Category: GENERATE 2024 Conference

Presented by Dr. Elena Sabinson, PhD, and Dr. Kait Peditto, PhD, at GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference. 

Article by Anna Friedrich, AIA, AIA Colorado Associate Director

If Design Can Be the Source of Exclusion, Can It Also Be the Remedy? Designing Neuro-Inclusive and Accessible Spaces

At this year’s Practice + Design Conference, the AIA Colorado J.E.D.I. committee organized a breakout session that was the culmination of many years of planning. While the J.E.D.I. committee has previously presented breakout sessions on the topics of diversity and inclusion in design, this was the first HSW-accredited presentation. Committee co-Chair Sarah Morasso, AIA, explained that while they had faced challenges in obtaining HSW certification from AIA National in the past, this year, their efforts aligned with a policy shift by AIA National to offer more recognition to lessons focused on design solutions for people with diverse abilities.

As a member of the JEDI committee, I was able to witness some of the behind-the-scenes work that the HSW Accreditation sub-committee members put into pulling this all together, and I was privileged to attend the talk to witness the results.

The co-presenters for the talk were Dr. Elena Sabinson, PhD and Dr. Kati Peditto, PhD, who met while working on their doctorate degrees in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University. Dr. Sabinson is currently an Assistant Professor at the CU Boulder ENVD program, researching how design can improve experiences for neurodivergent people. Dr. Peditto is a Senior Design Researcher at the multi-disciplinary design firm DLR Group, where she works to apply neurodiversity design research to practical solutions in the field. Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto both identify as neurodivergent and, needless to say, both women are passionate about inclusive design solutions.

The session began by clarifying that we are all “neurodiverse,” from the simple fact that no two brains are alike. People who identify as “neurodivergent” are people whose brains function differently than established social norms, and may require accommodations outside of what is ordinarily provided. The presenters emphasized that when we design for neurodiversity, we make our designs more inclusive and functional for all.

They also clarified that neurodivergence is not a diagnosis. It is an umbrella term that encompasses many diagnosable conditions, either inherent or acquired, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, PTSD, CTE, and others.

One of the primary symptoms of many neurodivergent conditions is a sensitivity to external stimuli, which can come from any of the five senses. The presentation included an interactive “sensory audit” of the lecture hall we were sitting in, where we broke up into groups to identify potential sources of sensory overload. My discussion group made note of the loud-patterned carpet, the bright glare of sunlight from the open doors, and the rigidly uniform closeness of the lecture chairs, which did not leave a lot of room for movement or personal space.

After the activity, Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto presented actionable suggestions for designers to consider when designing for neurodiversity and neurodivergence. These include:

• Limiting sensory distractions. This encompasses using soft surfaces to dampen sound, thoughtful placement of loud equipment (even the background hum of standard HVAC equipment can be very overstimulating), and introducing natural and biophilic elements.
• Clear and Thoughtful Wayfinding. Wayfinding in complex buildings should be an integral part of the design process rather than an afterthought. Clear wayfinding helps people struggling with social cues feel comfortable and confident navigating the space. They also suggested making the space available to explore virtually before arrival, using an interactive app combined with 360 photography.
• Diversity of space type. Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto touched on the sometimes controversial topic of the open office. Their reviews are mixed – while the open office can be a place of overstimulation and distraction, some neurodivergent people benefit from “body doubling” or having other people around to keep them focused. This emphasizes the fact that designing for neurodiversity is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The most effective designs provide accessible options for the desired privacy level, which can vary from person to person or hour to hour.  
• Implementing “Co-Design” polices when working with people with disabilities. When working with people with disabilities, Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto cautioned against making these groups feel as if they are being used for an extraction (or “harvesting”) of information, without full participation in the design process. Disabled and diverse people want the same seats at the drafting table.

What struck me while learning about these strategies is that they are relatively moderate and inexpensive. All of them make spaces more functional for everyone who walks through the door.

It was so fulfilling to have the opportunity to learn from experienced researchers who have devoted their careers to designing a built environment that is safer, more pleasant, and more welcoming for all. As designers, we always strive to make our buildings as functional as possible. It is important to keep in mind that even seemingly minor decisions, such as the placement of HVAC systems or the color and font of wayfinding signage, can go a long way in creating an accessible environment.

