EMWA Magazine by EMWA

EMWA MAGAZINE

Photography by Emily Watts | Designer Photographer Art Director Creator A ‘Firm’ Analysis Photography by | Professional Image Photographers

TA B L E O F CO N T E N T

How Not to Fail School, And Win Some Awards, and some other stuff

A Critque of My

Architectural Career

10 15

.. But Where Are We Going? My 5 - Year Plan : How I’d like to see my next five years c. 2018

“FIRM”ANALYSIS

A Complete Analysis of 5 Architectural Firms

16 22

Herzog De Meuron

28 32

Thomas Heatherwick

Foster + Partners

A Complete Analysis, Interviews, Synposis

SANAA A Complete Analysis, Interviews, Synposis

A Complete Analysis, Interviews, Synposis

Zaha Hadid A Complete Analysis, Interviews, Synposis

A Complete Analysis, Interviews, Synposis

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

44 References

Editor’s Letter

elcome to the first edition of EMWA, our newly designed magazine especially for people who might never normally consider picking up a design magazine. This

is for readers who want to know what they can get away with, rather than what they should be doing to be that A+ teacher’s pet. We hope to bring you all with a fruitful understanding of different architectural backgrounds and a notion of where to head these next five years all with a sense of humor and serious imagery.

We want it to be entertaining and informative, at times contrary, but above all useful. Inside you’ll find a mixture of news, features, interviews ,and regular columns on a wide range of architecture-related topics. I hope you enjoy this first issue and do let us know if there are any topics you’d like to see covered in the future. Thank you!

Emily D. Watts Chief Editor, EMWA Magazine

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How Not to Fail School,

And Win Some Awards and Some Other Stuff..

The Plain Magazine

A Critique of My Architectural Career B Y E M I LY WAT T S

started my architectural career over 8 years

Through out college, I worked at three architectural firms ranging

ago after graduating high school in 2010.

in sizes from large to small. The first, Francis Cauffman is a source

Four years later, I graduated from University

of new ideas for positive change. As a pluralistic global practice

of Pennsylvania Summary Cum Laude with

that integrates knowledge of architecture, the arts, and human

a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s of Architecture. I began my archi-

activities, they embrace complexity as the basis for contemporary,

tectural education at Northeastern University,

high-performance and innovative projects. I worked with profes-

a cooperative educational, pre-professional

sionals in health care architecture and interior design and Created

degree program, whose architectural studies

interior design presentation for a multitude of large healthcare

focus on the technical aspects of drafting and

projects. Throughout my time there I interacted with clients,

architectural design. This technical architectur-

architects, interior designers, as well as suppliers.

al background paired with an overall understanding of theoretical and creative based

After exploring the world of working for a large firm, I interned

purpose has changed my overall outlook on

with TAO, an architecture, planning, interior design, and digital

design, allowing me to base my theoretical and

visualization firm providing modern, client-focused, economical,

creative ideas on a technical foundation. As a

and environmentally-conscious design solutions. Their projects

student, I not only graduated with honors each

are thoughtfully conceived, precisely articulated, and conscien-

semester, but have received multiple awards for

tiously executed. During my time there I corrected red-lined draw-

my excellent work in design -- namely the Mi-

ings in AutoCAD., created details in Revit, Chose material schemes

chael Yaron award for highest design achieve-

for a variety of commercial projects and conducted site studies

ment in architecture for the class of 2014 from

and drafted documents of existing sites.

the University of Pennsylvania.

Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

eeling unfilled with the amount of responsibility I held, I moved to a small firm of only 4 employs established by 2 Edvard graduates Petra Stanev

and Steven Potts. Stanev Potts is an architecture studio founded in 2007 delivering quality design to a range of project scales from applied research to residential and commercial projects. They approach all scales of design through reconsideration of the conceptual framework, careful detailing, and the integration of new materials and construction techniques with the fabric of each projectâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s context. Their goal is to produce works of quiet innovation.

