The following third-party resources are not necessarily endorsed by the OAA or its Council, but are shared here to offer new tools and perspectives on topics related to the architecture profession in the context of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
This list will continue to grow and evolve—if you have suggestions for websites or organizations that should be listed here, email
oaamail@oaa.on.ca.
General Resources
Ontario Human Rights Code: The Code prohibits actions that discriminate against people based on a protected ground in a protected social area. It reads, “Every person has a right to equal treatment with respect to membership in any … self-governing profession without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability.”
Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion: CDI helps employers effectively address the full picture of diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace.
Turner Consulting Group: Turner Consulting Group has partnered with the OAA to deliver a trio of Continuing Education courses related to issues of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
Design with Colour: A resource with information on paths to the architecture profession and links to scholarships, Design with Colour " is a website with resources, support, and inspiration for Black architecture and design students."
JVS Toronto: JVS provides various services for jobseekers, employers, and students. Among its offerings are Building Unbiased and Inclusive Workplaces Leveraging Diversity (BUILD), an online Ontario-wide orientation program for international professionals in architecture, and Immigrant Professionals Leveraging Architectural Knowledge for New Opportunities (IPLAN Employment), which helps you build on your international education and work experience by gaining the knowledge and skills to help you integrate into the architectural workplace in Ontario.
Build ON: For more information on this online pre-arrival service for new immigrants, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, check out the YMCA Ottawa page.
Just: Run by the International Living Future Institute, Just is a transparency platform for organizations to disclose their operations, including how they treat their employees, and where they make financial and community investments.
Organizations (Canada)
Building Equality in Architecture (BEA) Toronto: BEAT is a volunteer-run organization that promotes equality and inclusion in the profession through advocacy, mentorship, and networking.
Becoming Architects Canada: This group, by and for architects and intern architects, is dedicated to support and advocate for individuals on the path to licensure.
Black Architects and Interior Designers Association: BAIDA is a non-profit organization aiming to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession of architecture and interior design using tools like advocacy, mentorship, networking, and outreach.
Society of South Asian Architects, Canada: SOSA, whose members self-identify as South Asian or are of South Asian origin, aims to embrace and promote a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the professions of architecture and design.
Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous and Planners of Colour: MIIPOC was established out of the recognition that, while urban and community planning has a significant impact on peoples’ lives and well-being, Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour who are planners are notoriously under-represented in a profession that must act on behalf of their systematically under-served communities.
Rise for Architecture Initiative: Members of the Canadian Architectural Licensing Authorities (CALA), in collaboration with members of the Canadian Council of University Schools of Architecture (CCUSA) and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), are leading a series of consultations focused on creating a renewed vision for architecture in Canada, speaking to all those charged with the responsibility of collaborating in the design of a safe, healthy and uplifting built environment that protects and nurtures the public and the planet.
Organizations (Outside Canada)
Accelerate: Run by London, UK’s Open City, this program is a pioneering design, education, and mentoring programme providing access to a wider pool of young people and increasing diversity in the built environment professions.
ArchiteXX: US-based non-profit organization for gender equity in architecture, dedicated to the advancement of all women-identified, non-binary, gender-non-conforming, and allied individuals.
Architecture LGBT+: Non-profit aiming to provide a safe, inclusive, and prejudice-free environment for LGBT+ architects and those working and studying within the profession through networking events, learning, mentoring and role models.
Black Females in Architecture: A global network founded to "increase the visibility of Black and Black mixed heritage women within architectural industry and other built
environment fields."
Beyond the Built Environment: This group promotes agency among diverse audiences and advocate for equity in the built environment through the Triple E, C—Engage, Elevate, Educate, and Collaborate.
Hip Hop Architecture Camp: New York-based one-week intensive experience designed to introduce under-represented youth to architecture, urban planning, creative placemaking, and economic development through the lens of hip hop culture.
Madame Architect: This online magazine celebrates women in the profession and is “designed to break the architect’s mold and show young women entering the industry the myriad choices they have in crafting a dynamic, meaningful, and interesting careers”
National Organization of Minority Architects: NOMA’s mission is to empower members to foster justice and equity in communities of colour through outreach, community advocacy, professional development, and design excellence.
Parlour: This Australian research-based advocacy organization works to improve gender equity in architecture and the built environment professions.
Reading and Listening
“Creating a JEDI Culture”:
Two U.S. principals from global firm Perkins+Will partnered with
the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to release this white paper
that examines a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in
architectural practices.
John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design Reading List: The University of Toronto's architecture school curates a list of websites and books to peruse.
Architecture is Political: Self-described as a "podcast where Black and Brown folks have a conversation about architecture," this series includes
an episode with Canadians Janelle Brookes and Ethan Perrotte, who created
POC Architecture to "showcase architecture projects done by people of colour."