The J.E.D.I. Committee would like to extend their thanks to Dr. Sabinson and Dr. Peditto for presenting, and to all the committee members who worked to make this HSW-accredited session possible.

About Elena Sabinson, PhD – Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder ENVD

Elena Sabinson is a design researcher whose transdisciplinary work spans environmental design, psychology, and emerging technologies. With a PhD in Human Behavior & Design from Cornell University, Elena’s doctoral research focused on the development of therapeutic soft robotic surfaces designed to enhance emotional well-being through sensory engagement and self-soothing activities. As a neurodivergent researcher, Elena is passionate about the role of neurodiversity in design processes. She directs the neuro D lab at CU Boulder, which investigates how design can foster joyful experiences, accommodate diverse sensory needs, and address environmental barriers, creating spaces that empower individuals across the spectrum of human experience.

Dr. Kati Peditto – Senior Design Researcher, DLR Group

As a design psychologist and a woman with autism and ADHD, Dr. Kati Peditto is personally invested in the transformative power of evidence-based design for mental health and well-being. A celebrated expert in health and the built environment, Dr. Peditto earned her PhD in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University before completing postdoctoral work in the Cornell Department of Human-Centered Design. A New Investigator Award winner from the Center for Health Design, her research has been showcased in the Design Lab with Bon Ku podcast, The Atlantic, and the BBC. Dr. Peditto’s journey is a testament to how neurodiversity can shape and enhance our understanding of the spaces we inhabit.

Keynote presented as a conversation with Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, 2024 AIA President-elect, and Mike Chapman, Executive Producer at ByDesign, at the GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference.

Article by Kaylyn Kirby, AIA, Associate Principal at Semple Brown Design.

As someone who already greatly respects and appreciates Evelyn – her work within the Institute, Practice Disrupted podcast, and beyond – I was excited for her session at this year’s AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference. She did not disappoint. 

After a day of design-focused, inspirational keynotes, the 2025 AIA President-Elect’s Q&A session provided a refreshing shift to the narrative. The conversation centered around a few topics: how the profession evolves to meet future issues, around attracting and retaining talent as we face competition from adjacent professions, and how we and shift practice models in order to provide greater benefits and pay.

With a Q&A format of presentation, some of the topics of discussion are bundled below.

Competition with tech 

Evelyn started her career in traditional practice before shifting to tech and is now serving as consultant to tech companies, along with her other pursuits. When realizing her passion and skills lied in Project Management and CA, she realized her skills were highly transferrable to other industries that would provide greater pay and flexibility, especially as she grew in her career and family. 

The starting salary for an entry level UX (User Experience) designer is $120,000; the starting salary for a recent architecture grad is … not that. Tech and other adjacent fields also offer expanded benefits such as unlimited PTO, longer maternity and paternity leave, more holidays, and more. This is something that the current business model of architecture cannot support. If we want to attract and retain our talent, we have to change how we do business. We must stop the race to the bottom to get the job, but rather shift conversations both externally and internally to expand our services and thus bolster our ability to provide better pay and benefits.  

She noted it’s hard for architects to advocate for higher fees on projects when clients know what we get paid (thanks google). It seems a change in conversation is required – architects are doing more than ever to deliver projects today. There are expanded documentation, coordination, entitlements, building code and energy code compliance requirements that require additional time, effort, and expertise. Architects are seemingly absorbing, rather than addressing, the greater scope with clients. 

Onboarding 

Evelyn noted that people determine if they will stay at a job long term, rather than a few years or as a career stepping stone, within the first 90 days on the job. This time pressure places great importance on the onboarding process, integrating talent into the culture, and making sure they feel equipped to do their job. This goes beyond onboarding in the first week but requires check-ins at 30 and 90 days to see how that person is acclimating into the new position.

Personally, I also think onboarding is a great time to understand how the firm is operating from fresh perspectives. For example, does our file structure make sense? Is it easy to find the resources you need throughout your day, week, etc.? 

