Pascale Sablan on “Greatness: Diverse Designers of Architecture”

This event featured a conversation with Pascale Sablan, B.Arch ’06, architect, author, CEO of Adjaye Associates New York Studio, and founder of Beyond the Built Environment. In dialogue with Quilian Riano, Dean of Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture, Sablan discussed her new publication GREATNESS, a volume that documents and celebrates the contributions of women and BIPOC designers whose work has shaped communities globally, yet too often goes unrecognized.

The conversation traced Sablan’s influential career as a leading voice in the movement for equity, visibility, and systemic change in architecture—especially for Black women and women of color. Reflecting on her advocacy and global design work, she addressed the structural barriers embedded in architectural practice and education, while emphasizing the power of collective storytelling, public platforms, and design justice as tools for transformation.

Through examples from her career, Sablan offered insight into building an intentional practice rooted in purpose, representation, and community empowerment. The event concluded with a Q&A and book signing. A limited number of guests received signed copies of GREATNESS.