WENDY EVANS JOSEPH

Travel Scholarship Urban Regeneration and Historic Preservation_ Southern Spain

NORTHEASTERN SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE Highest Design Achievement for the Class of 2015

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

2012-2014 B.A. in Architecture J

FRANCIS CAUFFMAN PHILADELPHIA, PA MAY-AUG 2010 Architectural Design Assistant

Highest Design Achievement

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSLYVANIA

2010-2012 B. of Architecture M

MICHAEL YARON PRIZE

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

TAO ARCHITECTS MOORESTOWN, NJ MAY-AUG 2011 Architectural Intern

STANEV POTTS ARCHITECTS PHILADELPHIA, PA MAY-AUG 2013 Architectural Designer

BJARKE INGELS GROUP (BIG) NEW YORK, NY SEPT 2014- PRESENT Junior Designer

WIRED MAGAZINE DESIGN ISSUE

ICON MAGIZEEN FEATURE

WTC model featured as table of context

NIKE X ACW EXIBITION EXPOSURE Design Exposure in Magizeens

3RD year project written in ICON mag

GUEST CRITIC 402 REVIEW University of Pennslyvania

INTERMEDIATE 7

DIPLOMA 17

Material Life: Performative Envelope Marco Vanucci

DIPLOMA 15

Material Life: Performative Envelope Dora Sweijd and Theo Sarantoglou Lalis

Play, Process, Sequence Lucy Styles, Simon Taylor Virgil Abloh, Oana StÄ&#x192;nescu

ARCHITECTURAL ASSOICATION 2016-2019 M.A. in Architecture O

EMWA LONDON, UK NOV 2018

NIKE X A-COLD-WALL* LONDON, UK NOV 2018

Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

The Plain Magazine

history of wealth ‘-A

and understanding I could have never imagined ‘

While working at Bjarke Ingels Group, I ap-

plied to graduate school were I decided to enroll at the Architectural Association and begin my journey working towards becoming a part 3 RIBA accredited architect. Starting my AA career in Intermediate 7, Material Life: Per formative Envelope with tutor Marco Vanucci. I explored the housing crisis of San Francisco through a critique of the open plan by challenging city-planning laws. I

Designed and created full set construction documents of renovations of many apartment buildings in Philadelphia, including the famous historical Benjamin Franklin Building. I also designed the

firm’s booklets for the 2013 Pritzker Prize, which went on to when the Best Upcoming Design firm for 2014. Since graduating in the spring of 2014, I have been working as a Junior Designer at Bjarke Ingels Group. Starting as a design assistant, I was quickly promoted to a Junior Designer where I worked with a team to contribute to one of BIG’s largest scale and most intricate projects; Two World Trade Center. Being one of the first members of the team, I worked arduously to produce site analysis, program and massing studies while in the early phases of concept design, as we searched for the new home for 21st Century Fox and Dow Jones & Company Headquarters.

continued my education with Diploma 17 Dora Sweijd and Theo Sarantoglou Lalis of LASSA Architects where I explored cognitive conditioning and its impact on behavior through soft body architecture. Finally for my 5th year I am enrolled Diploma 15, Play, Process, Sequence with Lucy Styles, Simon Taylor, Virgil Abloh, Oana Stănescu. Through a series of small design exercises I am working to re-humanize the city by using deception and light to redesign the ground floor of the city. During my time in Dip 15, I was given the chance to work with my studio to conceptualized, executed, and actualized the Point of Sale room for Nike x A-COLD-WALL*’sVomero 5 Product launch with Diploma 15 of the Architectural Association. 4,300 hand-casted hollow clay pyramids were placed within and around a 1:50 scale model of the original University of Oregon Running track Nike was founded upon. As consumers entered, the pyramids were crushed, first to rubble then to dust, in a recreation of the original University of

ith support of my teammates, I further develop the design,facade and interior spaces through both computer and physical models. As

concept design came to a close and the project went

Oregon running track Nike was imagined creating a visual soundscape in its development. Only lasting 48 hours, the instillation sits as a figment of documentation representing the reflection of process and play and the temporal nature of material.

public in early June, I built the final presentation model which was later featured in Wired Magazine’s October design issue. Since finishing concept design of Two World Trade Center, I have completed full schematic design and design development drawing sets in Revit of a luxury condominium located in the Bahamas. The professional working environment at Bjarke Ingels Group not only taught me to become proficient and organized, but has also guided me to become a team payer as well as.

The AA has been an invaluable experienced that has taught me to explore different mediums and different trains of thought. The AA has opened my eyes to theories I had never discovered, information, and precedents, and a history of wealth and understanding I could have never imagined. It has taught me to be a team player, to work with a family, to create connections, and relationship far beyond the working field. It has lead me to number connections and a field of wealth I am forever grateful for.

Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

... But, Where are We Going?

ased upon my previous experi-

Based upon my previous experience

ence at a varied range of smaller

at Bjarke Ingels Group, I would like to

to large firms, I would ideally see

work in a larger faster paced competi-

myself somewhere in a larger

tive office where I could gain extension

firm where I am able to gain experience in a

knowledge on an extensive number of

large variety of large to small projects with

projects at different scales. Working at

a lot of acclaim attached to them. Upon

Bjarke Ingels Group helped me learn

graduating the Architectural Association in

how to work with a team and taught

the following June, I will begin to apply to

me how to develop a project at many

firms, as I would like to receive my RIBA part

different scales. It also exposed me to a

three accreditation in becoming a certified

many different working techniques and

British architect. After over eight plus years

tricks of the trade, which helped me, im-

in architecture, I find that it would be ben-

prove my own designing and computer

eficial for me to complete the accreditation

graphics.

if one day I would like sign off on my own drawings and projects or open a firm one

I would like to Ideally start as a designer

day. After so much time and commitment to

at a namely firm the beginning or end of

architecture, I feel I would be doing myself

September 2019 and would be put into

a disservice to not become an accredited

a concept design team.

architect.

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

â&#x20AC;?

working techniques tricks of the exposed me to a

many

different

and

trade designing

, which helped me,

improve my

own

and computer graphics.

â&#x20AC;?

Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

lthough concept design is completive and can lead to long hours I would like to experience the pressure and expand my design skills

surrounded by talented designers for a couple years. Working in competitions previously at Bjarke Ingels Group, including the design of World Trade center two, taught me how to design quickly but also with smart moves as well as enhance my renderings and expression skills. I enjoyed the high pressure environment and thrived with my teams previously and would like to get this experience for three or

MAGIZEEN EXPOSURE

write up abot project

four more competition designs to master this part of the work place.

MAGIZEEN EXPOSURE

With a smaller team to complete a scematic design phase

COMEPETION DESIGN

With a smaller team to complete a competion design

COMEPETION DESIGN

SCEMATIC DESIGN

write up abot project

COMEPETION DESIGN

With a smaller team to complete a competion design

ARCHITECTURAL ASSOICATION 2016-2019 M.A. in Architecture J

M - L FIRM - 1

GRADUATE AA LONDON, UK 2019-2021

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

BE EMPLOYED LONDON, UK 2019-2021

MAGIZEEN EXPOSURE

write up abot project

SCEMATIC DESIGN

write up abot project

CONSTRUCTION DESIGN

With a smaller team to complete a scematic design phase

With a smaller team to complete a Construction phase design

M - L FIRM - 2 COMPLETE 24 MONTHS RIBA WORKING HOURS LONDON, UK 2019-2021

RIBA III LONDON ACCREDIATIONS LONDON, UK 2019-2021

Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

fter working in a couple comple-

Although it is very hard to plan what is to

tion designs, I would ideally like

come within the next five years, by outline

to work with schematic designs

a situation it has helped me create a clear

as an introduction to construction

understanding of how to become a licensed

design. I have previously worked on many

architect and set a goal for the future for

construction design projects but have only

me that is very much achievable at my own

previously worked once on a schematic design

discussion. Working as a designer for two

project, so I feel I would benefit by understand-

more years will only expand my knowledge

ing the process of working with collaborators

of the working world of architecture and I

and detailing out the projects. Even more so

can only see the benefits of expanding my

then competition design, I really enjoy the

eyes to new people, clients, workers, and

finite details of construction design and the

cultures and I deeper my understanding of

coordination realization of schematic design.

my passion and career -architecture.

For the remainder of my five years I would like to continue to work through these details while gaining exposure on my work through media outlets.

While working in schematic design and construction design phases I would like to obtain my part three RIBA accreditation after completing my 24 months mandatory working experience. I think it will be beneficial to complete the course while working on schematic design in order to create a better balance between works. I would ideally like to take the accreditation outside of working hours at night to complete it while I am working to make an income to support living in London.

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

‘Firm’ A NA LYS I S

Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

Herzog De Meuron

The Plain Magazine

Background Check

erzog de Meruon is a large firm

Office Feel (corporate/causal): Casual feel, good

located in Basel, Switzerland who is

polite friendly atmosphere

intrested in completing a variety of projects around the world. Known

Theory of Office (What they are about): They refine

for their sleek elegance in design, HdM is redound-

the traditions of modernism to elemental simplicity,

ed but difficult to become employed because of its

while transforming materials and surfaces through

‘tap’ only founding.

the exploration of new treatments and techniques. There is a common thread of commitment of artic-

Founding: Founded in Basel, Switzerland 1978.

ulation through materiality.

