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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
Communications Blog Editor
“Is this going to be on the exam?” Studying for ...

Aryana Leland

There are over 121,000 licensed architects in the United States - yet only 1 in 4 are women.

A licensure candidate in the United States must pass six divisions of the Architectural Registration Exam to earn their license, which can be notoriously difficult. In 2024, the pass rate for the Project Management division was 60%, and 48% for the Practice Management Division. Despite these daunting numbers, the Practice Management and Project Management divisions are often the starting point for licensure candidates, and rely heavily on an understanding of key AIA contract documents. This is where Michael Hanahan comes in, unofficially. 

“Is this going to be on the exam?” Studying for the ARE with Michael Hanahan
Communications Blog Editor
Don't Miss the 2025 AWA+D Symposium: Shaping ...

Aryana Leland

Don’t miss the upcoming 2025 AWA+D Symposium - here’s a sneak peek of past events and what to look forward to!

Don't Miss the 2025 AWA+D Symposium: Shaping Tomorrow
Communications Blog Editor
Who's Next? AI and Architecture

Aryana Leland

In December, the American Institute of Architects published Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Architecture Firms: Opportunities & Risks as part of their The Architect’s Journey to Specification series. The growing use of AI in architecture has prompted an examination into the perception and goals of these tools for firms and organizations, and what a future of AI and architecture might look like. Though this report aims to provide key insights about the profession’s current use and perception of AI, its methodology has glaring issues.

Who's Next? AI and Architecture
Communications Blog Editor
Indigenous Identities: Kneecap and Kent Monkman ...

Aryana Leland

This week in Denver, seemingly disparate artists Kneecap and Kent Monkman drew large crowds downtown. On a Monday night, Irish rap trio Kneecap played a sold out show at Summit. A few blocks away, the first major United States solo exhibition of Cree artist Kent Monkman was being set up at the Denver Art Museum; the subsequent exhibition opening and sold out conversation with the artist on Saturday was the largest crowd I’ve seen at DAM. With little in common at first glance, these artists are alike in their use of humor and indigenous knowledge to establish identity and colonial histories, and are now bringing their work to a larger stage.

Indigenous Identities: Kneecap and Kent Monkman in Denver

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?

Urban Draw: Beverly Hills

Break out your pencils and pens and come sketch with us! We will meet at the corner of Santa Monica Blvd and North Crescent Drive at 9am. We will relax and sketch the Beverly Hills City Hall and the Wallis Annenberg Center. If there is time or interest, we can walk over to the Beverly Hills Cactus Garden.
Coffee and snacks will be provided.

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Making a Difference, Close to Home

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Every day it seems we're inundated with news that makes us question what's happening, what it all means, and how we can help. It doesn’t seem hard to know how to react, but it is difficult to imagine how you can make a difference. If you're part of the design and construction industry in Southern California, we have a few ideas for making a difference, right here at home.