Biography
Chana is an architect, educator, and fierce advocate that good design can and should be for everyone. Her teaching focus is to promote socially engaged and inclusive design practices that are rooted in community and context. Prior to joining University of Chicago’s faculty, Chana was Associate Teaching Professor of Design for Environmental Justice and Public Good in the Built Environment at Northeastern University’s School of Architecture. She is passionate about teaching design at all scales and introducing students to iterative thinking and foundational representation techniques.
Chana is the founder of Architecture for Public Benefit, a design practice dedicated to solving the unique challenges of mission-driven organizations and nonprofits. She has worked with the Boston Public Library, More Than Words social enterprise, and youth-led organizations such as Aaron’s Presents and YouthBuild Boston. Chana was a Rose Fellow at the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development and developed innovative initiatives to increase housing affordability and access. Her projects included piloting the Additional Dwelling Unit ADU 2.0 program, streamlining the city’s permitting process, and supporting the department’s design review. Prior to her fellowship, Chana worked at Peter Rose + Partners where she led projects from design through to construction. With over ten years of professional and teaching experience, Chana has been collaborating with her students to push and question the boundaries of what design can do.
Chana is a licensed architect, a Chicago Women in Architecture member, and an Association for Community Design board member. She is the recipient of the 2022 AIA Young Architects Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers. She holds a Master in Architecture II from Harvard University, and a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from McGill University.
Education
Harvard University, MArch II
McGill University, M.Arch
McGill University, B.Sc.Arch
Awards
2022 AIA Young Architects Award, American Institute of Architect
Rose Architectural Fellowship, Enterprise Community Partners
Hugh McLennan Memorial Scholarship, McGill University
John Adjeleian Graduate Fellowship, McGill University
William Shaver Scholarship, McGill University
