based interdisciplinary arts exchange. Braham is engaged at bridging the connection between academia, practice, and community at local, regional, and national levels, from mentoring students through NOMA Louisiana’s Project Pipeline program, facilitating charettes at 2016 AIAS Midwest Quad (Detroit) and AIAS Forum (San Francisco), and serving as the Volunteer Coordinator at 2015 NOMA National “Rise” (New Orleans).

“Architecture and the Era of Connections means 1.) showing how architecture is inherent in the daily lives of everyone on this planet no matter gender, race, place, ideology, or background; 2.) Architecture spanning beyond the traditional realms of forms into all interdisciplinary realms (arts+sciences+business+law) where design and architecture can impact and address social issues as a problem; 3.) using/ adapting technology (wisely!!) as a way that enhances everyone’s experience of space or place (online or physical); 4.) inspiring others—of all a GWS and from all around the world— of the potential that they too can create their visions and improve the existing.”
— Braham

Ryan Orr – @ROrrArch

Ryan Orr is an architectural designer at KCBA architects and currently pursues his architectural license as an emerging professional. After graduating from The Pennsylvania State University with a B.Arch in 2013, Ryan now utilizes his design talents and technology interests to create a vision for 21st century schools and learning spaces. As a member of the PEA – Philadelphia Emerging Architects, he fosters relationships between professionals, students, and future members of the Architecture profession through mentorship programs, technology trainings, ARE study groups and high school career exploration activities.

“Architecture finds itself at a crossroads – dis-similar to the master builder of old; an architect connects across multiple platforms, places, and people in order to achieve architecture. From clients, consultants, and craftspeople to stakeholders, investors, and developers, an architect guides the process utilizing techniques and tools that may be improved by these connections. The ability to manage, develop, and maintain control of all the moving parts strains the real goal of architecture, and the capacity to design across disciplines, borders, and other barriers. The 21st century resources available to an architect, including technology and business strategies, are essential to the future of architecture.”
— Ryan

Obiekwe “Obi” Okolo - @ObiMatteo

The unique experience of living in Lagos, Nigeria during childhood shaped Obi’s perspective and passion for doing good for the world. To gain greater understanding about design, he studied at the University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA), where he received a degree in Interior Architecture.  Concurrent with his studies, Obi immersed himself within the community of fellow students and served as Chapter President of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) for two concurrent years.  It was during that time that his began working on aid-based design – a way to blend humanitarian efforts and entrepreneurship. In 2015, Obi served as AIAS National Vice President.

“Among other things living in an era of connections makes it nearly impossible for me, in my mind, to justify the many reasons you often hear for why architects/designers/the profession is the way that it is. In an age where an average patient can, at least, broadly understand an impending operation or crippling diagnoses through innovations in technology and story-telling, there is no reason we should still be asking the question “Why doesn’t the public understand what we do?” ...Simply put, it’s because we don’t really want them to yet.”
— Obi

 

Daniel Teed

Dan grew up in a small town on the Iowan banks of the Mississippi and his initial interest in architecture came from his love of the honest expression of steel, wood, and stone found in the bridges spanning the Mighty Mississippi. He graduated from the University of Utah with a master's degree in architecture in 2014 and has since practiced in Salt Lake City. He is passionate about architecture for under price ledges populations and has designed and implemented work on the Navajo Nation, in the rural desert towns of Utah, and in Salt Lake City.

“From smart homes to social media, “ease of connectivity” is the movement that defines our modern era. The way we interact with architecture, the environments in which we live, work, and play, is naturally changing in response to this concept of instant connectivity. In 2016 we are poised on the edge of an architectural revolution that will propel our concept of connections forward and forever change the course of our profession! ”
— Daniel


A. L. Hu - @a_l_hu  

A.L. Hu is a genderqueer first generation person of color who is currently a Master of Architecture student at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (GSAPP). Their research, writing, and design work is at the intersection of gender, race, community, and architecture. A.L. is a GSAPP Program Council member; co-founder of GSAPP Students of Color Association; founding member of Queer Students of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation; co-organizer of ArchiteXX at GSAPP; and a GSAPP student representative on Columbia University’s Race, Ethnicity, and Inclusion Task Force. A.L. uses the gender-neutral pronouns they, them and theirs.

