Academy of Architecture for Justice

Erica Loynd, AIA

• What are you most passionate about in regards to Justice Architecture?
  EL: As my career has developed with projects and research, justice architecture has taken on a strong passion in my everyday. Seeing how the owners are craving this change and just don’t even know where to begin makes me see architecture as the tie between operational change and building change. Neither can work independently … if you make a building that is beautiful and normative but operated in the traditional sense, it will never succeed in making the change. Owners who understand that hire architects to help envision the future and see us as more than just building designers. We are designing community, conversation, innovation, and change every step of the way. 
  
  

• What firm do you work for and how long have you been with your current firm?
  EL: For fourteen years of my career, I have been in the Seattle office of DLR Group. 
  
  

• How did you join the Advisory Group (AG)? Describe past committee work if possible.
  EL:  The leadership of the justice and civic studio took me to the 2013 AAJ conference in Portland because it was local enough to be cost effective. I immediately responded to the culture and the relationships fostered through the conference. Leaders of firms openly shared their similar passions, research, successes, and even struggles to get the industry moving forward. I knew I wanted to be more involved, so I joined the Sustainable Justice Committee in 2014. In 2015, I took over the co-chair role, and continued to make connections with the Advisory Group. Building on my relationships with other chairs and the current leadership members, I knew this was a group I wanted to be a part of, and offered to sit on the new opening in 2018.
   

• What do you expect will be the most rewarding about being involved in the Leadershp Group.
  EL:  The collaboration with professionals who share my passion and drive for change has already exceeded my expectations. The push to build the network and community of AAJ, innovate approaches to more restorative justice architectural concepts, and open the opportunities for partnership among owners and teams is driving every discussion. I feel like I have found a community with a common goal for accomplishment, and the successes and efforts will be rewarding to see come to fruition.

• What iniatives within the Advisory group do you want to champion during your tenure?
  EL: I see the AAJ community as vibrant and diverse. I want to extend the reach and reputation of AAJ to a larger community of small and medium sized firms. The leaders within the large firms, similar to mine, have such strength with their network and scope of large mega-projects. The small successes and community projects that change cities’ perceptions of community justice and public safety are intrinsic.Broadening the network to encourage more participation will enhance the conversations, recognitions, and collaborations with other business professionals.

• What are the challenges involved in being part of the AG?
  EL: The first challenge I am sensing is the desire to take on too much. The issues faced by the owners of this industry are huge, and making thoughtful and intentional decisions on policies, architecture, and development requires focus and effort. I’m asking myself how do we do it all? Who are the best resources? Where are the true successes that lead to best practices?  This is a huge endeavor. I am energized and ready … but need to remind myself to take one step at a time.

• How do you hope see the AG evolving over the next few years?
  EL: Justice architecture is changing course from a hard detention environment to a collaborative and supportive, holistic justice facility with shared resources and a common goal. These facilities will be more suited to address personal issues and needs of every participant (owner, inmate, public, family, etc.). The concept of justice architecture is leading society down a better path. Getting the institutional changes to align with the physical impacts of building and space is the most dynamic change, and I am excited our generation of AAJ leaders and team members are tackling this societal issue.

(Return to the cover of this 2018 AAJ Journal issue)