Communications Blog Editor
Sweet Gaudí

Aryana Leland

In the short time that Antoni Gaudí had to devote his life’s work to Sagrada Família, he undoubtedly earned himself a place in the architectural canon. Despite meeting God via public transit, Gaudí could not have predicted that a viewer’s first impression of the church might be emerging from a dark Metro station, squinting at Google Maps in front of the Passion Façade. Today, the neighborhood surrounding Basilica de la Sagrada Família is entirely obsessed with Antoni Gaudí, lined with shops like “Sweet Gaudí” and “Gaudí Shopping.” In its century-long construction phase, it seems that Sagrada Família has had two distinct lives: one under the watchful eye of Gaudí, and one with the city of Barcelona.

Sweet Gaudí
Communications Blog Editor
Looking Around, Backwards, and Forwards: Frida ...

Aryana Leland

In October 2022, Frida Escobedo gave the first of a series of talks on “Designing Tomorrow’s Met” in New York. At the museum, her studio had recently won the commission to design the Oscar L.Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art. With a practice based in Mexico City, Escobedo’s first lecture gave patrons a glimpse into her design process. Earlier this year, Escobedo’s vision for the Tang Wing was unveiled, expertly navigating the museum’s stakeholders, a challenging set of existing conditions, and its users

Looking Around, Backwards, and Forwards: Frida Escobedo and The Tang Wing for Modern and Contemporary Art at The Met
Communications Blog Editor
Introducing our 2025-2026 AWA+D Executive Board

Some new faces and new goals - get to know our incoming 2025-2026 AWA+D Executive Board through a Q+A, and what to look forward to!

Introducing our 2025-2026 AWA+D Executive Board
Communications Blog Editor
Cal Poly Pomona Architecture Students Launch ...

Aryana Leland

Ashley Morales and I had the immense privilege of sitting down with two (very) busy third-year architecture students in the middle of a deadline, Aleena Hussain and Elizabeth Mayen. As we chatted, Aleena and Ellie joined us with the telltale signs of studio chaos happening in the background - models in different states of completion, bleary eyed students passing by, lots of coffee. They are in the middle of their tower project - a grueling hazing ritual that Ashley and I remember well - and we are lucky to be meeting with them during daylight hours. 

While balancing their studio work, Aleena and Ellie are the Cofounders of an ambitious, promising new venture at Cal Poly Pomona: Stable Magazine.

Cal Poly Pomona Architecture Students Launch Stable Magazine, a New Platform for Connection and Design
Communications Blog Editor
“Is this going to be on the exam?” Studying for ...

Aryana Leland

There are over 121,000 licensed architects in the United States - yet only 1 in 4 are women.

A licensure candidate in the United States must pass six divisions of the Architectural Registration Exam to earn their license, which can be notoriously difficult. In 2024, the pass rate for the Project Management division was 60%, and 48% for the Practice Management Division. Despite these daunting numbers, the Practice Management and Project Management divisions are often the starting point for licensure candidates, and rely heavily on an understanding of key AIA contract documents. This is where Michael Hanahan comes in, unofficially. 

“Is this going to be on the exam?” Studying for the ARE with Michael Hanahan
, ,

Making a Difference, Close to Home

, ,

Every day it seems we're inundated with news that makes us question what's happening, what it all means, and how we can help. It doesn’t seem hard to know how to react, but it is difficult to imagine how you can make a difference. If you're part of the design and construction industry in Southern California, we have a few ideas for making a difference, right here at home.

, , , , ,

Member Spotlight: Erla Dögg Ingjaldsdóttir

, , , , ,

Being born and raised in Iceland, I derive inspiration from the unassuming, almost austere beauty and natural features of my native country, the land of fire and ice…

, , , , ,

Member Spotlight: Carole Aizenstark

, , , , ,

Art and design were an intrinsic part of my youth on Paris’ Left Bank, where I was born and raised. My father was an important antique dealer and some of my earliest memories are of afternoons trailing him, observing craftsmen restore gilded bronzes or rare wood inlays on cabinets…

, , , , , , ,

AWA+D Annual Symposium 2018: Meet our panelists!

, , , , , , ,

AWA+D Annual Symposium 2018: Meet our panelists!

, , , , , , ,

Why Intersectionality?

, , , , , , ,

Why Intersectionality?

, , , , , , ,

Intersectionality: 2018 AWA+D Symposium + AWAF Scholarship Awards

, , , , , , ,

Intersectionality: 2018 AWA+D Symposium + AWAF Scholarship Awards

, , , , , , ,

AWAF Call for Entries - 2018 Scholarships and Fellowship

, , , , , , ,

AWAF Call for Entries - 2018 Scholarships and Fellowship

, , , , ,

Downtown Women's Center Volunteer Opportunity

, , , , ,

Downtown Women's Center Volunteer Opportunity

, , , , ,

Don't Miss The Best Design Holiday Party next Thursday!

, , , , ,

Don't Miss The Best Design Holiday Party next Thursday!

, , , , ,

Spotlight on Advocacy and Community Engagement

, , , , ,

Spotlight on Advocacy and Community Engagement

, , , , , , ,

Helping Women via AmazonSmile

, , , , , , ,

Helping Women via AmazonSmile