91视频

By Alex Visser
[email protected]

Rookie and veteran architects alike took to the stage late May in front of a packed auditorium in Portland State University鈥檚 Shattuck Hall to discuss personal challenges related to diversity in architecture, and how the next generation may change the industry landscape, which has traditionally been dominated by white men.

The six-person panel event, organized by students of the university鈥檚 School of Architecture, was the last of 鈥淔ridays@4鈥� 鈥� a series of discussions between students and industry professionals.

Leading the veteran charge on Friday was Bill Hart, co-founder of Carleton Hart Architecture. As he explained, there have been challenges in architecture related to race and gender since he got his start, with clients through the years questioning his skill level and professional success. He stressed the benefits of a diverse team, which provides varied perspectives and strategies.

鈥淔irms don鈥檛 recognize that everyone can contribute to putting the project together,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hat we need is to give folks an opportunity to try.鈥�

Nicolai Kruger, who owns an eponymous studio in Portland, has 15 years of experience in architecture, most of it in Japan. She said the process of learning Japanese and teaching her colleagues English helped develop empathy for cultural differences, and led to a more cohesive environment.

Now an adjunct assistant professor at PSU, Kruger said she is encouraged by her students, the majority of whom are women. In a predominantly-male industry like architecture, new professionals should apply to more diverse firms to make a statement to the less-inclusive ones, she said.

鈥淎rchitecture is traditionally kind of an old boys鈥� club, and Portland is kind of an old boys鈥� town,鈥� Kruger said. 鈥淚 think we need to put the old boys鈥� club on notice.鈥�

Octavio Gutierrez, an associate at Mahlum Architects, said individuals with diverse backgrounds should advocate for the benefit their viewpoints bring, which many modern companies will value.

鈥淭ake your talent where the talent鈥檚 welcome,鈥� he said.

Cosette Hardman, who earned a master鈥檚 degree from PSU last year, is currently nominated for a secretary position on the World Deaf Architecture Board of Directors. People with disabilities can be even further marginalized in the industry, she said, and accommodations for an employee鈥檚 needs can depend on a given company鈥檚 size and willingness.

鈥淭here鈥檚 always a lot of accessibility we need to have to get the job or even get the job interview,鈥� Hardman said. 鈥淎 significant obstacle will probably be the budget of the firms.鈥�

Designer Kayla Anderson of Salazar Architect said she is fortunate to work at a firm that values communication and is willing to listen to any issues an employee might experience because of gender or racial differences. That equality won鈥檛 be attainable until everyone in the industry begins thinking like this, she added.

鈥淯ntil we decide that these issues are important, we鈥檙e never going to find a solution,鈥� Anderson said. 鈥淲e need to start advocating for everyone鈥檚 rights.鈥�
Another unique perspective came from Dena Davani, an intern at C2K Architecture, who grew up under a strict Iranian regime. Everyone wants change, and it could be achieved if citizens took action themselves, she said.

She said she believes the situation is the same in architecture. Regardless of one鈥檚 diverse challenges, Davani said he or she has a responsibility on a personal level to enact change.

鈥淚nclusivity does exist; that鈥檚 why we鈥檙e here,鈥� she said. 鈥淎s an individual you have a lot of power to choose what you want to be involved in.鈥�

Alex Visser covers architecture and engineering for the Daily Journal of Commerce newspaper. He can be reached at [email protected]. This article originally appeared in the 91视频.