Karen recently spoke at the College of Architecture + Design, Lawrence Technological University, as part of a three-part lecture series titled “The Future of University Libraries.” Karen’s talk, “Re-envisioning Libraries,” addressed the evolution of both public and academic libraries and their roles as critical social infrastructure. As a bonus, she got to stay in LTU’s Frank Lloyd Wright house – the Affleck House in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, built in 1941 and recently restored.
The series continues through April, offering students the opportunity to reflect on important questions around the future of library design and consider how spaces will be designed to accommodate the growing and changing needs of society.
To learn more about the lecture series and to watch Karen’s lecture visit the event page linked here.
Center for an Urban Future released “Re: New York City,” describing 250 ideas provided by New Yorkers from a variety of backgrounds and across various disciplines, on how to “revive NYC’s economy, spark good jobs, and build a more equitable city.” Karen’s contribution highlights the community-based organizations can support NYC youth, bring them into the broader conversation, and spark change. Read Karen’s full quote and view the full report here.
Karen was recently elevated to a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) and honored by AIANY’s Women in Architecture Committee (WIA) in recognition of this achievement. The AIA College of Fellows is the organization’s highest membership honor, recognizing excellence in design, preservation, education, literature, and service, that contribute to architecture and society. The College of Fellows noted that “[Karen] shapes vibrant and equitable built environments through her designs for civic, educational and community-based organizations and her leadership in the transformative education of future architects and activists. Congratulations to all of the fellows in the class of 2021!
Read the full AIA College of Fellows June 2021 Newsletter here.
Advanced Architectural Research and Design, Karen’s spring semester design studio, explores design at the intersection of architecture, youth, activism and justice in the built environment. This immersive studio for Barnard and Columbia Architecture majors in their senior year is working with two unique New York organizations, and Marble Fairbanks’ partners, FC Harlem and Girl Be Heard. Through an inclusive design process between B+C Architecture students, the youth and the directors of these organizations, students are developing projects that explore how architecture and design and can support the organization’s needs, amplify the voices of their youth, strengthen their communities and envision new opportunities to empower youth today and in the future.
Image Courtesy of FC Harlem / Royce Paris / AndThem and Girl Be Heard
Interior Design Magazine recently put out their first annual Women in Design to, “honor the talents and successes of female industry leaders.” The book profiles designers and their careers by featuring a signature project that is, “personally and professionally meaningful.” Karen is featured along with Marble Fairbanks’ Glen Oaks Branch Library in Queens. This library celebrates the diversity of the local community and is a beacon for the neighborhood. In the feature, Karen discusses that the messages from the library need to extend to design professions, “Until the profession includes representation that reflects our society, we’re missing critical voices in our work.”