Women in Architecture As an initiative to support WISSH, an SSH group that works to advance women in the design profession in the region, we are presenting this new section to shed light on SSH’s selected women architects’ career path, most memorable projects, and what keeps them inspired. • What advice would you give to young architects? To young architects I say: embrace every new project, challenge, tasks. Be open to those. Don’t stay in your comfort zone doing repeatedly whatever you are good at. On the contrary be “curious” about all the aspects and stages of the design because this is what eventually shapes a “well rounded and conscious architect”. And more important than that: don’t just copy and paste designs from magazines or internet. Be smart enough to only get inspired by everything you see.
needs of the client, researching new approaches, materials and technologies and trying to keep to the project budget.
integral part of the environment while helping to preserve and maintain the integrity of the firm’s and clients’ vision.
• Which architects from the past do you admire the most? I admire contemporary architects that employ clear, honest and innovative ideas, that concentrate on the users of the buildings and beautiful details, such as Peter Zumthor and Herzog and De Meuron.
• Can you describe an evolution in your work from when you began until today? My biggest evolution in my work is my ability to cope under pressure. Some of the projects that I have worked on have shown me my ability to be flexible and innovative. My hard work and dedication have helped me climb the career ladder. For the past year and a half I have been working in the ID team which has given me a different perspective on an architect’s duties. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience and learn hands on new aspects of my job.
• Can you provide a sketch drawing?
• Can you provide a sketch drawing?
Abir El Chami
When did you join SSH: October 2008 Your location: Kuwait/ Sabhan office Major projects you worked on: Avenues Mall , Tennis Complex, Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace, KFH Residential Tower
NBK Children Oncology Hospital Extension
• You’ve been with SSH for quite a while now. Are there projects you have especially fond memories of? Every project offers its own challenges. And honestly I enjoyed working on all the projects I was involved in. Yet, there are two projects that I’m most fond of “Banyan Tree Resort in Oman” because it offered me the chance to design in one project, different types of buildings on a beautiful sloping site, which is rarely the case for other projects in the region. “Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace” not because of its type and grandiose size but as much as it has to do with the memories of long working hours, the team and the people that I have enjoyed working with and definitely learned from.
Volkswagen Showroom
• How would you define your responsibility as an architect? Steven Holl said in one of his interviews, “Architecture can be a gift left for others to enjoy”. For instance, you guys, are enjoying SOM design. Aren’t you? These words, define exactly our responsibility as architects. We always need to recognize the fact that we are not only designing for a client, a party, but an entire generation will be judging, and hopefully enjoying the result of our work.
Cornelia Mc Enery-Hayes
• Can you describe an evolution in your work from when you began until today? The fact that SSH is a multi-disciplinary firm offering a full range of architectural and engineering services -I am not doing marketing here-, has given me the opportunity to work closely with different disciplines trying together as one team to bring better solutions, leading eventually to better design. • Which architects from the past do you admire the most? Many architects come to mind: Nimeyer, Herzog, Tadao Ando. I love Tadao Ando’s works! What I admire the most in his designs is the simplicity, the creative use of natural light and the ability to come up with marvellous designs with the simple use of one of my favourite materials “beton brut”: the raw concrete.
22 Women in architecture
• Which architects from the past do you admire the most? I was fortunate enough to visit London last year where I of course visited St Paul’s Cathedral. Sir Christopher Wren’s work strikes a balance between ornamentation and functionality that I admire. And, I admire Frank Gehry’s clean lines and deconstructivism which is a fun way to use lines playfully. Of course, even though she is not from the past and very much a contemporary architect, my idol is Zaha Hadid. She is a role model for all architects. Her work and her career are an inspiration, not only her structures but also her foray into interiors and fashion. • What advice would you give to young architects? Young architects have to learn and learn and learn. This is a field that melds both art and science. There is no end to the learning process when you are an architect. So my advice would be to take every opportunity to observing, experiencing and learning. • Can you provide a sketch drawing?
Prashantha Pais
When did you join SSH: February 2013 Your location: South Africa/ Cape Town Office Major projects you worked on: NBK Children’s Oncology Hospital, Salwa Al Sabah Centre for Stem Cells • You’ve been with SSH for over a year now. Are there projects you have especially fond memories of? I’ve enjoyed working on the NBK Oncology Hospital in Kuwait. The design evoked a sense of playfulness, in turn creating healing spaces for very ill children. • How would you define your responsibility as an architect? My work focuses on healthcare architecture, therefore I am driven by creating spaces that promote healing, calmness and comfort for all the users of the building, ie. patients, visitors, doctors, nurses etc. As an architect, I aim for my designs to outlive trends and have the ability to evolve and be flexible to accommodate new technologies and functions of a building. • Can you describe an evolution in your work from when you began until today? I’ve definitely grown in terms of listening and responding to the
When did you join SSH: September 2005 Your location: Kuwait/ Subhan Office Major projects you worked on: Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre-Theatres, Kuwait, Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre Phase 2 & 3, Abu Dhabi Presidential Palace, Radisson Blu Redevelopment Project, Kuwait University, Fitness Centre, Kuwait • You’ve been with SSH for quite a while now. Are there projects you have especially fond memories of? The 9 years I spent at SSH have been wonderful learning adventure. I say “adventure” because there were times when I was so excited to be working as an architect in Kuwait. I was born here in Kuwait and the landscape has changed so much since then. I am really honoured that I had a part, even if it is the tiniest part, in that change. There are some projects like Fitness Centre, Radisson Blu which have already been executed , ongoing projects like OCEC, Kuwait University, Presidential Palace Abu Dhabi and the current prestigious project Sheikh Jaber al Ahmad Culture Centre - Theatres that make me feel proud to tell and show everyone that I was and am a part of SSH team that produced such stellar work.
OCEC
• How would you define your responsibility as an architect? All architects have a definite responsibility to the environment and the surroundings in which they are working. My first responsibility as an architect is to help create architecture that will be an
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