Designing Neuro-Inclusive and Accessible Spaces
GENERATE 2024 PRACTICE + DESIGN CONFERENCE
Breakout Series Session
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
The J.E.D.I. Committee Presents:
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.
Denver Public Schools 8th Grade Career Fair
“Humans will always be an integral part of architecture,” explained Claire Messer, Master of Architecture student, College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver, addressing an 8th grader who asked whether Artificial Intelligence was taking over the profession. “Imagine your community wants to build a new recreation center,” Messer continued. “Your ideas about the programs and spaces will help shape the building, making sure it serves the community’s needs.” This question was just one of many fielded at the “architecture” table during the recent Denver Public Schools 8th Grade Career Fair.
On November 20th and 21st, 2024, the AIA Colorado Justice, Equity,Diversity, Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Education Pipeline Committee, NOMA Colorado, College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver, and AIA Colorado members hosted an “architecture” table at the Denver Public Schools 8th Grade Career Fair. Over 3,400 middle school students were introduced to exciting career possibilities and post-secondary options.
The event continues the J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline’s mission to spark young minds’ interest in architecture and expand career pathways, all while promoting diversity within the profession. Students engaged with representatives of the field who brought physical models, digital designs, plan sets, and design books to ignite curiosity. They were handed “Future Architect” stickers in English and Spanish, provided by AIA Colorado, and five lucky school libraries will receive architecture books, donated by J.E.D.I. committee members, through a raffle. Curiosity about architecture abounded, and questions were asked about salary, educational preparation, internship availability, stress management, and the challenges architects face, including the impact of AI!
The 8th Grade Career Fair, an annual event serving the entire Denver Public Schools district, is a cornerstone of their Career and College Success program.
A huge thank you goes to the many passionate volunteers who staffed the architecture table, sharing their knowledge and excitement for the field with the next generation of designers:
- Mallory Esselman, AIA, Anderson Mason Dale
- Deona Florenca, Associate AIA, Anderson Mason Dale
- Sarah Goldblatt, AIA, SG Consultants
- Sarah Morasso, AIA, MA Studios
- Margaret Pauls, AIA, Denver Public Schools
- Jenny Edwards, Assoc. AIA, McMillen
- Ron Abo, FAIA, The Abo Group
- Jeana Delamarter, CU Denver College of Arch and Planning
- Claire Messer, Master of Architecture student, College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver
Inaugural “Design Like a Girl” Workshop Series Concludes
AIA Colorado’s J.E.D.I. Committee is proud to announce the successful conclusion of the inaugural Colorado “Design Like a Girl” (DLAG) workshop series.
The program, originally founded in Washington, D.C., by the Washington Architectural Foundation and was brought to Colorado through the inspiration and hard work of Sarah Goldblatt, AIA, and Britany Soler, Assoc. AIA, with the support of the AIA Colorado J.E.D.I. Committee. ‘Design Like a Girl’ aims to inspire the next generation of female-identifying designers by organizing full day design workshops for middle school students. Local architecture, design, and engineering professionals volunteer as mentors to guide, instruct, and inspire the young designers.
The first and second workshops in the three-part series focused on architecture and engineering. The final workshop, which focused on interior Architecture and sustainability, took place on Friday, April 19th at CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning.
The day began with an introduction to the role of Interior Architects and designers and how they shape space through creative uses of building elements, furniture, color, and materials. Aided by a diverse library of materials donated by mentors, the girls crafted their own color palette.
Following the color exploration, CAP alumna, Jenny Arzberger of JARZ Design Studio, whose work focuses on creating safe and calming spaces for neurodivergent children and teens, shared her design process, from selecting inspirational imagery to conveying her ideas to clients, and gave the girls a sneak peek of renderings for an upcoming interior design project at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.
Claire Messer, a CU Denver CAP student and president of the school’s All for Women in Architecture (AFWIA) chapter, provided an engaging tour of the School’s studios and fabrication labs, providing a glimpse into the future if the girls decide to pursue a design education.