Management

Evelyn also discussed a very interesting approach to managing teams – a “personal manual.” The idea is that different managers (i.e. Project Managers) have different styles and preferred communication styles.

She proposed managers should create a manual for themselves that contains how they prefer to be communicated with, such as method (phone, in person, message, etc.), time of day or specific days that work best, and when to elevate an issue to them for additional insight. This allows staff that may be working with different managers to better understand why a communication method that works with one manager may be less effective for another.

I think this is also an exercise that allows people to really think through and understand their own working and communication styles. 

Mentoring

There have been many conversations over the years and at AIA Colorado’s annual conference about how we mentor in architecture and what that looks like in a flexible/hybrid environment. Evelyn noted the idea of “osmosis learning” is not happening and is not as effective as some believe.

As someone who personally struggles with retaining focus in a loud open-office setting, I could relate to her opinion around this topic. Most people in the office have their headphones on to help filter out the noise of the open office, people on meetings, chatting, etc. The antiquated idea that everyone is simply overhearing their co-workers navigating phone calls and coordination issues as a form of learning, is not really working. We have too many distractions and too many working styles for that to be effective.

Evelyn also noted that the profession likes to simply “throw people in the deep end” rather than actively training and mentoring them. We have to be more intentional in how we mentor and teach, this is even more critical in a hybrid and flexible work environment. Evelyn suggested cataloging resources and making sure they were easy to find for all employees. Things such as a video tutorial for common questions or tasks, or a slack channel dedicated to detailing or code questions. The benefit of a channel is that it is then a resource that can be searched by people in the future that may have the same question. These types of activities cut down on siloed or repeated email questions back and forth. 

How we work  – flexibility, remote/hybrid work

In 2024, it’s easy to forget the state of the world and work in 2020. However, the pandemic forced us to shift how, and where, we work and how we communicated and collaborated on projects. There are many opinions on what architecture practice looks like today, but I would urge us to not let the lessons we learned during the pandemic be lost. There are times of day that different people work most effectively, which may or may not align with standard business hours. As long as this is communicated and understood by project teams, it should not be an issue. The profession needs to evolve and embrace the flexibility, remote and hybrid work that we proved could work during the pandemic, and that competing industries are providing. The younger workforce will demand it or look for alternative options outside of the field.

With general declining college acceptance rates due to a lull in birth rates following the Great Recession, we’re already going to be seeing declining numbers of architectural graduates in the coming years. Pair this with a high cost of investment (higher education costs / student loans) and a low return on investment (low pay and benefits), the profession could face a challenging future. We are a creative and problem-solving profession, let’s approach a change in practice models and the future of work with this perspective. 

About Evelyn

Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, is a multi-faceted professional who uniquely blends her architectural background with a tech-driven focus. As an architect now immersed in the tech industry, she serves as an angel investor, startup advisor, and fractional COO for SMB Architecture firms, playing a pivotal role in their growth and success. Despite her career transition, Evelyn’s passion for architecture remains unshaken, fueled by a deep admiration for the professionals in the field, their dedication to serving clients, and the indelible impact they imprint on communities.

A sought-after speaker, Evelyn regularly shares her insights on the evolution of architecture practice, leadership and team development, the integration of technology in practice operations, and the exploration of alternative careers. Outside of her architectural pursuits, she is a founding advisor for Women Defining AI, championing a more inclusive and diverse landscape in artificial intelligence. Evelyn Lee’s leadership and forward-thinking approach are not just about innovation and progress, they’re about guiding the architectural profession towards new, uncharted directions.

Tech Connect 2024 was a 1-day event prior to the GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference, held in Keystone, CO, focused specifically on the changing landscapes in artificial intelligence and its rapid impact on our profession.

