A.L. Hu believes that architecture should be accessible to people regardless of the wealth or social status of their communities. Engaging people in the design process yields architecture that best meets the people’s unique needs, desires, and dreams. As a Rose Fellow, A.L. will apply their diverse architectural and communication skills to build solidarity and put theory into practice, toward strengthened communities and more equitable design. A.L. believes that their role as an architect is to cross boundaries: as a facilitator between self-identified groups of people, toward the goals of realization, empowerment, and justice in the built environment.

A.L.'s Fellowship goals include deepening their knowledge of community-based design to further develop their skills as an advocate for communities in the design process. A.L. hopes to connect with other organizations, architects, artists who share their values, so that the work they do during the Fellowship, and beyond, becomes more impactful.

A.L. is excited to work with Ascendant Neighborhood Development (AND) because the Fellow plays an active role not only in community engagement and design, but also within the organization itself. The common denominator between working within the community and working with AND is communication: effectively using the tools available to convey ideas, whether through spoken conversation, written words, diagrams, or construction drawings. A.L.'s work in small architecture firms and as a labor organizer brings experience in advocacy, communication, and building power to the dynamic mix of projects, strategies, guidelines, as processes that AND is developing.

A.L. received their M.Arch from the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley. They were awarded the Avery 6 Award and School Service Award from Columbia GSAPP and named a Civic Leader by the AIA New York Civic Leadership Program.