#noushinn

[bac-connex]

A RELIABLE BUDDY

During my time at Safdie Architects, I was able to work with Ta-Hedre. He is a reliable buddy and we often easily had conversations about what the architecture field was like, our prior experiences, our future plans and were able to learn from each other. I was able to learns some software skills in Revit and working with someone who knew how to design and build in real life really put many things into perspective. If I missed anything, I knew I could go to my buddy who would be able to explain and help me learn things.

[bac-connex]

Diverse Mentors

During our time at the firm, there were many who we learned from and looked to. We had the amazing opportunity to learn about archiving from Annie. Market with Nikki and Kalli. Learn about projects with Belinda, Kevin, Joseph, Siyao, Natalie, Sam, Paul, David, Adam, and Angela. Meet fellow BAC student Bennett. Learn about staffing from Kristen, and engage in a great portfolio review session with Jaren.

I think the diversity of our mentors really highlights how we learn something new from each person. We were able to see multiple perspectives from each person and how each of their roles contributed to the firm. Each of them were patient, open to questions, honest about their knowledge and always open to learning about new things. It really showed that being a mentee didn't necessarily only having to learn from one person, but from multiple and being open to learning no matter how much you know.

[bac-connex]

A Thoughtful Client

On the third day, we had the opportunity to learn about the Crystal Bridges project expansion happening 10 years after its completion.

The museum is a public non-profit charitable organization patronized by Alice Walton. The museum is free and accessible to all people, children have it as a crucial part of their education, the project connects to nature very thoughtfully and is intended to bring together the community through art and education. It is a thoughtful project from Alice Walton that aims to be a place for all people to enjoy. From its spaces, to its expression and the way it integrates nature, the museum is aware of its place and sources its materials locally.

[bac-connex]

It looks like a place to pause

With Safdie Architects Partner Paul Gross, we had the chance to visit the 1959 Chapel at the Harvard Business School. The chapel was donated by the MBA Class of 1959. The chapel was designed by Moshe Safdie and it was completed in 1992.

The chapel is a place for pause to passing visitors and students on the campus. The building is clad in copper, attesting to its time through its blue-green patina. On the inside, building introduces us to a pyramid-like greenhouse hosting a water features, several plants, and fish that incorporate nature into the space and creates a peaceful ambience. The inside of the chapel presents architectural concrete, tied together through white painted bands of wood and fused cylinders that allow natural light to softly light space and help reverberate sound. At the top of the cylinders, there are prisms that form rainbows down the concrete walls. The floor boasts a thoughtful and careful craft presenting tiles which look seamless. Adding to the simplicity, the handcrafted chairs of a new england civilization called "Shakers" fill the space. Overall, the structure is simple, and honest in its expression.

Intercultural competence presents itself in a beautiful way through awareness and influence. The space offers meditation and rest from the fast moving world, adaptive to its audience but timeless in its expression and always being a space for different cultures to meditate, celebrate, or practice tradition. Much like many of the other projects done by Safdie Architects.

[bac-connex]

Workplace Nature

On my first day at the firm, we got a chance to learn about many of the office's projects and get treated to lunch. We met Kristen Jackson who was responsible for contracts and staffing in the firm and she introduced us to the different resources the firm uses and the spaces in the building.

We also watched many project introductions with different people and learned about some of the crucial elements in all of their designs. Moshe Safdie and the firm always prioritize nature and honest materials in their designs while following strong geometric languages. Natural light in spaces are a must, and structural elements and materials are always exposed and present to the audience in the spaces, never hidden away. And while many designs seem organic and melting into nature, they have strong geometric relationships derived from forms in nature. The firm also tries to integrate nature and vegetation through green walls, sky gardens, interactive landscape walkways and much more.

The office itself is designed with those same principles. The front of the building celebrates lots of greenery through grass and vines covering the entrance. On the inside, much of the brick and wood elements are exposed and natural light seems to seep into all the spaces. The space created many moments of calm interactions and the people seemed laid-back and intuitive about the spaces they created.

[bac-connex]

Hey, it's NOUSHIN!

Hey all! My name is Noushin Nawal. I am an international student from Bangladesh and it's my fifth year in the B.Arch program at BAC. I am so excited to be doing my externship with Safdie Architects!

I have many interests and often find myself exploring new hobbies or learning new skills and subjects from art to science to business. I am a student mentor at the BAC and write in my free time. I also love looking up lots of architecture projects, mainly in education and healthcare.

I am excited to meet and learn alongside experienced people at Safdie Architects. I hope to create a workplace that values the achievements of its teams and create a safe place where people are treated fairly to share ideas, create and grow!

[bac-connex]

An Enthusiastic Group of Buddies

Over this week, I have had the pleasure of being accompanied by Ruhan and Trang who have been understanding, communicative, encouraging, inquisitive and inspirational. I have had an eye opening externship experience because of their personal determinations, backgrounds and their journeys to the realm of architecture. Their kindness and approachability helped me with professional growth and understanding a positive workplace culture, making this externship memorable. So, thank you to my two very enthusiastic buddies who I got to enjoy lots of trip with!

In the future, having learned from all the people in this externship, I hope to become an understanding, kind, and approachable mentor that values the lessons made from mistakes and puts the effort to guide people to grow.

[bac-connex]

A Thoughtful Mentor

During this entire externship, we had the amazing opportunity to be under the mentorship of Andy. Andy's thoughtfulness and approachability are some of the qualities I most admire in mentors. As a mentee, one should be inquisitive and attentive to their mentor, always keeping in mind the opportunities and knowledge a mentor provides through their experience and insight. Andy was always great to listen to, always attentive to our questions with detailed and thoughtful responses, having a meticulous and innovative attitude towards his work, and having genuine interactions with the people around him and community members.

I am really grateful for Andy's thoughtfulness to our experience at William Rawn Associates and introducing us to the great community he works with. I was able to learn so much because of the great care that went into planning and coordinating the meetings, the gatherings, the site visits, and exposing us to all the levels of leadership, teamwork, engagement, communication, research, wellbeing, and community that make these great projects possible!

Also, thank you to all the talented people who welcomed us and made us feel part of the firm and made this experience memorable! I hope that there will be more opportunities to work and learn from you and I wish you all the best!

Thank you, William Rawn Associates!