The three presentations were:

• “How AI changes architecture: the productive, ethical and innovative intersection of technology, computation, robotics and the built environment”
  • Randy Deutsch, FAIA
• “Building an image generator: principles and practices in AI”
  • Matthew Goldsberry, Assoc. AIA
• “Transforming workplace design with AI: insights and innovations”
  • Arjun Kaicker, AIA

Summary thoughts by Craig Lawrence, AIA, Partner/Principal at Rowland+Broughton

Empathy might not be the first thing we think of when we think of AI.  The simple mention of “AI” in the context of architecture very likely conjures feelings of being behind in adoption of this cryptic and seemingly opaque technology, or looming clouds of uncertainty and intimidation.

What if, instead of anxiety, “AI” fostered a sense of empathy: feelings of connection and collaboration, of personalization, flexibility, adaptability, and environmental evolution?

In the thoughtful hands of Arjun Kaicker, AIA, and his team at Zaha Hadid Architects, AI and other forms of computational design are envisioned and practiced as ways to deeply understand the occupant experience and their needs.  

In a case study of workplace design, AI-powered iterative and generative design was demonstrated as a way to solve complex spatial problems and catalyze innovation. In a fascinating example of generative iteration, the ZHA team quickly studied hundreds of office floor layouts to optimize and balance such workplace needs as collaboration, sunlight, and activity.

Using AI’s interpretive capabilities, they next built programmatic profiles of potential users, and plugged that data into predictive simulations via “agents” to demonstrate how occupants may actually use a space over time. The resulting workspaces were less rigid, more adaptable, and more responsive to the needs of the occupants, both now, and in the future.

There is no doubt AI looms large over our industry. Questions of how to adopt, what it can or can’t do, authenticity, and a myriad of other issues, certainly tend to cast long shadows.  

However, the application of the technology demonstrated by Kaicker casts AI in a different light. It has the ability to usher in an era of greater exploration, less rigidity, and more collaboration between designers, stakeholders, occupants, and even the environment.  Rather than a thing fixed in time and space, our built environment has the potential to be predictive, adaptive, and democratic. Our design processes have the potential to be more informed, intentional, and responsive. There is no better time than now to jump in, experiment, and discover how these tools can lead to better architectural practice and more just outcomes for the occupants of our built world.

About Arjun

Arjun Kaicker, AIA, NCARB, ARB, RIBA, LEED AP

Co-Head of Workplace Analytics and Insights, Zaha Hadid Architects

Arjun is an architect with 25 years’ experience in user-centered Workplace Design, from initial office building design to interior and product design. At Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), Arjun has worked on over 100 projects globally, and while a partner at Foster+Partners projects included Hearst Tower and 425 Park Avenue in New York and Apple Park in California. Arjun’s recent work spearheading innovations in design AI and algorithm driven analytics is helping ZHA develop ever more rigorous, user-centered and adaptive architecture and design

Tech Connect 2024 was a 1-day event prior to the GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference, held in Keystone, CO, focused specifically on the changing landscapes in artificial intelligence and its rapid impact on our profession.

The three presentations were:

• “How AI changes architecture: the productive, ethical and innovative intersection of technology, computation, robotics and the built environment”
  • Randy Deutsch, FAIA
• “Building an image generator: principles and practices in AI”
  • Matthew Goldsberry, Assoc. AIA
• “Transforming workplace design with AI: insights and innovations”
  • Arjun Kaicker, AIA

Summary thoughts by Julianne Scherer, AIA, Managing Principal, HDR

Drawing from HDR’s investigation in creating a custom AI image generator designed specifically for architectural design, Matthew Goldsberry offers the following recommendations for firms interested in a similar exploration:

1. Begin building an organized digital library of your firm’s architectural photos, renderings, and drawings. Even if you’re not ready for AI implementation, having a well-organized visual database will be valuable when you are.
2. Trial existing AI visualization tools, such as Midjourney or DALL-E, to understand their basic capabilities and limitations for architectural work. This gives you practical experience without major investment.
3. Document your current visualization workflow and identify pain points where AI could help most – especially in early design phases and client presentations.

Additional actions include the following:

• Experiment with the practical Integration of these AI tools including: how to integrate them with existing software (BIM, rendering programs); identify best practices for using AI in client presentations; and examine ways to maintain consistency between AI-generated images and final designs.
• Advance your technical understanding of AI tools including: basic principles of architectural-focused AI image generation; data management and organization for AI training; and ethical considerations and copyright issues in AI-generated architectural imagery.

