The Forward Issue
Design Equilibrium 2021
Inside Design Equilibrium, architects and designers confront the ongoing crises of systemic racism, equity, the pandemic, affordable housing, and the future of the profession. Designing an equitable, healthy, and resilient future requires collaboration between architects and the communities they serve. It also requires reassessing values, listening, and getting comfortable with uncomfortable conversations.
Meet the Contributors
Curt is a landscape architect project manager at Eberly and Associates and currently serves as the Georgia Chapter ASLA president. He believes every design is unique and begins with understanding surroundings and history. Stylistically dynamic, his designs can be modern or traditional but are rooted in familiar connections and accents.
Based in Atlanta, Desmond is an architect practicing at the global design firm NELSON Worldwide. He received his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies and Master of Architecture from Florida A&M University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, respectively. Outside of the office, Desmond is an active member of the National Organization of Minority Architects, an Architect Licensing Advisor for NCARB, and serves on the AIA Atlanta Board of Directors.
Will is the executive director of the MicroLife Institute and a thought leader and innovator in the micro-living world. Over the past six years, his organization has enabled policy change and brought acceptance of microstructures in the Southeast through events, pilot projects, and advocacy. His philosophy is allowing people to think outside the box by putting them in one.
Ganesh is a principal at Metier, Inc. in Atlanta, consulting on sustainable design. An architect with over 25 years of varied experience, he won a Corps of Engineers award for excellence. Ganesh has a master’s degree from Kansas State University and presently chairs the State Advisory Panel for Special Education in Georgia.
Kate Peterson lives in west Atlanta and writes creative nonfiction. You can find her online at gracious.work
Heli currently works in the Education & Research Studio at CDH Partners, Inc. and is passionate about creating impactful educational spaces for the world’s future leaders. She is on the leadership committee of AIA Georgia’s Equity in Architecture, AIA Atlanta’s Young Architect Forum, and is a 2020 graduate of the AIA Georgia’s Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program.
Sarah earned a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Leadership and Social Change from Virginia Tech. As an architect at HKS, Inc., she works on projects ranging from interior renovations to mixed-use/commercial projects over 500,000 square feet. Outside of work, Sarah is active in the Atlanta Harlequins Rugby team and Virginia Tech Mentorship Network, and is a 2020 graduate of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program.