Size: HdM consists of a team of 5 partners, 40 As-

What size projects : Varied - Large to small . Con-

sociates and 380 collaborators worldwide.

cept, Schematic, Construction

Location of offices: Basel, Berlin, Hong Kong, Lon-

Awards: Awarded the Pritzker prize in 2001 Schock

don, New York City

Prize in 1999, Stirling prize in 2003, RIBA Royal Gold Medal 2007, Premium Imperial 2007 and the Lubetkin Prize in 2009

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Synopsis:

fter doing an in-depth analysis of Herzog de Meruon, I feel that this firm could be a good fit for my past experience and where I would like to go in

life. I enjoyed what Camille said about the working environment in terms of the friendly people and the way in which they work to your advantages and you are able to gain responsibility through working as a team. I thought it was very interesting that the larger projects were more corporate and the smaller more interesting but I could understand that as an overall structure. I really enjoy how they are working on both smaller and larger projects simultaneously and could see finding my spot in this company, as I do enjoy the design and what they are working towards as a firm mission.

f the five firms, I believe Herzog de Meruon would be a beneficial fit for me. I am very flexible to live abroad if I am able to obtain a visa, but this fact

might hinder me although I know many other â&#x20AC;&#x153;designersâ&#x20AC;? from this company who are here from America on Visa. Ideally I would like to stay in London, but if the opportunity puts itself in the right place, I could see myself continuing my architectural career and sharing my knowledge with a company like this.

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

INTERVIEW:

Camille Isabela Dos Santos Trainee at Herzog & de Meuron Studies at Columbia GSAPP Studied at University of Pennsylvania Date : November 12th, 2018 Interview Recorded as follows:

Emily: How was your your overall working experience? Did you feel you had enough responsibility? Camille:

Camille:

I worked on a tower and master plan in

Basel as well as a museum. Defiantly the smaller projects Work experience was great. Lots of

highs and lows being a trainee as every other position but the best way the team experience. I learned itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more important to have a good leader and team structure than to be on a cool project. I had a lot of responsibility once they trusted me but I was never able to speak in the big meetings with the bosses. When they found out your strengths they really used them wether it was through programs or models. Emily: What computer programs does the office use? Camille:

Emily: What scale projects did you work on?

We used everything. AutoCAD, adobe

suite, rhino, 3D max, and Revit They were very heavy on the tech and were playing a lot with visual reality and goggles so that was so interesting. We worked with tech and they would bring all the gadgets to the meetings to make the people as if they were on the mountain or in a room

were more interesting in design where the larger ones were more corporate Emily: How was the office vibe? Corporate? Casual? Camille:

Office vibe was very casual. People

were open and chatty and great environment. We had breakfast breaks everyday at 10 am and coffee and tea breaks at 4pm so we would see eachother a lot. People knew when to push and when to stress and when to relax. Never felt competitive Emily: How were your hours? Camille:

Hours depended on project. Usually

8:30 am until 7pm minimum but you had a hour in a half for lunch. When your on a competition itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hella crazy and a lot of all nighters but they then give the guys compensation for the hours worked over time and they take a week or so holiday

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ONLINE COMMUNITY MAR 7, 11 7:09 PM

Give it a shot...just don’t expect too much.

For a ‘starchitect’ office they’re surprisingly un-international in make-up. Most of their employees from what I understand, have received positions after being tapped on the shoulder.

OCT 7, 11 4:22 PM

It seems that knowing someone on the inside is the only way to get any decent job in this economy. Open calls for employees seems to be more work than it’s worth in the long run as you’d spend months sifting through the resumes/work samples.

OCT 7, 12, 5:08 PM

They have a big office...over 300 employees I’ve heard. They must need more people than just the few students that they teach at Harvard and friends of friends in Basel.

I say send them emails and mail portfolios, and call.

I tried to stop by their fortress of solitute while visiting Basel. Its seriously like an imposing place. Didn’t get closer than their steel gate. But I did meet a couple of their employees. They said they work long hours for low pay. Figures.

