I am writing in response to Robert Ivy’s post-election statement committing the AIA’s 89,000 members to working with Donald Trump. As an architect, as a woman, this AIA member makes no such commitment.

The fact that in 2016 the very thought of an intelligent, talented, overqualified woman holding the highest political office in our country was still so intolerable to most voters that a misogynistic, bigoted bully was able to beat her is absolutely soul crushing. Though I fully support the funding of long overdue infrastructure improvements—obstructed in large p art by Mr. Trump’s Republican colleagues—ƒMr. Ivy’s insensitive statement in such close proximity to the election result, that so many of us are devastated by, is offensive and represents the latest saddest example of architects willing to sell their souls chasing the next project fee. There are moments in time when we are presented with choices, choices that define who we are. Who will we choose to be?

Donald Trump based his campaign in lies, fear and hatred. Throughout his life he has used his position of privilege to demean, exploit, and discriminate against those less fortunate. We do not yet know if his policies will reflect his abhorrent personal values, but I have learned to believe people when they consistently tell you who they are. He represents an assault on human dignity, and I will not commit to working with him. This is a man who claims he does not believe in climate change. Science does not require belief, it is based in fact. He has vowed to deregulate environmental protections in the interest of corporate greed, and he has promised to withdraw our country’s commitment to the Paris Agreementon Climate Change. His position poses a threat to our entire planet.

The very mention of proposed deregulation in genera l should seriously alarm us since the last populist Republican president—Ronald Reagan—in 1990 legally prohibited architects from even discussing the value of our work with each other in the name of deregulation. Our profession has never recovered as we have chased each other down to insufficient fees that do not support professional salaries. Young architects likely do not know that this is the reason they cannot command salaries comparable to their peers in other fields. I often wonder how much the AIA spends on legal fees monitoring our public discourse to send out those creepy messages suppressing our ability to advocate for fair compensation. I have no doubt that the very mention of this will incite one to me. What will be next? Donald Trump has proudly refused to pay architects he has hired.

I obtained my Master of Architecture degree 24 years ago, after a Master of Political Theory. I came to architecture with a belief in its inherent power as a force for positive social change. I entered a graduate program under the direction of a bully. Under the guise of a theoretical curriculum, I was told by that director my position was inappropriate to architecture and that I should leave to become a sociologist. He did not make it easy, but I chose, I fought to stay. I did not find the profession to be more receptive. It was not that long ago but I encountered multiple offices that refused to hire women. The closest I could get to a partner at SOM was serving on jury duty one day. Upon hearing that I had recently finished architecture school, he asked if I could draw. He told me that his firm did not hire "girls" because they don’t know how to draw. I confirmed that not only could I draw, but that I was actually quite good at it. He did not even offer me a tour of his office. At the end of the day, he insincerely wished me luck. Things have gotten better over time, the sexism is certainly less blatant, but it is still here. Women still do not receive equal pay and in offices are primarily relegated to support roles to men who continue to take credit for their work. I am an architect today despite overwhelming obstacles, I am an architect despite the pervasive sexism within our profession. For anyone who has ever been treated unfairly, the result of this election is simply unbearable.

Despite recent evidence to the contrary, the truth matters.

The truth is that Climate Change is real, that it poses a serious threat to life on this planet, and that we have an ethical obligation to transform the built environment to mitigate it’s impact.

The truth is that our work is undervalued, and our potential is not limited to developer driven scraps of work resentfully tossed our way. The truth is that many communities are underserved by us, and could benefit greatly by the creative vision we possess. 

The truth is that far too few women and people of color occupy the top positions of our profession, and not for lack of talent or qualifications.

The truth is that I work in a profession in which I could not excel or control the nature of my work without owning my own office. And even as the owner of my own architectural firm, I am still too often completely dismissed when walking onto a construction site or labeled as being difficult when taking a strong position.

The truth is that I have had to fight to occupy my position in this profession. I am AIA. And I am here to stay.

Our profession will need strong leadership in the challenging days, months and years ahead. We have a responsibility to each other, to the communities that we serve, and to the planet we all inhabit. The commitment that I make is to use my position to inspire us to do better, to do work that benefits us all and to continue to defend the values that make this country great—freedom, justice, equality, and yes the truth.

Cheryl Noel, AIA
Wrap Architecture - Chicago

How do you feel about the AIA's handling of Trump's presidency? Send us your response here, and take our poll:

Do you agree w/ @robertivy's statement, on behalf of AIA's membership, to the election of @realDonaldTrump? #NotMyAIA

— Archinect (@archinect) November 14, 2016