After a quick introduction to sustainable materials and biophilic design, the second half of the day was dedicated to a wellness space design project. The girls first created inspiration boards and then moved to carefully constructing models of their chosen wellness program, using material, color, and furniture to define space. Some models featured elements of biophilic design using materials the girls had brought in from their own backyards. A final presentation allowed the girls to present their work in front of the group.
This workshop series would not have been possible without the collaboration of Sondra Osif and the whole team at the Spark Early Career Exploration Program at Denver Public Schools, who recruited students through an application process, organized transportation for the girls, and provided on-site support.
Get Involved
Planning is already underway for next year’s round of workshops. If you, or your firm, is interested in getting involved with the program, please reach out to Brittany Soler, Assoc. AIA, or Sarah Goldblatt, AIA.
Thank you
The leaders of the workshop would like to extend their gratitude to the mentors who helped make this final workshop a success:
- Anna Friedrich, Assoc. AIA
- Sarah Goldblatt, AIA
- Brittany Soler, Assoc. AIA
- Gabriella Wakulchik, AIA
- Courtney Minter, AIA
- Kitty Yuen, AIA
- Claire Messer
- Jenny Arzberger
- Beth Cook
Special Thanks to:
- Joanna Schmickel, FAIA, CGS Architects
- Our Guest Speakers:
- Jenny Arzberger, ASID, JARZ Design Studio
- Clare Messer, CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning M.ARCH student, All for Women in Architecture (AFWIA) Chapter President
- AIA Colorado J.E.D.I. Committee
- NOMA Colorado
- Sondra Osif with Spark Early Career Exploration Program, Denver Public Schools
- Washington Architectural Foundation (WAF)
- District Architecture Center (DAC)
- CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning
- Workshop Host
- Rowland & Broughton: Architecture & Interior Design
- Lunch Sponsor
Design Like A Girl Workshop
AIA Colorado J.E.D.I. committee and NOMA Colorado are proud to announce the success of the second “Design Like a Girl” (DLAG) workshop held on February 16th, 2024.
Originally founded in Washington, DC by the Washington Architectural Foundation, DLAG began as a mentoring program for young women interested in the design and construction fields. Joanna Schmickel, FAIA, has been directing the program since its inception. AIA Colorado’s J.E.D.I. Committee, NOMA Colorado, and Denver Public Schools collaborated with Joanna to bring the program to Colorado, hosting the first of three planned workshops in October 2023.
For the second workshop, a group of 19 aspiring middle school designers from varied Denver Public Schools were paired with female mentors from the Colorado architecture and engineering community. This workshop was designed to build upon the lessons learned in the first workshop. The topic of the day was “Engineering and Construction,” which aimed to introduce participants to critical, yet often less glamorous and visible elements of design.
Activities of the day involved lessons in how the different engineering specialties contribute to a successful building design, acting out structural concepts, and attempting to build the tallest tower out of spaghetti sticks and tape to support a single marshmallow. Other workshop highlights included a construction site tour of Studio Gang’s Populus Hotel and a lunchtime zoom conversation with the project’s architect, Kristina Eldrenkamp.
For the Populus tour, students and mentors walked a few chilly blocks from CU Denver’s College of Architecture and Planning to the construction office of The Beck Group, the GC for the project. Beck Group representatives led the tour and provided PPE and lunch for the girls and mentors.
While on site, the girls were able to witness the energy and occasional chaos of an active construction site. They observed the unique tear-shaped windows and noted the fantastic city views available from the sky deck. They could see exposed structural and mechanical systems and watch the huge exterior panels lifted into place.
For the final challenge of the day, the young designers were provided with a wealth of donated materials to choose from and instructed to incorporate at least one structural element they had learned about that day into a pavilion design. Some pavilions were designed to shelter from the elements while others provided a certain quality of light. One pavilion was designed as a place to connect and browse the internet. Columns were the most common structural element, but several used arches. At the end of the day, the girls presented their designs in front of their parents, mentors, and fellow designers.
The next workshop is scheduled for April 19th. If you are interested in being a mentor or learning more about Design Like a Girl please reach out to Brittany Soler solerbrittany@gmail.com or Sarah Goldblatt sarah@sarahgoldblatt.com.
