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Emily Pilloton

Founder, Executive Director at Girls Garage

Emily Pilloton-Lam is an influential architectural designer, builder, educator, and author, best known as the Founder and Executive Director of Girls Garage, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering young women and gender-expansive youth through hands-on design and construction projects.

Background and Education

Pilloton-Lam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Fine Arts in Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her educational background has significantly shaped her approach to community-based design and participatory practice.

Career Highlights

  • Founder of Girls Garage: Established in 2014, Girls Garage aims to transform communities by involving youth in civic architecture projects. This includes building structures like farmers markets, playhouses for children affected by domestic violence, and microhomes for the homeless.12
  • Teaching: She has served as a lecturer at UC Berkeley's College of Environmental Design and has been involved with various educational institutions as visiting faculty, focusing on integrating hands-on skills with community engagement.23
  • Public Speaking: Emily has shared her insights on platforms such as TED Talks and has presented her work to high-profile audiences, including the Obama Administration's Office of Science and Technology Policy.13

Publications

Pilloton-Lam is also an accomplished author, having written several books that emphasize design-based education and empowerment:

  • Design Revolution: 100 Products that Empower People
  • Tell Them I Built This: Transforming Schools, Communities, and Lives With Design-Based Education
  • Girls Garage: Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build The World You Want To See .13

Philosophy and Impact

Her work is rooted in principles of social justice, aiming to change the narrative around who gets to design and build within communities. By equipping young girls with both physical tools and personal agency, she seeks to foster environments where they can envision and construct their futures.24

Pilloton-Lam's contributions have garnered recognition through various awards, including the AIA SF Community Alliance Award in 2022 and an Honorary Doctorate from Columbus College of Art and Design in 2018.3

Through her innovative approach to education and community engagement, Emily Pilloton-Lam continues to inspire a new generation of builders and leaders.

Highlights

Woman at Work: Girls Garage Founder Emily Pilloton
Woman at Work: Girls Garage Founder Emily Pilloton

Related Questions

What inspired Emily Pilloton to start Girls Garage?
How has Girls Garage impacted the communities it has worked with?
What are some notable projects Emily Pilloton has led with Girls Garage?
How does Emily's educational philosophy differ from traditional teaching methods?
What awards and recognitions has Emily Pilloton received for her work?
Emily Pilloton
Emily Pilloton, photo 1
Emily Pilloton, photo 2
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Location

Oakland, California