About Matthew

Matt Goldsberry, Assoc. AIA, HDR

Matt oversees the applied research and implementation of advanced computational design workflows. He is the director of Data-Driven Design and is responsible for developing new computational tools and workflows to facilitate design exploration, automated analysis, and advanced data management. Matt is also a Lecturer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he teaches courses on advanced geometry and building information modeling. Matt holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of California Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Tech Connect 2024 was a 1-day event prior to the GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference, held in Keystone, CO, focused specifically on the changing landscapes in artificial intelligence and its rapid impact on our profession.

The three presentations were:

• “How AI changes architecture: the productive, ethical and innovative intersection of technology, computation, robotics and the built environment”
  • Randy Deutsch, FAIA
• “Building an image generator: principles and practices in AI”
  • Matthew Goldsberry, Assoc. AIA
• “Transforming workplace design with AI: insights and innovations”
  • Arjun Kaicker, AIA

Summary thoughts by Andy Rockmore, AIA, Principal at SAR+

It’s only been two years since the introduction of AI image generators like Midjourney. AI proved that images can be created not by people, but by using descriptive words. This free software generated billions of images in seconds of seductive buildings. Until recently, AI didn’t know the AI-generated image was a building; now it does. AI can almost immediately spit out floor plans, structural framing options (based on discoverable geotech reports), and unlimited program configurations. All the while, Architects continue to take on more production and risk, while accepting less time and lower fees.

So let’s stop asking AI to do the things we do well, and have it do the things we don’t do so well. How can we let go of some historically important tasks, so we can adapt to our highest and best value, creating space and time for holistic, human-centered design? 

Professor Deutsch offered a few impactful pro tips:

• Use AI to start the explorative concept design process. A few ChatGPT prompts or questions, stating the problem, will generate information that puts you in the middle of the problem, rather than being stuck at the start. 
• AI can run exhaustive iterations of everything from office building core locations to whole master plan configurations in seconds, giving confidence that all options have been analyzed, and removing, or at least isolating, subjective preferences. 

When AI does more and more of our tasks, when construction knowledge is baked into our design tools, when our clients are undertaking their own test-fits, what do we do with more time? We design. We improve the quality of our work, we continue to search for balance between work and life, and knowing our profession as we do, we likely take on even more work.

No doubt Architects will continue pushing AI to accomplish tasks a computer can do more efficiently, accurately, and quickly. However, fortunately, what AI will always need us to do, is what makes us authentically human beings: continue creating possibilities, orchestrating people and relationships, using our innate empathy, and translating and synthesizing an ever complex world.

About Randy

For over thirty years, Randy Deutsch, FAIA has been an architect and educator, author, international keynote speaker, and AI researcher. As a licensed architect, Randy designed over 100 large, complex sustainable projects for which he received the AIA Young Architect Award Chicago. In the last decade, Randy has authored 6 books, most recently Convergence: The Redesign of Design; Superusers: Design Technology Specialists and the Future of Practice (a “Best Future of Technology Book of All Time” recipient); Think Like an Architect: How to develop critical, creative and collaborative problem-solving skills; and Adapt As an Architect: A Midcareer Companion.

In addition to teaching at University of Illinois at Chicago starting in 2001 and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign starting in 2012, until 2019 Randy served as Associate Director for Graduate Studies in the School of Architecture. He previously served on AIA Chicago Board as Director and Vice President; on Architect Magazine’s 2018 R+D jury; led an annual Executive Education program at Harvard GSD; and served on the 2023 AIA National Design Awards jury. In 2020, his team received an NSF Grant and DPI Seed Grant for planning a first-of-its-kind institute for the application of AI in design, construction and operations of buildings and infrastructure.

In 2020, Randy was elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council. As a book author, international keynoter, workshop leader, administrator, mentor and educator Randy currently leads a graduate AI studio and aims to help current & future design professionals understand impacts of emerging technology on future practice, to plan for and navigate a fast-moving, uncertain future with confidence.

More about Randy www.randydeutsch.com