As more architectural firms in the United States are doing work overseas, the AIANY Women in Architecture Committee highlighted three women design leaders practicing in New York, with a portfolio of international projects showcasing their wide-ranging global design perspectives.

Carla Swickerath, Partner at Studio Libeskind, talked about how the budget and strategic planning have shaped the Ogden Center for Fundamental Physics at Durham University in the UK; showed the whimsical design of the large Haeundae Udong Hyundai I’Park commercial development in Busan, South Korea, and explained how the collaboration with local consultants drove the construction methods of the Vitra Residence in Sau Paulo in Brazil.

Leah Nanpei, Project Director at SHoP, explained the complex and challenging zoning regulations in Melbourne, Australia and how it delivered a singular and unique building massing in the mixed-use development of Collins Arch. She also demonstrated how the textured façade design of the New Embassy Compound in Tegucigalpa, Honduras was derived from local material traditions and craft.

Vivian Lee, AIA, Principal at Richard Meier & Partners, described how her personal background and upbringing contributed to her affinity for working on international projects. She presented how sustainability and innovation guided her design projects on the Italcementi iLab in Bergamo, Italy; described how to integrate Feng Shui with modernist design in the OCT Clubhouse in Shenzhen, China, and illustrated how context and culture have inspired the design of Seamarq Hotel in Gangneung, South Korea.

After they displayed the various project types and design approaches across four continents, Rosalind Tsang, AIA, Senior Associate at RAMSA engaged the presenters in a lively discussion and asked them to share their experiences working abroad, describe their design inspiration and process, discuss the challenges faced and how their design decisions have impacted the delivery of creative solutions and positive results that contributed to the built environment around the world.

The full presentation video will be uploaded onto our website in the coming weeks.