Martha Mijangos
“Architecture should be for everyone”
Inspiring Future Emerging Professionals
We are delighted to announce Martha Mijangos as the distinguished recipient of the 2023 Laura Shinn Diversity In Architecture Scholarship. The scholarship committee, in collaboration with the generous support of DPR Construction, proudly announced Martha Mijangos as the well-deserved recipient during the highly anticipated annual AIA San Diego Design Awards ceremony held on June 21st, 2023. This accolade celebrates and acknowledges Martha Mijangos' exceptional work, incredible passion, and unstoppable drive, not only in her pursuit of architecture but also in her unwavering dedication to giving back to her community both here in San Diego and Tijuana.
In its third year, the Laura Shinn Diversity Scholarship continues to make an impact in our architectural community by aligning with AIA national goals to promote equity and invest in the future of the architectural profession. This scholarship provides support, mentorship, and engagement for aspiring students and young designers in San Diego, Tijuana, and Baja California -- with the goal of tapping into local talent and diversifying our future pipeline of design professionals.
The award includes not only a $5,000 cash prize, but also a connection with a mentor from our architectural community as well as an integrated discipline DPR mentorship experience. We are pleased that our previous award winners, Gabriella Arevalo and Samantha Marquez have continued to be exemplary student leaders within our community and have given back by presenting to two local schools in San Diego.
Laura Shinn, AIA, AICP, our scholarship namesake, was a leader in our community as both an Architect and Planner. As AIASD Past President and WIA committee member, she supported the ideals of mentorship and we hope that this award continues to honor her vision and champion the AIA's mission of fostering equity and investing in our collective future in the architectural profession.
Martha can trace her passion for architecture since she was a child, and the impact that her father had on her decision to pursue the profession. “My interest in architecture started when I was a little girl, thanks to my dad’s job. My father was not an architect, but he worked with architects. He was a construction worker in Tijuana, with incredible skills not only on the construction field, but he was also an electrician, plumber and carpenter. He used to take me to the construction sites, and showed me the layering of brick walls, how to place a window, and the installation of electric circuits at houses"
"those things inspired me to draw the houses where my dad worked. I drew them in the back of my school notebooks, at home in napkins or books, or at any paper that was handed to me. Then my drawings changed, from drawing houses that I visited, I drew houses that I wished existed, and then facades of non residential places, such as parks or restaurants. I started to imagine small towns. And one day, at a construction site, one of those architects saw me drawing, and mentioned to my father that it would be amazing if I studied to become an architect, that I could be his colleague one day, my dad’s colleague as well, and work in the nice parts of the city, and then I got confused. Why not work in my neighborhood? I thought that where I live had nice people, people that wanted a house just as great as the one that that architect designed in that part of the city. And that's when I decided that yes, I will become an architect, but for everyone who needed it."
"Architecture should be for everyone. Sometimes in Tijuana architecture is seen as a luxury, not a basic need. I hope to build for people that do need it--so everyone has a home where they feel safe"
Martha pursued her architectural dream at Southwestern Community College and transferred to NewSchool of Architecture in her first year. She is an active member of Southwestern Community College local architecture club, plans to join AIAS and test for her LEED certification.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Martha Mijangos, the distinguished recipient of the 2023 Laura Shinn Diversity Scholarship. As she embarks on her architectural journey, we are honored to play a role in supporting her pursuit of excellence in the field. We wish Martha nothing but the very best in her endeavors, confident that her passion, talent, and commitment will continue to shape and inspire the architectural landscape.
Thank you to the dedicated members of the scholarship committee including: Barbara Leon, Dina Gonzalez, Steven Shinn, Leigh Eisen and Anthony Damon, as well as the esteemed board of directors and Chapter staff, whose invaluable support has been instrumental in ensuring the continued success and impact of the scholarship program.
Laura Shinn Diversity in Architecture Scholarship
