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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
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

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 , 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?

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.