Build PGH Women in Design: More than a “Special Feature”

Build Pittsburgh, AIA Pittsburgh’s annual continuing education conference and exhibitor show, brings together a community of architects and built industry professionals to engage in institutional learning.  

Presenters: Terrie Brightman, RLA, ASLA, Strada; Sarah Rafson, Point Line Projects; Emily Pierson-Brown, Assoc. AIA, LEED, Perkins Eastman; Alicia Volcy, LEED AP BD+C, NOMA Pittsburgh & IKM

Course Description:

Who we see matters.  Coverage of the design and construction fields continues to represent women and minorities as a ‘special feature’- on the sidelines of mainstream communications.  Lecture series and keynote speakers are still more white and more male than the majority of students and young practitioners entering the design professions.  While many firms have been doing their part to tackle issues of equity head-on to increase retention of women and ensure proper representation of genders throughout all levels of the organization, these efforts have not yet achieved a critical mass in the public appearance of these disciplines.

This session will present and address ways all designers can work to increase the presence of marginalized voices in the industry through both traditional and non-traditional media  How can gatekeepers and superiors of all backgrounds support their colleagues while not relegating them to a special category?  This panel of designers, organizers, and advocates will deliver short presentations offering strategies they have encountered, followed by a Q&A.