A Multicultural Perspective on Design Through The Lens of Diverse Story-Telling

In the diverse and interconnected world we live in, the intersectionality of identities goes beyond recognizing individuals; it extends to a collective responsibility to put action towards practices that are inclusive, diverse, and socially just. Nowhere is this more evident than in the built environment where the values we manifest can shape the experiences of countless individuals and communities. It is crucial to ensure that our spaces and designs embrace and celebrate diverse cultures. In May of 2023 the Young Architects Forum (YAF) Advocacy Focus Group had a webinar where panelists shared their journeys as stewards for their cultures and inspired us all to create better inclusive environments.

The webinar was moderated by Raquel Guzman Geara, AIA, design and project architect at Smith Group. She was joined by panelists Mani Farhadi, Associate AIA, LEEP AP, senior facilities planner at Stanford University School of Medicine, Yu-Ngok Lo, FAIA, CDT, LEED AP, principal at YNL Architects, Graciela Carrillo, AIA, LEEP AP BD+C, senior manager at nassau BOCES, and Ka’ili Chun, sculptor and installation artist. The 2023 YAF National YAF Advocacy Focus Group webinar organizers include Kaitlyn Badlato, Jordan Hall, Seth Duke, Raquel Guzman Geara, Melissa Gaddis, Kevin Loo-Chan, Laura Morton, and Director, Anastasia Markiw.

Art, Architecture, And Cultural Narratives

When speaking about design, the panelists showcased how culture, upbringing and having different backgrounds shape the way they design. Culture shapes the way we see the world, and the way we understand our surroundings. Spaces and art become a reflection of certain practices and beliefs of designers. Ultimately, designs will reflect a combination of current place, user needs, designers culture, and have a result that alludes to people’s lived experience. Each panelist shared a story that clearly reflects influence from their roots.

Graciela Carillo started her career in public sector work in Colombia. Her immigration experience in the United States (U.S.) made her want to work harder to demonstrate her value and bring change to the broader community. She brought diversity into her local American Institute of Architects (AIA) chapter leadership and raised participation and connected others by starting the Emerging Professionals Committee and Women in Architecture Committee in New York City. She and fellow panelist Yu-Ngok Lo also co-founded the Immigrant

Architects Coalition with a goal of making the immigrant architect experience a little easier by providing how-to guides and a community going through the same journey.

Raquel Guzman Geara spoke to how her designs are centered in the human experience and driven by empathy for the user. This view came from her upbringing in a poor country where not everyone had the same access to resources needed for education and living. From a young age that cultivated the importance of understanding how others perceive the world differently and react differently based on their life experience. Another reason for her empathetic views was growing up with two big families with different heritages, which from an early age taught her there is a larger connected group of people that will always have different points of view and respecting that is of ultimate importance. Her background has inspired her to be a founding member & lead the group Arquitina, an organization dedicated to raising Latina women to licensure.

Ka’ili Chun’s work is deeply connected to preserving her roots. When she creates, she incorporates the principles of ʻĀina, ʻIke, Mo’olelo, and Wahi in her design strategies. She emphasizes a deep connection to the land (ʻĀina) and draws inspiration from the natural environment to create spaces that harmonize with their surroundings. By embracing traditional knowledge (ʻIke) and incorporating cultural narratives (Mo’olelo), she weaves stories and symbolism into her designs, creating meaningful and resonant experiences. Furthermore, she considers the sense of place (Wahi) and the historical context of a site, allowing it to inform her design decisions and celebrate the cultural heritage of the location. All four of these strategies can really involve and educate a community on the land they are on and the people who are there.

Yu Ngok has been able to apply his cultural influences in his own firm. He told us how after opening the firm, since it is small and immigrant owned, most of the projects he does are small scale, but ultimately no matter the size it’s purely a design that is driven by what he has learned to be important. In addition to those projects, he started his own firm to get involved in projects that investigate the architectural problems around us every day. For instance, he dwells on the topic of unused space and affordability problems as he sees there are empty acres of land along the states that could be used for housing.

