HOUSTON, September 12, 2024 — Asia Society Texas launched the 10th season of its signature Bank of America Women's Leadership Series by welcoming internationally renowned architect Farshid Moussavi, recognized as one of the world's most innovative and creative figures in the field. The luncheon and conversation about the future of architecture and design was moderated by Stephanie Tsuru, an entrepreneur and co- founder of SheSpace, a women-focused work and programming space. 

The sold-out event was attended by business and community leaders, philanthropists, architects, and students from the University of Houston, Rice University, and the University of Houston-Downtown. Moussavi touched on a wide spectrum of topics, including her journey as a woman in a male-dominated industry, the importance of creating community spaces and fostering positive change, addressing environmental challenges, the impact of technology on gathering and dialogue, and her advice to the next generation.

When asked about women's representation in the architecture industry, Moussavi noted there have been recent improvements, exemplified by the higher number of architecture students and prominent figures in the field. She emphasized the importance of investing in creating more female representation and incorporating different perspectives into the discipline. She encouraged the students in the audience to strive to find new ways to tackle the challenges of the times through their work and unique perspectives.

Moussavi also reflected on the importance of learning new ways to relate to the environment, as well as creating practical and exciting spaces for the community. She delved into the shortage of affordable housing and the need for housing that supports various life stages and transitions.

Moussavi and Tsuru then explored some of Moussavi’s projects: the Victoria Beckham Flagship Store in London, known for its innovative spatial design; the Residential Block in La Défense–Nanterre, a project that reimagines urban living; the Yokohama International Passenger Cruise terminal in Japan, a unique blend of functionality and aesthetics; and the Ismaili Center, the first in the U.S. and currently under construction in Houston. Moussavi then shared the Ismaili Center's role in serving both religious and social gatherings, emphasizing its importance in fostering community spaces that encourage diversity and dialogue, particularly in a city as culturally rich as Houston.

View more photos on Flickr.

About the Speaker

Farshid Moussavi is an architect, founder of Farshid Moussavi Architecture, and Professor-in-Practice of Architecture at Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She was previously co-founder of Foreign Office Architects (FOA).

Educated at Harvard's Graduate School of Design, University College London, and Dundee University, Moussavi has a longstanding involvement with academic institutions worldwide. She was head of the Institute of Architecture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, and has held teaching posts at the Architectural Association in London, the Berlage Institute in Rotterdam, the Hoger Architectuur Instituut Sint-Lucas in Gent, and at Harvard, UCLE, Princeton, and Columbia University. 

Moussavi has served on key design and architectural advisory panels and international design juries, including for the British Council, the Mayor of London's "Design for London" advisory group, the London Development Agency, the RIBA Gold and Presidential Medals, and the Stirling Prize for Architecture. She has previously served as a trustee of the Whitechapel Gallery in London and the London Architecture Foundation, and a member of the Steering Committee of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Currently, she is a trustee of the Norman Foster Foundation London and New Architecture Writers (NAW), which focuses on black and minority ethnic emerging writers who are underrepresented across design journalism and curation. She is also one of the London Mayor's 42 Design Advocates. Moussavi was elected an appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honors for services to architecture. She has published The Function of Ornament, The Function of Form, and The Function of Style based on her research and teaching at Harvard. Her fourth and most recent book is titled Architecture and Micropolitics, Four Buildings 2011–2022 was released in 2023.

About the Moderator

Stephanie Tsuru was raised in a small town in Missouri and lived in most regions of the country before settling in Houston 16 years ago. She spent 25 years in the healthcare industry before receiving her MLS at Rice University. Empowered by the strength and potential of women, in 2020, she co-founded SheSpace, a female-focused work, meeting, and programming space to support and bring all women together while mentoring both women and girls of Houston.

Stephanie is passionate about philanthropic work and is a committed supporter of the arts in Houston, specifically the Houston Ballet, where she currently sits as the Houston Ballet Board President. An avid proponent of public and green spaces, she recently co-chaired the Hermann Park Commons Capital Campaign and sits on their board. Following in her parents’ footsteps, her lifelong passion of reading and literacy led her to co-found Houston’s state-of-the-art mobile library fleet for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation. Among her accomplishments is being named a Woman to Watch by the Houston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Awards. She is also a member of the Greater Houston’s Women’s Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame. 

Today she dedicates much of her time to SheSpace and empowering and advancing women. When she is not immersed in these efforts, she is a proud wife, mother, and grandmother to one sweet grandson and four bright, charming, and hilarious young girls, including Poppy Jane, who arrived three months early and has beat all odds like women often do.

Asia Society hosts today's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect Asia Society views.

About the Women's Leadership Series

The Women's Leadership Series (WLS) celebrates influential, diverse women making a substantive impact in both the business and culture arenas, locally and globally.

Previous programs:

2024 | Building Inclusivity in the Workplace
2024 | Culinary Innovators Building Community
2023 | Women Leading the Evolution of Skincare
2023 | Houston's Leading News Anchors
2023 | Asian American Women in Law
2022 | Philanthropists Leading With Passion
2022 | Huma Abedin on Public Service and Private Legacies
2022 | Cooking at Home, Writing from the Heart with Priya Krishna
2021 | Asian American Leaders Standing Up for Racial Justice
2021 | Women in Space: Breaking Barriers on Earth and Beyond
2021 | Innovation and Investment in Climate Change Solutions
2020 | Building Black and Asian Solidarity: Women Leading Across Race, History, and Culture
2020 | Women Responding to COVID-19
2020 | Women in Journalism: Ann Curry
2019 | Leadership and Success: Conversation with Former PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi
2018 | Women in Entertainment
2018 | Energy Executives on the Importance of STEM Education
2018 | Women in Culinary Arts: Christine Hà, Jenni Tranweaver, and Kiran Verma
2017 | Women in Fashion: Chloe Dao, Becky Hollands, Khanh Nguyen, and Naina Shah
2017 | Innovators in Medicine & Science with Keynote Dr. Huda Zoghbi
2017 | Women's Education and Empowerment with Keynote Cherie Blair
2016 | Women in Energy
2016 | Leading from the C-Suite with Keynote Lulu C. Wang
2016 | The Advancement of Women in Public Service with Elaine Chao
2015 | In Conversation: Dr. Anne Chao, Donna Cole, and Y. Ping Sun

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.