“Architecture and the Era of Connections means that the profession must respond to the digital age in which we live — nowadays, we are always “on” through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and so on. It is now easier than ever to connect and reach a broader, diverse, global audience, not to mention research deeper and find information faster. But this new era of connections does not come without consequences to fields like Architecture, which has its roots in more “traditional” communication methods. We must ask, how does Architecture remain connected through this new mode of communication, and what changes need to happen to foster this connection?”
— A.L.

Hilary Barlow, AIA, LEED AP BD+C - @YDC_Payette

Hilary Barlow is an Architect at Payette, current co-chair of the firm’s Young Designers Core and a member of the AIA Center for Civic Leadership Committee.  Hilary is interested in engaging young leaders and creating new opportunities to supplement emerging professionals’ learning.  She led the firm’s award-winning submission for the IDP Outstanding Firm of the Year Award and has initiated new platforms to foster mentorship at Payette.  Hilary joined Payette after completing her B.Arch at Syracuse University in 2013, and has been highly involved with collaborative design assist at Payette.  

“Not only does Today’s technology keeps us connected and plugged in constantly, but it has the potential to disrupt the paradigm of Architecture. BIM, scripting and parametric design are just a few of the ways industry trends are reshaping and redefining the Architecture, Engineering and Construction professions. In the Era of Connections, Architecture has the potential to be at the forefront of change—from how buildings are conceptualized, designed, coordinated and built.”
— Hilary

Jonathan Meadows, RA @jonathanbmeadow

Jonathan Meadows.jpg

Jonathan Meadows graduated from Auburn University in 2010 with a B. Arch degree, became LEED accredited in 2013, and received his architectural license in August 2015. In addition to being a project architect at Williams Blackstock Architects, he is the Director of Emerging Professionals for AIA Birmingham. He has been very active in his community: he's a consistent volunteer for ACE Mentorship, co-chaired a lecture series designed to bring together the EP groups of contractors, engineers, and architects, has been a guest juror for the Auburn University Urban Studio, and organized and led a historic architectural walking tour of downtown Birmingham.

“I believe that more than at any other time, Architecture is a field of teamwork and collaboration. As our buildings become more complex, the need for specialization increases, and the architect’s role becomes one of coordination rather than as a master-builder. I see technology as a facilitator of this process from conception, to design, to construction, and the architect as a well-rounded generalist and team leader.”
— Jonathan

REGISTER FOR EQxD HAPPY HOUR ONLY

And don't forget to join us for EQxD Happy Hour at Smokin' Betty's after the Hack!

 

Special Thanks goes to our EQxD Hackathon Scholarship Sponsors including Autodesk, McCarthy Building Companies, WRNS Studio, HOK and HGA.

I make (a change)

by Jame Anderson, AIA

When invited to write a post about my “return to architecture”, my first thought was “What was this ‘Architecture’ that I had left?”  I pondered all of the ways I could describe this decision, anything I could share with others, and I started performing an epic Tina Fey eye roll.  Who would want to hear this?  It sounds like a cheesy self-help book or one of those posters in the breakroom of The Office.

Jame Anderson worked as an Architect at the National Gallery of Art for over a decade before returning to a private architecture practice. 

Jame Anderson worked as an Architect at the National Gallery of Art for over a decade before returning to a private architecture practice. 

So, let's embrace the cheese…

Everyone wants to believe in themselves, that they have an internal source of power.  It’s the stuff of super-hero movies, and Star Wars (admit it, you tried to move stuff by concentrating on it too).  I’ll be the first to admit, I’m drawn to down-and-out characters saving themselves and others, fighting free.  As an audience, we are totally sucked in by this stuff.  It is a lot more dramatic than seemingly happy people making a change.  Where’s the drama in that?  

In December, I left my position as an Architect at the National Gallery of Art (NGA) to return to private architecture practice at SmithGroupJJR, a company for which I’d worked prior to my 13 years at the NGA.  I was in an absolutely beautiful place, I loved my work and my colleagues at the Gallery.  I was surrounded by the most amazing objects in the world, and felt a sense of fulfillment and a touch of pride in making the Nation’s Collection shine.  I had great federal benefits, a wonderful schedule, and solid, stable pay.  My work was fulfilling, detailed, and my colleagues were driven.  

Sure, there was this lazy person over here, or that crappy office relationship over there, but I typically try not to let those things make my big life decisions for me.  Complaining about the day-to-day, or “sweating the small stuff” was not a part of the decision.  Besides, every workplace has that.  My decision was not about any of those factors.  My decision was about deciding to alter my path. 