Ultimately each one of these individuals has been influenced by their culture and they work every day to bring the positive aspects of those into every design they create in this country.

The Impact Of Cultural Intersectionality

Intersectionality occurs not only in design, but in the work environment. Today you will find people with diverse cultures and backgrounds in many workplaces which enriches not only the environment, but project results. People with diverse backgrounds and characteristics will produce diverse ideas. They have different problem solving approaches . This can all lead to great designs, but how can we address clashes in the workplace and make an impact on social equity and justice?

Mani spoke about growing up in a hybrid family and being raised as an iranian-american and how the intersectionality of those cultures influenced her life in positive ways but at the same time gave her some identity issues. Mani has lived in diaspora, unable to return to Iran since 1980 due to political, cultural and gender reasons, so she was raised in the USA having to quickly adapt to this society. Growing up there were children with a wide diversity in multi-faith so her community was filled with equity and compassion. She was forever inspired by the 1976 International Congress of Women Architects. This inspiration and need to connect all voices has led her to being a leader, volunteer, and community activist. When she saw a gap in the industry, she started the Banou’s in the Building Industry (BIBI) organization to uplift the voice of Iranian women in the architecture, landscape, interiors, planning, engineering, construction, and academia

From Ka’ili we learned that by acknowledging and respecting the cultural heritage of indigenous communities and marginalized groups, architects can contribute to healing historical wounds and rectifying past injustices. Chun stressed the need for collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary approaches that engage communities in the design process, ensuring that their voices are heard and valued.

Belonging & Embracing One’s Culture

One recurring theme that resonated strongly throughout the discussion was the importance of pride in one’s culture and embracing one’s own unique perspective. The panelists stressed embracing and showcasing our cultural identities to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and foster a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Pride in cultural heritage not only enriches our own lives but also contributes to the overall richness and vibrancy of the built environment and society.

As Mani eloquently put it, “You are beautiful, you belong, you matter.” She shared her experience as an Iranian-American and how she often felt a lack of representation in the firms and projects she worked on. To find a sense of belonging, she engaged with various organizations that resonated with her cultural background. Mani emphasizes the significance of reaching out and learning about others, as it fosters inclusivity and creates an environment that values diverse cultures.

Yu-Ngok, reflecting on his journey as an immigrant, emphasized the importance of embracing one’s own heritage. Growing up he looked up to U.S. culture as being the best there is. This is what drove him to want to come to this country to be with the best. After he achieved his goal, he started working at firms and slowly realized that things weren’t as he thought, and even when he had a seat at the table, people didn’t listen to him. He felt like a checkbox or number. This prompted him to establish his own firm in order to have his ideas embodied in designs. He encourages individuals to advocate for themselves and their culture, stating “The moment you are ashamed of your own self is the moment you lose yourself”.

Ka’ili passionately spoke about the importance of understanding and preserving cultures that have been historically erased. She emphasized the need to reach out to the people of the lands we occupy and learn from their indigenous knowledge. In her words, “Understand, Don’t Erase, adapt.” By acknowledging and respecting indigenous communities, architects can contribute to healing historical wounds and rectifying past injustices.

Graciella, as an immigrant, highlighted the importance of having a voice and earning trust within the workplace. Open communication and the ability to express thoughts and ideas is extremely important in gaining respect. At her job, she is very vocal about what she thinks is right, and is not afraid to say when she doesn’t know something and ask for help. Both her and Raquel mentioned how there is a perception of the young latina women; there is a big barrier they’ve both had to break and feeling the need to have to work twice as hard to be acknowledged. Even small things like language; for a long time they tried to change or improve their accents until they realized it’s a beautiful thing to have.

By celebrating diverse cultures, challenging stereotypes, and recognizing the value of each individual’s unique perspective, we can create a more equitable and vibrant society. Together, we can make a positive impact by promoting social equity and justice through the intersectionality of cultures in the design and workplace realms.