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

“People we open and c

great environ ment.”

ere chatty,

Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

SANAA 22

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

Background Check

Theory of Office (What they are about): Known for designs with clean modernist elements such as slick, clean, and shiny surfaces made of glass, marble, and

n 1995, Kazuyo Sejima (born in 1956) and

metals. The use of squares and cubes can be found

Ryue Nishizawa (born in 1966) founded SA-

in their designs often, as well as large windows, and

NAA, the Tokyo architecture studio that has

lots of shear and clear glass allowing natural light to

designed innovative buildings in Japan and

enter a space and create a fluid transition between

around the world.

interior and exterior.

Foundations: Tokyo based firm founded in 1995 by

What size projects : Varied - Large to small .

Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa

Concept, Schematic, Construction

Size:. 11-50 employees, small - med

Extra information: The firm won the Golden Lion in 2004 for the most

Location of Offices: Tokyo, Paris, Amsterdam?

significant work in the Ninth International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale.

Office Feel (corporate/causal): Casual feel, located in a gutted out warehouse in the tatsumi area of

In 2010 Sejima and Nishizawa were aware the

the capital city. An open layout of the work space

Pritzker Prize, architecture’s highest honor. Sejima

facilitates and encourages easy communication in

was the second female to win this prize.

essentially one linear stretch of work stations, partitioned only by free-standing shelving filled

The firm name is an acronym for Sejima and

with books and publications.

Nishizawa and Associates.

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Synopsis:

lthough I really do love and appreciate the work of Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa with their team at SANAA and feel in terms of architecture they

are the most close to my style in terms of what I feel interested in doing, I am not completely sure I would fit into the office politics they are looking for. My current Diploma unit master has worked there for over 10 years, which gives me an interesting advantage, a in working for the firm as their initiatives as well as their beautiful projects.

ANAA is headquartered in Japan which could be a once in a life time opportunity for me to work in such a different culture. I would be more then interested to work their

for a five month period and get to understand the culture. The office also has a Paris office, which I would be extremely interested in. I really love the smaller size of the firm and the home feel which would be good for me being away from my home country of the united states and not knowing many people who live in paris!

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

â&#x20AC;&#x153; A once in a life time opportunity

different culture .â&#x20AC;?

to work in such a

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ONLINE COMMUNITY MAR 7, 11 7:09 PM MAR 7, 11 10:16 PM There’s some horror stories about them floating around

I applied online. The process took 2+ months. I

here if you dig hard enough. I’m not sure how true they

interviewed at SANAA (Amsterdam (Netherlands)) in

are, but they make for entertaining reading. I don’t

January 2014.

think they pay, but I’m not 100% sure. I suppose there’s no way to find out if you’ll get it or not unless you

First you send a portfolio and then you’ll be contacted

apply.

later by phone. a few questions about yourself, previous experiences, personal skills and the usual stuff.

MAR 7, 11 10:14 PM

then they tell you how hard it is going to be to work in the office and your schedule.

Highlights: -most interns work for free.

MAR 7, 11 10:16 PM

-they stay there up to 5 months. -you bring your own computer.

I did an internship at SANAA for a few months, and

-there may not be any actual desk space for you to

right now I’m working in a small architecture firm in To-

work on.

kyo. I think this all comes down to what you want from

-if you leave at midnight, you’re the first one to leave.

the internship. If you are coming over here because

-office appears to be unheated.

you want to make a career out of this, I would advise against it for all the reasons drone56a brought up (ter-

So there.

rible wages, ridiculous working hours, strict heirarchy). However if you are just treating this as a short term life

You’d think with all that free labor, they’d be able to

experience, with a chance to work in another country

afford to design some ornamentation for their dumb

for an architect you really like, then definitely go for it. I

white cardboard boxes, but no.

absolutely loved my time at SANAA, but I knew exactly what I was getting into when I joined, and really just

Why do you want to whore it up for those guys? At

treated it as a chance to meet some of my architecture

least Michael Graves will teach you how to properly

heroes, and see how their office works.

design an aluminum column enclosure... One thing you should probably understand though, is MAR 7, 11 10:16 PM

that a place like Shinichi Ogawa might be considerably more conservative in their office culture than the big

that’s kind of horrid. Yeah, I’ve heard some of the horror

guys like ando, fujimoto, ishigami etc, which are full of

stories. But I would like to work there as a graduate, is it

foreigners. This means you have to navigate the very

as bad as interns..? As long as I’m paid enough for rent

confusing and strict set of Japanese customs. If you do

and food, I’d be happy to work there.

choose to go for it, PM me and I’ll try and convey what I’ve learnt from working here.

