On today’s episode of Architectette we meet with Olivia Asuncion, AIA. Olivia is an architect, design researcher, and accessibility advocate based in Oakland, California. She was appointed to the US Access Board and recently completed a Fullbright Fellowship.   The Access Board is an independent federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards. The Access Board develops and maintains design criteria for the built environment, transit vehicles, public right-of ..read more

On today's episode of Architectette we chat with four recipients of the AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award.  Alison Pavilonis (2020 Recipient) is a Project Architect at Gensler and President Elect of the AIA DC chapter for 2024. Saakshi Terway (2022 Recipient) is a Project Designer at Quinn Evans and is Secretary of Immigrant Architects Coalition Non-Profit.  Mika Naraynsingh (2023 Recipient) is a Project Architect at Perkins&Will and a co-chair of the Equity Committee by WIELD. Caitlin Brady (2023 Recipient) is a Project Architect and Associate at Ayers Saint Gross and will moderat ..read more

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome the current and past presidents of NAWIC, the National Association of Women in Construction. NAWIC has over 115 chapters throughout the United States that provide its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. NAWIC advocates for the value and impact of women builders, professionals and tradeswomen in all aspects of the construction industry. Our guests today are Karen Hager and Lauline Mitchell. Karen Hager is the NAWIC National President, based in Orlando Florida ..read more

On today’s episode of Architectette we share a conversation with Jill Bergman, FAIA, FACHA. Jill is a Senior Health Strategist at HDR, based in San Francisco, California. She has focused on healthcare facility design for her entire career, mostly working on large projects and medical planning.  We talk about:  - The power of focusing her career on one specific project type and how her after-work involvement helped her deepen her knowledge of healthcare architecture, build a strong community, and expand her impact. - Her recent elevation to FAIA and why she was advised to consider ap ..read more

Happy Pride Month! On this week’s episode of Architectette we feature an interview with Tracy J Passarella. Tracy is a Senior Project Manager at Gilbane Building Company and a member of the New York Chapter of the Build Out Alliance which promotes and advocates for the LGBTQIA community within the building design and construction industry. We talk about: - Her early experiences in the construction industry and how her gender in a male-majority industry played a role in her career development and opportunities for advancement.  - We next talk about her transition to Gilbane: how the compa ..read more

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome a dynamic duo! Aya Shlachter and Jing Lauengco are two outstanding women who connected over their mutual tenacity for entrepreneurship, design, and storytelling. Both women are business owners, entrepreneurs, and podcasters.  Aya Shlachter is the CEO and founder of MGS Global Group, a company that accelerates growth for architecture and design firms worldwide by providing architectural support and staffing services internationally. Her team provides Revit, ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, and 3D Visualization services to architects and interior designers ..read more

Welcome to a very special Part 2 Episode of Architectette! We continue our conversation with Denise Scott Brown. Denise Scott Brown is an architect; planner & urban designer; and a theorist, writer and educator whose projects, research, and writing have influenced designers and architects since the 1960s. Her writings have changed the practice of architecture as we know it and her built work spans several continents. Some of her notable writings include Learning from Las Vegas, Having Words, and Architecture as Signs and Systems. She was a long-standing principal of the firm Venturi, Scott ..read more

We have a very special guest on today’s episode of Architectette, Denise Scott Brown. Denise Scott Brown is an architect; planner & urban designer; and a theorist, writer and educator whose projects, research, and writing have influenced designers and architects since the 1960s. Her writings have changed the practice of architecture as we know it and her built work spans several continents. Some of her notable writings include Learning from Las Vegas, Having Words, and Architecture as Signs and Systems. She was a long-standing principal of the firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates. Many ..read more

On today’s episode of Architectette we’re traveling to the Metaverse with Fatemeh Monfared. Fatemeh started her journey with a degree in architecture, but soon established a specialty crafting virtual worlds and experiences. She is currently the Chief Metaverse Architect at her company, Spaces. This is a great episode for folks in architecture and design who want to know a bit more about the metaverse without all the jargon and complexity. We talk about: - The opportunity that took Fatemeh’s career from a from a traditional path in architecture to focusing on creating metaverse environments ..read more

On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Hosts of the Open Plan Podcast- Maria Pastorelli and Emily Khalid. Maria and Emily met during grad school at Georgia Tech and have continued their friendship and podcast collaboration despite working in Atlanta and Philadelphia respectively. Emily is a Lead Architect and Project Manager at WSP, Maria is an architectural designer with a background in marketing. Their podcast conversationally bridges the gap between professional development, licensure, and lifestyle. We talk about:  - The origins of Maria and Emily’s friendship and how the pod ..read more