Why Architect In Colour?
Architecture has dulled me somewhat. I feel that as a person, I tend to be quite funny, sarcastic, a bit cynical, a bit awkward but also kind, caring and empathetic. These are not qualities or attributes commonly used to describe an Architect or words that people who do not know me well, would use to describe me at all. The expectation is professional, and whilst I do my very best to reflect that, I feel I could do more to show the rest of my attributes.
I will give you an example to think about.
The Architects you and others may be used to seeing are similar to Le Corbusier, photos always in black and white, because of the era, but you can also see he’s actually wearing black and white. This is a complete contrast to some of his buildings which can actually be quite colourful and the funky glasses and a bow tie which to me, show a bit of flair and personality.
Another example, the late Zaha Hahid, incredibly expressive architecture but her general appearance, from what the internet tells me was mostly black but with strong, expressive forms that mirrored her architectural style.
Santiago Calatrava is another one. His work is dynamic, full of flair, and undeniably interesting. But personally, he often comes across as buttoned-up in a suit—and honestly, I don’t know much about him beyond that.
As a Black female Architect I am already not the ‘Sterotypical Architect’ but I also don’t want to be.
I want to be the funky glasses and bow tie, the expressive clothes and known for more than just the architecture I produce. Basically, I want to show who I am and the best way I can think to do this in the first instance, is through writing, so in comes Architect in Colour.
I would like to say at this point how nice it is to just be able to say ‘Architect’. ‘Part 2 Architectural Assistant in Colour’ would be rather long and doesn’t really have the same ring to it.
Anyway. The idea for to write a newsletter/blog and then the name for it, came after having a week of feeling a bit down to say the least (Let’s be real, I was feeling like absolute sh*t).
“Let’s be real, I was feeling like absolute sh*t”
Work had been busy (with things I actually wanted to do), tutoring has been fun and chilled as the students started a new project and my personal life had been chilled. BUT. Everything also felt dull'. Like I was literally watching myself live a boring, black and white movie with no story, no climax, no uplifting music at the end, just monotone blah.
Is that too much? Potentially, but I am trying my very best not to care and just write.
I assume it was a similar feeling to climbing a mountain on a cloudy day. I had worked so hard and for so long on qualifying as an Architect and then I got to where I wanted to do and couldn’t see the sunrise I was expecting. The wide and expansive view I was promised was hidden under a blanket of clouds and I started to wonder what the hell I had actually been working towards or for.
Writing this and sharing what I have learnt climbing this mountain however, is starting to clear those clouds. Being able to express myself is fun but getting to help those coming up behind me or those who get here first and are still wondering how they got here and not sure where to go next, brings me joy.
So, Architect in Colour.
This is going to be a weekly released piece of writing from me based on my experience as an Architect but with things I have also learnt from life experiences and working at the university with Architecture Students. It might be based on something that happened in the architecture office, something I read, discussed, or talked about.
I am currently an Architect with an interest and focus on Conservation Architecture, I am also founder of an Architecture Education platform, which I am looking to build further in 2025 and I am a University Studio Tutor. Check out my LinkedIn for more. So it will be basically based off that.
Just writing that reminded me of a talk from the American Institute of Architecture Conference I attended in Washington D.C last year.
It was a talk/workshop and one of the tasks was to introduce yourself without saying what you do, where you work or your qualifications. Basically, exactly what I just did. So… in addition to all jobs, I am also emphatic, caring, fun, awkward, sometimes cynical, though I am trying to be more positive. I have also in the past have loved running and kickboxing (my physique does nothing to show this, though I am working on it) and I enjoy writing and sharing.
This was very much an introductory piece but look out for next week's post on what I have learnt about and the importance of public speaking and how to deal with it if it's not not really your cup of tea.
Signing off,
Aliya
If you got this far, thank you for reading! I hope you found this weeks issue helpful to you or for a friend or colleague. Feel free to reply or message me on any of the social handles below with your thoughts or any questions you have.
