What barriers do women face today in the building design and construction fields? Who has helped pave the way, and what challenges remain?
Next Tuesday, Nov. 7th, a panel on this topic hosted by Commercial Observer in New York will include the perspectives of Jane Smith, FAIA, founder of the acclaimed architecture and interior design firm, Spacesmith. Smith, who recently wrote an op-ed on women’s challenges in the workforce, will tackle related issues as part of the conference, “Breaking the Glass Ceilings: Leading Women in Construction and Design.”
Held at the CUNY Graduate Center in New York, the event brings together women from all levels and different sides of the architecture, engineering, and construction fields to celebrate and learn from groundbreaking female executives.
As the founding partner of the women-owned firm Spacesmith, a Fellow of the AIA and chair of the Department of Interior Design at the School of Visual Arts, Smith is a respected leader in the design, business, and education communities. A practitioner and educator who champions emerging architects and designers, Smith has served as a national example and mentor for other women entering the field.
Smith will share her perspectives on the panel titled, “Women Leaders in Construction & Design: How They Paved the Way.” Smith will be joined by other executives including Helena Durst; Geri Gregor of Grassi & Co.; Elisabeth Malsch of Thornton-Tomasetti; Kimberly Steimle Vaughan of Suffolk; and Melissa Grzymala of Faithful+Gould. The group will consider past examples of women leaders and ways that today’s women in the AEC fields overcome stereotypes in the workplace and create better opportunities for professional growth.
What: Panel discussion, “Women Leaders in Construction & Design: How They Paved the Way,”
Who: Jane Smith, FAIA, and others
When: Tuesday, Nov. 7th, from 10:00am – 11:00am
Where: City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center Proshansky Auditorium, 365 Fifth Ave., New York, N.Y.
About Jane Smith
Jane Smith, FAIA, IIDA, is founder and partner of the architecture and design firm, Spacesmith. Jane has helped change the profession, especially for women, through her work at Spacesmith and with many professional groups from IIDA, Women Executives in Real Estate (WX), and the Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation to the AIANY Chapter where she has served on the Board Executive Committee since 2013 and is currently the VP of Professional Development. Spacesmith’s wide range of acclaimed building and interiors projects include the Brooklyn Tow Pound, the Brooklyn Bridge Park pop-up pool, the Staten Island Family Justice Center, the U.S. Mexico City Embassy, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan headquarters. Jane is a frequent participant on professional panels and juries for the AIA and other industry related organizations. A lifelong educator, Smith also teaches and serves as Chair of the Department of Interior Design at the School of Visual Arts.
About Spacesmith
Spacesmith is a full-service architecture, interior design and consulting firm driven by design excellence, expertise in project delivery, and a unique focus on business and client strategic goals. Specializing in renovations, adaptive reuse, and new buildings for both private and public sector clients, the firm’s projects are developed with a meticulous attention to concept and details, and reflect the positive spirit of people and communities. Throughout the United States and abroad, Spacesmith’s team of skilled architects, designers, space planners, and project managers applies a highly crafted and mission-responsive approach, whose vision is to “take care of the people who take care of the world.” More at www.spacesmith.com.