Shaping Spaces. Shaping History.
In the heart of the American South, nestled between the sweeping Blur Ridge Mountains and the serene coastline of the Atlantic Ocean, lies the peach state – rich of history and breathtaking beauty - Georgia. It is a place where the echoes of the past reverberate through its historic cities, charming towns and the city in the Forest. Yet, Georgia is also a state where the future is being built, one innovative design at a time.
Her|Story is collection of stories where we embark on a captivating journey through Georgia’s rich architectural history, where pioneering women have left an indelible mark on the built environment. This is a testament to their creativity, determination, and the transformative power of architecture for people and communities.
The stories of these remarkable women are as diverse as the landscapes they’ve shaped. From the iconic Centennial Olympic sites of Atlanta to the meticulously preserved historic homes, these architects have woven their vision into the very fabric of Georgia. Their stories are not just about bricks and mortar, but about dreams and aspirations, challenges, and triumphs.
As you read these stories, you’ll meet the likes of Leila Ross Wilburn, whose pattern books popularized affordable and stylish residential designs to Cheryl McAffee, whose dedication to community-driven design has brought life to Olympic architecture.
Through their experiences, and achievements, these architects invite us into their world, a world where walls and spaces are not merely utilitarian, but expressions of culture, identity, and the human spirit. They challenge conventions, break barriers, and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.
Her| Story is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the enduring spirit of Georgia’s female architects and designers. Their stories are testaments to the belief that in architecture, as in life, the boundaries of possibility are defined only by the limits of our imagination.
We hope you find inspiration within these pages and join us in celebrating these architects of change, the women who have transformed Georgia’s architectural landscape, and by extension, the world of design. Their legacy is a testament to the profound impact of architecture and its capacity to shape not only our physical surroundings but our collective future. Enjoy this journey through the architectural wonders of Georgia, and may it inspire you to dream, to create, and to embrace the transformative power of architecture in your own life.
Based on the “14 Questions” Concept by Carmen Stan, AIA + In Collaboration with AIA Georgia Equity in Architecture
Supported by the Architecture Foundation of Georgia IMPACT Grant
Heli Shah
Founder + Editor-in-Chief
Heli Shah was born in Mumbai, India and grew-up in Bowling Green, Kentucky. She attended Western Kentucky University for her Bachelor of Science, and earned her Master of Architecture Degree at Savannah College of Art and Design. She currently lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia where she focuses on K-12 architecture.
Heli is passionate about creating impactful educational spaces for the future leaders of the world. She believes that impactful design can help students focus, be motivated, and be more engaged during learning. Some of her notable projects include the first Future-Ready school in the DeKalb County School District, Ronald E. McNair Middle School, the replacement of Forest Park Middle School for Clayton County Public Schools in Forest Park, Georgia and the replacement of the existing Community Center for Lovett School with a new central student-facing facility.
Heli was a 2020 scholar of AIA Georgia’s Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) and later served as an advisor from 2022 to 2023. She also served as 2021 Chair of the Young Architects Forum of AIA Atlanta, 2020 Emerging Professionals Director and 2024 Programs Director of AIA Atlanta, 2023-2024 Georgia Statewide Associate Representative to the National Associates Committee, and Co-Chair of the Research + Advocacy Committee of AIA Georgia’s Equity in Architecture. Heli currently serves as an At-Large Director for the Knowledge Committee on the National Associates Committee.
For her continuous commitment to the profession, Heli was awarded the 2021 AIA Atlanta John. A Busby, Jr. Award, named to the 2022 Young Nonprofit Professionals Network’s 30 Under 30, received the 2023 AIAS Alumni Emerging Professional Award and the 2024 AIA National Associate Award.
Alyssa graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2023 with an Architecture degree that taught her the impact of intentional design and the breadth that design reaches. She fell in love with graphic design during school and hasn’t looked back! Currently, she is pursuing her Master in Marketing Analytics and creating her own blueprint within her career; taking a unique approach to how purposeful design can be implemented in more than just spaces.
Alyssa participated in the Equity in Architecture Cover Design Competition in 2024. Her submission was selected and adapted to be the Logo for Her|Story.
“My inspiration comes from the strong women I surround myself with that are resilient, tenacious, and assertive. In an industry that has a growing number of women, I am grateful to be one that has the drive to forge my own path.”
Alyssa Gatto | Graphic Designer
Contributors
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Nicole Seekely
Nicole is a Project Architect at Perkins + Will in the Atlanta studio. She has served on the AIA Georgia Board for five years, demonstrating a strong commitment to political advocacy, adaptive reuse and sustainability. She is also a founder and longtime leader of Equity in Architecture and a recipient of the Inaugural Carmen Stan Elevation of the Profession Award.
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Tanya Richard
Tanya Richard, AIA, LEED AP BD+C is an Associate Principal and Atlanta Education Sector lead for DAG Architects in Atlanta, GA. She has a passion for building team-focused relationships and facilitating problem solving. In her spare time, she is a Georgia High School Girls Gymnastics Judge and President of the judges organization.
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Heather Potts Lang
Heather Potts Lang, AIA, WELL AP, LEED AP ND + Homes is the owner of Potts Lang Architects, a guest lecturer in the School of Architecture at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a graduate of the AIA Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program.
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James Pirch
James is a licensed architect and entrepreneur, championing sustainable design through Creative Interface Architecture and the 'Not Complicated - Just Green' podcast. He is deeply involved in community housing, environmental justice, and mentorship, holds several leadership roles in AIA Georgia, community organizations, and youth outreach.
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Ai-Lien Vuong
Ai-Lien Ai-Lien holds a B.S. in Architecture (BSArch) with a Minor in Architectural History and Certificate in Integrative Biology, a Master of Architecture (MArch), and Master of City & Regional Planning (MCRP) specializing in Urban Design - all from Georgia Tech. She currently works at HOK and serves as Co-Chair of the local HOK IMPACT Group and EQiA.
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Namrata Dani
Namrata is an architect at Corgan and has worked on a wide range of project types including multi-family/mixed-use residential, educational, and other commercial projects. She is a past scholar of the AIA Georgia Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program Class of 2022 and co-chair of EQiA.
