040: Melissa Daniel: Why/ How Architecture is Political

August 12, 2024 Caitlin Brady

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On today’s episode of Architectette we welcome Melissa R. Daniel.

Melissa is a Facilities Project Manager in Maryland and is the creator/ host of the Architecture is Political Podcast, where Black and Brown folks discuss architecture. She received the 2022 AIA Whitney M Young Award and the 2018 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Associates Award. Melissa serves as past Chair for AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community and is a Steering Committee Member to the DC Legacy Project, Barry Farm-Hillsdale.

We talk about:

- Growing up in Tyler House, a public housing complex in Washington DC and how Melissa’s childhood experiences led her to become an architect and later establish her podcast, Architecture is Political

- We do a deep dive on recent development in DC and why it is important for new construction and urban renewal to be rooted in place and history, discussing a few specific examples like the Wharf in DC

- We touch on Melissa’s extensive volunteer experience, the progress made by women in architecture, and how she would like to see changes manifested within the profession

- Lastly, we focus on the Architecture is Political podcast. Melissa shares a bit about her favorite conversations, how she studies and sources interview topics, and why she prefers to have non-architect guests.

Links:

Melissa's Website: ⁠https://www.melissardaniel.design/⁠

Podcast Website:⁠ https://www.archispolly.online/⁠

Podcast Socials:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/archispolly/⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjOH86rBS83bCGodn9ibEbg⁠

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