‘Women [Re]Build: Stories, Polemics, Futures’ Gathers Thinkers, Activists, Designers, and Builders

In Women [Re]Build: Stories, Polemics, Futures, Associate Professor of Architecture Franca Trubiano and alumnae Ramona Adlakha (MArch’18) and Ramune Bartuskait (MArch’18) gather reflections on the renewal of feminist thought in architecture (Framing Stories), challenges to practice made possible by activism (Shaping Polemics), and portrayals of inspiring practitioners who pave the way for future women architects (Building Futures).

Women [Re]Build’s editors aim to increase the visibility and voice of women who, every day, challenge the definition and practice of architecture. The book gathers words and projects of leading women thinkers, activists, designers, and builders who have dared to ask, “where are the women?” Where, they ask, are the women whose architectural work should be celebrated and recognized for its courage and impact; who have cultivated female leadership while challenging the very principles of the discipline they represent; and who’ve asked the most difficult and rigorous of questions of those who build their visions?

The book includes contributions from Senior Lecturer Joan Ockman, Despina Stratigakos, Lori Brown, and Mary McLeod. It also features conversations and position statements from Miller Professor and Chair of Architecture Winka Dubbeldam, Inaugural Kanter Tritsch Medal Recipient Billie Tsien, Jeanne Gang, Graham Chair Professor of Architecture Marion Weiss, and Sadie Morgan.

Published by ORO Editions/AR+D, Women [Re]Build: Stories, Polemics, Futures is scheduled for release in October of 2019.  To reserve a review copy, please contact: Brooke Biro at Brooke@oroeditions.com or 1.415.883.3300, ext 202.

About the Editors

Franca Trubiano is associate professor of architecture at the Weitzman School and a registered architect with l’Ordre des Architectes du Québec. Her research on “Fossil Fuels, the Building Industry, and Human Health” is sponsored by the Kleinman Energy Center. Her edited book Design and Construction of High-Performance Homes: Building Envelopes, Renewable Energies and Integrated Practice (Routledge Press, 2012), was translated into Korean and winner of the 2015 Sejong Outstanding Scholarly Book Award. She is completing a manuscript Building Theories (Routledge) which challenges late 20th-century definitions and practices of architectural theory. Franca was president of the Building Technology Educators Society (BTES) (2015); and a member of the Journal of Architectural Education (JAE) (2013-2016).

Ramona Adlakha (MArch’18) currently lives in Toronto and practices architecture at Diamond Schmitt Architects. She was born in Calcutta, India, speaks five languages and has been lucky enough to call multiple places across the globe her home. Ramona holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania where she co-founded Penn Women in Architecture (PWIA), received the Alpha Ro Chi Medal for professional merit and the William Melhorn Scholarship in architectural history and theory. Ramona holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, Fine Art and Literary Studies from the University of Toronto where she was the recipient of the Government of Canada’s Millennium Provincial Laureate scholarship awarded for exhibited excellence in community involvement, innovation, and leadership. Ramona is an executive member of Building Equality in Architecture Toronto (BEAT)–a national movement across Canada promoting equity in design, a board member of the Penn-Wharton Club of Toronto and a LEED accredited professional. Ramona is deeply committed to promoting the incidence and visibility of women in design.

Ramune Bartuskaite (MArch’18) holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with a minor in Marketing from Miami University. During her studies, she also had the privilege of participating in exchange programs in Copenhagen, Denmark and the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, U.K. At Penn, she co-founded Penn Women in Architecture (PWIA) and was a recipient of the Alpha Rho Chi Medal for leadership, willing service, and promise of professional merit. She practices architecture at JKRP Architects in Philadelphia and serves as chief creative director of Rise First, a non-profit for first-generation students. She is actively involved in the Philadelphia Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Philadelphia’s Green Building United. She hopes to be an advocate for more equitable, diverse and inclusive development within our cities.