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

â&#x20AC;&#x153;you are just treating this as a short term life experience, with a chance to work in another country for an architect you really like,

then definitely go for itâ&#x20AC;? Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

Tomas Heatherwick 28

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

Background Check

eatherwick Studio is a team of 250

Theory of Office (What they are about): Heatherwick

problem solvers dedicated to making

Studios does not have a fixed style and focuses on

the physical world around us better.

problem solving. “It’s more like solving a crime. The

Focusing on large scale projects in

answer is there, and your job is to find it. Ultimately

cities all over the world, we prioritise those with the

what is left after the research and narrowing down

greatest positive social impact.

the potential solutions, is the answer.” A Heartherwick design is invariably ingenious, usually with

Founded : by Thomas Alexander Heatherwick in

an element of surprise in it. An inclination toward

1994. Heatherwick works

experimental ideas and big gestures.

Size: a team of around 250 architects, designers

What size projects : Varied - Large to small . Con-

and collaborators

cept, Schematic, Construction

Location of offices: studio in King’s Cross,

Extra information: Heatherwick Studios brings the

London.

practice of design, architecture and urban planning together characterized by its inventiveness, ingenui-

Office Feel (corporate/causal): A collaborative group

ty and originality.

effort on every project, Casual

Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

Synopsis:

orking for Tomas Heatherwick at Heatherwick Studios would be a interesting experience. I enjoy the aspects of art and play that

his studios achieve through building techniques and I feel coming from the Architectural Association I have a stronger understanding of this link of the world of interconnected systems and art architecture and research. Although I do like this part of the firm, I am not sure that this would be a good fit for me. I feel that maybe they are too out of the box for my previous working experience and although they have done many projects with Bjarke ingles group, I do not feel I have the right connections and understandings to obtain a job and enjoy the office environment with them.

appreciate their numerous size building schemes and their unique and inspiring style as architects but I am not sure that I the correct candidate for this firm due to their quirky atti-

tude and demeanor and my lack of knowledge about the firm itself from an inside perspective. Although I respect the firm for its workings, I would have to say its least projected candidate among the five.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

ir y attitude

and

emeanor 30

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Vo l . 2 6 | D e c 2 0 1 8 I s s u e

Zaha Hadid 32

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

Background Check

aha Hadid, founding partner of Zaha

Office Feel (corporate/causal): causal with a touch

Hadid Architects, was awarded the

of corporate. landed back but aware.

Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004 and is internationally known for her

Theory of Office (What they are about): Zaha Hadid

built, theoretical and academic work. Each of her

Architects explore architectural formalism through

dynamic and innovative projects builds on over

innovative digital design methods that work in

thirty years of revolutionary experimentation and

synchronicity with their surroundings. The rigor-

research in the interrelated fields of urbanism, ar-

ous interface between architecture, landscape, and

chitecture and design. Known around the world for

geology lead to experimentation with cutting-edge

her iconic waves and smooths architecture, Zaha

technologies.

stands as an icon for the generation of women empowerment and technologicaly advancede design.

What size projects : Varied - Large to small . Concept, Schematic, Construction

Foundation: Founded in 1980 by Iraqi born architect Zaha Hadid

Extra information: Zaha Mohammad Hadid was the first women to receive the Pritzker Architecture

Size: 427 employees

Prize in 2004, the Stirling Prize in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, she was made a Dame by Elizabeth II and

Location of offices: London

in 2015 became the first women and only women to be awarded the RoyalGold Medal.

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Synopsis:

aha Hadid is known as one of the most influential women architects of our time. Kownn as the ‘Queen of the Curve” by The Guardian magazine of London, and

the women who “ Liberated architectural geometry, giving it a whole new expressive identity” is iconic as a not only a person but a movement in architecture. Working at Zaha Hadid would be a unbelievable experience as a fellow Architectural Association graduate and to follow in the footsteps of many of my friends from the Architectural Association as well.

t is convenient the office is in London and I know many people working their from my diploma unit from last year. In terms of style I approached the way Zaha Hadid opened up a

movement in style and expression in architecture but I would not call her style my style necessarily. Although I appreciate all her works, and the variety of scales that she works in, I would have to adapt to the style of her working to work at her firm. Although, I think that working at a firm with such acclaim doing such interesting things would be a great opportunity and would work perfectly as I already live in London and have my visa for the following two years.