The lead organizers of the workshop, Sarah Goldblatt, AIA, Brittany Soler, Assoc. AIA, and Ely Merheb, AIA, would like to extend their gratitude to the many mentors who donated their time to make connections with these future designers and offer advice, support, and instruction.
Carrie Cardona, AIA
Sarah Goldblatt, AIA
Ely Merheb, AIA
Kendall Ruder, Assoc. AIA
Brooke Schubert, AIA
Rachel Lee, AIA
Cherie Goff, AIA
Gabriela Culak Wakulchik, AIA
Katie Spicer, AIA
Kate Thomas, Assoc. AIA
Kelly Rayon, AIA
Dania Morelli, AIAS
Mallory Esselman, AIA
Courtney Minter, AIA
Maggie Hua, AIA
Jenna Michieli, AIA
Noel Michel, Assoc. AIA
S.J. Acin, Assoc. AIA
Kelly Garrett, AIA
Cynthia Ottenbrite, AIA
Skylar Potts
Katelyn Wager
Samantha Hurst
Beth Cook
Christine Britton
Jamie Park
Caitlin Charlet
Claire Padilla
Claire Messer
Abbey Woods
Sarah Fisher
Kayla McDougle
Stephanie Scott
Renee Azerbegi
Special Thanks to:
- Joanna Schmickel, FAIA, CGS Architects (DLAG Program Founder)
- Our Guest Speakers:
- Christine Britton, PE, JVA
- Katelyn Wager, PE, EVstudio
- Noel Michel, Assoc. AIA, Anderson Hallas Architect
- Kristina Eldrenkamp, Architect, Project Leader, Studio Gang
- AIA Colorado J.E.D.I. Committee
- Sondra Osif with Spark Early Career Exploration Program, Denver Public Schools
- Washington Architectural Foundation (WAF)
- District Architectural Center (DAC)
- CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning
- Evan Palmer, Assoc. AIA, The Beck Group
- Adam Perkins, Eric Rymarz, & Jack Ross with Urban Villages
ARE Study Group
Study Group Information
What do you need to reach your ARE goals? Access to study materials? A group of peers studying for the same exam as you? A study schedule with people to help you stay accountable? Someone to help you work through those persistent difficult study questions?
We all have the same goal, so why do it alone?
The J.E.D.I. Committee would like to assist in creating a strong network of people, study materials, accountability, and resources beyond what is offered at individual firms. We’re also interested in knowing where everyone is on their exam journey.
The committee has established a Google Sheet with test takers’ names, contact information, the exam they’re studying for, the exams they’ve passed, and their location. People can then find others in their area who are studying for the same exam as them – to study together, share resources, share study and testing tips, and much more.
Please fill out the following form and we’ll add you to the Google Sheet. Then, keep an eye on your inbox for an invite to view the Google Sheet.
Be added to the ARE study group information list
ARE Study Group Information
RECENTLY LICENSED AND ESTABLISHED ARCHITECTURE MENTORS
The committee is also establishing a Google Sheet with contact information for recently licensed and established architects who are willing to meet with study groups once a month to answer any of their questions and to offer advice and study tips that helped them during their test-taking experience.
Please fill out the following form and we’ll follow up with additional information.
ARE Study Mentors
Additional AIA Colorado Member Resources
Lastly, visit the AIA Colorado exam resource page and reach out to staff regarding a number of study materials available to loan to current AIA members. Contact Advocacy Engagement at nikolaus@aiacolorado.org to coordinate.
Engaging Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Workshop
ENGAGE 2023 PRACTICE + DESIGN CONFERENCE: INNOVATION LAB
Engaging Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Workshop, a Collaborative Presentation by NOMA Colorado, EBECC (Equity in the Built Environment – A Colorado Coalition), and AIA Colorado’s J.E.D.I. Committee.
Presented on November 16, 2023, by Adriana Medina-López-Portillo, Ph.D., CPC, ELI-MP, Trainer and Consultant, Pangea Training, Jason Pugh, AIA, NOMAC, AICP, LEED AP, Global Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Gensler, Mei-Ling Krabbe, IIDA, NCIDQ, WELL AP, Workplace Strategist, Stantec, Raphael Chavez, AIA, NCARB, LEED GA, Project Architect, HDR, and Patricia Joseph Gill, AIA, NCARB, NOMA, NOMA President, The Abo Group at ENGAGE 2023 Practice + Design Conference.
