Following a very turbulent 2020, the current year was filled with highs and lows as well. From the pandemic to socio-economical unrest, the architecture industry continued to navigate a year filled with learning and unlearning. 

The rise of social justice and equity initiatives pushed on in 2021. As architecture firms, schools, and organizations proceeded to grapple with their involvement in and relationship to systemic racism and inequity, groups and individuals took it upon themselves to continue with their work towards detangling architecture from its history of oppression and injustice.

Architecture media became more than a medium for praising new projects and applauding the so-called "starchitects" of our time. It has become a medium to discuss social and cultural topics relating to race, diversity, and inclusion. As a platform, Archinect continues to report on the issues that impact our community and expand on social and cultural discourse relating to architecture. With the number of initiatives echoing these important issues, there have been standout individuals and groups who have shared their voices with us. Through conversations, op-eds, and editorial coverage, the relentless efforts of these trailblazers have provided robust discourse, challenged outdated ideas, and provided feasible solutions to call out performative allyship. 

As our editorial team reflects on the events and editorial coverage of 2021, we take a moment to recall these perspectives and efforts.

The importance of racial discourse and identity in architecture

Form Follows Fascism Redux

Following the events of January 6th, Mitch McEwen continued the important discourse regarding the United States' relationship with and history of white supremacy and fascism. McEwen's poignant op-ed uses previous research, writing, and current events to further expand on the much-needed discourse regarding white supremacy within architecture. The piece unpacks the history and impacts architect and Nazi-sympathizer Phillip Johnson has made across the industry, specifically within institutions like MoMA. McEwen concluded: "The legacy of Philip Johnson reveals the ways that a certain architecture and planning status quo is built upon anti-Black racism and anti-democratic politics. MoMA owes the people of this country an apology for serving as an institutional enabler of fascism and white supremacist work throughout the last century."

Equity in Architectural Academia: A Conversation with Cory Henry

Investigating the obstacles found within architectural academia and professional practice, Archinect contributing writer Sean Joyner spoke with architecture practitioner and educator Cory Henry. During this special interview, Joyner and Henry discussed equity in architectural education. Henry shared: "The lack of actual investment and distribution of power does beg the question as to whether there is an actual interest in making change — or — is there a comfort in ostensibly trying?"

Reflecting on America's Perception of Indigenous Architecture With Tammy Eagle Bull

Archinect contributing writer Rukshan Vathupola had the pleasure of connecting with architect and industry leader Tammy Eagle Bull. The conversation touched on Ms. Eagle Bull's path towards architecture, the importance of her elevating and fostering the growth of Indigenous architects, and the challenges she faces from the industry as a female architect and as a Lakota woman. "Now, with nearly 40 years of experience, I don’t question my expertise in architecture. I am still careful about being perceived as speaking for all Native people or Native architects. Many do not understand that each tribal nation is a separate culture with their own language, customs, and values. There is not a 'Native American' culture per se."

Othering Blackness in Design: Reflections with Walter Hood

In the summer of 2021, Rukshan Vathupola followed up his conversation with Tammy Eagle Bull with an in-depth interview with landscape architect and design advocate Walter Hood. The feature discusses Hood's path towards architecture, design, and how his identity as a Black man impacts his decision-making as a designer for communities. "In America, different groups get appropriated when they become more powerful, and I think you see the same thing in the Black community [...] when you kind of think of architecture and design out in the public realm, it's almost as if we have to be different, we can't be American. And oftentimes in these marginalized spaces, more people are welcome, while in the more privileged areas, even with more resources, fewer people are let in." 

Architecture Gave Me a Black Eye: A Note to Architectural Educators

Kendall Nicholson, architectural designer, licensed educator, and Director of Research and Information at the ACSA, shared an open letter to the architecture community discussing architecture's relationship to racism and pedagogical practice. Nicholson wrote: "Architecture is and will always be a racial project unless we take deliberate steps to change it [...] architecture is a manifestation of contextual power [...] If wielded appropriately, architecture has the power to create new memories, provide security, and give more than it takes."

