Architectural designer and activist Maya Porath announced as 2022-23 Banham Fellow

Carrying forward Banham's legacy in experimental criticism and explorations of Buffalo's post-industrial landscapes, Porath will interrogate the underlying structures of architectural projects and the conditions under which they are produced.

Focusing on the political and economic structure of the built environment, she will develop an archive of case studies that explore various ownership models and project structures in Buffalo. Starting with policies, funding, production, and construction, the research will seek to challenge existing power structures, while also analyzing the role of the architect and their impact on the social context.

Porath comes to UB with experience at various design firms in New York City, where she was involved in public, institutional and private projects. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University, and a Master of Architecture from the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University.

As a member of The Architecture Lobby, a democratic member driven organization of architectural workers, Porath collaborated with designers and architects across the country on initiatives aimed at building a more just and equitable profession. She served as a co-Steward of the NYC Chapter and more recently, as the Lobby’s National Organizer in 2020-2022.   

Porath co-founded ParlorTalks, an informal, multidisciplinary critical conversation series about public space. In addition, she has previously taught history and design classes at NYIT and Parsons.