This webpage contains articles, statements, and other information on addressing racial injustice in the built environment. It will be updated as new resources are available. To submit information or provide feedback, please email Sheri Hansen.
Organization Statements
Read the AIA Minnesota statement on the Derek Chauvin trial verdict.
Read the AIA Minnesota statement on the role of the architecture community in combatting anti-Asian bias and discrimination.
Read the AIA Minnesota statement at the beginning of the Derek Chauvin trial, “People Matter More Than Buildings.”
Read the AIA Minnesota statement on the murder of George Floyd and protests in Minneapolis. This statement was also reposted in the Architect’s Newspaper, Dezeen, and World Architects.
Read the AIA Minnesota statement on architecture and prison design, in response to Michael Kimmelman’s New York Times article “There’s No Reason for an Architecture to Design a Death Chamber.”
Read the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) statement regarding racial injustice.
Read the AIA National statement on systemic racial injustice.
Resources and Projects
AIA’s racial equity initiative and resources
AIA Guides to Equitable Practice
Design Justice for Black Lives from Colloqate
Landscapes of Hope from Culturally Enriched Communities, part of the University of Minnesota College of Design — Stories of communities through buildings and places in Minneapolis, elaborating on how the design of the built environment can pave the way for social and racial justice, equality, freedom, and global citizenship.
Mapping Prejudice Learn more about racially restrictive housing covenants in Minneapolis at Mapping Prejudice, and how homeowners can discharge a racially strictive convenant on their property title through Just Deeds.
Perspectives
Architecture is Political podcast
Tangible Remnants podcast
“3 Black architects on how race has shaped our environment in Twin Cities” featuring James Garrett Jr., AIA, NOMA, Mohammed Lawal, AIA, and Damaris Hollingsworth, AIA, NOMA (Star Tribune)
“Racism is built into U.S. cities. Here’s how architects can fight back” by Kimberly Dowdell (Fast Company)
“James Garrett Jr. Lists Actions for Architects, Institutions, and Business Owners to Combat Systemic Racism” (ARCHITECT)
“America’s Cities Were Designed to Oppress” by Bryan Lee, Jr. (CityLab)
“The Housing Problem” by Katherine Flynn, featuring local architect James Garrett, Jr., AIA, NOMA (ARCHITECT)
“The Pipeline Isn’t the Problem” by Intelligencer staff (New York Magazine)
“I Want people to Know My Name” by Patricia Acevedo Fuentes, FAIA (ARCHITECT)
“Letters to the editor: Thoughts from the ground” by Lyssa Washington, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, and James Garrett, Jr., AIA, NOMA (The Architect’s Newspaper)
“Letter to the Editor: Minneapolis’s Sam Olbekson on building a just community” (The Architect’s Newspaper)
“Translating Design” by Damaris Hollingsworth, AIA, NOMA (ARCHITECT)
“‘Architecture is Vital to Native Culture’: Sam Olbekson on Indigenous Design and Social Justice” (ArchDaily)
“It’s Time to Listen” featuring James Garrett Jr., AIA, NOMA, and Nathan Johnson, AIA, NOMA (ARCHITECT)
“Blackout — Amplifying the Voices of Blackness Within Architecture” by Sekou Cooke (Architectural Record)
James Garrett, Jr., AIA, NOMA, speaks to the Jason and Alexis Show on MyTalk 107.1.
Sam Olbekson, AIA, speaks with KFAI’s Native News. (Interview begins 10:07).