Emily A. Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, ID+C, WELL AP, ALEP: 2022 First Vice-President / 2023 President-Elect, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) / Senior Associate of Arrowstreet
Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, is an architect and Senior Associate at Arrowstreet, a Boston-based architecture and design firm. With experience on a broad range of academic, hospitality, institutional, and commercial projects, her innovative design work reinforces that a building is more than its shell; it is an experience. In June 2021, she was elected to serve as the AIA 2022 First Vice President/2023 President.
Emily has demonstrated continued and significant service to the AIA including serving as a national AIA board member; leading the AIA equity, diversity, and inclusion conversation as chair of the Equity in Architecture Commission and Equity and the Future of Architecture Committee; and as the 2014 President of the Boston Society of Architects/AIA. Throughout her career, Emily has advocated for design excellence through human-centered design, sustainability, and engaging diverse voices. She lives in Boston and is particularly fond of the Kansai region.
RELEVANT PROJECTS
Douglas & Gates Elementary Schools, MSBA: Acton, MA / Acton-Boxborough Regional School District
Project Manager for a new educational facility that brings together two K-6 schools and a district preschool program under one roof. Emily is the primary point-of contact and led the educational visioning sessions and community forums with over 100 participants ranging from educational pedagogy to sustainability.
Hildreth Elementary School, MSBA: Harvard, MA / Town of Harvard
Project Manager for a new PK-5 elementary school, Emily is responsible for overseeing the entire project as the primary point of contact. The project site, adjacent to the current school, presents an opportunity to create a school for 21st century learning that meets the educational vision of this high-performing school district while also respecting the character and values of the Town.
Brooke Charter High School: Mattapan, MA / Edward W. Brooke Charter School
Project Manager for a new 8-12 grade school on a complex, urban site. Responsible for the entire project, Emily was the primary point of contact. This 93,000 SF building includes a 650-seat lecture hall, gymnasium, outdoor learning areas, and specialty classrooms. Located adjacent to Brooke Charter’s K-8 school (renovated by Arrowstreet in 2015) this new school creates a “campus” for its students.
KIPP Academy Lynn Elementary: Lynn, MA / KIPP Massachusetts
Project Manager for a series of classroom fit ups within KIPP’s temporary K-4 schools located in a former industrial warehouse. These classrooms were upgraded to support the schools expanding enrollment and educational needs.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Arrowstreet Inc. 2016–present
CambridgeSeven 2003–2015
Adolfo Perez Architect 2000–2003
Einhorn Yaffee Prescott 1999
Perkins Eastman 1997, 1998
EDUCATION
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Bachelor of Science in Building Sciences 1999; Bachelor of Architecture 2000
Harvard University: Master of Liberal Arts in Educational Technologies 2012
REGISTRATIONS
Massachusetts No. 20094
ASSOCIATIONS
American Institute of Architects; Equity and Future Architecture Committee; 2018–2020 Director At-Large
Boston Society of Architects; 2014 President
Association for Learning Environments
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, PUBLICATIONS, & HONORS
2021 TORCH Panel 4 - Equity Redux: Changemakers, AIA New York, Panelist
2021 Women in Architecture Leadership Summit, AIA Connecticut, Panelist
2020 Forward-Thinking Schools Begin With Forward-Thinking Design, Getting Smart
2019 Transformations: Action on Equity, Melbourne School of Design, Speaker
2019 Why Equity is Crucial to Your Firm’s Success, Architect Magazine
2019 “A Space that is Worthy of its Students” A4LE Northeast Regional Conference, Panelist
2019 Accredited Learner Environment Planner, A4LE
2019 Featured in Change Agents: Advocacy, Equity, and Sustainability (Chapter 15), Managing Design, authored by Michael Alan LeFevre, Wiley