ALEXANDRA CHECA

Alexandra Checa is a first-generation Guyanese-Ecuadorian American artist. She has featured art in various publications and galleries in New York. Currently, Alexandra is finishing her Master’s in Architecture from the Spitzer School of Architecture and plans to pursue her licensure. In March 2020, she began working at the Department of Buildings days before the pandemic changed our way of life. She finds it both challenging yet rewarding to see the city adapt in real time to the deadly outbreak of COVID-19.

Alexandra attended public school in the Bronx where she skipped 2nd and 6th grade. After graduating high school at 16, she chose to postpone college and take the less traditional route of real character-building experiences. Alexandra has worked as a photographer at a 24-hour secured engineering test facility, travelled throughout Europe filming a Finnish puppet theater company, produced short films for an Israeli installation artist, and interviewed celebrities on tv/film for a magazine in New York City. After a decade of traveling and being immersed in different cultures she decided to go back to college and get her degree(s).

When Alexandra is not making art, she volunteers at local hospitals and correctional facilities. She is passionate about her commitment to the underprivileged and strongly advocates for the inclusion of yoga and meditation in NYC public schools. Alexandra regularly volunteers at Gallop NYC, an organization that uses equine therapy to treat the effects of autism in children.

Mind Over Matter

What inspired you to pursue architecture?

Being from New York City, I was inspired by architecture before I even knew what it was. As a kid I would marvel at these huge buildings and wonder how they managed to stay upright. Growing up I went through all the phases of art specifically trying to catch the likeness of buildings. Obsessive sketches of the skyline, paper collage, photography, clay, etc. When I finally got into construction materials and heavy machinery it slowed my pace and allowed me to appreciate each individual element. I fell in love with the smell of lumber, metal alloys, melting points, chemical color palettes, and various means of joinery and hardware.

It was Queens College where I finally found my calling – Studio Art. I felt like I struck gold. I effortlessly made the dean’s list, set up a cot in my art studio, gladly spent nights, weekends and holidays creating sculptures alongside my friends who were painters, ceramicists, and writers. During my final semester two professors (Kurt Kauper and Nathaniel Lieb) approached me at different times and encouraged me to get my master’s in architecture from Spitzer (City College). My sculptures had reminded them of buildings.

After I got accepted it seemed like everything had come full circle and I was now forced to venture out of my comfort zone and learn something new. It was the most challenging period of my life, but I learned so much about my limits, defects, and attributes. It really takes a village to raise a budding architect.

The educational trips abroad, specifically to Japan for engineering during undergrad and Panama for architecture with my graduate class really had a spiritual impact on me and shaped the way I view modern architecture. Support from friends, family, faculty, and a higher power kept me going. Knowing what I know now, 100% I would choose architecture every time. There is a very narrow path that can implement some serious change to our society. I am aware of the uphill battle we face and how easy it would be to pass the buck to the next generation, as many industries do, however it gives my life more purpose in fighting the many injustices we see every day such as systemic racism and its exploitation of the built environment.

What is the most important thing that you learned in the past year?

This past year has been one of intense awareness. COVID-19 came upon us, the resulting fear and lack of social interactions was a very hard transition for me to make. I learned that no matter how bad I think I have it, someone out there is struggling even more. I learned to reach out to others even if I don’t want to, but not just people I know, but also people I don’t know. Get involved with remote group activities. I learned that a little bit of kindness and concern towards a stranger goes a very long way today. I also learned that I think about myself a lot, which is okay, because when I do the next thought is “okay how can I be of service to someone today?” and without fail - that change of perception sets the tone for the rest of a very productive workday for me.

First-year Studio Finals. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Checa.

Third-year Studio Finals. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Checa.

What are some architectural organizations (or specific person/role model) that helped you learn to overcome an obstacle? How did they?

I would like to see more women and minorities in the field so of course NOMA. It is an organization I respect and feel proud to be a part of. They have taught me that I am not alone in being a woman and a minority and that I do have resources to cultivate a successful career in architecture.

My professors who organized the Panama trip to observe doctors giving free healthcare to the community really opened my eyes to how architecture could be used for healing. That would be Brad Horn, Ali Hocek, and Martin Stigsgaard.

Studio study abroad trip to Panama. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Checa.

My mom was a high school science teacher in the Bronx for many years before she decided to leave that and open her own general contracting company. She taught me how to operate as an MWBE in New York and grew her company into a very successful business venture.

Alexandra’s mom. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Checa.

The women here at Primaverarch: Nadeen Hassan, Chaerin Kim, and Soany Marquez. I think creating a platform in the midst of a pandemic is a very smart thing to do and shows strength and resilience. I am honored to be apart of the names featured here.

Art historian Sean Weiss and architecture advisor Hannah Borgeson for being amazing people who have helped me since the very first semester in the grad program.

If you were given the opportunity to repeat the year, what is one thing you’d do differently?

If given the opportunity to repeat the year, I would focus on being present and grateful for the details. New York can be a fast city, if you let it. It is a challenge to shift gears and slow down but worth it. Spending more time with yourself and appreciating every day as it comes is an invaluable tool to have when the going gets rough. Spending time outdoors, catching nature’s subtleties, fresh air, it all strengthens the mind and teaches me the importance of patience.

Alexandra in action at the school’s fabrication lab. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Checa.

Bronze Casting. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Checa.

As you reflect on the past year, what did you discover as your biggest strengths?

My biggest strength this year is learning how to ask for help. Over the summer I got into a motorcycle accident, a few months later I had to move out of my apartment, and in doing so let go of my pets. It was an uncomfortable situation in general not to mention I was afraid of contracting the virus when looking for a new place. I immediately called upon my support system, my family though we are scattered throughout the U.S., my friends, even my professors offered their advice and anecdotes. At this point, I know architecture to be methodical and dry in problem solving – research, analysis, design, logistics, etc. but sometimes it is essential to have conversations on the phone or on zoom that stem from faith and emotions. For me, there is a difference between understanding the sun will rise and set each day vs. knowing that I am being taken care of no matter what. I came to this conclusion after having conversations with many people going through hardships and it made my personal challenges so much easier to lean into and accept. In the end everything worked out for the best and the peace of mind I got from this knowledge was priceless.

Alexandra’s brother. Photo courtesy of Alexandra Checa.

In terms of rising concerns and problems (in the architectural profession) over the past year, what is one change that you wished would happen and it did not? This can be in an educational or work atmosphere.

In the field of architectural education, I would like to see more resources allocated to mental health resources and the overall well-being of students within the institution itself. I have witnessed the dangers to students psyche due to the stress and pressures of studio culture. Access to healthy meals, lounge areas, and counselors is a start to creating a safe educational atmosphere to create healthier designs.

ALEXANDRA CHECA

Mind Over Matter

JOCELYN VALLES

AMANDA MCGILLVERY