Episode Description

This episode of Beyond the Surface features Pascale Sablan, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP, CEO of the New York studio at Adjaye Associates. Pascale Pascale Sablan is the 315th living African-American woman registered architect in the United States, embodying excellence, innovation, and sustainability throughout her portfolio of work. An active voice in the industry, she served as the President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), was awarded the 2021 AIA Whitney M. Young. Jr Award for her advocacy efforts, and is a member of the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, where she is the youngest African American to receive this honor in its history. Pascale holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Pratt Institute and a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. 

“It made me understand that when I showed up, I was representing more than myself”

In the conversation, Pascale reflects on the defining moments that shaped her identity and purpose. She shares how being told she would never become an architect only fueled her determination to succeed. That experience ultimately grounded her commitment to authenticity and representation. As she states, “It made me understand that when I showed up, I was representing more than myself” (4:56)—a realization that became a source of motivation and responsibility throughout her career.

Her path from early international work to global advocacy reveals how architecture can be a force for empowerment. Pascale discusses how her journey has been guided by the belief that design should be inclusive and empower the communities it serves. She often emphasizes the importance of visibility and mentorship within the field, noting, “You can’t be what you can’t see” (49:47). Through this perspective, she highlights the urgent need for a more representative profession where new voices have the opportunity to thrive.

Motherhood has also been a defining part of her journey. Pascale opens up about the challenges of navigating an industry that often struggles to accommodate working mothers. She discusses the importance of finding a firm that values not only her role as an architect but also her role as an advocate and parent. Her story reinforces the idea that professionals should never settle for environments that fail to support their ideals, ambitions, or personal growth.

“Elevating other people doesn’t take away from a person, it makes us all shine even brighter”

Closing the conversation, Pascale reflects on the spirit of collective success that defines her leadership. “Elevating other people doesn’t take away from a person, it makes us all shine even brighter” (1:02:23), she reminds listeners. Her words capture the essence of this episode: a powerful conversation about identity, purpose, and what it truly means to use one’s talent to uplift others and shape a more equitable future for architecture.