Systems Director
A Third Place for the Architecture and Design ...

JT, Chieh-Ting Chuang

Walking into a bustling café or a lively neighborhood park, you immediately sense a shared energy—people chatting, exchanging ideas, or simply enjoying each other’s presence. These spaces serve as an extension of our lives beyond home and work. Urban sociologist and professor Ray Oldenburg personally observed community life in cities such as San Jose, Stockholm, and Osaka while developing the original concept of the “third place.” This idea describes social spaces beyond home (the first place) and work (the second place) where people gather, connect, and experience a sense of belonging. These informal environments foster community, creativity, and mutual support. Yet in many cities, they are becoming increasingly rare.

A Third Place for the Architecture and Design Community
Communications Blog Editor
Sweet Gaudí

Aryana Leland

In the short time that Antoni Gaudí had to devote his life’s work to Sagrada Família, he undoubtedly earned himself a place in the architectural canon. Despite meeting God via public transit, Gaudí could not have predicted that a viewer’s first impression of the church might be emerging from a dark Metro station, squinting at Google Maps in front of the Passion Façade. Today, the neighborhood surrounding Basilica de la Sagrada Família is entirely obsessed with Antoni Gaudí, lined with shops like “Sweet Gaudí” and “Gaudí Shopping.” In its century-long construction phase, it seems that Sagrada Família has had two distinct lives: one under the watchful eye of Gaudí, and one with the city of Barcelona.

Sweet Gaudí
Communications Blog Editor
Looking Around, Backwards, and Forwards: Frida ...

Aryana Leland

In October 2022, Frida Escobedo gave the first of a series of talks on “Designing Tomorrow’s Met” in New York. At the museum, her studio had recently won the commission to design the Oscar L.Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art. With a practice based in Mexico City, Escobedo’s first lecture gave patrons a glimpse into her design process. Earlier this year, Escobedo’s vision for the Tang Wing was unveiled, expertly navigating the museum’s stakeholders, a challenging set of existing conditions, and its users

Looking Around, Backwards, and Forwards: Frida Escobedo and The Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art at The Met
Communications Blog Editor
Introducing our 2025-2026 AWA+D Executive Board

Some new faces and new goals - get to know our incoming 2025-2026 AWA+D Executive Board through a Q+A, and what to look forward to!

Introducing our 2025-2026 AWA+D Executive Board
Communications Blog Editor
Cal Poly Pomona Architecture Students Launch ...

Aryana Leland

Ashley Morales and I had the immense privilege of sitting down with two (very) busy third-year architecture students in the middle of a deadline, Aleena Hussain and Elizabeth Mayen. As we chatted, Aleena and Ellie joined us with the telltale signs of studio chaos happening in the background - models in different states of completion, bleary eyed students passing by, lots of coffee. They are in the middle of their tower project - a grueling hazing ritual that Ashley and I remember well - and we are lucky to be meeting with them during daylight hours. 

While balancing their studio work, Aleena and Ellie are the Cofounders of an ambitious, promising new venture at Cal Poly Pomona: Stable Magazine.

Cal Poly Pomona Architecture Students Launch Stable Magazine, a New Platform for Connection and Design

Design Isegoria

On Thursday March 3, 2022 AWA+D held our first ever Design Isegoria. In ancient Athens, “isegoria” referred to “the equal right of citizens to participate in public debate in the democratic assembly [source].” Organized by Magdalena Glen-Schieneman and held over Zoom, our interpretation of the format consisted of an engaging, fast-paced member slide presentation. 

The theme of the night was “Getting to Know Each Other Better.” We had a total of 22 attendees and 11 presenters. Each presenter was responsible for submitting a total of 10 slides — one to introduce themselves followed by nine slides featuring their work and/or the work of their firm. With only three minutes to present the 10 slides, the presenters really made every second count!

In just over an hour, attendees learned a great deal about each presenter — from personal passions and interests to where they find design inspiration, and detailed information about the niches in which they specialize. Members commented that, while they had spent a great deal of time with many of the presenters prior to the event, in many cases they actually didn’t know much about what their work entailed. In just three minutes, they learned more about their colleagues professionally than they had in months of casual conversation. It was an efficient and fun form of networking.

Additionally, events like our Design Isegoria are great for strengthening soft skills — like creative thinking, communication, listening, time management and the ability to perform under pressure — in a safe environment. The overall vibe was supportive, friendly and informative.

