“A world built by womxn is a world built for everyone.”
Emily Pilloton-Lam is the Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Girls Garage. An architectural designer, builder, educator, and author, she has collaborated with thousands of young women and gender-expansive youth to design and build pro-bono civic architecture projects in and for their communities. Her research and pedagogy is rooted in social and spatial justice, community-based design, and participatory practice across the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. She has presented her work and ideas on the TED stage, The Colbert Report, and in the documentary film If You Build It, and has served as Visiting Professor and Adjunct Faculty at UC Berkeley’s College of Environmental Design, UC Davis, and Stanford University.
Building
Trained in architecture and skilled in carpentry, welding, and jobsite management, Emily has led teams of 9-18 year old students to design and build dozens of full-scale architectural projects for nonprofit community clients. Photo: Brad Feinknopf Photography
Teaching
At Girls Garage and world-renowned universities, Emily’s pedagogy is rooted in hands-on skills, a connection to one’s identity and community, and helping students identify their agency to build the change they want to see in the world. Photo: Laura Morita Photography
Speaking
From conference keynotes to high school graduation speeches and the TED stage, Emily has spoken at over 250 convenings around the world to diverse audiences of corporate leaders, policy makers, youth, parents, leaders, and educators.
Latest book!
Girls Garage: How to Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build the World You Want to See
By: Emily Pilloton (Author), Kate Bingaman-Burt (Illustrator), Chronicle Books (Publisher)
Not sure which screws to buy? Need to fix a running toilet? With Girls Garage, you'll have the expertise to tackle these problems with your own hands. Or maybe you want to get creative and build something totally new. A birdhouse? A bookshelf? Girls Garage has you covered. Packed with illustrations that will build confidence for your next hardware store run, practical advice on everything from quick fixes to safety tips, and inspiring stories from real-world builder girls and women, this eye-catching volume makes the technical accessible. This is the guide every girl needs to take her life into her own hands.
“An indispensable guide to building things, fixing things, and being a better, bolder version of yourself. If you’ve ever wondered how to change a tire, fix a running toilet, construct a birdhouse, or just feel a little braver in your own skin, this is the book for you. It’s accessible, inspirational, and actionable – and will help you understand why so many girls have benefitted so much from Emily Pilloton and her mission to get us all fearing less and building more.”
— Melinda Gates, Philanthropist and Author of The Moment of Lift