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

INTERVIEWS: Interview With employee: Yuan (Duran) Zhai Part II Architectural Assistant at Zaha Hadid Architects Former Architectural Assistant at UNStudio Studied Architecture at Architectural Association School of Architecture Date : November 12th, 2018 Interview Recorded as follows: Emily: How was your your overall working experience? Did you feel you had enough responsibility? Duran: Generally good. I do have enough responsibilities. The team is composed of 7 people and all work on different parts of the project, so everyone has his or her own package to deliver. And I am the only Chinese in my team and I need to translate as we are working on a project in China. Which means I am attending all the meeting with the LDI and the clients. Emily: What computer programs does the office use? Duran: AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, Adobe Suit etc.. Emily: What scale projects did you work on? Duran: 1,000,000 sqm master planning. And we are currently designing one of the building as a start up. Emily: How was the office vibe? Corporate? Casual? Duran: The office is really chilled. All the staff are friendly.

Interview With employee: Berkin Islam Works at Zaha Hadid Architects Former Architectural designer at Perkins+Will Studied at Architectural Association School of Architecture Date : November 12th, 2018 Interview Recorded as follows: Emily: How was your your overall working experience? Did you feel you had enough responsibility? Berkin: overall experience is good as working on competitions get to work on different parts of the project, work on different scales and get overall knowledge. Responsibilities range on your abilities and attitude to handle them haha Emily: What computer programs does the office use? Berkin: A Its mostly rhino, maya, revit Emily: What scale projects did you work on? Berkin: Worked on an office competition, mid scale. Now working on a masterplan. Emily: How was the office vibe? Corporate? Casual? Berkin: Office vibe is between corporate and casual. Good balance tbh Emily: How were your hours? Berkin: Office hours a 10-7 and overtime per demand, when close to the deadline,

including weekends

Emily: How were your hours? Duran: I had 2 late nights so far... till 9pm. Otherwise I leave the office on timeâ&#x20AC;Ś

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INTERVIEWS Interview With employee: John Kanakas Works at Zaha Hadid Worked at Foster + Partners

Emily: What scale projects did you work on?

Studied at Architectural Association School of

masterplan, but interiors and details as well

John:

Embassy, airport - large scale projects/

Architecture Date : November 12th, 2018

Emily: How was the office vibe? Corporate?

Interview Recorded as follows:

Casual?

Emily: How was your your overall working

John:

Casual

experience? Did you feel you had enough responsibility?

Emily: How were your hours?

John:

Super exciting environment - lot of things

happening - lots of design and ideas -

Quite fine for now - had some week-

ends but not too much.

creative and technical - responsibility increases slowly

Emily: What computer programs does the office use?

John:

Maya, rhino grasshopper rhino vray adobe

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Overall experience is good, as working on competitions you get to work on different parts of the projecet,

overall knowledge.â&#x20AC;? work on different scales and get

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

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Fosters + Parterns 38

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

Background Check

oster + Partners is a global studio for

Theory of Office (What they are about): The firm

architecture, urbanism and design, all

comes from synthesis of all the elements that sepa-

rooted in sustainability and founded by

rately comprise and inform the character of a build-

Norman Foster in 1967. Since then, he

ing: the structure that holds it up; the services that

and the team around him have established an inter-

allow it to function; its ecology; the quality of natural

national practice with a worldwide reputation. With

light; the symbolism of the form; the relationship

offices across the globe, we work as a single studio

of the building to the skyline; the way you move

that is both ethnically and culturally diverse.

through or around it; and its ability to lift the spirits.Â

Foundation : Founded by Norman Foster in 1967

What size projects :Â Varied - Large to small . Concept, Schematic, Construction

Size: Very Large - 500 + Employees Extra information: Norman Foster was knighted Location of offices: London, Abu Dhabi, Bang-

in the 1990 Birthday Honours. A few of the awards

kok, Beijing, Buenos Aires, Dubai, Hong Kong,

granted to the firm are: Royal Gold Medal 1983,

Madrid, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai,

Miles Van der Rohe Award 1990, AIA Gold Medal

Singapore, Kuwait, Cupertino

1994, Pritzker Award 1999

Office Feel (corporate/causal): Corporate

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Synopsis:

orking for Norman Foster at osters and Partners would be a interesting corporate experience but it is something that I

have already done. Although the produce a lot of large scale very commercial and sought after projects, I am not the biggest fan of the design and I am not sure that such a corporate attitude will be a good fit for me.

s I

Working at Francis Cauffman in America was a imilar corporate attitude and I was not fulfilled by the monotony of everyday life with such tight restrained but longed for a more artistic environment for design.

appreciate their numerous size building schemes and their unique and inspiring style as architects but I am not sure that I would enjoy working for the firm due to their buttoned up

attitude and demeanor and. Although I respect the firm for its workings, I would have to say its second least projected candidate among the five.

