On November 19-20, 2021, the AIA New York Women in Architecture Committee and the Boston Society for Architecture Women in Design, co-hosted the Design and Practice Exchange, a one-and-a-half-day symposium including compelling conversations, design presentations and architectural site tours centered on the theme “Navigating the (Post) Pandemic Terrain.” This special event reflected on the lessons learned from the pandemic and explored new ideas for a more equitable, resilient, socially conscious, and environmentally sustainable future.

Our keynote speaker Annabelle Selldorf kicked off the morning with her “(Post) Pandemic Design Insights.” Living in an intensely isolating and seasonal environment away from the city during the pandemic, Selldorf says she gained a new appreciation of nature, “the mother of all arts.” The textures, colors of moss, and sound of the wind affected the way she viewed architecture. During this time, she learned that more thoughtfulness and intelligence in every aspect of what we do, and being more collaborative and more supportive even if it is inconvenient, are essential to move forward.

A panel on “(Post) Pandemic Lessons Learned: Design Practice” followed, featuring two panelists from New York, Arthi Krishnamoorthy (Deborah Berke Partners) and Maha Sabra (Perkins & Will), and two panelists from Boston, Natasha Espada (Studio Enee) and Ann Beha (Ann Beha Architects). The conversation was moderated by Rosalind Tsang (BDP New York). With expertise spanning the sectors of residential, education, cultural/civic, healthcare and workplace, the panelists explored lessons learned from the pandemic and the role of design in shaping equity, resiliency, the environment, and social behavior. Arthi spoke about Princeton University’s two new residential colleges and the strategies used to design a welcoming and inclusive community. Maha shared insights on how healthcare design plays a pivotal role in the treatment of both physical and mental health, the importance of healthy materials for all, and understanding the impact of our decisions on the health of others. Ann discussed the impact of the pandemic on design as it relates to the environment and the significance of advocating for open space. Natasha spoke about the value of design and working closely with and collaborating with the community.

The morning concluded with “(Post) Pandemic: Reflections”, an intimate conversation between Billie Tsien (Tod Williams & Billie Tsien Architects | Partners, New York) and Carole Wedge (Shepley Bulfinch, Boston). Billie and Carole shared personal stories and lessons learned that are applicable to design, practice, and our communities. The conversation evolved into a broader discussion of how the climate of practice is changing. The silver lining of the pandemic is that it has been a catalyst to improve our industry and foster just, equitable, and resilient practices. We learned it is important to slow down and notice things. Architecture is not just a business, it is personal—we create space for people to inhabit. This time has taught us that we need to listen more, go back and evaluate projects, and measure impacts.

Afternoon session roundtable discussions centered on the four pillars of Design & Leadership, Workplace Culture, Professional Practice & Development, and Advocacy & Activism. Roundtables were coordinated by Annelise Pitts (Cameron McAllister), and facilitated by Andrea Schelly (DS+R, New York), Brooke Helgerson (Analogue Studio, Boston), Mindy No (Perkins Eastman, New York), Liz Farrell (ICON Architecture, Boston), Gaylin Bowie (RAMSA, New York), Elyse Ayoung (Gensler, Boston), Kavya Cherala (Dattner Architects, New York), and Genevieve Frank (ICON Architecture, Boston).

Key takeaways from the Design & Leadership roundtable include: Technology is now more intrinsic as part of design leadership in firms as they use it to communicate with teams and clients. The ‘where’ and ‘when’ of design is changing as we can discuss, sketch, and collaborate online. Younger team members can more easily participate in design discussions, potentially allowing them to lead projects more than before; even clients can have a more engaged role in how designs take shape. Issues of equity, sustainable materials, a commitment to sustainable and fossil fuels-reducing practices and systems in buildings are a key focus.

Key takeaways from the Workplace Culture roundtable include: acknowledging that the workplace is not the same. While we want and crave having people back in the office, we still can’t share and learn the same way as we used to because of the hybrid situation. Thus it is necessary to be intentional about spending time to train, collaborate and connect with others. Foster empathy in communication: not everyone wants to be in the office and not everyone has the same workplace privileges. Be there for your people as we all work through the struggle together. You are each others’ greatest resource.

Key takeaways from the Professional Practice & Development roundtable include: better support our students by creating a pipeline directly into the industry; begin with engagement in the curriculum and a deeper grasp on mentoring throughout one’s educational journey. Let’s create the incubator ourselves and grow the talent we wish to hire. Firms are being prompted to trust their employees that the work is being done as a measurement of performance. The shift to remote work allows the individual to own how best they work to produce their best work. It has also created an opportunity for all team members to join or listen in real time to the client’s feedback without it feeling like ‘too many people’ in the room.

Key takeaways from the Advocacy & Activism roundtable include: Architecture firms and architects are responsible for creating equitable and inclusive spaces. This can only be achieved by ensuring healthy, racially diverse workplaces that represent the communities we design for and uplift. Firms and professional organizations within the building industry should focus on impact-based action and not just program-based action through advocacy work. In addition to creating a diverse pipeline of talent into architecture firms, firms should make an effort to retain women and people of color by investing in training and mentorship, elevating and promoting them to leadership positions.

Day 2 featured a guided Walking Tour around Manhattan to view and learn about women-designed projects. The tour started with a private talk at the MoMA, then a visit to the newly renovated Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, headed across town to The Hudson Yards, down The High Line, and ended at the Arts District in Chelsea. The tour guides were women who helped shape the city’s architectural landscape. They highlighted their design achievements, with the lessons learned from both the challenges and the successes.

The women of our industry are powerful. They are inspirational. They are thought provoking. And they are leaders. We are extremely humbled to have been in great company with a diverse range of expertise, perspectives and the unexpected joyful humor of our peers.

A special thank you to our speakers, the attendees, our volunteers and our sponsors for making this event a huge success. For a detailed summary and key takeaways of the 2021 Design and Practice Exchange, please download the document here. We encourage you to share this resource with your colleagues!

Please view the DPE event recording Day 1 morning here, and Day 1 afternoon here.

Lean by Design’s DPE Video can be viewed here.