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 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.

On Wednesday, May 29, the AIANY Women in Architecture committee hosted The Intersection of Fashion and Architecture: Celebrating Yeohlee Teng at FXCollaborative in Brooklyn. Acclaimed women architects of New York City showcased exemplary garments from Yeohlee’s collection and participated in a Q&A panel to discuss the intertwining nature of the architectural and fashion concepts and the analogous approach to these two essential crafts. The architects on the panel included Susan Chin, FAIA, Principal, DesignConnects; Hana Kassem, FAIA, Principal, KPF; Sylvia Smith, FAIA, Partner Emerita, FXCollaborative; Billie Tsien, AIA, Founder and Partner, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects; Claire Weisz, FAIA, Principal-in-Charge, WXY; and Mary Margaret Jones, FASLA, FAAR, RLA, President & CEO, Hargreaves Jones. The conversation was moderated by Heidi Schmitt, AIA, project architect from Gensler

The event commenced with the architects showcasing selected outfits designed by Yeohlee Teng, and then the Q&A panel began. Some of the topics introduced by Heidi Schmitt included emotions related to Yeohlee’s designs, structure of the garments compared to framework of architecture, choice of fabrics and curiosity for materials, and dedication to sustainability stemming from Yeohlee’s personal background. Panelists described Yeohlee’s clothing as timeless, asymmetrical, functional, and flowing, like a membrane that allows movement and mediates between the person and the world. Yeohlee mentioned that in her professional pursuits, she is guided by the desire to make people feel “comfortable and confident” as well as “happy”, and for the clothing to last a long time. Yeohlee Teng shared that she grew up on an island where resources were limited and has always had the mindset of eliminating waste. As a remark on the importance of sustainability, Claire Weisz added that “Waste is a design problem, because if things are designed right, there is no waste.”

Overall, the runway show and the conversation left the audience feeling exhilarated and inspired to learn more about Yeohlee’s work and implement her philosophy in their own creative pursuits.

We would like to thank FXCollaborative for hosting the event in their gallery and Thornton Tomasetti and Women@TT for their kind sponsorship in making our event a success. A special thanks to all the volunteers who helped with check-in, set-up, and clean-up, and to all the attendees who sold out the event!

In April, the AIANY WIA Committee was pleased to host women leaders of the Alafia team from Dattner Architects, as part of the April Committee Meeting pillar series on ‘Design & Leadership’. Jen Switala, AIA, Senior Associate; Deniz Secilmis, Senior Architect; and Kavyashri Cherala, AIA, Project Architect presented the award-winning Alafia, fireside chat style. Cherala posed questions to Switala and Secilmis, ranging from the design intent behind the wellness-oriented resilient development on a 25+acre decommissioned public site to the challenges and successes of the project under construction. The team spoke about the project features designed to address the chronic social, economic, and health disparities in the historically underserved area of East New York in Brooklyn, and spoke to the complex program of 575 affordable/ supportive residential units, a clinic operated by One Brooklyn Health, offices for Services for the Underserved, parking, and neighborhood retail spaces; and a maintenance hub, with on-site trash handling and composting in support of the entire new development. The presentation highlighted the Passive House features of the building and other sustainable features, including utilizing geothermal pumps, rooftop solar, and a wastewater heat-recovery system.

The audience enthusiastically participated in a Q&A, and we thank our speakers and everyone who attended the event for their support and engagement. You can find the agenda from the April committee meeting here.