This is not a tell-all, nor is it a list of observations of my new job.  This is about the moment of decision.

Changing jobs is not that big of a deal for some people.  For me, this was a pretty big thing.  

You may remember my last post, from January 2015.  I spoke about labels, titles, and life-work. 

Perhaps this was the first step in my “transformation”.  I felt that I was ready to put to greater use the skills I had honed in the field since I walked into my first museum internship at the age of 19. I was beginning to get a bit antsy.  Maybe that Scarlet Letter that some of us try to avoid – Ambition – had something to do with it.  Or, perhaps this disquiet came from not having that next step solidified in front of me: there were clouds at what looked like the top of the ladder.  In order to get to the bottom of this feeling of uncertainty, I started asking questions.

I talked to a lot of people: to mentors, to people who had jobs I could envision myself having, to those who had jobs I’d never want.  Things began to solidify.  I attended the AIA WLS Conference in Seattle and met amazing people, and I sat at a lunch table called “Taking Risks,” although I’m not quite sure why I chose that table… maybe the title was direct and short enough for me. Maybe I felt that I wasn’t taking enough of those.  I listened… really listened.  And I discovered that we are all searching for a place where we feel important, utilized, and a place where we are comfortable and can contribute… and lead.

All of this talking led me to discover that it was time for a change.  But, who wants to move, change jobs, find a new relationship?  It’s easier to do what we know, especially if we’re good at it.  But sometimes, we need to realize that the desire to move on, to do something different, to ‘go boldly where no man has gone before’ is just as human as the desire to stay put, and feel safe.

What was I doing?  I had one of the coolest jobs, EVER!  At parties, people’s eyes widened when I told them what I did for a living.  Visions of Night at the Museum and of the those Mixed-Up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler danced in their heads.  They can be magical places, right?  My daughter, I’m convinced, thought I was working in some fairy tale.  I had been to architecture school with the Gallery as THE goal….but what do you do when you get what you want in the middle of your career?  Sit still?  Camp out?  The more I became an expert, the easier things got.  Perhaps that was it.  I have a great fear of complacency, which is very different than boredom.  My work has never been boring, or easy. But in closing my mascaraed eyes, I took a deep breath and imagined… what would the Shonda Rhimes show of my life look like if I could “design it?”

It wasn’t that the museum was “wrong”.  I was ready for a different path…my own yellow brick road.   Journeys teach us something.  This time, I’m on my own terms:  I’ve picked my specialty,  I have a ton of knowledge many don’t, I’m confident in what I can do, and I’m confident I’ll pick up on the stuff I have no idea how to do.

I want to do more, I think I can, I will.

I was concerned, frankly, about some people’s reactions to my decision.  It takes a lot to get over what you may think other people’s expectations of you are.  I worried a little.  The reaction that had the most impact was my daughter’s. Change and suspense are not thrills for her and we had a fascinating series of conversations about it (which might be yet another post).  I was able to tell her that there was no boogie-man in the office and that she could visit the museum any time.  I think she understood.

You see, support matters.  There is absolutely no way I could do the things I’ve been able to do throughout my life without it.  I’m talking support in the form of a spouse that knows that my work and how I spend my time away from my family is one of my personifiers that makes me ME, in mentors who simply listen and then at times offer suggestions, in friends who give hugs and order champagne when they hear my good news, in parents who made sure I had the most fantastic art teacher they could find, in professors who were direct and supportive, in bosses that hired me for my potential, in a child that gives me hugs and looks up to me as if i am the most impressive thing in the world.  

You have to find support somewhere. You can't isolate yourself, and you can't do it all by yourself.

I’ve been surprised by the responses I’ve received about my “transformation.”  I've heard a lot from folks.  There have been some "Wows", the normal "Congratulations" from others, and the "What about your benefits?" from those who think I'm nuts.  Then, from most architects, an immediate commentary on how difficult my new life will be due to the pace of things, as if there's a secret I don't know.

But I try not to take it as patronizing.  There have been countless articles about women in the workplace that Leaned Back… that selected what's called a slower track or slower paced professions, took time away during their child-bearing and raising years.  I think it’s unfortunate to see choices through these do/don’t filters.  Nevertheless, I didn’t Lean Back, I did exactly what I set out to do when I enrolled in architecture school in the first place: work in a museum designing things.  I tried to be as smart as I could about my career, work in a firm to follow through on my education, and get licensed. It wasn’t for another 5 years that I had my kid. I feel lucky to have been able to do it that way… get ME done first before dealing with mini-ME.

