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The mission of the AIA Design for Aging (DFA) Knowledge Community is to foster design innovation and disseminate knowledge necessary to enhance the built environment and quality of life for an aging society. This includes relevant research on characteristics, planning and costs associated with innovative design for aging. In addition, DFA provides outcome data on the value of these design solutions and environments. 

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Cynthia Shonaiya—The Project Magician

By Megan Lorian Crites AIA posted 10-18-2022 10:24 AM

  


The Project Magician


Cynthia Shonaiya’s project expertise runs from soup to nuts. As a multi-faceted, tenacious individual, Cynthia goes both broad and deep in her work.

In 1997, Cynthia decided to plant her roots in Baltimore, after immigrating to the United States. She began her journey with a small architecture firm while pursuing her Master’s in Architecture. Several years later, she joined Hord Coplan Macht (HCM) and has been part of their team, growing their Senior Living design sector for the last 22 years. Serving as a principal, on the board of directors, and as an owner of HCM, Cynthia recalls that she “fell into” Senior Living design. She has accomplished a great deal of success in not only her career, but for her firm, our industry, and leads as a prime example for other female architects.

To meet and speak with Cynthia on more than one occasion is a privilege. As a confident woman, minority, and immigrant, in our industry, Cynthia is not easily intimidated. Minority women architects are a rarity, so she sees her work as an opportunity to inform those around her and show the strength of women in the industry. She encourages women and minorities to take a seat at the table and be assertive. For young women in this industry, she recommends finding a workplace that values you. Four out of the six Market Sector Leaders at HCM are women – the firm prioritizes an inclusive and diverse workforce.

Cynthia’s latest focus has been working towards more sustainable solutions and accessible spaces for everybody. She has a strong interest in affordable and workforce living opportunities. Time and energy for these efforts has been directed into connecting senior living design for the middle-class and integrating senior living in urban areas. From design work on University Based Retirement Communities, and urban multi-generational communities, to speaking on aging in place through independent living, Cynthia thoughtfully leads Senior Living design through impactful work.

She credits one of the founding architects of HCM who served as a mentor and sponsor to Cynthia. Additionally, conference engagement has given her encouragement to share her career experiences and to participate as a leader in the industry through the years. Cynthia advises for those who really want to make an impact, to nurture interpersonal relationships and venture out of your comfort zone. She believes in advocating for yourself, listing your attributes, and obtaining the experience to be promoted.

As Principal-in-Charge, Cynthia led the project teams for Brightview Senior Living, Woodmont & Grosvenor, both in the Bethesda area of Maryland.

Author:

Megan Crites, Senior Associate, MKM architecture + design

AIA DFA Communications Committee member


Part of the Design for Aging Knowledge Community – Women in Architecture Series

What is Design for Aging? And who is designing these spaces? The AIA Design for Aging Knowledge Community shares knowledge in the design community aimed at improving the built environment for those in our society who are aging. That’s the short answer; a lot more research and practice goes into improving the spaces we design. And who is designing these spaces? Over the years, the architecture profession has been male-dominated. However, that fabric is changing. Female architects have been growing in numbers across the board, from technical designers, project managers, project architects, design architects, studio leaders, and business owners.

How does this growth in female design professionals reflect in senior living and care environments? The fabric is also changing in their industry. More females are Executive Directors, CEO’s, COO’s, and CFO’s of senior living campuses and care communities. The impact of this shift creates a transformation in dialogue and who’s voice is being heard.

So, the question came up, how can we highlight the growing voices of female architects who are focusing on Design for Aging? Interviews, for a start, and writing articles that highlight the architects and their work.

Several questions were posed to female architects across the United States. Where did you grow up? Where did you go to college? What does your career path look like? How or when did you start designing spaces for aging? What are you the most excited about in the work you are doing? What are you losing sleep over? What advise do you have for other female architects? And so on.

The experiences and conversations varied from interview to interview. Which is an important piece of the narrative for every Architect to hear. There were also some common threads that should not be ignored. What is our industry doing right? What do we need to stop doing? And more over, how can architects continue to positively impact Design for Aging?

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