Moving beyond performative allyship

The inaugural Anti-Racist School of Architecture Virtual Symposium will explore the intersection of architecture, race, and education

In January 2021, design practitioners and educators such as Bryan Lee, Wandile Mthiyane, Dr. Kwesi Daniels, and others gathered for the first Anti-Racist School of Architecture Symposium. Held virtually, the forum discussed topics surrounding architecture, race, and education.

NOMA leadership echos the need to 'fight all systems of bias, oppression, and prejudice' following the guilty verdict in the Chauvin trial

It's difficult to forget the events of 2021 and the impactful points of reflection it forced the architecture industry to make. One such event was the guilty verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin and the murder of George Floyd on April 20, 2021. Since 2020, various architecture organizations had provided responses to the systemic racism apparent within the industry and their attempts of reforming the status quo architecture had followed for decades. 

The leadership of organizations like the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) is an example of architects and design professionals working towards banishing racial inequity, reaching out to the community, advocacy, voting rights, and engagement. As I shared in our April 26 editorial coverage, "while they are not the only organizations within the architecture community working towards a change, their consistent intentionality towards improving opportunities for architects and designers of color through activism and empowerment makes them an example to follow."

RIBA is launching a new diversity and inclusion radio show

In November 2021, The Royal Institute of British Architects announced the development of RIBA Radio. In conjunction with the organization's second annual Inclusion Festival, this year's event took the form of a radio station hosted by former BBC journalist and RIBA Director of Inclusion and Diversity, Marsha Ramroop. Archinect writer Nathaniel Bahadursingh reported: "The show will focus on promoting diversity and inclusion within the field of architecture. Content will include a mixture of music, live and pre-recorded interviews, discussions, and debates, featuring guests from across the worlds of architecture, design, arts, culture, and sport, as well as key leaders from the worlds of EDI (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion). "

Perkins&Will and AIA publish white paper pushing for more Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.)

In 2021, architecture firms took scholarship, mentorship, and J.E.D.I initiatives even more seriously by developing programs for young architects and individuals navigating professional practice. "In a white paper entitled 'Creating a Culture of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Your Architectural Practice,' authors Gabrielle Bullock, FAIA and Bill Schmalz, FAIA push for architecture firms to uphold J.E.D.I. principles to remain relevant to clients, attractive to talent, and competitive in an increasingly diverse world."

Syracuse University School of Architecture Students Uncover the Forgotten Histories of Systemic Racism With 'Hidden Histories' Exhibit

Academic institutions across the nation continued to address systemic racism and social inequalities connected to their programs. Syracuse University's NOMAS student chapter conducted a special exhibition and lecture series titled "Hidden Histories." The series aimed to "investigate and uncover the hidden histories of systemic racism and its connection to architecture and urban design." Archinect's Nathaniel Bahadursingh shared: "The idea for the 'Hidden Histories' came from the NOMAS secretary and second-year architecture student, Sofia Gutierrez, who thought of the theme after hearing architect, researcher, curator, and Syracuse Architecture professor Sekou Cooke speak about the 15th Ward, a predominantly Black neighborhood in Syracuse that was destroyed during the construction of Interstate 81."

The author of 'Architecture in Black' delivers an exhibition that depicts Blackness as a 'process of unraveling and becoming

Distinguished scholar, designer, inventor, and teacher Darell Wayne Fields, Ph.D. presented "On Solitude" at Princeton University School of Architecture. Through Fields' work and research, the curated exhibition is described as a "contemporaneous anthology" that shadows his published work, Architecture in Black. Archinect was able to connect with both Fields and Princeton Dean Monica Ponce de Leon for their thoughts on the exhibition. Fields shared with Archinect: "Blackness, itself, is a process of unraveling and becoming. To have Black reality reflected in the work is an unforeseen gift. Perhaps I have been too close to see it."

The selected editorial listed above is merely a snapshot of Archinect's ongoing coverage of issues of race, social justice, and equity. As we enter the new year, our commitment to providing groups and individuals a platform to share their thoughts and perspectives remains key.