Ehler Htoo is an aspiring architect and planner who is passionate about community growth, development, and prosperity. Ehler and her family moved to the United States as refugees in pursuit of a life away from war and genocide. As a first-generation college student, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design with a minor in Architecture in 2022. Ehler anticipates graduating from the University at Buffalo in May 2025 with a master’s in Architecture and a master’s in Urban Planning. She is currently an Arthur A. Schomburg fellow and works as a graduate teaching assistant.
Ehler is passionate about giving back to Buffalo’s communities. She represents this through projects in architecture and planning studios. Ehler designed a horse riding center on the South Side of Buffalo with an afterschool program for local students. She also designed a museum in Downtown Buffalo that deliberately caters to students and community members. Through these projects, her goal is to contribute to the development and prosperity of Buffalo and its diverse communities.
Beyond academics, Ehler believes that one must actively serve and be a part of their community’s voices. Currently, she volunteers for K’nyaw Youth of Buffalo as a social media specialist, assisting the Karen youth and community in different cultural events. Ehler also teaches elementary school students as a youth development specialist, organizing outdoor exploration, education, and crisis intervention activities.
Ehler recognizes that a large population of refugees currently live or are arriving in Buffalo. For her master’s thesis, she plans to design and propose a community center for refugees, working directly with the Karen community. Her goal is to create a safe space that promotes social interaction and integration for refugees to gather and participate in cultural activities. She hopes the proposed community center will contribute to a more inclusive and economically vibrant Buffalo.