NINA NDICHU
Portrait courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
Project Architect and Urban Designer at Think Wilder Architecture, September 2020
Columbia University – Master of Architecture and Urban Design, 2020
University of Nairobi – Masters of Architecture, Environmental Building Science, 2017
University of Nairobi – Bachelor of Architecture, First Class Honors, 2010
University of Nairobi – Bachelor of Architectural Studies, 2nd Class Honors (Upper Division), 2008
Nina recently graduated from Columbia University with a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design. She has previously completed a Master of Architecture in Environmental Building Science after completing two bachelor’s degrees, a Bachelor of Architectural Studies with a focus on landscape design, and a Bachelor of Architecture.
Nina is passionate about community engagement, achieving net-zero, and urbanism. With her newly acquired degree, she has a better understanding of tackling urban design issues in addition to her fifteen years of work experience in the built environment .
She has worked on multiple types of projects in multiple scales, such as residential, hospitality, industrial, educational, and commercial. Nina has undertaken several roles in the built environment, undertaking projects that require hands-on experience. She possesses a unique background in training and practical experience in architecture and now urban design and can outperform any expectations.
Be Bold, Never Regular!
What inspired you to pursue architecture?
When I was a young girl, I saw my first blueprints and I thought to myself how I will be a great Architect. I always had this dream of how I would build my house, fully submerged in the ocean. I have always been fascinated by water. Here I was, on the first day of school. The professor asked me “Why do you want to be an architect?” My answer was simple…I want to be the first black woman to build a fully functional home, underwater. Classes started and the first exercises were more artsy and I was in love. My art skills were definitely being put into good use. Nina Ndichu – Architect was no longer going to be a dream; it was soon becoming a reality. Things got interesting when I got to my second year and learned about sustainable architecture. I used to love these glass skyscrapers that hit Nairobi’s skyline as much as the next person. When I learned about greenhouse gas emissions and their cause and effect on climate change and global warming, I truly found my calling as an Architect. My architectural signature henceforth was toward a sustainable future. My designs had interpretations of passive cooling techniques, alternate material specifications and the use of renewable energy. While at Columbia University, I undertook several studios with a focus on neighborhood integration, net-zero goals, ecology and water urbanism. With a deeper understanding of urban design, I can design solutions for social justice, resiliency, and environments within a circular economy. Presently in my career, I am focused on pushing the boundaries of design inclusivity through community engagement, truly addressing racial injustice by attacking it head on and exploring the role of urban cafes (a term I coined) in public spaces to address the recent racial awakening amid COVID-19 and the climate crisis.
This has been a very big thing in my profession and especially in my home country as there are very few women that take architecture as a career and every year I used to speak at career days to inspire high school girls to take up the challenge. Here I am giving instructions to a contractor at a bottling plant we were constructing in Uganda. I am a registered Architect in two countries, Kenya and Uganda and soon to be registered in New York as well.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
What is the most important thing that you learned in the past year?
Black is beautiful and yes, Black Lives Matter. Coming from a predominantly black country, I never thought I would be facing such injustices against my race. I see it in my industry and I experienced it in my school and among professors and classmates. Do not get me wrong, I have experience biases back in my home country against my race, my ethnicity, my gender and my color. What I need to see now is the many companies and schools and people that put out statements in solidarity with the movement, to actually yield some results from those statements. I have learned action is important but it is hard to come by. I am not sure if it is the incapability of giving up that power or the lack of commitment.
MIJIKENDA CULTURAL CENTER
The proposed cultural resource center is geared towards promoting the traditional worship practices carried out in these sacred forests and groves, particularly focusing on how these practices have influenced the appearance of the natural landscape.
This project was designed to educated tourists on the Mijikenda culture as the Mijikenda Kayas are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cultural center itself is a museum in that it uses the locally available materials that the Mijikenda people used to use in their Kaya homes. Being in a warm-humid climate, the construction technologies used, grass thatch, timber, and coral stone have contributed new ways of educating the building industry for alternative construction methods.
Due to the use of lightweight materials, there is no heat build-up in the buildings. The layouts of the buildings are sparsely spaced and oriented along the long axes in an east-west direction for maximum benefits from prevailing breezes and minimum effect from the sun.
The timber saplings were an exposed structural member in the Kaya house. Having these members exposed externally enriches the appearance of the buildings, hence blending with its environment which is a forest.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
FORESTS + CARBON SINKS SYSTEM
The Green New Deal’s opening statement states how the main cause of climate change is human activity over the past century. Simple fact is we need our forests in order to have a healthy ecosystem. Forests and carbon sinks will turn over the climate crisis.
One only needs to plant one trees as a start. One thing that was clear is that the Hudson Valley region and New York state is doing quite well when it comes to reforestation from the heavy destruction that begun in the 1600s.
