10/21/2026
Studio Luz Principal Hansy Better Barraza and Designer + Project Manager Joshua L. Ssebuwufu attended the 2026 NOMA Conference in Miami, reconnecting with colleagues, building new relationships, and celebrating the next generation of design talent. As NOMA’s Northeast Region University Liaison, Joshua also helped facilitate the annual Barbara G. Laurie Student Design Competition.
The conference offered opportunities to reconnect with mentors and meet leaders shaping the profession. Joshua reconnected with former professor NJ Unaka and met AIA CEO and EVP Carole Wedge and 2027 AIA President Yiselle Santos Rivera. Hansy connected with Arquitina founder Alicia Ponce and other Latine trailblazers, making for a true family reunion! Arquitina works to increase representation beyond the 1% of licensed architects in the U.S. who are Latina while fostering a more equitable and inclusive profession.
Sessions including Practice as Purpose: Design, Community, and Collective Resilience and Pathways to AIA Fellowship: Advocating Diverse Voices offered fresh perspectives on the future of architecture. Keynotes from Wanda Dalla Costa and Bryan Stevenson underscored the importance of proximity: listening to, understanding, and staying connected to the communities we serve.
We’re proud to be part of conversations advancing representation, mentorship, and equity in architecture. Until next year, NOMA!