Words with an Incoming Student

Words with an Incoming Student

The architectural pipeline is not at the forefront of any in-class discussions. It seems that in our altruistic hopes to design for the greater sake of the public sphere, we neglect to examine the reflection of our civil position as a profession. The ethics of the field itself are seldom explored in the undergraduate experience, yet now more than ever there is an increasing exposure of the disparity in those who lead the profession, spread its pedagogy and invariably control who does and does not feel welcome.

Architecture must be more forthcoming for whom it serves and those involved. This means removing an air of mystery and exclusivity that it often enshrouds, and making it accessible to all students - particularly when they are not of a legacy or have not had any previous exposure. This is one primary reason as to why certain BIPOC students are less likely to see architecture as a viable career option. And even when these designers pass this goalpost, they are then confronted by the profession’s lack of varied representation, creating a staggering retention problem.

I spoke with Aashka Shah, an incoming student to the School of Architecture to discuss the social barriers of pursuing the field for her and the cultural stigma that permeates in such a decision before starting at the school.

“…I wasn’t able to really get a feel for architecture.”

May I ask how the thought of pursuing architecture came into your periphery?

Around grade 10, I was considering what I wanted to do with my life—my dad asked why not architecture? I said okay...but I started thinking about it. I felt that maybe I wasn’t really good with art. But then, I spoke to my cousin who is actually an architect in California. She told me about her job and buildings that she’s designed. That’s what really inspired me to apply!

If you didn’t have your cousin in architecture, would you have had any other exposure to architecture?

I wouldn’t have. I did a lot of online courses and searching, but I wasn’t able to really get a feel for architecture. Even searching it up, I didn’t know if I’d be any good at it. If I didn’t have my cousin, I don’t think I would have chosen architecture as a field.

Did anyone come to your school or did you have anyone to talk about architecture as an option?

No, I didn’t. My school was very math and science-oriented, I knew about that sector because everyone spoke about it. But, with architecture, I didn’t have anyone talking about it. A lot of people are going to Waterloo, but that’s for engineering—so that’s half of my class —and the other half is going [into the] medical field.

Did you find there to be any cultural boundaries that encouraged you or discouraged you?

Being from an Indian family, there’s a lot of pressure put on the math and science fields, not from my parents, but a lot of my other family. My grandparents, cousins, uncles, and aunts all have [kids in medicine. At first, I didn’t know if maybe…I’m supposed to go into medicine? A lot of my family didn’t know what architecture really was; my cousin was the first in our family. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.

Even now, with my sister going into medicine, they all say it’s such a great career opportunity for her. And they don’t say it directly, but I feel like it’s not the same for me because they don’t know what architecture is, they [might not] think it’s as good an opportunity.