Summary: This week, two readers share their personal stories about diversity within the profession, one has kudos for our story on the revitalization of Brooklyn’s Greenpoint, and one takes issue with the level of “green” standard set by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® rating system.

Re: 25 Steps to Diversity

I have enjoyed reading the series of articles that Stephen Kliment, FAIA, has written on diversity in architecture. As an architect myself, who just happens to be “black,” I have thought about all the issues and statistics that he has identified in his “25 Steps to Diversity” article. The solution to getting increased visibility and acceptance of black architects by the “mainstream” is a multi-faceted one involving specific and overwhelming efforts from not only black leadership but the entire profession as a whole.

I was however, quite drawn to his comments specifically on “Career Planning & Getting Published.” Regarding the former, I have long held that there is too much “hero-worship” in architecture, which I believe is part of the reason for the rise of the “starchitect” that has brought on a skewing of the profession in the eyes of the general public. However, it may well be a hard habit to break, as it is almost a lauded component of architecture education. On the issue of “Getting Published,” I had a conversation a few years ago with a black interior designer who told me if it were not for self-promotion, he would not have caught the attention of national professional journals. But not everyone has the same level of astuteness for this. There needs to be some sort of program that seeks out projects by black architects on a regular and continued basis.

—Patrick Williams, Assoc. AIA
Beyer Blinder Belle, Washington, D.C.

The editors and author of the article are preaching to the choir. A couple of years ago at the AIA’s Grassroots Leadership Conference, we had a presentation by a black, female professor. Her speech was angry and self-indulgent. I spoke with the woman after her speech. You see I represent one of the smallest minorities in any professional organization—I was born with a visible birth defect. I have two fingers missing from each hand. Same for the toes on both feet, but I usually have shoes on when I am at work, so that is not so obvious (I do have a good sense of humor also).

I have worked for three of the largest firms in the country. Except for one, I was delegated to the “back room,” since I did not present the right image for high design architecture firms. Funny though, at two I was considered one of the best dressed guys there. Go figure! I let the professor know that discrimination can come in many colors and variations. I do not think the AIA or any other organization can preach diversity and only cater to the black population. I have worked with several black men and women during my 35 years in this profession. I believe that the atmosphere has changed and many firms have no issues with what you look like as long as you are clean and professionally presentable, educated, and can work with people. The issue of blacks goes farther than education. The family unit is essential to getting blacks or any other ethnic group to move forward. With 50 percent of the black children being born to single mothers, the issues are much deeper than offering opportunities in schools. It’s a start, but a small one.

The AIA, if it truly wants diversity, should embrace differences of all kinds. I believe the individual members in a large number do. I have served the AIA in many capacities. Currently I am one of two of our chapter’s state directors.

Diversity will take a while. Getting the white male to be a part, instead of the majority, is also a sociological issue. This profession was started by wealthy gentlemen, mostly white and mostly as a hobby. You had to be educated to know of architecture in the 18th and 19th centuries. Only white males had that opportunity in those times. Times do change, but they will not change overnight or even over a century. It took a long time to overturn slavery, apartheid, and many other ills of society. Time will also tell if diversity truly affects the AIA. For one, I am a little tired of the pandering (that’s what it looks like to me). I appreciate the articles, but if we are truly to diversify, let us talk about all people, not just one race.

—Greg Burke, AIA,
President, Gregory John Burke | ARCHITECT
Vero Beach, Fla.

Re: Jane Jacobs and the Crucible of Prosperity

I loved this article and would like to see more of its type in the AIArchitect. It is thought-provoking, educational, and scholarly—a terrific combination. Kudos to Zach Mortice for writing it and the editors for placing it in the newsletter. Perhaps Zach could have a go at some of the zoning and development issues facing Philadelphia? We’ve a new mayor coming in and a Zoning Code Commission set up to study how (not if) the Philadelphia Zoning Code should be changed.

—Julie E. Hoffman, AIA
Associate, RDLA
Philadelphia

Re: Signature Centre Achieves LEED Platinum at No Additional Cost

Dear AIA and USGBC,

No matter how nice a building is, it is a travesty that any building can achieve LEED® Platinum and not be carbon neutral. The bar is way too low. The credibility of the system is at stake.

—Chris Warner, AIA
Woods Hole, Mass.