Nurturing Success: The

Immigrant Architects Coalition Empowering Immigrant Architects

Graciela Carrillo, AIA; Shahad Sadeq Assoc. AIA, and Yu-Ngok Lo, FAIA; Co-founders of the Immigrant Architects Coalition (IAC)

Led by the visionary session organizer, Yu-Ngok Lo, FAIA, and fueled by the expertise of speakers Graciela Carrillo, AIA, and Shahad Sadeq, Assoc. AIA, the Immigrant Architects Coalition, emerged as a powerful force dedicated to empowering and supporting immigrant architects. With an unwavering commitment to mentorship, public speaking, authorship, and contribution, we aim to provide invaluable resources and pave the way for a thriving career for immigrant architects in the United States. The IAC cofounders interview some of the co-authors of their book “City Shapers: Stories of Immigrant Designers.”

Li Ren, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C

Perkins Eastman DC | Project Architect

Li Ren is a highly regarded architect at Perkins Eastman, specializing in the design of senior living, hospitality, and master plans. His approach to design is inclusive, seeking to involve the community in the design process to enhance both the quality of the design and social engagement. He has been recognized for his contributions to the field, including the AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award in 2021, and BD+C’s 40 Under 40 Awards in 2022.

Meghana

Joshi, AIA, NOMA

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting’s Retail Studio

Meghana Joshi is an award-winning architect from California. As a Senior Project Manager at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting’s Retail Studio, she heads financial and retail design across the US. Her projects have been honored with multiple SAGE Gold, PCBC Gold Nugget, SoCal, Argentum, & NAHB awards. She founded the Women in Architecture Committee and EDI+J Committee at AIA Orange County. Currently, she serves on the executive board. She is also a part of ULI Orange County’s Local Product Council for Office and Commercial.

Mika Naraynsingh, AIA

Perkins&Wil DCl | Project Architect

Mika Naraynsingh is a Project Architect at Perkins&Will, passionate about building enclosure and façade designs. As a socially conscious professional, Mika has co-founded and served on various mentorship and diversity committees and planned programs focused on keeping women and minorities supported in the profession. She has taken leadership roles in AIA DC as the Advocacy Chair for the Emerging Architects Committee and is the Past Chair of the Equity Committee by WIELD.

(IAC): As an immigrant architect, what challenges have you personally faced in your career, and how do you use these experiences to inspire and mentor aspiring architects from similar backgrounds?

Li Re (LR): As an immigrant architect, I’ve faced challenges adapting to a new cultural and professional environment. Language barriers, unfamiliar codes, and different practices required extra effort to overcome. These experiences have made me resilient and adaptable, bringing fresh ideas to projects. I inspire and mentor aspiring architects from similar backgrounds by sharing my experiences, providing guidance, and emphasizing the importance of perseverance and networking. Celebrating our cultural heritage enriches architecture and creates spaces that truly reflect communities.

Meghana Joshi (MJ): As an immigrant architect, my biggest challenge was learning the Imperial units of measurement, as well as the construction means and methods specific to the US. It took me some time to self-study and educate myself to understand these specific requirements so that I could feel confident in leading projects. My mentor at the time, Gary Seshagiri (Bechtel), had gone through similar learning experiences when he migrated from India, and his guidance was immensely helpful to me. As a mentor and manager, I draw upon my own experiences and those of others around me to acknowledge that we all come from diverse backgrounds. While our paths to licensure and leadership may differ, our common goal is to learn and excel in our profession and better serve our clients and communities. When I meet an immigrant architect, I like to engage in conversations that help me understand the pressures of their dual lives and how it affects their professional fulfillment. I share my own experiences to help them understand that the path ahead may be challenging, but it is not impossible.

