IHCD Webinar: From Architect to Systems Builder: Designing Inclusion in Difficult Contexts

In this Institute for Human Centered Design Global webcast, I trace my journey from architect to systems builder through my work to advance inclusive design in Romania, a context where laws, strategies, and funding exist on paper, yet accessibility remains deeply inadequate in practice.

Starting from a personal turning point that led me to found AMAIS more than a decade ago, I explore how meaningful inclusion depends not only on design, but on a wider ecosystem of institutions, education, resources, community trust, and advocacy.

Reflecting on projects, impact, failures, and lessons learned across public administration, professional practice, academia, and participatory work, I argue that the architect’s role today extends beyond creating spaces. It also means enabling systems of change.

The webcast offers a grounded perspective on what difficult contexts can teach us globally about building the foundations for more inclusive futures.