BENITA NARTEY
Portrait Courtesy of Benita Nartey.
Benita is a recent graduate of the School of Architecture at Carnegie Mellon University. In beginning her career post graduation, she has a strong interest in residential, hospitality and interior design. This stems mainly from her Ghanaian roots which draws her to appreciate the details of spaces and how innovative design can reflect entire cultures and time periods in built structure.
This unique perspective, especially in living and working in the United States has drawn her to explore Afrocentric Design as avenue for a new language of modernism. This interest has drawn her to take on the role as an ambassador for CPDI Africa, an organization whose mission is to connect African architects and planners in the diaspora and on the continent to collectively envision and hopefully execute the future landscape of the African continent.
Her last project before graduation tackled the issue of Co-Housing as a solution for the unsustainable use of shared resources in everyday life. “ There is a balance that exists in nature that I believe we should emulate when designing shelter: what is taken should be returned i.e. the law of equal exchange. Vegetation has adapted to sustain itself of what is available to it, and tasks its individual parts to perform so that the whole can survive. This idea surrounding growing is what I want to bring to my co-housing design. A community which survives and thrives by tasking its individual parts to contribute to the survival of the whole. With the concept of the Kitchen as a medium through which a community can grow, cook, eat and share, my design explores the possibilities of a co housing community that functions as its own miniaturized economy.”
Unique Perspectives
What inspired you to pursue architecture?
Ironically I never thought I’d be pursuing architecture. It was honestly a fluke, I stayed in architecture school because there was something about the process of design that got me hooked. The attention to detail of the surrounding environment which informed position on the site, materiality and facades which could entirely redefine a project once applied to renders. The transformation and process of turning a concept to material fascinated me so I stayed and survived five years of studios. In about third year is when I had that eureka moment and identified the area of architecture which appealed to me the most - residential, hospitality, interiors. Particularly due to the scale and level of detail involved.
Photo - Courtesy of Benita Nartey.
What is the most important thing that you learned in the past year?
Design is symbolic of life : It is a reflection of our idealized society. In good design there is rapid iteration till you start to approach that bliss point of aesthetics, function and symbolism. We shouldn’t be afraid to change or adapt to our circumstances. Its been a tough year but you’re closer to your bliss point now than you were at the start of it. So keep going, keep iterating.
Photo - Courtesy of Benita Nartey.
What are some architectural organizations (or specific person/role model) that helped you learn to overcome an obstacle? How did they?
In my fourth year I served as vice president for the NOMAS Pittsburgh Chapter. Being a part of this organization gave me the opportunity to have a smaller community within the School of Architecture of individuals who shared similar experiences of being a minority group on campus. I plan on joining the NOMA Pittsburgh Chapter coming January.
Sketches - Courtesy of Benita Nartey.
Sketches - Courtesy of Benita Nartey.
If you were given the opportunity to repeat the year, what is one thing you’d do differently?
Nothing. It’s been a blessed year despite the challenges. I’m very grateful for being in the position I am in today.
Sketches - Courtesy of Benita Nartey.
As you reflect on the past year, what did you discover as your biggest strengths?
I think this year has taught me to be more perceptive of human nature and find strength in the ability to empathize with people. I think the world has gotten more human and we’re just waiting for policy to catch up. I am surrounded by a generation that seeks to support each other and genuinely make the world a better place. I think thats my greatest strength; being born into a generation of over-comers and achievers who seek to inspire each other and stand up for what’s right. Very proud of us this year and all the things to come.
Photo - Courtesy of Benita Nartey.
Photo - Courtesy of Benita Nartey.
Photo - Courtesy of Benita Nartey.
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.
Afrocentric Architecture. I wish institutions would teach it in schools and stop enabling the erasure of other cultures. Architecture did not only exist in the west. Upcoming architects of tomorrows generation should study it considering there are African Americans living in the populations people that they would design for. Its negligent and insensitive to not have a seat at the table when you built the table.
