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Rosa T. Sheng, is a senior associate at Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, Founder and Chairperson for Equity by Design, an AIA San Francisco committee.
She’s worked as an architect for 21 years leading many different types of projects – perhaps most notably the glass structure for one of Apple’s original high-profile stores.
She’s led “The Missing 32% Project,” a 2014 Equity in Architecture Survey and research study, which launched a national conversation for achieving equitable practice in architecture. The study examined the reasons behind the staggering drop-off rate between women in schooling for architecture and women who went on to become licensed practicing architects.
Since the group launched its key findings, Sheng has been presenting in Boston, New York, Lisbon, Atlanta, Philadelphia and Seattle. The group’s outreach for equity in architecture has received national press in Architect Magazine, Architectural Record, Wall Street Journal, TEDxPhiladelphia and KQED/NPR.
In a TEDxPhiladelphia talk, she spoke about her dream to become an architect since she was 11. She recalled a family member discouraging her, saying architects work very hard for little money and how that might complicate her never-explicit-expressed “dream” to become a mother and wife. The anger she felt after hearing these comments resurfaced again as she was working in her first job and felt the desire to leave.
She said she struggled to see her own value. It took her many years to realize that she was, in fact, worthy and could, in fact, find a work/life/family balance. She has spoken many times on her project and her own struggles.
She currently serves as Treasurer on AIA San Francisco’s Board of Directors, a member of the AIA National Equity in Architecture Commission, AIA National Diversity Council, SCUP, USGBC, and NCARB Supervisor.
Re: Woman of the Week – Rosa Sheng
