Bio:
The great designer, Dr Erica Cochran Hameen holds a B.Arch from Virginia Tech, MS in Sustainable Design and PhD in Building Performance & Diagnostics from CMU. Her architectural experience spans a plethora of sectors. Her honors include the Pittsburgh Courier Women of Excellence Award and an AIA award for Diversity Recognition Program for the UDream program at CMU. She’s lead several research projects focused on Indoor Environmental Quality, occupant comfort, energy policy, energy efficiency technology and tools.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
My earliest childhood memories involve building things out of discarded household materials and Legos. I have wanted to be an Architect since the 7th grade and every decision since then has been in pursuit of that goal.

What do you do?
Erica is an Assist Professor, Co-Director of the Center for Bldg Performance & Diagnostics, UDream Program Director, Track Chair of the Doctor of Professional Practice prog. and the Arch, Engr & Const Mgmt PhD prog, and NOMAS Faculty Advisor at CMU.

What excites you in the work you do?
Every day I have the opportunity to inspire and educate the next generation of Architects and designers. I love when Alumni contact me to let me know how something I taught them has shaped their professional life and experience.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
As the first Black Woman Tenure Track Professor in CMU’s School of Architecture, I am inspired by all the firsts who came before me especially Norma Sklarek, FAIA. Her achievements & pioneering endeavors paved the way for me to rise to any challenge.

What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Receiving two opportunities to participate in Obama White House Campus events focused on energy efficiency and knowing that my ideas and endeavors help shape energy policy focused on the built environment and improve communities across the US.

Featured Project Name: 
UDREAM
 
Featured Project Location: 
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
2009-2017

Role in Featured Project: 
Program Director
 
Featured Project Description:
UDream (Urban Design Regional Employment Action for Minorities) advances & diversifies the architecture & urban design professions by providing recent minority graduates with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and design skills during an intense 18 week study and work experience. Through a competitive process, 10 participants were selected annually from across the US. UDream has increased diversity more than tenfold in Pittsburgh’s design firms changing the face of the profession locally.

Photography Credit:
Carnegie Mellon University, Remaking Cities Institute