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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.