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

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Interview With employee: John Kanakas Worked at Foster + Partners Studied at Architectural Association School of Architecture Date : November 12th, 2018

Emily: How was the office vibe? Corporate?

Interview Recorded as follows:

Casual?

Emily: How was your your overall working experience? Did you feel you had enough

John: Quite corporate

responsibility? Emily: How were your hours? John: Great but quite repetitive - lot of technical knowledge - less creative work - yes I had

John: Don’t even go there - for one year I

quite much responsibility

literally had no life - no weekends for many months and late nights - at least I got a bonus..

Emily: What computer programs does the office

but too tyring but overall a great experience.

use? John: Microstation Rhino Grasshopper rhino Vray Adobe Emily: What scale projects did you work on? John: Airport - large scale - masterplan but details as well

“For one year I literally had no life,

no weeken

`for man mont and many late nights”

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

nds ny ths

“ There are those airports which make you feel better, and there are those airports that, when you go there, your heart sinks: you can’t wait to get out of there. They both function as airports, but it’s the things that you can’t measure that make them different.” - Norman Foster

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In Between 44

T h e E M WA M a g a z i n e

References . The Aleph | Projects | Foster + Partners. Fosterandpart-

Pritzker Prize 2010 Media Kit, retrieved 29 March 2010

ners.com. 23 June 2014.

Alfirevic Djordje, Simonovic-Alfirevic Sanja.

“Foster + Partners Limited”. Companies House. 9 Septem-

Interpretations of Space Within Space Concept in Con-

ber 2017.

temporary Open-Plan Architecture / Primena koncepta prostor u prostoru u savremenoj arhitekturi otvorenog

The Murezzan | Projects | Foster + Partners. Fosterandpart-

plana. Arhitektura i urbanizam (Belgrade), No.42 (2016),

ners.com. Retrieved 23 June 2014.

pp. 24–40.

“Thomas Heatherwick: ‘Design is like solving a crime’”.

The Murezzan | Projects | Foster + Partners. Fosterandpart-

London: Telegraph. 23 May 2012. Retrieved 13 November

ners.com. Retrieved 23 June 2014.

2013. Herzog & de Meuron. Retrieved on 11 October 2012. “Her“Inside Heatherwick Studio”. British Council. Retrieved 12

zog & de Meuron Basel Ltd. Rheinschanze 6 4056 Basel,

January 2017.

Switzerland”

“Heatherwick Studio: Designing the Extraordinary” (PDF).

“Biography of the architect: Herzog & de Meuron”. Floor-

Vam.ac.uk. Retrieved 20 August 2016.

nature.com (in Italian). Retrieved 2017-10-16.

“Zaha Hadid: The woman who reshaped modern architec-

Photography by

ture”. www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2017-05-30.

Emily Watts | Designer Photographer Art Director Creator

Joanna Walters. “New York Review of Books critic ‘regrets

A ‘Firm’ Anlysis Photography by

error’ in Zaha Hadid article”. The Guardian.

| Professional Image Photographers

“Dame Zaha Hadid’s Brit Awards statuette design unveiled”. BBC News. 1 December 2016.

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About the Cover Conceptualized, executed, and actualized the Point of Sale room for Nike x A-COLD-WALL*â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vomero 5 Product launch with Diploma 15 of the Architectural Association. 4,300 hand-casted hollow clay pyramids were placed within and around a 1:50 scale model of the original University of Oregon Running track Nike was founded upon. As consumers entered, the pyramids were crushed, first to rubble then to dust, in a recreation of the original University of Oregon running track Nike was imagined creating a visual soundscape in its development. Only lasting 48 hours, the instillation sits as a figment of documentation representing the reflection of process and play and the temporal nature of material.

48 Wells Street Flat 35 London, Uk , W1T 3PW 07-903-699-053 emily.watts@me.com www. emwa.com