Source: iOne Digital Creative Services
“I just don’t understand why we need to keep her on this project,” Alicia Volcy recalled, her heart still sinking over what she overheard a colleague say at her architecture firm job.
“It’s like she’s not even trying to fit in with the team,” were the painful words that still cut her to this day.
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Volcy had been working diligently on a project, putting in long hours and infusing it with her unique perspective. But despite her efforts, she often felt sidelined; her ideas brushed aside, and her ideas brushed aside in favor of those from white colleagues.
“I felt invisible,” she says today, “like my voice and presence didn’t matter.”
Alicia Volcy, founder and CEO of Studio Volcy. | Credit: Alisa Innocenti
Volcy has not let herself be deterred by what others thought since childhood when she first began gravitating to her interest.
“I’ve always seen architecture as an art form. I was an artist first. As a child, I got into trouble for drawing when I wasn’t supposed to be,” says Volcy, who grew up in a small town in South Florida’s Broward County, attended Florida A&M University, and moved to Pittsburgh to attend the UDream program at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Architecture.
“My room would be messy because I would have pens and papers everywhere. I was also always drawing in church when I wasn’t supposed to be.”
Volcy’s journey to establish herself in the field was not an easy one. She worked in construction management, architectural design, and interior design. Despite her passion and talent, she found herself navigating a predominantly white industry where racism and microaggressions were all too common.
Like the few hundred other licensed Black architects in the U.S., she had been working twice as hard in an environment that was often hostile. Hearing her colleague’s remarks, Volcy realized that hard work was not enough to break through the barriers of bias and prejudice.
The incident became a turning point, leading her to make the life-changing decision to quit her job and carve out a space where she and Black architects and designers in Pittsburgh could receive mentorship and professional development.
“Leaving my job was one of the hardest decisions I made,” she says. “But it fueled my determination to make sure others wouldn’t have to go through the same struggles.”
A rendering of Rhythm Square, which will house Volcy’s Rhythm X Design, a 6-month residency program for Black architects. | Credit: GBBN Architecture
After spending over a decade in the industry, Volcy developed and launched her own creative studio, Volcy Designs, in 2019, and dedicated herself fully to her career advancement while garnering partner and sponsor buy-in for what would become her work advocating for more representation in architecture.
Instead of accepting defeat, Volcy channeled her frustration into a resolve to make meaningful change—deciding that if the current structures wouldn’t support Black designers, she would create new ones that would.
What was once a punch in the gut now served as a pivotal moment that fueled Volcy’s passion – projects that not only could prepare budding Black minds to survive, but to thrive.
“I needed to build something where Black architects and designers could thrive without the constant shadow of discrimination,” she notes.
Her most ambitious project to date is the creation of the RHYTHM x Design residency, a six-month program for Black architects housed within Rhythm Square, a hub she envisions as a center for Black design and creativity in Pittsburgh. Rhythm Square, which received a $500,000 grant through the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, is a multimillion-dollar project that includes renovating several abandoned buildings in the Hill District to create a live-and-work space with affordable housing, micro-restaurants, and an art gallery. Upon completion, Rhythm Square will also house the RHYTHM x Design residents.
Rhythm Square: a hub Volcy envisions as a center for Black design and creativity in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. | Credit: GBBN Architecture
“Pittsburgh has so much potential, but it also has a long way to go in terms of embracing diversity in the architecture and design community,” she says.
The city’s architecture scene, like many others across the nation, has historically been dominated by white professionals.
According to the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, only 2% of licensed architects in the United States are Black. In Pittsburgh, the numbers are even more stark. “But with the right support, we can transform the landscape of architecture in this city,” believes Volcy.
For Volcy, the challenge is not just about increasing numbers, but fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect. She emphasizes the need for firms to recognize the unique challenges faced by Black professionals and to provide the necessary support for them to succeed.
Alicia Volcy moderating a panel on sustainable communities at the American Institute of Architects Pittsburgh. | Credit: Studio Volcy
“We need more Black voices in the room when decisions are being made about our communities,” Volcy insists. “It’s not enough to just bring minority professionals into the industry, we need to ensure they are supported beyond the scope of a firm’s office or work hours.”
In Pittsburgh, a city with 90 distinct neighborhoods and a rich tapestry of history and culture, Volcy sees both a challenge and an opportunity. Her advocacy has already resulted in her becoming president of the National Organization of Minority Architects Pittsburgh Chapter and the Onyx Women’s Network business incubator.
Her proudest role, however, is in transforming the Best of the Batch Foundation’s clubhouse in Homestead, Pennsylvania, into a state-of-the-art facility for Black youth – providing resources and opportunities she lacked growing up.
Similarly, the RHYTHM x Design residency is about providing the support and services Volcy admits a younger version of herself would have appreciated. Each year, two selected architects or designers will participate, receiving a workspace, as well as mentorship, networking, and mental health resources.
“Navigating predominantly white spaces takes a toll on mental health,” Volcy acknowledges. “Our residency includes a budget for therapy and counseling to help participants deal with the challenges they face.”
She hopes that in the next decade, both the residency program and Rhythm Square will expand to support more participants and inspire similar initiatives in other cities.
But these opportunities are not just about physical spaces. To Volcy, they’re beacons of creativity and community. They serve to create environments where Black individuals and communities can flourish.
“Culturally competent design is about more than aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces that foster a sense of belonging and pride while helping communities see themselves reflected in the places where they live, work and play,” she says. “The residency is more than just a program; it’s a lifeline for those who feel marginalized in this industry. It’s about nurturing talent and giving Black architects the platform they deserve.”
Volcy inside Best of the Batch Foundation Clubhouse in Munhall, Pennsylvania. Volcy Studios designed all the interiors for the 33,000-square-foot renovation and addition. | Credit: CoBest of the Batch Cafe
And that vision extends beyond individual projects.
While she aims for her work to embody a commitment to Black excellence, her ultimate goal is to transform the architecture industry from the ground up, ensuring that future generations of Black architects do not have to face the same barriers she did.
“We need to be ready in a different way than we have been in the past,” she cautions. “Again, it’s about creating an industry where Black professionals can thrive, not just survive.”
Those efforts are already making waves. The residency has attracted interest from architects and designers across the country, with Volcy receiving local and national recognition for her innovative approach and dedication to diversity. She’s also earning acclaim for her impact on the city’s architectural landscape—including being named Pittsburgh Magazine’s “40 Under 40” in 2023.
For her, the journey from overhead conference room conversations to building an incubator for Black architecture is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of representation.
Alicia Volcy was named one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 under 40 in 2023. | Credit: Courtesy of Alicia Volcy
“Architecture has the power to transform communities by providing spaces that support social, economic, and cultural activities,” she says. “When these spaces are designed with diversity in mind, they become catalysts for positive change.”
Through her work with RYHTM x Design and beyond, Volcy is reshaping the narrative of what it means to be a Black architect in Pittsburgh —while paving the way for others to follow.
Kenya Evelyn is an award-winning, freelance multimedia journalist with more than a decade of experience covering news, politics, sports, and more – all with a concentration on culture and identity.
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