Timing sometimes works, things sometimes fall into place.  But sometimes, you have to do some leaning.

Back to Architecture… this fictional place I left. Now, I can say I’m an Architect with no one asking me what I mean without the addition of the words Exhibit Designer.  Does that matter? People seem to need very cut and dry terms.  People also have a lot of crazy ideas about what an architect is or does… I’m not walking around with a blueprints, although I do still wear a lot of black.  But I don’t allow others to define me.  I am an architect, and I have been one, for quite a while. Now, I hope I am in a place where I can make spaces and containers for beautiful works of art, and also build buildings again, while I look at the greater whole. My experiences are not two separate pieces, they are part of me.

I want both, you see.  Will I get it? Who knows, but there is only one way to find out.

OK, the first month has been weird… honestly… and yet, exhilarating.  I have this headset at my desk and no actual phone (which makes me feel like Brittany Spears or Tom Cruise a la Magnolia).  Not that we used rotary phones at the museum, but you get what I mean.  Then there’s the culture, and the notions of money (profit vs. non-profit) which are quite new.  Most days my new colleagues say things to me and I stare back at them blankly.  Every trade and office carries its own language around, its lingo, its series of acronyms that one has to decipher.  Architects especially are known for their, wait, our, made up words.

I went on my first project interview this week.  It was peculiar not being on the client side of the table.  I felt very “nervicited” (a word from my daughter)  But, feeling uneasy is something I asked for.  Honestly, I question myself too, just like anyone.  Will I succeed? Can I contribute enough?  Will I be good at this again?  It all creeps in.  But I’ve learned to let it go.  No one has all the answers, no one can do it all, and no one is better than you, they are just different.  I just keep reminding myself that I have a ton of knowledge many don’t.  I’m confident in what I can do.  I’m confident I’ll pick up on the stuff I have no idea how to do.

I want to do more, I think I can, I will.  (But I've been here for like 3 months… talk to me in about 6 more.)

In writing this I began to wonder who reads the Inspire blogs? Who are you, reader? If you are mid way through your career, are you keeping up the good fight?  If you are in the beginnings of your life as an architect, or are contemplating a career as one, I’ll leave the cheese and get down to those brass tacks…

 

Here it is… the unsolicited advice…ready? 

Get licensed.  

Look at it like brushing your teeth… it’s something you have to do. If you never use it that’s another matter entirely. Just get it, and you will have it.

I would not have been at the level I was outside of the profession without this credential. I would not have had any choices in a return to an architecture firm without it.

So many of the other things that affect diversity in practice are non-tangible and seemingly out of our reach. This one is very cut and dry.  It is hard, it is annoying, but it is doable and quantifiable. So, make a plan and follow through. Life gets in the way and always will. I get it.

You can fix it.

Get your license.

Don’t go missing.

Then, go through whatever process you need to in order to figure out what you WANT to do.  Write it all down, talk to folks, imagine your future, go see a fortune teller… whatever.  Design it.  But keep it short, succinct.  Don't get stuck in that planning stage forever… in the time it has taken you to read this long rambling post, you could've gone online and signed up for the exam.  I realize this simplifies everything, but seriously… there is no try there is only do.

Just Do it.

Early Bird Registration for #AIACon15 ENDS Wednesday, March 23rd

Curious about joining the most innovative workshop at AIA National Convention in Philadelphia?

EQxD Hackathon Scholarship Winners!

And the winner's are...

And the winner's are...

Congratulations to our EQxD Hackathon Scholarship Winners! It was a very difficult time deciding who would be the lucky winners, so we include 2 more for a total of 10 scholarships. Thank you to everyone that applied. Even if you didn't get selected this year, please try again next time.

Thank you to Erin Emery, of Autodesk, Lilian Asperin-Clyman of WRNS Studio and Frances Choun of McCarthy Building Companies for being our scholarship jury. In the following weeks, we will be featuring their bios, photos and stories with more about the Hackathon experience.

EQxD Hackathon Scholarship 10 Winners:

  • Ricardo J. Maga-Rojas, Associate AIA, NOMA
  • Braham J. B. Berg
  • Ryan Orr
  • Obi Okolo
  • Daniel Teed
  • Shawna Hammon
  • A.L. Hu
  • Hilary Barlow
  • Jonathan Meadows
  • Kelly Duignan

And... some of the answers to the scholarship application questions:

Why do you want to attend WE315 EQxD Hackathon? 

