Archinect - My Perspective

Domino Effect

2021-05-03T04:14:10-04:00

American culture, including corporate America, is getting more culturally and ethnically diverse over time. Every day in my classes and curriculum, I learn that diversity is becoming particularly relevant as a diverse set of perspectives and backgrounds improves both the workplace and a company's value proposition. I strongly believe that companies of all sizes should ensure that their workers, regardless of color, nationality, or gender, are welcomed and appreciated. Organizations that lack diversity and struggle to make employees feel valued sabotage the employee experience. Growing up Asian American, I have experienced feeling like an outsider because of the color of my own skin, and I can confidently say that diversity in architecture is so important to me.

Diversity in architecture means that I will see other Asian American women that look like me trying to pursue a career that is dominated by white men, and I am so grateful to have such inspiring women to look up to. Having div...

Are Architects in Demand?

2021-04-12T14:17:00-04:00

The employment of architects is projected to grow 4 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations but this does not necessarily mean that the profession is not in demand.

As most of us know, Architects are expected to be needed to make plans and designs for the construction and renovation of offices, retail stores, homes, and other structures. Many school districts and universities are expected to continuously build new facilities or renovate existing ones to keep their campuses engaging and to stay up to date. In addition, demand is expected for more healthcare facilities as the baby-boomer population ages and increases, and as more people use healthcare services. There will be a greater need for more healthcare facilities.

The demand for architects who understand “green architecture,” also known as sustainable design, is expected to remain high since this is a problem we face every day. Architects should be required to design buildings and systems that sa...

Strength Lies in Differences, Not in Similarities.

2021-03-16T19:27:57-04:00

Let’s talk about diversity in architecture. Architecture is still largely a white occupation, but research has consistently shown that a diverse workforce boosts business innovation, growth, discourse, and problem-solving. The importance of diversity in architecture is that it allows artists to better serve the societies within which they are building. When big choices are taken, community-minded planning offers leaders with a diverse range of groups that live in various neighborhoods. When more diverse teams are found in design companies, those with underrepresented backgrounds will see the discipline as more attainable or inspiring.

Here is a chart from 2017:

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, The American Institute of Architects; National Architectural Accrediting Board "2017 Annual Report on Architectural Education"

I believe that BIPOC are still underrepresented. In classes, we always learn about the same architects like Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, etc but I think it would be m...

Why Tests Suck

2021-02-24T16:31:47-05:00

If you’re like me, you probably grew up going to classes Monday's through Friday's from 7:30am to 2:45pm. I remember dreading school because I hated feeling “less educated” compared to my peers. Yeah, I was a terrible test taker. Test-taking was never my strong suit, I thought I had no actual talent. I started high school and started to take some hands-on courses including architectural drafting, woodworking and auto body, things that my 4.0 GPA friends could never do. I started to realize that I was actually really good at designing and making things but since my grades were not as strong as others that I would get nowhere in life. This was until Woodbury University accepted me into their school based on the portfolio I was able to put together that I finally had the chance to do what I wanted to do, they gave me a chance.

This really got me thinking, if college acceptances were only based on whether you were a straight-A student or if you were ASB president, where do all the desi...