Mika Naraynsingh (MN): My biggest challenge as an immigrant architect was finding a job with a company willing to sponsor an international employee and going through the green card process. While everyone’s immigration story is unique, the instability, financial strain, lack of network and support system, and strenuous work/life balance are complications that many immigrants can relate to. I view these unstable times as a thread that unites immigrant architects together as a collective. When I know of someone who is navigating these uncertainties, I like to reach out and offer my support. Sharing resources I’ve found along my journey and providing guidance where possible has allowed me to help others, and gives us opportunities to learn through shared experiences.

Sharing resources

(IAC) Can you share a specific example of a project or initiative you’ve been involved in that aims to provide opportunities and support for young immigrant architects and how it has impacted their professional growth and empowerment?

LR: I’ve been involved in the AIA|DC Asian American Designers Union, which supports young Asian immigrant architects. Through mentorship, workshops, and networking events, we empower them to overcome challenges and thrive. One success story is our current chair Andy Zheng, with our support, secured his architect license, built a professional reputation, and made significant contributions to the AIA Washington Chapter. This union exemplifies how targeted support and a strong community can foster the professional growth and empowerment of immigrant architects, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the field.

MJ: A few years ago, I started “Project Amplify” to amplify the voices and works of women in architecture. Through this project, I have been able to shed light on the struggles women face in a male-dominated industry. Expanding on those findings to include immigrant architects, I collaborated with AIA Orange County and AIA San Diego on a video and social media presentation. The project aimed to amplify the voices and works of Asian American architects while highlighting their contributions to the built environment. Additionally, I founded and chaired the EDI+J committee for AIA Orange County, which provides a platform for diverse immigrant architects.

MN: Perhaps the most impactful work I’ve done for young immigrant architects has been spearheading AIA DC’s Immigrant Architect Series, offering tools and resources for success. This series was a collaboration with several AIA DC Committees and had a wide audience. However, supporting my colleagues individually and through the Equity by WIELD and Emerging Architects Committees has allowed me to highlight diverse perspectives and unique backgrounds on a more personal scale. Our showcasing of minority leaders in our community has aimed to empower the next generation of diverse leadership. I already see this impact reflected in my peers that have grown into their leadership, and I’m excited about the equitable profession that we are building together.

(IAC) As an immigrant architect advocating for and empowering the next generation of architects, what unique perspective do you bring to the field that can inspire and enrich the architectural community?

LR: As an immigrant architect advocating for the next generation, my perspective enriches the architectural community. Through my involvement with the AIA|DC Asian American Designers Union, I bring a fresh lens that celebrates diversity and Asian cultural influences in AIA community. Based on personal experiences, I offer empathy and guidance, inspiring aspiring architects to overcome the cultural and professional barriers. By promoting inclusivity and embracing different perspectives, we create designs that reflect the richness of diverse communities. My journey, exemplified by the AIA|DC Asian American Designers Union, serves as inspiration, showcasing how determination and resilience lead to professional success.

MJ: Being an immigrant,I bring a multicultural lens to my professional contributions. In a world where globalization has blurred boundaries, and cultural diversity is increasingly valued, this lens helps me promote inclusivity in design, and navigate diverse design teams, while engaging with clients and colleagues from different backgrounds. Also, my multicultural lens enables me to bring an innovative approach to problem solving. My exposure to a wider range of problem solving methods across the world helps me think creatively and critically, thinking of non-traditional solutions within a homogeneous approach.

MN: Coming from a small country, my biggest difference turned strength is my love for community development, and the importance I have placed in nurturing my architectural village. Much of my advocacy work has stemmed from elevating the unheard or underrepresented and responding to community needs. This has provided me the unique opportunity to champion diversity of thought, appreciating all perspectives as a chance to think differently. This allows for great teamwork in finding innovative and integrated solutions across disciplines. And as a devoted member of the architectural community, it has allowed me to increase my reach and help younger architects find their voices and recognize their potential.

Yu-Ngok Lo (YL) (IAC): Could you share some insights into the unique challenges you have encountered as a U.S. architect working overseas? How does your experience differ from working in the U.S. as an immigrant architect?