This breakout session focused on five topics lead by 5 BIPOC facilitators in a small group setting. The room was set up with chairs in a circular configuration to share individual experiences and perspectives on each topic. The groups rotated twice during the time allotted.
Allyship: Facilitate by Mei-Ling Krabbe
Allyship is intentional, actionable commitment to speak up about bias. This discussion focused on barriers to being an ally that includes lack of awareness and empathy. In order to be a good ally one must be intentional, actionable and committed to continue allyship education.
Types of Bias: Facilitated by Jason Pugh, AIA
Bias is typically described in terms of racial, gender, age and implicit (unconscious bias) but this session explored other types of bias. Maternal bias occurs when women return from maternity leave and have to prove themselves all over again. “Prove it again” bias is when a group has to prove themselves more than others. Tightrope bias is when a group needs to be more politically savvy in order to succeed. And “tug-of-war” bias is where support or bias against a group can fuel conflict within that group.
Inclusivity: Facilitated by Patricia Joseph Gill, AIA
In this session, the group shared times in their life when they felt included. The sharing reflected empathy, recognition, and acceptance of differences, and support, care, and compassion. The group also shared times when they felt excluded. These were times when empathy and acceptance were not present.
Intercultural Competence: Facilitated by Adrina Madina-Lopez-Portilla
Intercultural competence is essential to creating an environment where talent from all backgrounds can thrive. A person’s experience of cultural differences both informs and constrains how the individual interacts with others. Moving beyond these person-specific constraints requires the development of intercultural competence.
Mentorship: Facilitated by Raphael Chavez, AIA
Being a good mentor means providing guidance, encouragement, feedback, and/or skills development to a student, an emerging candidate or professional. Successful mentoring programs create a supportive culture, establishes clear structures, and ensures accountability.
In summary, the participants in this session were challenged to be more Engaged in J.E.D.I. by adopting the following pledges:
- Focus on being a better ally.
- Using Mentimeter in my faculty meetings to include more voices.
- Publish and enable more diverse voices.
- Standing firm for the needs of myself and others.
- Encourage myself and others to be more aware of biases that we may encounter.
- To continue my personal growth of inclusion but to work harder at educating my peers as well.
- Being aware of my “excluded” moments to better move towards “inclusive” memories and actions with those around me.
- I pledge to advocate for inclusiveness for all underrepresented groups.
- I promise to interrupt and challenge bias in all forms when it shows up, both against me or others!
- Consciously providing more accessible designs and engaging more in local communities.
- Use my personal inclusive or exclusive feelings and experiences with my team so they feel included and connected.
- Making my practice a model of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Listen with an open heart before responding. Be aware of judgment and how it impacts the world broadly.
- Ally: Make sure students understand the different career options/pathways.
- Mentorship: Engage students in community design so the community can have a better understanding of what designers do.
- I plead to actively maintain a relationship with younger designers and architects in my office as a mentor.
- Continue to advocate for J.E.D.I. in the architecture profession and work towards diversifying the profession through increased opportunities to promote architecture as a career pathway for youth.
J.E.D.I. DPS 8th Grade Career Fair
On November 14th and 15th, the AIA Colorado J.E.D.I Education Pipeline Committee, NOMA Colorado, CU Denver CAP, and other AIA Colorado members participated in the DPS 8th Grade Career Fair. Over the two-days, 2000+ middle school students participated in the event which introduced them to a wide range of career paths and post-secondary options.
The event continues the J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline’s efforts to introduce school-age students to architecture to expand career pathway exploration and diversify the profession. Students attending the recent fair interacted with architects who shared physical and digital models, plan sets, and design books. “Future Architect” stickers, provided in both English and Spanish by AIA Colorado, were given to students and five architecture books (donated by J.E.D.I CO committee members) were raffled off and given to school libraries. Curiosity about architecture abounded and questions were asked about salary, educational preparation, internship availability, and the challenges architects face.
