DANAI METOYER
Portrait courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
Louisiana Tech University Architecture Major
Danai Metoyer is a proud local of Baton Rouge, LA, and is currently a four-year architecture student at Louisiana Tech University. Throughout her college career, Danai continuously remains involved both on campus and within the community as she currently serves as the President of the Louisiana Tech NOMAS Chapter, as well as the Vice President of USGBC. Danai aspires to utilize her architectural degree to implement change and revitalization to communities in need. With this, she plans to launch a mentorship program for high school prospects with the goal of exposing students to architecture early on.
When Passion Takes Over
What inspired you to pursue architecture?
Growing up in Baton Rouge, I was constantly surrounded by a prominent wealth gap that divided the capital city into the North and the South, thus separating the “haves” from the “have nots.” However, Baton Rouge did not always experience this separation. In a span of just 30 years, the general wealth distribution in Baton Rouge has migrated from the northern and central regions to primarily the southern neighborhoods. Baton Rouge is currently experiencing an economic migration in which businesses and households are fleeing the North, thus causing less capital to be spent within these communities. If this continues, North Baton Rouge will soon experience the complete erasure of wealth and reliable income.
So in totality, my pursuit of architecture comes from demanding change. My pursuit is driven by the communities across the country who are suffering just as North Baton Rouge is. My pursuit is aimed toward bringing change to dying neighborhoods both big and small. I aim to be in a position where I can utilize architecture to return to communities the dignity and pride that may have been lost.
Photography being taken in Perkins Rowe of Baton Rouge, LA. Photo courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
What is the most important thing that you learned in the past year?
This past year has taught me about unapologetically incorporating my passions into any work that I do. Throughout the beginning of my college career, there were countless occasions where I would search aimlessly for design concepts. This would typically result in my lack of interest throughout my projects’ development. There were multiple times where I felt unmotivated and completely detached, thus causing me to work less efficiently and feel truly drained overall. However, I found that looking for different methods to incorporate my own aspirations to regular studio projects improved my interest and connection to my designs. Once I began doing this, I could then feel the difference in the way I marinated in thought before making major design decisions. I could feel the difference in the way I defended my ideas. I could sense the movement of passion in my voice when I presented. THAT is what I had been aiming to achieve since arriving at Louisiana Tech, and for the first time, I could finally say that I am surely on the right track to mastering that capability.
Through this new COVID era, providing yourself with a comfortable working environment at home can greatly aid in project efficiency. Photo courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
What are some architectural organizations (or specific person/role model) that helped you learn to overcome an obstacle? How did they?
Without a needed second thought, NOMA, or the National Organization of Minority Architects, has played a huge role in aiding the development of my goals and passions. Through attending the 2019 NOMA Conference in Brooklyn, NY, my entire thought process and perspective of architecture have drastically changed. The obstacle I was facing at the time wasn’t even necessarily a true obstacle until it occurred to me during the conference that I lacked passion in my work. I lacked a driving force and a true direction with what I wanted to do. Yet, this realization was directly, and ironically, followed by bliss and excitement. Being surrounded by so many professionals that both looked like me and had already gone through similar struggles gave me the opportunity to seek help and marinate in the lessons they presented. To this day, NOMA continues to act as a stepping stone and networking tool while consistently supporting our student chapter at Louisiana Tech University.
On a similar note, I would not mentally be where I am today in regards to preparing for my future career if it were not for my mentor Brian Delaney. Brian has consistently stayed on top of my passion and aspiration development as they pertained to my pursuit in architecture. He has, without a doubt, given me the tools and methods that I need to build my voice through my projects. Without him, I am honestly not sure if my career goals would be as solid as they now are.
Day Two of city exploration during the 2019 NOMA Conference in Brooklyn, NY. Photo courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
City shot taken on East 52nd Street in New York, NY. Photo courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
The Louisiana Tech NOMAS Chapter visits Frank Lloyd Wright’s Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum during the 2019 NOMA Conference. Photo courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
If you were given the opportunity to repeat the year, what is one thing you’d do differently?
If I were given the chance to fully repeat this year, is it odd that I wouldn’t take the opportunity? It’s safe to say that 2020 has been a complete rollercoaster ride for everyone, and each person has had their good and bad times throughout this year. I surely have gone through plenty of major life-changing obstacles myself. However, everything that I have done this year has mentally gotten me to where I am today. Some choices that I have made may not have always been the very best, but regardless, every decision came with some form of a learning experience. More than any year thus far, 2020 has taught me the most about myself and where I want to be in my future career. It has brought out my inner drive, commitment, passion, determination, and spirit that have made me stronger as a young intellect. So, I proudly take up every decision I have made throughout this past year, and I can honestly say that I would not change a thing.
The Louisiana Tech NOMAS Chapter partners with the National Society of Black Engineers for “A Walk For Education.” Photo courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
Photo was taken of the Kappa Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc at Louisiana Tech University. Photo courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
As you reflect on the past year, what did you discover as your biggest strengths?
This past year has taught me that I have grit. It has shown me that I have a voice that holds much more power than I could have ever imagined. I have a voice that can move an entire room when true passion and love for my work are involved. I’ve learned that what some people may look at as a weakness is truly my strength. I am a Young Black Woman, and I proudly claim my identity as motivation to any young lady who may follow after me. I want any little girl to be able to look at me and my journey and feel as though they can conquer anything they set out to accomplish.
During the Fall Quarter at Louisiana Tech, fourth-year architecture students were to create an informative atlas. Danai’s project honed in on the wealth gap of Baton Rouge as she looked towards demanding and initiating change for her hometown. Photo courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
Third-year architectural sections of an Innovative Lab School design for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette by Danai Metoyer. Photo courtesy of Danai Metoyer.
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.
The lack of representation within the architecture faculty and curriculum is atrocious. We are constantly being fed a one-sided limited perspective and this must end.