We also learn that forests need proper management in order for them to provide the healthy ecosystem that is the basis for clean air, clean water, clean environment as forests habitat and the other habitats that are in and around forests create a unique environment that is a symbiotic relationship for the human species to survive.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
What are some architectural organizations (or specific person/role model) that helped you learn to overcome an obstacle? How did they?
I have to say Black Student Alliance at the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (@bsa_gsapp). They helped me overcome the loneliness of being the only black student, black voice in my class. I would seldom look for a shoulder to cry on because most of the time I lacked credibility as it had to be my mistake or I probably misread the situation. BSA gave me the community and support I needed as I was no longer alone. We shared experiences with no judgment. They lifted my spirits and motivated me well after my time at GSAPP. We still have a long way to go as being a voice to be heard within the school but as a community I am glad I have a shoulder to lean on when times are tough. This is not really an architectural organization but the members are from the architecture school at Columbia University.
SCHOOL PRESENTATIONS
Presentation skills is something as an architect and urban designer that you have to get comfortable real quick. Sometimes I get a little nervous but you have to find yourself especially that one time I presented in front of the Prince of the Kabaka, Uganda.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
If you were given the opportunity to repeat the year, what is one thing you’d do differently?
I am a bold person and I am never afraid of speaking my truth. The past year, I felt like my voice was taken away from me. After being threatened with my studio grade when I complained about my teammates, I kind of shied away from speaking out which is very unlike Nina.
If I was to repeat the year, I would first and foremost scour the school's registry and look for past students who could advise me on the experience at Columbia University. Have a heads up about what was expected of me and what I would garner at the end of the year. The last time I was in designing things at school was in 2010. Designing in the real world is different from designing in school. My first masters was a thesis writing exercise and I used my mathematical and scientific skills to solve my problem.
I would BE BOLD and stopped trying to be REGULAR as I had travelled far, quit my job and made the decision to be a full-time student. I have the technical know-how and I have 15 years of work experience under me to be bold. I never lost my curiosity and even after I graduated, I find myself exploring new techniques to showcase some of the many designs I have come up with.
ABSEILING OFF TABLE MOUNTAIN IN CAPE TOWN
I love trying new things. Abseiling was something new and adventurous.
This 400 foot drop off the famous Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, was an exercise in trust as only you can get yourself down from the mountain.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
KAYAKING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN
Sportsmanship is always related with discipline. I have been an athlete all my life and I undertake various sports that challenge my body and mind.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
MY BROTHER
Justin has been my rock ever since he was born. Being five years younger than me but totally behaves like my big brother. He supports me and is my biggest cheerleader.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
As you reflect on the past year, what did you discover as your biggest strengths?
My passion for architecture and urban design and my experience in the field. I am one of the lucky few who has managed to get a full-time job putting into work all the skills and degrees I have garnered over the last 20 years. I am currently designing through community engagement, I am undertaking urban design projects in different parts of the world, challenging myself as I have always wanted to be a designer of the world. My personality and out of the box thinking continue to be my greatest strengths both in the real world and in design.
I have always had a strong opinion about climate change and how we can design towards a sustainable green future because climate change is not one thing, it is an accumulation of various things that human activities have continued to engage in and need to find alternative ways, innovatively and effectively.
I am still encouraged about starting my own business to formulate change and the reason I had my own practice a few years ago is because I was not happy with how my colleagues in the built environment were affecting this fragile ecosystem that we are trying so hard to protect. I would do this again, because my ideas do not seem to conform with what is out there and I again find myself asking the question, why not?
I love traveling and when I travel, I always happen to go to these coastal cities that have beautiful palm trees. I never get tired of the palm tree.
The palm branch is a symbol of victory, triumph, peace and eternal life. Symbolically, Palm Sunday is a declaration of victory over sin.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
SKETCHING
I have a true passion for sketching. I always do it in my pass time as doodle or as design concepts of projects I am always making up. This is an analysis of the palm tree types in the major cities of Israel.
Palm trees have been around for the longest time and the first mention of palm trees can be found on Egyptian hieroglyphs as well as in the bible.
I am an old school designer. I must sketch all my concepts before further developing them in any software.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
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.
I keep going back to inclusivity especially in the built environment. How can we reimagine systems that shape our lives if we cannot change the traditional top-down approach to designing? The racial injustice and inequity will continue because the majority in positions of power do not want to relinquish their power to develop a truly inclusive, equitable and accountable policy. The most impacted by systemic racism need a seat at the table.
Graduation in COVID times. My graduation was done over zoom. Sad that we did not get to walk on stage and receive our diplomas. Then again, this was my best graduation. I guess the 4th time is the lucky one!
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
Pre- graduation pictures with Alma Mater. Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
We as designers need to engage the community and talk with them about the interventions that we bring into their neighborhoods. Many a times are these community engagement opportunities at town hall meetings and the people who are meant to attend these do not have time as they are probably holding down two-three jobs just to pay the bills.
We need to reach out to them through workshops like these and engage them on their turf as the most impacted by systemic racism need an actual seat at the table.
Photo courtesy of Nina Ndichu.
