At its heart always, the Center is a place by, for and about women. That’s true as well of the team bringing the Center to life. There are many women who are participating in its creation and construction. Here we feature two special team members from Studio Gang, the award-winning architecture and urban design firm led by Jeanne Gang.
Aria Griffin has been involved in every phase from concept through construction; Colleen Lyell is helping design the interiors so that every space in the Center will be beautiful, comfortable, and functional. They are taking their inspiration, they say, from the dappled forest light, the wildflowers, the plants, and the glacial rocks found at the site. Another way they are celebrating women is by selecting furniture pieces that women have crafted. They have enjoyed researching both historical and contemporary female designers and incorporating their work into the Center as a way of honoring their legacy and helping sustain women in the furniture design industry.
“It’s just been incredible to see our initial sketches take physical shape as concrete slabs and timber columns,” says Aria. “Because the field of architecture has been male dominated historically, we’re especially grateful to work on a project which is all about supporting and inspiring women leaders.”
Photo: From left to right: Colleen Lyell and Aria Griffin