Diversity in Design Workshop

AIA Continuing Education Provider

1 LU | HSW

Date/Time: November 6, 2026 | 10:15 – 11:15 am

Room: YAKIMA 1

Abstract: A major annual initiative of the Diversity Champions Group is hosting workshops focused on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the design and planning of learning environments. This year’s LearningSCAPES 2025 workshop will build on the success of our 2023 and 2024 sessions, serving as both a touchpoint for continued dialogue and a springboard into regional and chapter-level conversations throughout the coming year.

Our objective is to move beyond surface-level awareness—to push toward specific, actionable strategies that embed equity and inclusion into the DNA of school design. This workshop will engage participants in meaningful, collaborative dialogue on the systems and structures that shape our schools—and challenge them to reflect on the biases, assumptions, and opportunities embedded within.

Participants will dive deeper into the key focus areas explored in past sessions while also expanding the conversation. Breakout groups will center on these five evolving topics, with a Diversity Champion facilitating each group to surface new action steps and report back to the collective:

  1. Student Voices
    How do we center student identities and agency in design to foster belonging?
  2. Holistic Design
    Who might still be unintentionally excluded from our spaces, even when we design with inclusion in mind?
  3. Normativity and Safety for All
    How do we uncover and disrupt assumptions about gender, culture, and ability that influence space design?
  4. Advocating for Climate Justice
    How can planning and design of indoor and outdoor learning environments inspire students and communities to advocate climate justice?
  5. Feeding Our Future
    What barriers of access to nourishing, sustainable food exist within our school communities, and what strategies can planners and designers use to help remove them?

We also welcome emergent topics that reflect participants’ lived experiences and work. Groups will be formed around each topic for facilitated discussion, with summaries shared in a full-group report-out. These contributions will shape a collective report published online, continuing the body of work from prior workshops and offering insights to the broader A4LE network.

We encourage you to bring an idea, challenge, image, or question—whether a sketch, phrase, or snapshot—and join us in exploring how design can be a force for justice. 

Learning Objectives:

  1. Review and access core resources on chosen Diversity topic.
  2. Discuss and understand experiences, solutions, and further resources with chosen Diversity topic group.
  3. Define immediate, medium, and long-term goals to support the expansion of chosen Diversity topic in personal work.
  4. Review and understand the goals of the remainder of Diversity topics from other groups.

Core Competency

Julia Hawkinson, ALEP, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, WELL AP
Julia Hawkinson, ALEP, FAIA, LE Fellow, LEED AP BD+C, O+M, WELL AP
Senior Facilities Development Manager, Los Angeles Unified School District

Julia has been working for school districts for over 20 years to positively impact the learning experiences of the students she serves. She manages the planning of major projects transforming existing school sites and leads the effort to develop, update and align LAUSD’s design standards and educational specifications with its instructional vision. In her professional and personal efforts, Julia advocates for inspiring learning environments that provide all children the opportunity to learn, grow, and dream.

Margarita Krivolutskaya, ALEP, Architect AIBC
Margarita Krivolutskaya, ALEP, Architect AIBC
RHFAC Professional

Margarita is a Universal Design specialist focused on inclusive learning environments that promote meaningful access. She collaborates with a range of institutional clients throughout British Columbia and is leading the development of the accessibility guidelines and implementation planning for two colleges. She serves as the Chair of the Advisory Design Panel for the City of Surrey.

Kari-elin Mock, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Kari-elin Mock, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
Principal | Executive Director, Cuningham

Kari-elin has practiced architecture for over 27 years, with an emphasis on creating spaces for learning, teaching, and play. She is a Principal with Cuningham in Denver, Colorado and serves as the Executive Director of the Grow Studio, where design for education at all levels is a primary focus. Kari-elin fuels her passion for meaningful design through her work with A4LE and currently serves as the Southwest Region representative to the Global Board.

Heidi Neumueller, AIA, LEED AP
Heidi Neumueller, AIA, LEED AP
Principal, Cuningham

Heidi is a Principal, Senior Project Manager, and Architect at Cuningham. She brings a unique blend of commitment, strategic thinking, and sensitivity to every project. Heidi excels at leading immersive workshops and engaging with clients and user groups to transform their vision into dynamic learning environments. Her recent work includes developing a Trauma-Informed Design framework for all Cuningham projects, inspired by her collaboration with Rise Early Learning. She is also a national thought leader in inclusive restroom design, advocating for key design strategies that enhance safety and security. A recognized leader in the field, Heidi was honored with the 2018 AIA Minnesota Young Architect Award.

Lock Pampel-Montague, ALEP, AIA
Lock Pampel-Montague, ALEP, AIA

Lock is a registered architect and accredited educational planner in Chicago, IL, USA, who specializes in educational design. Besides practicing architecture, Lock runs learning environment design workshops for architects, educators, and professionals in related fields, as well as university students in each of those fields.

Ross Parker, ALEP, AIA, LEED AP NOMA
Ross Parker, ALEP, AIA, LEED AP NOMA
Educational Design Lead, BCRA

Ross is an educational design lead for BCRA in Tacoma WA and a former co-chair of A4LE’s JEDI/DEI Committee. He has a passion for culturally relevant, experiential design of educational and community facilities that inspire, promote and embody empathy, and connect learners to their curriculum through the natural environment. Ross’ 3-decade architectural portfolio spans from northern Canada, the UK, to the US, and includes three James D. MacConnell Awards projects – award recipient in 2010 and finalists in 2004 and 2020.

Kerrie Frymire CPSM, LEED Green Associate
Kerrie Frymire, CPSM, LEED Green Associate
Associate Principal | K12 Marketing & Business Development

Kerrie is the marketing and business development leader for Perkins Eastman’s international K-12 practice. Her passion for education began with dual master’s degrees in education and human relations and was further shaped by her early career as an administrator in higher education and early childhood settings. With a deep understanding of the intersection between client needs, service delivery, and industry innovation, Kerrie leverages her experience to build strong relationships with current and prospective clients. She collaborates closely with her team to craft strategies that generate new opportunities and drive growth. An active member of A4LE, Kerrie also serves as a Diversity Champion on the Northeast Region board.

LearningSCAPES 2026 Conference in Seattle, Washington

Venue

Seattle Convention Center
705 Pike Street
Seattle, WA 98101

Dates

November 4-7, 2026

Contact

Email: donna@a4le.org
+1 480.391.0840