As Magdalena wrapped up the event, she polled the audience to see if they would be interested in another Isegoria-style event and the answer was a resounding YES! Keep your eye on the event calendar for more information.

Self Defense Workshop Recap

Note: This blog post was guest written by one of our event attendees and members, Amanda Schwarz. If you are interested in attending and writing about our events, please contact us at info@awaplusd.org.

By Amanda Schwarz

Our group of fearless AWA+D ladies gathered to learn key self-defense concepts from Nelson, our soft-spoken yet fierce instructor from SHEILD. Although this was not an architecture or design event, it was an empowering experience to keep us safe as women in the world.


We began with how to avoid violence:

  • Listen to your gut. It knows things that your intellect can’t know.

  • Pay attention to your surroundings and walk confidently.

  • If you can run, then run.

  • Go into a local business.Carry Pepper spray.

  • Yell from your diaphragm something like “back off.”

  • Many people avoid violence by startling their attacker.

Then we learned that if you are attacked:

  • Your weapons are your forehead, teeth, forearms, hands, legs, and feet.

  • Their weaknesses are their groin (best spot), nose, eyes, or throat. Do not aim for their stomach, chest, or other part of the body, it will not be effective.

  • Counterintuitively, if you are attacked and you can no longer run, you should actually get closer to the attacker. Grab them with your own hands instead of pushing away; this gives you more control and makes it more difficult for them to hit you or throw you.


If you only remember one thing: YELL LOUDLY AND HIT THE GROIN.


Pairing off into groups, we practiced a few maneuvers to combat an attacker. One highlight was getting to full-force kick the attacker in the groin (although the protective gear thankfully saved our instructor Nelson from suffering the impact of our rage). In just one morning of practice, we were all starting to get a hang of it. But there is a lot more to learn and more practice will help us be even more ready.

While we hope we’ll never have to use these skills, we have grown more confident in our strength and are prepared to defend ourselves.


Cobalt & Clay Event Recap

AWA+D strives to provide diverse programming to our members. We have many educational events that are great for professional growth but we also realize that having fun is important. One of our recent fun events was handbuilding ceramics over Zoom. 

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We partnered with Cobalt & Clay, a woman owned small business based in Frogtown. Nicole, who is the owner, was wonderful at helping us organize our event and Hannah Sy taught the one-hour class.

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We started with a ball of clay and first created a bowl shape by pinching and then added height to the vessel by coiling technique. 

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At this point we each shaped our vessels to our liking and designs and it was fun to see the variety of different shapes that the participants produced.

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The whole process was really creative, relaxing and a little messy but having a drink and good company helped.

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Networking for Success

Networking for Success

Did you know? 70% of all jobs are filled through networking. 85% of management and leadership positions are filled through networking. 70-100% of architect projects come from networking and referrals.

Networking is more than just coffee chats and LinkedIn connections--“When it’s done well, networking will not only help you get a job faster, but it will give you a competitive edge through the rest of your career,” said Natalie Barron and Lori Tabb of Women Leading Powerfully.

So, why do we network?

Title 24, Building Energy Compliance

Title 24, Building Energy Compliance

As energy codes are constantly changing and being updated every 3 years, it’s important to understand how to build to achieve compliance. So, how do you talk to your energy consultant to meet code requirements while minimizing cost? What are the best methods to approach compliance?

On February 24, AWA+D was joined by Chad Campbell, energy consultant at Newton Energy with over 27 years of experience, to learn more about balancing code compliance, construction cost, and client satisfaction.

Getting to know Shimahara Visual

Getting to know Shimahara Visual

Imagine the working woman in the 1960s. Mad Men is one of the first television shows to come to mind that gave us a dramatized glimpse into what work culture was like for women in the 60s to how we’ve progressed today. Spoiler alert: we saw Peggy Olson start from a secretarial position to ultimately leading presentations for a top client - a job reserved for the head honcho.

How are you managing during the pandemic?

How are you managing during the pandemic?

We’ve using a lot of new technology. After many months, the work from home routine is familiar, alternate days at the dining room table and office desk in my case. We’re learning to interface with little images of colleagues, co-workers, friends, and associates on the computer screen and I’m trying not to overthink how my face looks on the monitor. We’re figuring out how to separate work life from home life since everything happens in same place, all day, every day. We seem to be managing.

But, how are you managing during the pandemic?