"As the past Volunteer Coordinator at NOMA National (in New Orleans), a Project Pipeline Louisiana, and active AIAS member (national-- through AIAS Freedom by Design Advisory Group and local--representative on AIA New Orleans Executive Board), I care strongly about the future of our profession and believe that our profession will not move forward if we continue to lack representation and opportunity for agency from a plethora of / including all genders, race, perspectives, and backgrounds. From attending two of Rosa Sheng's Keynote address this past year (NOLA/SF), I am a motivated believer in the mission of EQxD and I want to attend this Hackathon to learn more about EQxD; meet other like-minded individuals; hear their stories and what they are doing to advocate/encourage for equity in the field, and also learn about how I can act as a champion. I'm aware I'm only a student but I believe through my current involvement and future associations, I can make a difference to the ExD that results in progress and (hopefully soon) equity."

 

"First, as a Master of Architecture student at Columbia University, I am acutely aware of how new technology impacts the architectural profession. I am interested in exploring and implementing tech in the context of architecture as a new method of communication and understanding, both for the client and for the designer. Second, as an openly transgender/genderqueer person of color (I am Asian-American) aspiring to become an architect, I bring a unique perspective to the conversation on diversity, inclusion, and equity in architecture. I possess an entrepreneurial spirit because the architectural field lacks precedents for my identities and modes of practice, and I believe that I would benefit greatly from the topic of discussion and networking at the Hackathon."

 

What does "Architecture and the Era of Connections" mean to you? 

"Among other things living in an era of connections makes it nearly impossible for me, in my mind, to justify the many reasons you often hear for why architects/designers/the profession is the way that it is. In an age where an average patient can, at least, broadly understand an impending operation or crippling diagnoses through innovations in technology and story-telling, there is no reason we should still be asking the question "Why doesn't the public understand what we do?" ... Simply put, it's because we don't really want them to yet."

 

"Architecture and the Era of Connections means 1.) showing how architecture is inherent in the daily lives of everyone on this planet no matter gender, race, place, ideology, or background; 2.) arch spanning beyond the traditional realms of forms into all interdisciplinary realms (arts+sciences+business+law) where design and architecture can impact and address social issues as a problem; 3.) using/ adapting technology (wisely!!) as a way that enhances everyone's experience of space or place (online or physical); 4.) inspiring others--of all a GWS and from all around the world-- of the potential that they too can create their visions and improve the existing. It's not so much social media, technology, and the Internet inherently in all things; it's about using these platforms as tools to our advantage to bring people (through physical interactions--everything should be brought back to physical space) in ways that haven't been done and which broadcast to others what impact architecture and design can have."

 

Early Bird Registration for #AIACon15 ENDS Wednesday, March 23rd

Curious about joining the most innovative workshop at AIA National Convention in Philadelphia?

THANKS TO OUR EQXD HACKATHON SPONSORS!

 

 

Architecture And...The Era of Connection #Architalks 18

 

Architecture And...The Era of Connection #Architalks 18March 6 — Rosa Sheng

This month's #Architalks 18 topic is "Architecture And..." and was suggested by yours truly to Bob Borson, AIA, the originator of "Life of an Architect" blog and #Architalks blog series. The term "Architecture And" came about in our Equity by Design committee meetings about two years ago when we were discussing how the profession would benefit more from an inclusive and collaborative mindset. Architecture And is also looking back to the roots of what architects use to do beyond "basic services" of design and documentation of buildings; master planning, programming, renderings, engineering, fundraising, and master builder. In the last 2 decades, the advancement of technology has expanded more quickly than professional practice has been able to keep up.

During the Equity by Design Symposium in 2014, one of the main break-out sessions was titled Architecture And to expand the conversation and definition of what is means to channel what people are passionate about and adapt it into new business models to support equitable practice. The positive feedback from that session led us to create a dedicated EQxD "U" Workshop - Architecture And in October 2015 with featured panelists who started as architects and have expanded their practice in different ways with great insights on their experiences.

Emily Grandstaff-Rice also wrote an article for YAF Connection that we republished in our blog . She reinforced and expanded our conversation about the importance of looking outward as a profession. "When it comes down to it, there is a value proposition at the crux of how architects can begin to innovate in practice. Think about it-architects as problem solvers; architects as strategists; architects as connectors--all possibilities."

