The voice of the immigrant architects community

The voice of the immigrant community: An interview with the Immigrant Architects Coalition co-founders

IAC (Immigrant Architects Coalition): The Immigrants Architects Coalition (IAC) was created after presenting a successful session at A19 “How Immigrant Architects Can Prosper In the U.S.?.” The session organizer Yu-Ngok Lo, FAIA, and session speakers Graciela Carrillo, AIA and Shahad Sadeq, Assoc. AIA decided to continue the mission of helping their fellow immigrant architects. As a result, the Immigrant Architects Coalition was created.

The IAC’s mission is to help and provide resources for immigrant architects to achieve a prosperous career in the U.S. The IAC provides support to other immigrant architects through mentoring and conducting informational sessions through local AIA chapters and architectural schools. The IAC is developing a comprehensive guide that highlights different topics of interest on immigrant professionals that are starting the career path in this country. The guide can be found on the IAC website. Click Here

Graciela Carrillo, AIA, LEED AP BD+C Carrillo is a senior manager at Nassau BOCES in Garden City, New York. Carrillo serves as the AIA New York State representative for the AIA National Strategic Council, the past president of the AIA Long Island Chapter, and the Chapter’s Women In Architecture co-founder and Co-Chair. Carrillo is one of the cofounders of the Immigrant Architects Coalition. Carrillo was the recipient of the AIA NYS Young Architect Award, the AIA Young Architect Award, and she was an honoree of the Top 50 Women in Business in Long Island.

Shahad Sadeq, Assoc. AIA Sadeq is the executive director at AIA Springfield Chapter, Missouri and adjunct professor at Drury University. Sadeq co-founded the EDI task force at AIA Dallas and the Equity in Architecture Committee at AIA Kansas City. She is one of the co-founders of the Immigrant Architects Coalition.

Yu-Ngok Lo, FAIA, CDT, LEED AP Lo is the principal at YNL Architects in Culver City, California. Lo’s work received numerous design awards. His work is also published at various national and international publications such as ArchDaily, Hinge Magazine Hong Kong, Hospitality-Interiors UK, Conde Taiwan, and CommArch USA. Lo is one of the cofounders of the Immigrant Architects Coalition.

Saakshi Terway(ST) : What are some of the common obstacles / challenges that are unique to immigrant professionals and what are the resources available for the immigrant community

Graciela Carrillo(GC): To be successful in the architecture profession, immigrant architects must overcome many obstacles throughout their careers. Some of those obstacles are their education, cultural challenges, and finances.

Even if you attended the best architectural school in your home country, validating your architectural foreign degree will be a challenge. Each State has its own requirements regarding education and licensing, so if an immigrant architect doesn’t have a mentor to help in this process, it will be a difficult one. It is achievable, be prepared to spend some time getting familiarized with State requirements, NCARB requirements, and make sure your licensing board from your home country is willing to communicate with NCARB. Besides your degree validation, immigrant architects must learn the imperial measuring system, as opposed to the metric system, as well as codes and standards.

Cultural challenges play an essential role in the performance of immigrant architects. Some of us moved to the US without our family, our first support system, and we needed to adapt to a

Above: Cover of book Above: Back cover of book

new culture, language, and interaction with different religions and politics. Blending in the “new” culture may be difficult for some, depending on where they are coming from, and easier for others from similar cultures. Still, leaving your home, your family, and your friends puts you out of your comfort zone, and this is one of the most complicated challenges immigrant architects could overcome.

Lastly, the financial challenges for some may be stressful. Adapting to a new life and renting a place means you have to furnish your new home, buy a car (if transportation means are unavailable in your town/city), and pay for your licensure process. Some immigrant architects are also supporting their families abroad or saving funds to bring them to the US, so all these factors become challenging while trying to adapt to a new culture and work.

Saakshi Terway (ST): Why is self-advocacy important? What are the tips for immigrant professionals to effectively advocate for himself / herself Shahad Sadeq (SS): No one except yourself will know how to cultivate and expand your potential. Self-advocacy presents you with the opportunity to demonstrate what you value and the measure of your capabilities. Those who work around you, above you, and for you can only deal with the knowns, not the guesses. Do not expect them to pay attention to you and your work. In America, individualism is the norm. You speak for and sell yourself. The quicker you grasp that, the faster you will succeed in any industry.

The immigrant architects’ first task is to recognize the culture they occupy. Once you know how people communicate, you can learn that your background will have limits that clash with your current culture. Take a moment and recognize that and then adapt. Second, create relationships to help you in your self-advocacy. Speaking up for yourself is half the battle; the other is having people vouch for you. Make sure you surround yourself with people who can give you honest feedback that has your best interest in mind. Third, do not take things personally. Self-advocacy is not because you are not valued.

It is just the way American business culture works. Lastly, be empathetic with yourself and others as you figure out your career growth. It is a mixed blessing to stretch and challenge yourself. Growth is immensely beneficial, but it calls for sacrifice. The sacrifice is comfort.

In conclusion, self-advocacy ensures you have the power to shape the vision you have of your life. That said, it is equally important to recruit mentors and peer advocates on your way there. Finally, get comfortable with being uncomfortable and watch yourself soar.

Saakshi Terway (ST): Tell us about the unique challenges for immigrants to start his / her own firm?

Yu-Ngok Lo (YL): Establishing your own firm is never easy. It is especially hard for people not born in the U.S. Immigrant architects coming to the United States face many obstacles: learning a new language, understanding a new culture, obtaining the appropriate education and work visas, and competing with Americans for intern positions at prominent architectural firms. The biggest challenge for me is building relationships with clients and maintaining a sustainable practice.

Many international students and emerging professionals struggle to get sound advice on how to start his / her own firm and the obstacles and rewards that come with it. What is especially valuable for them is to receive that advice from someone who has already experienced what they are going through, someone who has succeeded in achieving this dream. That is one of our goals at Immigrant Architects Coalition.

ST : What project(s) is IAC working on?

IAC: The IAC just released the book “City Shapers: Stories of Immigrant Designers”. This book is the first step in achieving the IAC mission. Twenty-four immigrant professionals share their experiences as firm owners, American Institute of Architects leaders, and entrepreneurs. The stories shared in this book portray a typical path in their journey to achieve a successful and meaningful career in the U.S.

Above: Immigrant Architects Coalition (IAC) co-founders

The IAC is also working on launching a mentoring program in the upcoming year, where mentors can provide advice about licensure, NCARB accreditation, cultural bias, employment skills, opportunities, etc.

Some future projects include a podcast (we are looking for people passionate about radio), Book part II and a scholarship for immigrant architects.

ST: Anything else you would like to add?

IAC: We are actively looking for people of all backgrounds (regardless of your nationality or immigration status) to join our community. As mentioned previously, we are planning on launching multiple projects next year, and we need all the help we can get from passionate people like you.

Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA, LEED GA

Saakshi is a licensed architect from India and designer at Wiencek + Associates in Washington, D.C. . She is a co-author of the book “City Shapers: Stories of Immigrant Designers”, and a contributing author for the IAC Guidebook.