Each Thursday from 5-6pm, our office gathers for a casual presentation and conversation with colleagues and outside guests. These PYAtalks aim to inspire intellectual curiosity, encourage engagement with a broader social context, discuss design thinking, and generally lift up important and fascinating efforts in the Bay Area and across the country.
Coordinated by a staff-run committee, the PYAtalks are an opportunity for us to take a break from work to listen, learn, and interact. In addition to hosting guest presenters, we use the time for project pin-ups, intern and new staff introductions, pro bono project recaps, conference takeaways, extracurricular endeavors, the Earth Week Pecha Kucha, and the occasional happy hour.
This year was particularly notable for the 19 speakers who stopped by the office or Zoomed in from various time zones. We thank everyone who made the time to connect with us, and look forward to another year of thoughtful Thursday conversations!
- Elizabeth Funk, Founder & CEO of Dignity Moves, on their efforts to bring new interim housing to San Francisco
- Frances Bronet, President of Pratt Institute (New York), discussing multidisciplinary design connecting architecture, engineering, science, technology, humanities, social sciences, dance, and fine and electronic arts
- Sean Armstrong, partner of Redwood Energy, on Net Zero Energy and low-income electrification strategies
- Kerry Keith, UCSD PhD candidate. examining environmental toxicity at spaces of incarceration
- Binta Ayofemi, Oakland-based visual artist, on her work shaping new urban forms and urban materials evoking power and Black space
- Noah Friedman, former PYATOKian and CEO and co-founder of Vibemap, on their vibe-tailored platform for connecting people with meaningful places, experiences, and each other
- Greg Castillo, professor at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design and architectural historian on the political and social content of design artifacts and the societal and cultural significance of built environments
- Chef Chris Galarza, of Forward Dining Solutions, on induction cooktops
- Kathryn Reasoner of Vital Arts on their work ensuring access to safe, affordable, spaces for artists and musicians to live, work, and perform
- Josh Simon, longtime PYATOK collaborator, former ED of EBALDC, and senior advisor to Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) on their strategies for creating permanent, affordable space for Bay Area artists, creative entrepreneurs, and arts and culture organizations.
- Daniel Glenn, AIA, principal of 7 Directions architects / planners (Seattle) on contemporary Native American architecture and their work with diverse communities, including Latino, African American and Asian American cultures
- Katie Marchini, COO of Replate, on their work reducing food waste and alleviate food insecurity
- UC Berkeley Planning Masters students Martine Kushner & Eugene Lau and their urban strategies for the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association’s Vision 2030 (FKA Slow Triangle)
- Travis Seal, principal of Select Redevelopment (Philadelphia) on context sensitive developments
- Kathleen Lechleiter, AIA, principal of Twopoint Studio (Baltimore) on seeking housing justice through scattered site renovations
- David Greusel, principal of Convergence Design (Kansas City) on architects and color (what’s the deal?)
- Shoba Iyer, PhD, senior coordinator of San Francisco Department of the Environment’s Municipal Toxics Reduction Team on toxic chemicals in building materials, green building resources, and Proposition 65
- And, of course, Mike Pyatok, FAIA, who presented on “Architecture in a Commodity Culture” in two parts. He also led newer staff on a walking tour of our projects on Oakand’s International Boulevard, has involved staff on Oakland tiny village planning and engagement, and pays visits to drum up dialogue in an improvisational capacity. (Mike did not provide input on rebranding the Skull Sessions as PYAtalks.)