Ever since I read Phil Bernstein's piece "The Era of Connection is Coming and Design will Never Be the Same" from Autodesk's Line, Shape, Space, I have been thinking about the "New Era" and what it means for our profession. Our ability to adapt to a rapidly changing world, relies with us keeping up with constant disruption brought on with the hyper-advancement of technology. "How will people design and make things in the future?" The idea of inspiring innovation was also discussed at AIA Grassroots in Detroit by Keynote Speaker Josh Linkner. He suggested that we 1. Get Curious 2. Ask What's Next 3. Defy Tradition 4. Get Scrappy 5. Fail Fast, Adapt Fast to have the right mindset for innovation in our industry.

This May, at the AIA National Convention, we are featuring the 2nd EQxD Hackathon to further the discussion with "Architecture And the Era of Connections" on May 18th, 1-5pm.  In the new edition of the EQxD Hackathon: Architecture And, the Era of Connection, we will start with an exploration at the intersection of design, architecture, tech and entrepreneurship featuring a diversely experienced panel. This will be an "out of the box" experience looking at the future of architectural practice beyond what we know today. We will be inspired by examples of innovation and the evolution of the business of architecture in the new digital economy.

During the second half of the workshop, participants will form small groups and develop a plan of action or business plan for a new product/service to positively impact the future of the architectural practice. At the end, Teams will present their concepts to judges in an "elevator pitch", and the winning team will present its "hack" to conference participants at the EQxD Happy Hour and social/networking event at at location near the Convention Center from 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Equity by Design is excited to announce that we will be providing scholarships to attend AIA National Convention 2016 pre-convention workshop WE315 EQxD Hackathon: Architecture And, the Era of Connection on Wednesday May 18th from 1-5pm located at the Philadelphia Convention Center. The scholarship is focused on providing access for Architecture School students, as well as recent graduates, emerging professionals, and newly licensed architects to this "not to be missed" un-conventional workshop. Scholarship applications will be accepted from Feb. 22 thru March 11th w/ scholarship winners announced by March 18th. We are thankful for our EQxD Hackathon sponsors for making these scholarships available.

If you would like to hear the other interpretations of #Architalks 18 Architecture And, you can read them here.

Bob Borson – Life of An Architect (@bobborson)
Life of an Architect

Marica McKeel – Studio MM (@ArchitectMM)
Architecture and Photography

Jeff Echols – Architect Of The Internet (@Jeff_Echols)
Architecture and a Future Without Architects

Lee Calisti, AIA – Think Architect (@LeeCalisti)
architecture and __

Lora Teagarden – L² Design, LLC (@L2DesignLLC)
Architecture and Travel

Jes Stafford – MODwelling (@modarchitect)
Architecture and Gaming

Eric T. Faulkner – Rock Talk (@wishingrockhome)
architecture and m&ms

Rosa Sheng – EquitybyDesign [EQxD] (@EquityxDesign)
Architecture And the Era of Connection

Michele Grace Hottel – Michele Grace Hottel, Architect (@mghottel)
#ArchiTalks 18: architecture and… the bigger picture

Meghana Joshi – IRA Consultants, LLC (@MeghanaIRA)
Architalks 18: Architecture and Mathematics

Amy Kalar – ArchiMom (@AmyKalar)
Architalks 18: Architecture and … Parenting

Michael Riscica – Young Architect (@YoungArchitxPDX)
Architecture and Yoga

brady ernst – Soapbox Architect (@bradyernstAIA)
Architecture and Ego

Michael LaValley – Evolving Architect (@archivalley)
Architecture and Ego / The Architect’s Unique Struggle with ‘Good’ Design

Sharon George – Architecture By George (@sharonraigeorge)
Architecture and Kids

Emily Grandstaff-Rice – Emily Grandstaff-Rice FAIA (@egrfaia)
Architecture and More

Jarod Hall – di’velept (@divelept)
Architecture and the Myth of the Master Builder

Jeffrey A Pelletier – Board & Vellum (@boardandvellum)
Architecture and Interior Design

Samantha Raburn – The Aspiring Architect (@TheAspiringArch)
Architecture and Wrestling

Keith Palma – Architect’s Trace (@cogitatedesign)
Architecture + Memories

Adam Denais – Defragging Architecture (@DefragArch)
[#ArchiTalks 18] Architecture and Strange Travel Etiquette

Jim Mehaffey – Yeoman Architect (@jamesmehaffey)
Architecture and…my Generation.