The 8th Grade career fair is an annual DPS event serving the entire school district and an integral part of their Career and College Success program. Thank you to our many volunteers who staffed our table and shared their experience and enthusiasm for architecture with the students:
- Jonas Sayer, AIA, Anderson Mason Dale
- Jeana Delamarter, CU Denver College of Arch and Planning
- Chris Klein, AIA, Davis Partnership Architects
- Sarah Goldblatt, AIA, SG Consultants
- Ivan Patino, Tryba Architects
- Matt Weaver, AIA, Anderson Mason Dale
- John Graham, AIA Anderson Mason Dale
- Linnaea Stuart, AIA, Arch11
- Sole Moreno Velasco, Arch11
HCM Design Discovery Day
The Hord Coplan Macht Design Discovery Day event is an important part of the firm’s strong
commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through engaging students from underserved
communities in the design profession. The Denver office recently held their first Design Discovery Day
event and welcomed 15 local high school students who were eager to explore the world of design.
The event offered participants a glimpse into the various facets of HCM’s work. Educational sessions,
spotlights on past and current projects, a construction site tour, and an office tour were just a few of the
engaging activities that provided students with an immersive understanding of the design profession.
Small group breakout sessions with HCM designers from diverse market sectors allowed students to
interact directly with professionals, gaining insights into the different realms of design. These sessions
not only demystified the profession but also sparked inspiration and curiosity among the participants.
Design Discovery Day is more than just an annual event for HCM; it is a pivotal first step in reaching out
to underserved communities. The firm recognizes the importance of fostering diversity at the roots and
is actively involved in initiatives aimed at enrolling and supporting students from Historically Black
Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). Through scholarship and
mentorship programs, HCM is committed to breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for
individuals from these communities to thrive in the design field.
Design Like A Girl Workshop
On Friday, October 13th, AIA Colorado and NOMA CO hosted the inaugural workshop for “Design Like a Girl,” a volunteer-led mentoring program focused on introducing middle school girls to the architecture, construction, and engineering fields.
The program, consisting of a series of three or four full-day workshops, was originally created in 2016 by Joanna Schmickel, FAIA, of CGS Architects in Washington, DC. The DC program, which is still ongoing, is sponsored by the Washington Architectural Foundation, the public outreach arm of the AIA DC chapter. Joanna had previously expanded the program to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and was excited about the opportunity to bring her curriculum and enthusiasm for mentoring to Colorado.
The Colorado chapter of the “Design Like a Girl” program was born as a collaboration between AIA Colorado’s J.E.D.I. Committee, NOMA Colorado, and Denver Public Schools.
Organizers in Colorado included Sarah Goldblatt, AIA, Brittany Soler, Assoc. AIA, and Patricia Joseph, President of NOMA CO. The organizers of the event are grateful for the collaboration of Sondra Osif with the DPS Spark Early Career Exploration Program, which helped recruit participants, organize transportation for the girls, and provide on-site DPS supervisors.
Joanna and DC mentor Courtney Fuenzalida, AIA (a CU Denver alum), flew to Colorado to lead the first workshop. Subsequent workshops will be led by Sarah Goldblatt and Brittany Soler.
The first workshop, attended by 17 young designers from various Denver middle schools, was held in a classroom at the CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning. The University generously provided lunch for the participants and mentors, as well as notebooks, pencils, t-squares, and water bottles for the student designers. Eleven volunteer mentors from AIA Colorado and CU Denver mingled with the girls and assisted with the workshop lessons.
The morning began with a gesture drawing exercise, followed by a lesson introducing the young designers to the concept of plan, section, elevation, and scale. This was followed by an excursion to Larimer Square, where the girls engaged in a scavenger hunt to identify historical architectural features such as cornice, pediment, keystone, and arches.
After lunch, designers were given free rein to create their own architectural models using craft materials and material library samples donated by the mentors. They were tasked with designing an entryway for a building typology of their choice. Programs chosen by the girls included a garden, a zoo, a house, Santa’s workshop, a fairy home, a school of magic, a theater, a dog house, a dog cafe, and more. The classroom was transformed into a bustling architectural studio, and the designers had a great time sifting through and gaining inspiration from the variety of building materials on offer. The workshop concluded with a presentation where each designer had the opportunity to speak about her design to the group.
