Women in Architecture

On May 29, 2025, AIANY Women in Architecture Committee proudly hosted Celebrating AANHPI Design & Leadership with Mimi Hoang, Co-Founding Partner, nARCHITECTS , as part of our ongoing series highlighting diverse voices shaping the built environment. A deeply thoughtful and inspiring evening, Hoang invited attendees to reconsider how architecture can cultivate civic life, environmental stewardship, and inclusive urban futures—what she terms Civic Natures. Trained at MIT & Harvard, Hoang brought a grounded and provocative perspective to design as a social act.

She challenged the audience to rethink representation in architecture—not just through identity, but through place, context, and public use. From embedding greenery into, onto, and underneath buildings, to advocating for urban woodlands and protective landscapes, her work elevates nature as both a design element and a civic responsibility. “We know the ground is solid,” she said, “because we benefit from spaces like the AIA.” Yet, she pushed us to recognize the “illegality” of existing foundations that exclude, ignore, or marginalize. Her projects advocate for users’ needs in public spaces—spaces that go beyond benches and bathrooms—to actively support equity, environmental resilience, STEM learning, and community wellbeing.

The event concluded with a moderated conversation by Ming Thompson, Principal, Atelier Cho Thompson and Co-Founder, A Rising Tide, focused on design leadership, social connection, and building community reliance. Hoang emphasized that architecture is physical, tangible, and deeply personal—rooted in the rooms we choose to be in and the energy we dedicate to our work. She reminded us that leadership isn’t always loud or dominant; sometimes it’s quiet, grounded, and guided by the work itself. “Ask for design leadership,” she urged. “It’s your work.” Her reflections encouraged all of us to stay agile, build for the communities we serve—especially New York—and keep bending our big ideas into tangible realities.

On Thursday, May 15, AIANY Women in Architecture Committee (WIA) gathered for our much-anticipated Annual Roundtable Dinner, a highlight event as chosen by our members. Kicking off at the Center for Architecture with a packed house, we began the evening with community announcements and a preview of upcoming WIA events. After which, we made our way to nearby restaurants for an evening of thought-provoking conversation and meaningful connection.

Over shared meals and spirited discussions, groups of four explored a range of topics spanning WIA’s four core pillars: Design & Leadership, Professional Practice & Development, Workplace Culture, and Advocacy & Activism. Questions such as “How do we shift a culture of excessive overtime?”, “What makes a winning team?”, and “How do we negotiate on our own behalf?” sparked rich, candid exchanges among women across the AEC community. These intimate dinners served as a space to share personal stories, seek advice, and collectively imagine a more equitable and empowering future for women in architecture and the allied industries.

This annual event not only reaffirmed our commitment to advocacy and leadership within the profession it also strengthened our bonds as a community. Thank you to all who joined us in making this a truly memorable evening. We look forward to continuing these vital conversations—and to seeing you at future WIA events!

At the April 2025 AIANY Women in Architecture Committee Meeting, we had the privilege of spotlighting the 2024 Common Bond Scholarship recipients: Liberty Chapman, Master of Architecture Candidate, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation; Chana Rhodes, Bachelor of Architecture Candidate, Pratt Institute; and Catherine Moreno, Bachelor of Architecture Candidate, New York Institute of Technology. These remarkable women shared their academic journeys, creative explorations, and visions for a more inclusive, community-driven architectural future. Each recipient drew inspiration from unique sources. Liberty was particularly influenced by set design and the power of storytelling in shaping her creative vision. Catherine reflected on her volunteer work, emphasizing that “design can be a form of advocacy,” highlighting the social impact of thoughtful design. Chana shared insights into her project, noting the importance of incorporating multiple layers of living into the design. From adaptive reuse and stage design to advocacy for children’s rights, their presentations offered powerful insights and left the audience deeply inspired.

The evening also featured updates on several exciting upcoming events. We’re thrilled for the return of the WIA Dinner Roundtables on May 15—an annual favorite where members gather in small groups to connect over dinner and discuss topics related to design, leadership, advocacy, and mentorship. Later this month, on May 29, we’ll host Celebrating AAPI Design and Leadership with Mimi Hoang of nARCHITECTS. Additionally, Kim Holden joined us via Zoom to introduce an initiative advocating for the integration of birth centers into NYC’s public building portfolio—an effort aimed at addressing maternal health disparities, especially for women of color. We’re also excited to share that all volunteer spots are filled for Girls Build 2025 on May 29, where WIA members will mentor middle school students through neighborhood design activities. Thank you to all who joined us, both in person and online—we look forward to continuing to build an empowered and inclusive community together.

On February 20, 2025, the AIANY Women in Architecture Committee (WIA) was pleased to host Roberta Washington, FAIA, NOMAC, Founding Principal of Roberta Washington Architects, as part of the February Committee Meeting to celebrate Black History Month. Roberta shared with us her research on the history of black women architects, Beverly Loraine Green and Georgia Louise Harris, the black male architects who were early mentors and friends, and the pioneering black women who started their own firms—including herself! 

Roberta also shared her personal story from her early years in North Carolina, living through segregation, her background in the arts, how she became interested in architecture—through a serendipitous encounter with the only black architect who was her neighbor—and her studies at Howard University and, in particular, Columbia University where she received a full scholarship along with 25 other Black students in response to the 1968 campus riots. We were captivated by her breadth of work from hospitals and housing in Mozambique to New York and monuments like the African Burial Ground Interpretive Center. As well, it was impressive to learn how Roberta navigated being a Black woman architect in a predominantly white and male-led industry. 

Following the presentation, we had an engaging conversation with Roberta on lessons learned, advice for those looking to start their own firm, and her future plans. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and we look forward to seeing you at our next event!

On March 20, 2025 the AIANY Women in Architecture Committee was honored to host an inspiring talk by Ivi Diamantopolou, AIA, Director of Syracuse University School of Architecture NYC and Co-Founder of New Affiliates, to celebrate Women’s History Month!

Ivi shared her unique perspective on navigating architecture through the lens of academia, adaptability, collaboration, and a deep engagement with materiality and context. She spoke about the cycle of critique, emphasizing the importance of revisiting questions over time with greater intelligence and experience. Drawing from her background—from Greece to New York—she reflected on how thinking in another language and adapting to new environments shape architectural discourse and practice.

Referencing her work and her engagement with clean soil as a teaching tool to explore byproducts and environmental impact, Ivi highlighted the significance of slowing down, paying attention, and understanding the built environment through conversation and participation.

Our conversation centered on architecture’s fundamentals, the interaction between academia and practice, and the evolving relationship between language and how we perceive the world. Ivi encouraged embracing a less formal, more flexible, and responsible approach to design across different scales and project types. A huge thank you to Ivi and all attendees for an engaging and thought-provoking evening. We are also grateful to Lutron, NYC for hosting us in their beautiful showroom! We look forward to continuing these conversations and seeing you at our next event!