Out in Architecture Part 1: Interview with Yiselle Santos Rivera and Sarah Woynicz
11/21/23 • 37 min
Understanding the lived experience of our clients and ourselves is essential to advancing our work as architects. In this interview, I speak with the masterminds behind the book Out in Architecture, a book dedicated to bringing visibility to the voices and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. We discuss identity beyond practice, the intersection of identity and practice and reclaiming space and identity. This is essential listening for anyone who wants to advocate for a model of practice that is inclusive and responsive.
- There is a difference between lived and adjacent experience. Don't assume that you understand someone's needs - ask.
- When you fail to ask "who's missing?" you miss the opportunity to have a more intentional practice and do more intentional work.
- Being a platform builder and a convener is important. When people come together, they can leverage one another's experiences.
- Find or make your community. As you reach out, you allow others to be seen and find or serve as role models and mentors.
- Be open to the serendipity of those who are put in your path.
- Slow down to go fast. Frustration to get something done is itself a form of bias. When you slow down you can be more present and intentional. You receive support and ideas from others by relinquishing control.
Connect with Out in Architecture
https://www.instagram.com/outinarchitecture/
www.blurb.com/b/11721565-out-in-architectureStay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019
Understanding the lived experience of our clients and ourselves is essential to advancing our work as architects. In this interview, I speak with the masterminds behind the book Out in Architecture, a book dedicated to bringing visibility to the voices and experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community. We discuss identity beyond practice, the intersection of identity and practice and reclaiming space and identity. This is essential listening for anyone who wants to advocate for a model of practice that is inclusive and responsive.
- There is a difference between lived and adjacent experience. Don't assume that you understand someone's needs - ask.
- When you fail to ask "who's missing?" you miss the opportunity to have a more intentional practice and do more intentional work.
- Being a platform builder and a convener is important. When people come together, they can leverage one another's experiences.
- Find or make your community. As you reach out, you allow others to be seen and find or serve as role models and mentors.
- Be open to the serendipity of those who are put in your path.
- Slow down to go fast. Frustration to get something done is itself a form of bias. When you slow down you can be more present and intentional. You receive support and ideas from others by relinquishing control.
Connect with Out in Architecture
https://www.instagram.com/outinarchitecture/
www.blurb.com/b/11721565-out-in-architectureStay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019
Previous Episode
Practice for a Changing Planet: Interview with Dena Prastos
As architects, our work includes clients we have never met- those in the future. My guest Dena Prastos talks about how she built her transdisciplinary firm Indigo River to give architects agency to be more than problem solvers. Listen in to learn why quality of life in how we practice and the spaces we create is our biggest design opportunity.
- Embrace multiple points of view by leveraging the language of common experiences.
- Convene many voices to embrace constraints as opportunities.
- We serve a lot of clients- but need to exercise our agency to uphold not only those who hire us, but other decision makers, stakeholders, the community and future populations.
- A supportive firm culture leads to stronger relationships. That trust can be leveraged to innovate and collaborate.
- We need to stop glorifying the grit of putting work before quality of life.
- Licensure is the start of your career. It's when you are able to assert the agency to advocate for health, safety and welfare issues.
Connect with Dena:
https://www.indigoriver.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denaprastos/
https://www.instagram.com/denaprastos/
Stay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019
Next Episode
Out in Architecture Part 2: Interviews with Amy Rosen Beau Frail, and A.L. Hu
Who is missing from the conversation about design? What is it costing us not to give more diverse voices a seat at the table or spaces that reflect their identity? Hear from three of the Out in Architecture editors about how we can evolve practice and redefine design. They share their experiences in the profession as members of the LGBTQIA+ community and valuable insights that will help us all make a difference through our work.
- We need to be conscious of ways that we make others feel they don't have a voice or that their message doesn't matter. When more voices have an impact on outcomes, projects are better.
- Design for the human perspective means being an advocate for social, environmental, cultural and economic issues.
- Advocacy requires that you go beyond practice to get involved in building community and raising awareness at both a local and national level.
- Keeping your core identity "under the iceberg" requires energy. That same energy could be fueling creativity and innovation, which is why it's important to be comfortable expressing your authentic self.
- Being part of a community amplifies the message and allows more intentional encounters.
- We need to shift the culture of architecture to value well being, intentionality, and inclusivity over speed to market one size fits all solutions.
Connect with Out in Architecture
https://www.instagram.com/outinarchitecture/
www.blurb.com/b/11721565-out-in-architectureStay Inspired,
Angela
Join the architecting community:
Interested in sponsoring a show or having me as a guest on your podcast or community? Stop here to get information.
Into/outro music Alive by Richard Wasson Copyright 2019
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