Advocacy, Agency and Architecture: Org models - Acceleration in practice

The series “Advocacy and Agency in Architecture” will explore how current modalities of architectural education and practice have the potential for architects to act as advocates and agents for change within the field and in the greater community. We will collectively discuss how we can elevate the voices of marginalized communities, how we as architects can be a voice for just and fair working conditions, and how a new generation of architects can be taught to develop a voice that speaks for others and themselves.

In this second event of a three-event series, "Advocacy, Agency, and Architecture: Organizational models - Acceleration in practice” we are inviting firms to share their organizational models- how these benefit the various stakeholders and culture and how those models are reflected in the mission and values of the firm and their work- and explore new models in pursuit of advocacy and agency.

The discussion will touch on topics such as:

• What are different organizational models and their associated pros and cons?
• How does the organizational model correlate to the firm’s stated mission and values and how can it translate into the work a firm does?
• What is the value of the organizational model in how it benefits the various stakeholders in the short and long term looking at business, growth, and culture?
• What are the key decision-making tools to adapt an organizational model when looking to start, grow a business, or plan for business succession?
• Given the recent mass talent flight (“Great Resignation”) relating to the Pandemic but also relating to industry-wide issues and ongoing Unionization efforts in our industry, are existing organizational models obsolete or missing fundamental components for true advocacy between leadership, staff, and clients?

We aim for participants to walk away with inspiring examples of how others are changing the landscape of practice and how they may integrate these ideas into their own firms.

The event will be moderated by Melissa Marsh (Executive Director and Founder of PLASTARC) and will feature experts from the following firms:

- DLR Group
- Columbia GSAPP Undergraduate & Graduate Scholarship Winners