RAHMAH DAVIS

Portrait courtesy of Rahmah Davis.

Student at Morgan State University

Rahmah Davis is a Black Muslim Woman currently studying Architecture at Morgan State University. She lived and traveled in several countries where she was able to appreciate diversity. She is a student leader who served as Morgan State AIAS secretary as a sophomore and as a Junior. Rahmah was elected President of Morgan State AIAS. She also became a Council of Global Representative member where she aims to diversify and encourage International architecture and culture in the AIAS. She is the recipient of the AIA/ BAF Fellows leadership Award. She sits on the AIA Baltimore board as Morgan State University Student liaison 2020-2021. One of her goals is to continue to motivate, mentor and excel in this career path, through consistent service. Her ultimate vision is to bring design change in Baltimore City where she grew up and address topics such as sustainability, inclusivity, and advocacy.

Designing for the People

What is your favorite dish?

Ramen!

What is your favorite song by a Black artist?

This is a hard question surprising, am not really a music person (don’t give me the aux) but I would have to say ‘Put Your Records On’ by Corinne Bailey Rae.

Three additional facts about Rahmah:

1. I took an ‘Avatar the Last Airbender quiz’ and they told me I would be the next Avatar.

2. Mangoes + Chili powder + salt + lemon will forever be a ticket to my heart.

3. I can play any sport… on land.

What inspired you to study architecture? 

The inspiration to study architecture came during my senior year of high school. However, I must take you back to when the foundation of the inspiration really started. Drawing was my moment of pure joy and state of calmness. The idea of having a plain white paper with the freedom to create anything in my mind was freeing and liberating. Design was always with me and around me; all I had to do was see.

On the other hand, my admiration for people and culture grew with every place or city I traveled to or visited. I started an afterschool club where I planned mini-projects that tackled topics of sustainability and how it can be implemented within the design. So, what inspired me to study architecture is when I was able to combine my two moments of joy; people and design. Nevertheless, asking the question, how I can design for people.

Sophomore Year, Fall 2019, Studio Presentation. Photo courtesy of Rahmah Davis.

Name a Black architect/artist who most influenced you as an emerging professional?

The number of Black architects is considerably lower compared to white architects. As a result, I was inspired by Black as well as colored architects. The first black architect that influenced me and motivated me was David Adjaye. He possessed the dual nature of culture, being a black man from Nigeria and a citizen of Britain. He influenced me because, through him, I was able to highlight my uniqueness and our similarities.

Pascale Sablan is also a name I cannot forget; she gave her keynote “Say it Loud” at my first AIAS Grassroot in 2019. During that conference, I was intimated and felt alone as one of a few Black students and even fewer Muslim students. She gave me the push that I needed to keep on going and for that, I thank her.

Rahmah’s First Grassroots, 2019. Photo courtesy of Rahmah Davis.

Name a favorite project completed by a Black Designer. Why is it your favorite?

 I will have to shout out CBEIS (Center for the Built Environment and Infrastructure studies) at Morgan State University, which was designed by Phill Freelon. It is a LEED-certified building, created by a well-known and respected architect. It recycles and uses greywater, it has a skyline and a large atrium where we host fashion shows, AIA Baltimore events, and career fairs. It is truly a space designed by a black architect for future architects, engineers, construction managers, and innovators. I would always say it is the best building on campus (this is not a lie). The more I experience that building, the more I understand the design and its purpose.

MSU Student Organization Summit. Photo courtesy of Rahmah Davis.

How does your culture, ethnicity, and/or race affect your studies and the way you design?

I have to say, I don’t use culture in my design… as much as I want to. This is something that I’m trying to learn and become better at extracting - cultural, non-Eurocentric Architecture in my designs. I must say, however, that I use a lot of nature within my projects. Similar to most artists, writers, or poets, all their works derive from what they experienced through nature.   

Volunteered at AIA Maryland Design Awards. Photo courtesy of Rahmah Davis.

Are there any organizations that helped you grow in architecture? How did they help you grow?

An organization that I was a part of since Freshman year is AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Student). This organization helped me grow because I was able to grow as a leader. Being a minority in a field of predominately white male gave me the motivation and desire to ignite change. It allowed me to see the importance of leadership, design, and advocacy. It allowed me to see the importance of service, design and making change. AIAS highlighted the importance of studio culture, of being active members for change (advocate), and most importantly mental health.

Volunteered at AIA Maryland Design Awards. Photo courtesy of Rahmah Davis.

Congratulations on your new role as Chapter President of AIAS Morgan State! Tell us about a few goals you hope to achieve at Morgan State through AIAS? How do you plan to achieve these goals?

Leadership is a life commitment. It does not start with a position and end with it. This is something that I am currently in the process of learning. Some of my goals were to increase creativity, action, service, and education within the architectural community at Morgan, also known as the CASE Plan.

One of my goals is to increase ingenuity within the Morgan Community and tackling problems within Baltimore City. This will be achieved by the design competition happening in Spring 2021; the Morgan State AIAS chapter will identify a problem within Morgan and/or Baltimore City. This goal will tackle critical thinking, creativity, and service. It will highlight the meaning of what it means to be a designer for change. This is an initiative that I want to pursue and hopefully, future AIAS leaders will continue. The CASE Plan may also inspire a course work where students have the opportunity to actively design within and for communities.

If you were able to talk to your younger self, what would you say? 

Whatever you want to do and whatever is in your mind right now, JUST DO IT. Start today and plan. Consistency is key! It creates healthy habits.

Most importantly, do not compare yourself to others; because, what you will bring to the table will be unique.

Highschool Architecture club. Photo courtesy of Rahmah Davis.

What would you want to say to the next generation of aspiring Black women architects?

For generations, Black Women have been overlooked and underestimated. Unfortunately, this is still the case today. We are the designers of a better tomorrow. Do not limit yourself, out of fear of failure, because what is the benefit of acting small? The world needs more Black women architects, so don’t be hesitant, have a vision, and a drive.