Architecture Barbie

Background on Barbie: "I Can Be"

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Every year, Barbie adds another career to her repetoire through a line of Barbies entitled, "I Can Be." This line is designed to inspire young girls to discover their dreams through a variety of empowering career-themed roles.

 

In 2011, Barbie's Mattel and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) teamed up to design Barbie's newest career move: "Architecture Barbie." Architects nation-wide were encouraged to get involved by designing Barbie's newest dream home and by hosting an Architecture Barbie workshop whose goal would be to teach young girls about architecture. 

 

Our Short History

 

Hampton University's chapter of AIAS/NOMAS first became acquainted with the Architecture Barbie initiative at the 2011 NOMAtlanta conference. Full of excitement, we brought the idea back to our home chapter and quickly began to organize the event.

 

Sponsorship letters, lesson plans, volunteers, and enthusiasm; everything was in place to host the exciting event except for one key ingredient: funding. The April 2012 attempt to launch Architecture Barbie sadly fell short, but that gave us an even greater determination to ensure that next year the event was a reality.

 

Thanks to a focused board and generous donors, the 2012/2013 school year brought the Inaugural Architecture Barbie workshop. Dedicated teamwork proved to be the vital key to a successful event.

 

This was an inspiring event for all who participated, and the hope is that the torch will be carried by those who follow. It is simply one small way that Hampton University's architecture students can give back to the community we are a part of.