Shape the Conversation with AIA Austin’s Women in Architecture

AIA Austin’s newest committee, Women in Architecture, chaired by Page Principal Wendy Dunnam Tita, announces its inaugural three-week event, Shape the Conversation, starting February 8 through March 2. Events include a kick-off Opening Party on Friday, February 10, with guest speaker Wendy Davis.

Recognizing the extraordinary achievements of women architects in Texas and beyond, the goal of “Women in Architecture Exhibits and Events Series” is to increase awareness of the breadth of women designers in the built environment and in order to increase diversity and inclusion in the profession. Pagers Jenna Steinbeck and Julie Pizzo contributed to the design and organization of the events. 

Shape the Conversation will feature three exhibitions highlighting the work of women architects throughout the years, across the nation and in Travis County: 1850 to the Future (at 249 W. 2^nd Street, originally shown and created by AIA Houston); Shaping Austin (at 249 W. 2^nd Street) and National Outlook, Local Stories (at Goldsmith Hall, UT School of Architecture).

Women in Architecture will also include a number of lunchtime roundtable panels and happy hours hosted by women-led and local architecture firms.  Donations raised during exhibits and events will support a leadership development program in development for all AIA Austin members and associates.  Shelby Blessing and Diana Su have been leading the research and development of that program with Wendy Dunnam Tita.  The goal of the program is to strengthen leadership skills and increase diversity in the profession.  The program will begin in 2018.

For more information about Women in Architecture and Shape the Conversation events, visit https://aiaaustin.org/committee/women-architecture.