[155] The Evolution of Architecture Education at the Boston Architectural College

How can architects embrace activism, innovation, and collaboration to create more inclusive, sustainable, and empathetic environments?

On this episode of Practice Disrupted, we have an insightful conversation with Beth Lundell Garver, AIA, NOMA Dean and Founding Director of Gateway Office (GO), a community-based design center at the Boston Architectural College (BAC). Today, we discuss the future of architectural education, the need to bridge the gap between academia and the real-world application of architecture, and how BAC is working towards positive change in the field. 

First, Beth reflects on balancing work and motherhood and advocates for recognizing women’s unique challenges in the profession. She then explains her concept of “architectural advocates,” that highlights the crucial role of non-licensed professionals in advancing design and social justice in the architectural field.

Then, we dive into the importance of empowering architectural advocates to broaden the definition of architecture beyond building design and into relationships and community engagement. Beth touches on the landscape of architectural education and emphasizes the need for more hands-on experience and career support for students.

Empower people to support and recommend policies that inform the built environment and acknowledge the critical nature of that. Architecture cannot just be about new construction anymore…really urgently has to start being more about redesigning spaces, taking pieces apart, and reusing them in ways that are different. Architectural advocates can help us a lot with that. – Beth Lundell Garver

To wrap up the conversation, Beth addresses the everyday stresses on young architects, such as design studio culture, the state of helplessness, and the lack of salary data. She shares how we can work towards change in these areas by prioritizing diversity and inclusion and fostering a sense of connection within the field to help pave the way for the future. 

Tune in next week for an episode with returning guest Wandlie Mithiyane to learn more about his two most recent endeavors, The Anti-Racist Hotdog and The Tea.

Guest:

Beth Lundell Garver, AIA, NOMA

Bethany Lundell Garver, AIA, NOMA, is Dean and Faculty of Practice and Founding Director of Gateway Office (GO), the community-based design uncenter at the Boston Architectural College. She leads college-wide efforts to connect education with practice through distinguished reflective assessment and experiential learning initiatives. Her research and teaching focus on community engagement, professional practice, construction administration, and urban design.

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Gateway Office Boston Architectural College  American Institute of Architecture Students Higher education linked to greater wellbeing, job fit and societal progress, Lumina-Gallup study finds Building a High-Development Culture Through Your Employee Engagement Strategy