Architecture Beyond
Discover the impact and opportunities around the World of Architects hearing stories from talented people in and around the architecture industry influencing the world around us.
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Architecture Beyond
Affordable Housing, Advocacy & The Path Towards A Newer Hopeful Architecture with Kelsey Wilson, AIA | AB Ep 37
What does it really mean to design with dignity—and how can architects play a meaningful role in affordable housing and community development?
In this kickoff episode of Season 4 of Architecture Beyond, host Brandon Gibbs sits down with Kelsey Oesmann Wilson, AIA, Principal at Nelson Community Partners, for an honest and practical conversation about affordable housing, advocacy, and the evolving role of architects beyond traditional practice.
Kelsey shares her journey into affordable housing, what it actually takes to deliver high-quality, community-centered projects, and how architects—especially students and emerging professionals—can explore whether this work aligns with their skills, values, and long-term goals.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn
- What “designing with dignity” really means in affordable housing
- How affordable housing projects come together—from design to development and partnerships
- How architects can explore impact-driven work without needing all the answers upfront
- Practical advice for students and young professionals looking to get involved
This episode is especially valuable for architecture students, emerging professionals, firm leaders, and designers interested in community impact, equity, and meaningful practice.
Learn more about Nelson Community Partners here.
Related Architecture Beyond Episodes
If today’s conversation resonates, continue exploring these connected discussions:
- 🎙️ Designing Business For Architects with Rachel Gresham
A deep dive into mentorship, leadership, and navigating growth in architecture. - 🎙️ Strengthening Community Through Equity, Architecture & Service with Dillon Dunn
A powerful conversation on advocacy, representation, and strengthening communities through design.
These episodes build on the same themes of purpose, responsibility, and expanding the architect’s role.
Sponsor: Iamthestudio
This episode is supported by Iamthestudio, a premier course platform for architects and designers focused on real-world workflows and practical skill development.
If this conversation inspired you to strengthen your skills, you can get 50% off Iamthestudio courses with the code:
👉 Visit iamthestudio.com and use the code januarydesignpro26 to invest in the tools that help turn intention into impact.
Architecture Beyond is where architects, designers, and creative thinkers share the stories shaping life and impact beyond the studio. Since launching, we’ve released dozens of inspiring episodes and grown into a global community of listeners who care about architecture’s role in the world.
We’d love to hear from you—what topics inspire you most, or who you’d like to see as a guest. If you’re interested in sharing your own story on the show, visit Iamthestudio.com and click ArchBeyond in the menu. Join the conversation and help us continue building a platform that elevates architects everywhere.
Sponsored by iamthestudio architecture software courses (site here).