LR: The most unique challenge I encounter is localizing my design concepts. Unlike the U.S., where immigrants bring diverse backgrounds, many countries have distinct mainstream religions, languages, and cultural heritages. Therefore, I must learn the local narratives and adapt my design approach accordingly. The key is effectively communicating my ideas using language that resonates with the audience.

Practicing in the Middle East has been a particularly different experience for me. It requires a greater degree of self-reliance and adaptability, given the presence of Arabian and British cultural influences. Embracing these cultural differences, actively seeking local knowledge, and establishing myself within this new professional landscape are essential.

YL (IAC): What advice would you give to other young architects from the U.S. who aspire to work overseas? How can they effectively engage with local communities and address cultural barriers?

LR: The AIA provides a wealth of resources to support overseas practice, covering areas such as employment, education, and networking. I highly recommend young architects to explore the AIA Global Practice Primer, which offers essential information for practicing abroad.

Engaging with local communities can be done in multiple ways. Personally, I find Eventbrite a useful platform for discovering public events, while Instagram helps me find great local restaurants. It’s important to remember that many young people, like us, enjoy communication and exploring new possibilities in life. By making connections with locals who share similar interests, you can quickly establish a local network that supports and enhances your experience woman on the executive board of AIA Orange County, and the Vice-President elect at Southern California chapter of the National Organization of Minority Architects, what advice would you give to young professionals and immigrants to achieve a leadership position within a firm or an organization?

MJ: Embrace your authentic self, advocate for your worth, and seize every opportunity that comes your way. Whether you’re working within a firm or an organization, take the initiative to actively participate in challenging projects and boldly present new ideas that elevate collective performance. Focus on developing the skills necessary for the roles you aspire to and stay committed to your personal and professional growth. While it can be disheartening if you’re overlooked for a promotion and wonder if your race played a role, remember to keep your eyes on your goals, and stay persistent and resilient. However, trust your instincts and if you feel undervalued and underutilized, don’t hesitate to explore other firms or organizations that truly appreciate and recognize your contribution.

I would like to make a slight correction: I resigned from my role at SoCal NOMA in 2023 due to other commitments.

SS (IAC): How can immigrant architects effectively advocate for themselves and their work in the face of microaggressions and challenges related to their gender, race, and accent?

MJ: The challenges we face as immigrant architects are unique, where our level of education and experience is on par with our American colleagues, but we constantly need to advocate for ourselves and our work, particularly in the face of microaggressions and biases related to our gender, race, and accent. Building a strong professional network through purposeful engagement with professional organizations such as AIA, NOMA, and ULI has helped me effectively address these challenges and assert my professional status. Seeking mentorship from people with diverse backgrounds like mine has helped me navigate biases effectively. By mentoring others, I want to empower younger immigrant architects to self-advocate.

Graciela Carrillo (GC) (IAC): In the book you mentioned how you worked for 60-70 hrs a week and you still found yourself “forgotten” within the firm. What did you do to overcome that obstacle? How did you advocate for yourself?

MN: Overcoming the high performing, underrecognized role required me to critically examine my efforts. I began prioritizing work in our office JEDI and mentorship Committees hoping to effect change, and later took leadership roles within several AIA DC Committees. Learning what the profession valued externally helped me understand my unique talents and strengths. Recognizing your professional worth, phrasing it in how you benefit an organization, and communicating that effectively, took a lot of time and experience to learn. Once learned through my expanded network, I have also now been able to help mentor other young architects who find themselves in similar situations.

GC (IAC): What advice would you give to young professionals that are going through a burnout working environment?

MN: Learn to value yourself and your time, you are worth more than the hours you spend behind your computer working. If in a burnout environment, recalibrate, and think about what gives your life purpose. By re-prioritizing the things that truly matter, you will find your passions, strengths and the value that only you can bring. There will always be more work to be done, but focusing your energy on the things that matter can help align your long-term goals.

Authors