Ruth Ro, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP BD+C, (she/they) is a partner at Dattner Architects, a women-owned firm, where she leads the design of large-scale, mixed-use placemaking projects. She has a passion for complex, multi-stakeholder endeavors, advocating for good design and communicating to design and client teams the importance of our responsibility to the greater community. As an openly queer person of color, she is a leader and vocal advocate for social justice, both within the profession and civically. She spearheaded the formation of Dattner’s DEI Committee and serves on the board of Build Out Alliance, where she leads advocacy efforts for LGBTQIA+ professionals in the building industry. She facilitates discussions on race with local school administrators and community leaders, and she frequently speaks at rallies and testifies on behalf of marginalized voices. In 2021, Ruth was recognized as one of Crain’s Notable LGBTQ Leaders and Executives.
Architecture is a collaborative endeavor, uniting diverse voices—clients, communities, engineers, contractors, and regulators—around a shared vision. At its core lies communication, a skill as critical as a pencil to a sketch or software to a rendering. Yet, in the rush to make decisions or lead meetings, we often forget that how we communicate can be just as significant as what we are trying to say. And using inclusive language, especially when engaging with communities and embracing diverse perspectives within our profession, is essential to achieving successful design.
In the depths of the pandemic, I began to reflect on the power of words and their role in shaping the world around us. The pandemic revealed fractures in society, but also highlighted opportunities for individuals to make an impact. Like many others, I felt compelled to do my part, not only in my workplace, but also in the town where I live and the communities I am part of as an Asian American and a queer woman.
As a result, I helped form my firm’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force, establishing a foundation for more thoughtful practices, policies, and conversations. I joined the board of Build Out Alliance, an organization advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the building design and construction industries, where I launched the advocacy committee. Locally, I started volunteering to facilitate discussions on race with parents, school administrators, and community leaders, building spaces for dialogue during a time of rampant polarization. And, as anti-Asian sentiment rose, I joined forces with fellow residents to form AAPI New Jersey, now the state’s largest Asian American advocacy non-profit.
These experiences, along with my work on multi-stakeholder projects, taught me that meaningful change begins with communication—listening, learning, and speaking with intention. I also acquired a deeper understanding of the ways language can either build bridges or reinforce walls. Language shapes how ideas are shared and understood. The words we choose can inspire creativity and build trust—or create barriers.
Technical jargon, while precise, can inadvertently exclude non-experts, reinforcing hierarchies instead of fostering collaboration. In large-scale projects, where community stakeholders often feel disconnected from decisions, clear and inclusive language is essential. Phrases like “fenestration rhythm” or “green infrastructure” might sound impressive, but they risk alienating those unfamiliar with design terminology. Adjusting communication to the audience ensures ideas are accessible, making architecture a shared process. Inclusive language prioritizes clarity over complexity, inviting participation and reaffirming that everyone has a stake in the built environment.
Inclusive language goes beyond clarity: it embodies kindness and respect. It recognizes the power of words to either harm or heal, especially in a profession where marginalized voices have historically been silenced. Through my work with Build Out Alliance and AAPI New Jersey, I’ve observed how unconscious bias often appears in subtle, seemingly innocuous ways, such as dismissive remarks or the repeated use of language that alienates or excludes. Inclusive language means using correct pronouns and avoiding unnecessary gendered expressions, ensuring that we address individuals as they identify, affirming their dignity and humanity. Moreover, as architects tasked with creating accessible spaces, we must make sure that our words, particularly when discussing disability, reflect the same thoughtfulness and care as our designs.
However, even when we have the best of intentions, missteps in language occur, and how we address them is just as important. Persisting in the use of harmful language after being made aware of its impact is a deliberate choice. Tackling unconscious bias demands humility, self-awareness, and effort. When you’re corrected, acknowledge it, adjust, and move on. Kindness in communication is not about avoiding difficult conversations, but about engaging in them with respect and a commitment to growth. This fosters equity and builds the trust necessary for meaningful progress.
Inclusive communication is as much about listening as it is about speaking. In large-scale developments, stakeholders express priorities differently—some through emotion, others through practicality or technical concerns. An architect’s role is to discern the intent behind these expressions. A community member might say, “I don’t want this building to ruin the neighborhood.” The instinct may be to counter with data or renderings, but this risks overlooking the deeper concerns, such as fears of displacement, loss of identity, or a lack of agency. By listening without defensiveness, architects can address these underlying concerns and incorporate feedback into designs more meaningfully.
Architecture is a discipline of translation: of human needs into physical spaces, aspirations into design solutions, and abstract ideas into built realities. But before we can design, we need to bridge gaps in understanding, reconcile differing priorities, and find a shared language, one that prioritizes winning hearts over winning arguments. The most successful projects are those in which all stakeholders see themselves in the final design. This success requires more than technical expertise or creative vision—it demands the courage to listen, learn, and build connections through meaningful conversations.
