Women in Architecture

At the April AIANY Women in Architecture Committee Meeting, we were proud to spotlight the 2024 Common Bond Scholarship recipients: Liberty Chapman, a second-year Master of Architecture student at Columbia GSAPP; Chana Rhodes, a fourth-year Bachelor of Architecture student at the New York Institute of Technology; and Catherine Moreno, a fifth-year Bachelor of Architecture student at Pratt Institute. Each recipient shared her academic journey, personal influences, current work, and future aspirations for a more inclusive and socially engaged architectural practice. Their presentations touched on themes ranging from adaptive reuse and stage design to community-driven planning and advocacy for children’s rights through architecture. Their voices left the audience deeply inspired.

Before the presentations, the committee shared highlights of upcoming events designed to strengthen community and foster continued dialogue. On May 15, WIA will host its annual Dinner Roundtables, a favorite networking tradition where small groups of members gather at restaurants near the Center for Architecture to engage in guided conversations around Design, Leadership, Advocacy, and Mentorship. Later in the month, on May 29, WIA will present Celebrating AAPI Design and Leadership with Mimi Hoang, co-founder of nARCHITECTS. Hoang will share her recent work and participate in a fireside conversation reflecting on identity, practice, and leadership in contemporary architecture.

Additional upcoming events include a Shou Sugi Ban demonstration on April 19 by artist Bridget Conway in Gowanus, Brooklyn, where attendees will learn the traditional wood-burning technique used in her upcoming Harlem Parks exhibition installation. In May, the Angelika Film Center will host a three-part screening series of ADA: My Mother the Architect, a powerful documentary by Yael Melamede exploring the life and legacy of her mother, architect Ada Karmi-Melamede. Each screening will be followed by a Q&A session with notable guests, including Gary Hustwit, Paul Goldberger, Rosalie Genevro, Martino Stierli, and Billie Tsien.

We were also joined via Zoom by Kim Holden, who introduced an initiative focused on incorporating birth centers into New York City’s public building portfolio. The effort addresses the closure of all midwife-owned birth centers in recent years and the resulting maternal health crisis—particularly affecting women of color. Holden emphasized the need for inclusive birthing environments and invited members to participate in a fall panel and brainstorming session to advance this critical work. Those interested in contributing may contact her directly at kim@doulaxdesign.com.

Girls Build 2025, taking place on May 29 at the D5 District Office, will bring together WIA volunteers and middle school students for a half-day of mentorship and hands-on neighborhood design activities. With all volunteer spots already filled, we look forward to a meaningful day of creativity and connection with the next generation of young designers.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in person and online. We look forward to seeing you at future events as we continue to support, amplify, and connect Women In Architecture.

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!

On January 30, 2025, we celebrated the newly licensed architects of 2024 and the incredible women shaping the future of our profession at our 14th Annual Women in Architecture Recognition Award and Holiday Party! This year, we are proud to honor Kavyashri Cherala, AIA, with the AIA New York WIA Recognition Award.

From the jury’s comments:

“Kavyashri’s work embodies the true potential of architecture—equity, sustainability, and community. From designing transformative social housing to leading discussions that empower others, her impact is profound. She is a dedicated mentor, a champion for systemic change, and a leader who creates spaces—both physical and cultural—that inspire progress. Her passion, empathy, and relentless pursuit of a more inclusive future make her a true force in Women in Architecture.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the inspiring candidates who continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible. A special thank you to our independent jury— Roberta Washington, FAIA; Lissa So, AIA and Sara Jazayeri, AIA—for their thoughtful deliberation and remarks.

The celebration continued with an exciting raffle, featuring prizes such as Pascale Sablan’s “Greatness: Diverse Designers of Architecture” and an exclusive Dinner with a Stellar Architect: Claire Weisz, FAIA. A huge thank you to the WIA Steering Committee for their tireless efforts throughout the year and to everyone who joined us for this special evening. Finally, we are grateful to Brickworks Design Studio for hosting us and to our generous F&B sponsors: FXCollaborative, Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Dattner Architects, and Marvel. Here’s to another year of championing women in architecture!

We look forward to seeing you at our next event!

On May 16, 2024, the AIANY Women in Architecture Committee (WIA) organized four engaging office tours of small, medium, large, and extra-large firms contributing to the design of our built environment and championing equity in their practices. The four tours ran simultaneously, with each firm highlighting their women leadership, discussing workplace culture, sharing professional development strategies, and showcasing projects presented by their female talents.

At Yellow House Architects, Elizabeth Graziolo, Principal; Karin Yang, Project Manager and Cathy Nyarkoh, Senior Associate shared the firm’s history and culture, gave the WIA community a tour of their beautiful Manhattan office, and presented impressive projects, including luxury multifamily developments in Manhattan and the Southwood House in Florida. Their women leadership and attention to design and detailing are spectacular.

Kim Yao, Principal, Megan Christian, Project Designer , and Kristabel Chung, Designer from Architecture Research Office graciously hosted the WIA community. ARO celebrated their 30th anniversary by moving their 40+ person firm to One Willoughby Square, in Downtown Brooklyn last summer. They showcased their collaborative project structure, diverse team, and innovative design for Harvard Medical School’s Wren Commons atrium. The project used modeling software to minimize raw material usage while providing solar shading and aesthetic appeal. The office tour highlighted materials and notable projects.

WIA Co-chair Wells Megalli from Selldorf Architects welcomed her tour group to their Union Square office, where the group saw the firm’s “pod” layouts, the materials library, and many architectural models and full-size mockups. Wells introduced the group to a short history of important Selldorf work spanning museums, academic buildings, gallery spaces, a recycling facility, and a school project in Africa.

Vivian Schapsis, Certified Project Manager at Arcadis began with an overview of the firm and their office in the Woolworth Building. Emphasizing staff health and safety, the presentation included projects like the adaptive reuse of Brooklyn Paramount Theater, sustainability initiatives, and the FiDi Seaport Climate Resilience Plan. The open office space, designed with industrial and hospitality elements, supports both local and remote staff.

Following the tours, a Q&A session and networking concluded each event. The AIANY WIA Committee extends heartfelt thanks to each firm for hosting our community, sharing their firms’ histories, cultures, and supporting the advancement of women in architecture.