Profession: MEng student studying structural engineering and architecture
City: Sheffield
Country: United Kingdom

What inspired you to want a life in Architecture and the creative industries?:
Since childhood, I have enjoyed and valued pursuing creativity in different forms, often using drawing and painting as my medium. Architecture stood out to me as a vocation to be able to match my creative passions with my technical interests in maths and physics. Now finishing my studies at university, I have come to realize there are even more opportunities available in the architecture industry. I am looking forward to exploring the ways I can work in sustainable practice, fusing my engineering and architectural interests.

Who inspired you in finding your path to Architecture/Film and the creative industries?:
I am continually finding new ideas and buildings to be inspired by. Recently I have been interested in the work of Peter Barber Architects in the social housing area. Being in university a lot of inspiration has come from the ideas of fellow students and academics.

Theoretically I have grown considerable interest in the ways architecture can influence a society and vice versa, and have explored this concept through different lenses eg. Feminist perspectives on the home, governmental and architectural industry perspectives on social housing. I think the interdisciplinary nature of the architectural industry and the background of individuals beyond their architectural credentials add important value to the designs we create. More specifically, Zaha Hadid was an inspiration to me in terms of how she initially had a mathematical background before her career in architecture and the organic forms of her buildings are highly inspired by mathematical geometries.

How you unlock obstacles and overcome bias in your work?:
To unlock obstacles, I think it is important to refresh your inspiration, and so especially when working in studio on projects I am often looking at new precedents to inform different stages of my design. To  overcome bias, I think it is important to educate myself on the areas that I’m trying to explore in my work. Architecture is a platform that not only serves a function to a diverse society, but can also portray and platform designer’s perspectives. I think it is important that perspective of the designer is influenced by the people and places that they are designing for, to avoid bias and make effective designs.

What improvements do you feel are required to promote effective change in the academic and working environment?:
I think my answer is linked to my previous answer, and representation of different backgrounds is still something  that needs to be improved in the architecture industry. I think this is not something to be undervalued, not only does it open opportunities to talented individuals who may have not previously had access to specific workspaces, but also I think diverse representation can help to add valuable insight into the services that an architectural firm/school etc. could provide.