As a mentor, it was fun and inspiring to witness these young female designers engage with the fundamentals of design. The students came from a variety of backgrounds – some girls had already thought about architecture or design as a career, and some were just curious to see what it was all about. All the girls appeared to enjoy the challenge presented in the lessons and model-making exercise.
Subsequent workshops will be held in February and April 2024, focusing on Engineering/Construction and Interior Design, respectively.
The organizers of this event would like to give a special shoutout to all the mentors and sponsors who made the workshop possible. Sponsors included Anderson Mason Dale Architects, CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning, Ely Merhab, AIA (Verso Architecture and Interiors), and Sarah Goldblatt (SG Consultants/co-chair of AIA CO J.E.D.I committee).
The full list of mentors who participated in the first workshop is below. The program is always seeking more mentors, especially in the engineering industry. If you are interested in joining the program as a mentor, please email Sarah Goldblatt at sarah@sarahgoldblatt.com.
- Carrie Cardona
- Beth Cook
- Sarah Goldblatt
- Anna Friedrich
- Courtney Fuenzalida
- Ely Merheb
- Claire Messer
- Dania Morelli
- Kendall Ruder
- Joanna Schmickel
- Brittany Soler
- Abbey Woods
J.E.D.I. Youth Mentoring and Engagement Opportunities
YOUTH MENTORING & ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The AIA CO J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline Committee is focused on introducing school-age students to architecture in an effort to expand career pathway exploration and diversify the profession. The following are upcoming opportunities for architects, architectural interns, and allied professionals to share their journey with middle and high school students in the Denver Public School (DPS) system. Time commitments are outlined under each opportunity. Please contact Sarah Goldblatt, AIA if you or your firm is interested in volunteering: sarah@sarahgoldblatt.com or the DPS contact listed below. Please share with your firm or colleagues who may be interested.
DPS Career Exploration SPARK summer programs are looking for the following:
Guest speakers for elementary and middle school students throughout the summer. They are looking for architects or allied professionals to share their experiences about their career journey and provide a related hands-on activity.
- Who: 20-25 elementary and middle school students per classroom
- What: In-person, classroom presentation of career journey and related hands-on activity to engage students. See slide deck for more information: Spark Summer Programming Info Session Slide Deck
- When: See sign up for locations and available time slots: Elementary Sign Up Sheet – Middle School Sign Up Sheet
- Commitment: Flexible- one class period or multiple classes each day at the times listed on the sign-up sheets.
- Note: Community based organizations have specifically asked for BIPOC speakers for the Middle School sessions.
DPS High School Architecture/Drafting Instructor – opening at DPS to teach high school students architecture and drafting
- Who: DPS High School – CEC Early College
- What: Full time architecture instructor for high school Students
- When: 2023-24 School Year
- Position Description: DPS HIgh School Architecture Instructor
- Commitment: Full Time position
- DPS Contact for questions : emilee_morgan@dpsk12.net
DPS CEC Early College Coach/ Mentor:
- Who: Seeking A/E and construction professionals to mentor high school students with specific interests in architecture
- What: One on one sessions with high school students, each meeting time is structured and facilitated by the Coach MentoringProgram Coordinator. Each mentor will receive a handbook with detailed curriculum per session. Outside of the structured session is a text/phone call check in once per week based on the preference of the mentor/mentee match. Note: Mentors can share the role with a colleague and co-coach a student.
- When: 2023-24 school year/ Nov. – April
- Commitment: One morning per month, 8:15-10:00, for six months: Dates TBD
- Deadline to apply: October 2023
- Application link: https://dpsk12.tfaforms.net/37
DPS Launch Internship program:
- Who: Architecture firms needed to provide career-shaping internships for high school students with specific interests in architecture and allied fields
- What: Additional info: DPS Launch Internship Program
- When: Summer 2023: June 12-July 21 / Fall 2023: datesTBD
- Commitment: Provide 100 -120 Hour engagement opportunity with your firm with DPS support
- DPS Contact: emily_takimoto@dpsk12.org
