Community

MCHarry Associates is committed to involvement in activities on a local, regional, and national level which have significance to the architectural world and its community. As architects we know that we have a significant role in improving the well being of communities. At MCHarry Associates we have a range of passion projects and activities that help raise awareness of critical social and environmental issues. Our involvement reflects our concern towards bettering our community and our profession.

Between our thriving Black Architects In The Making program, our leading ladies representing Women in Architecture, our design team designing out of recycled products at community events, or our AIA members heading down to Tallahassee to advocate for the architecture profession, our MCHarry family is always making sure we stay committed to doing good.

BLACK ARCHITECTS IN THE MAKING (BAM)

Though over 13% of Americans identify as Black, less than 2% of registered architects are Black. One reason for these anemic statistics is the lack of awareness about the architectural profession in Black-American communities. Our experience has shown that many students know little or nothing about the profession until it is too late to choose it as a career path. The Black Architects in the Making (BAM) program was established to enhance students’ awareness about architecture and encourage them to consider architecture as a career.

BAM’s mission is simple: we mobilize architects passionate about their craft to communities where predominantly black families live, learn, and play to engage students in a creative and inspirational way. Our interactions enhance their awareness of architecture and opens a window to possibilities where one may not have existed. We share our journeys to becoming architects using inspiring stories and creative workshops that not only educate but encourages students to consider architecture as a career. BAM has already accomplished so much, but we know our mission is just beginning.

Want to get involved in BAM? Message caquart@mcharry.com for more information.

Check out our “IG” at bam.miami

Check out our “website” at www.bammiami.org

To sign up for Workshops please scan the QR code above

WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE (WIA)

Women In Architecture (WIA) is a committee within AIA that seeks to increase the viability and visibility of women in architecture. WIA continues to develop and promote women’s growth in the profession through sustainable activities that provide mentorship, licensure development, and networking opportunities all to help women in architecture reach their fullest potential.

WIA AIA Miami Event: Leaders in Sustainability ‘22

MCHarry’s very own Lourdes Solera is a founding committee member of AIA’s WIA and the leading ladies of the MCHarry family are always involved in the many events the WIA are hosting. From lectures to mentoring – the WIA committee, with MCHarry at its side, is striving to raise the percentage of registered female architects.

Want to get involved in WIA? Message lsolera@mcharry.com for more information.

WIA Leadership Summit 2023 at the Betsy Hotel

FESTIVAL OF THE TREES

The Festival of the Trees is a fundraising event coordinated by Florida International University’s Interior Architecture Department and its advisory board. Each year South Florida’s architecture and design community demonstrate its support for quality interior architecture education through their annual participation in the Festival of the Trees event and auction. In its 32 years, this annual holiday extravaganza has raised over $350,000 in funds that benefit Florida International University’s Interior Architecture Department and its talented students.

M.C. Harry has participated in this event for the past 12 years. It is a wonderful event that gives us the opportunity to stretch our creative chops on pieces that end up being unique design challenges. The event is a great showcase for the creativity of the South Florida design community, and we are always excited to support design education.

ADVOCATING FOR ARCHITECTS

Every year on Legislative Day a group of AIA FL board members head to Tallahassee to advocate for the architectural profession. They lobby for social, economic, and environmental changes within Florida. They head to each representative’s office and make their elevator pitch re issues that vary from sea level rising to the CCNA bill. Every year MCHarry Associates sends at least one team member to be a part of Legislative Day to make a real difference in our community.