Over January 2021 our team of six Wellesley students interviewed 30+ professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry to hear their experiences within the field as they relate to diversity. This idea was sparked by the current reconstruction of the Wellesley College Science Center--a $200 million project to create a state-of-the-art facility and transform the future of Wellesley STEM education. Starting from the hiring process Wellesley set diversity, equity, and inclusion goals for the first time on any major construction project, and this historic reconstruction will continue to set the standard for future building projects on the campus. After talking with various professionals, we created this website to showcase their stories and understand why embracing diversity is an asset to this industry.

Before we dive into everything we've learned, we should define one important term: diversity. In the scope of this project, diversity means having people from different backgrounds at the table, people who think and create differently, people who see the world from varying perspectives. This includes BIPOC, women, LGBTQ+ folks, and others who have been traditionally underrepresented in the AEC industry. This is how we can create a more equitable, adaptable, and creative field.

The Architecture, Engineering and Construction industry is dynamic, with strong traditions but also ever-evolving. We can liken it to a sunflower, following the path of progress and innovation and human aesthetics through their rise and fall. In this analogy the roots are the past, the ideas and biases and experiences that have nourished the flower of the present as it grows and creates the seeds for the next generation.

Roots: The Past

Flower: The Present

Seeds: The Future