ANTHEA FERNANDES
Portrait courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
Student at Cornell University
Anthea Fernandes is an Urban Planner and Architect involved in Urban Design Initiative, Community Engagement, and Historic Preservation Planning. Passionate about placemaking and mobility planning Anthea is currently, a Project Manager with Design Connect. She is working closely with the Town of Newfield Planning Board to create the ‘Newfield Hamlet Revitalization Plan’ in Upstate, New York. At Cornell University she is part of the Just Places Lab and CR0WD Taskforce that facilitates her advocacy for sustainable practices for mitigating the impact of construction and demolition waste and preservation planning.
Previously, Anthea worked on multidisciplinary projects with Mumbai-based firm Somaya & Kalappa Consultants (SNK), where she was involved at various stages of the design process including marketing and graphic communications for publications. Fortunate to work closely with one of India’s first woman architect’s Dr. Brinda Somaya, whilst compiling a monograph - “Brinda Somaya Works & Continuities” which was published in 2018. Anthea’s research on the role of women in planning and architecture for the Women in Design 2020 + Conference by The HECAR Foundation inspired her advocacy towards gender issues in cities. As she strives to make cities more inclusive, her current research at Cornell University focuses on Gender, Mobility, and Safety in Public Spaces. Anthea Fernandes is a Master of Regional Planning candidate with a Minor in Historic Preservation at Cornell University.
The Balancing Act of a Designer, Planner, and Citizen
What inspired you to pursue a career in architecture?
Early travels that inspired her to learn more about the history and architecture of India – Anthea at Jaisalmer Fort, Rajasthan, India. Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
As I grew up, drawing and storytelling became second nature. However, becoming an architect was serendipitous. I was seven when I joined my grandparents on their travels throughout India and enjoyed the window seat on the intercity trains. I had developed my drawing skills and had a plethora of sketches from these travel experiences. Yet, when it was time to decide a career path, I chose to go to the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. Determined to be an entrepreneur, with a business plan to promote local arts and sustainable design practices, I left India when I was only 17 years! While at business school, I enrolled in design studios in pursuit of my Minor in Fine Arts. It was over the summer break I decided not to return to Vancouver and to pursue my passion for design. I decided to join architecture school in Pune and once again I had to move to a new city.
Sending a postcard home from the highest post office in the world at an altitude of 14567 ft in Hikkim Village in Spiti Valley, India. Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
Unsure about what the profession entailed, I embraced the uncertainty and adapted throughout the process. I learned that plans change. It was probably the 10000+ hours of my observing and sketching as well as ‘DIY-ing’ everything possible that developed my creative drive and eye for detail. This balancing act of finding a creative profession and the possibility to engage with communities and find solutions led me to pursue architecture.
Architectural Thesis Street Design Sketch of the Bazaar Street in Pune Cantonment (Before Scenario.) Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
At architecture school, the design studios facilitated in-depth research and focused on addressing social issues like affordable housing, transit, and infrastructure planning in urban and rural contexts. This passion was further cemented at Cornell, where the thrill of exploring methodologies for inclusive cities drives me to pursue urban planning and historic preservation.
Architectural Thesis Street Design Sketch of the Bazaar Street in Pune Cantonment (After Scenario.) Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
Tell us about your position as an Urban Planner. How are you involved in Urban Design, and Community Development?
Passionate about the intersection of urban planning and design implementation, I applied to be a Project Manager with Design Connect at Cornell University. So I am currently working on the ‘Newfield Hamlet Revitalization Plan’ to improve mobility for pedestrians as well as promote socio-economic and development activity in Newfield, NY. We are looking at strategies for complete street design, to strengthen the downtown area to promote commercial and recreational activity. Previously I worked with MidTown Cleveland Inc to develop the Bridging MidTown Proposal that demonstrates the possibilities for developing mixed-use spaces, housing, and recreational activities in a defunct commercial-industrial district.
Cornell University provided me with several possibilities. However, at the end of my first year, the COVID-19 pandemic hit us and our summer internship opportunities didn’t materialize. So I decided to pursue my passion for community development and infrastructure planning. I found a great opportunity to explore this through ‘The Little Big Loo Challenge 2020’, by Volume Zero International Student Competitions. It was an open call to develop proposals for rethinking public toilets in the context of our choice. I signed up for the competition with two friends from India. I had visited Varanasi in 2014 as part of a design studio and we were involved in spatial documentation and research of the 10 km stretch of the historical Ghats along the River Ganga. At that time and even today issues of sanitation and waste management prevail. Several years later at planning school, I felt confident to apply my understanding of urban systems and design development to create a better solution. Not without my team members who brought the architectural design and technical details to the fore. Though we were continents apart technology facilitated the sharing of ideas. Our submission of the “Mukti Public Toilet-MuPub,’ received an Honorable Mention and was listed in the Top 5 teams for this competition. We were on top of the world.
Zoom discussion sessions with colleagues in India for ‘The Little Big Loo Rethinking Public Toilets’ Competition 2020. Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
Mukti Public Toilet (MuPub): Honorable Mention Entry (Top 5), ‘The Little Big Loo; Rethinking Public Toilets’ by Volume Zero International Student Competition 2020. Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
As a graduate researcher, with the Just Places Lab led by Professor Jennifer Minner I am involved with the “(Re)Building Imaginaries” exploring interactive educational programs for high school students. The lab partnered with the ‘CR0WD’-Circularity, Reuse, and Zero Waste Development Taskforce. This initiative led me to assess the benefits of deconstruction, salvage, and restoration to inform policy tips that municipalities could use to mitigate the impact of construction and demolition debris. I am also proud to have designed the brand identity for CR0WD.
As Graduate Researcher, presenting ideas for toolkits at the Just Places Lab. Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
I grew up in a joint family in a quaint neighborhood in Bandra West, Mumbai. Playing in the streets, hanging out at the neighbor's balcony, walking and biking everywhere, and most interestingly dealing with inter-generational opinions were part of everyday life. It influenced my concept of the ‘inclusive communities and city ’. Over time, these open spaces were flanked with cars. Many neighbors had left. They rented their premises to people setting up offices and small businesses. To see so much change in living memory reinforced my goal to pursue Urban Planning with a focus on 'Designing inclusive Cities'.
Drawings of Anthea’s neighborhood in Bandra prepared for the Kantwadi Histories project at her architectural internship in Mumbai, India.
How did traveling between India and international cities invoke curiosity toward how the broader concerns of resources, infrastructure design and public transportation coexist and manifest the complex fabric of our cities?
I realized early on that exploring city by foot, through public transit, and observing the scale and proportions of the built environment was far more impactful than just reading about it. It is the historical and cultural sites, in the local cuisine and at dusk in the silhouette of the skyline that lies the essence of cities. Of course, meeting and greeting people was the highlight.
I covered most of the Indian States. Indian cities highlighted the complex relationship between the formal and the informal; the scarcities of infrastructure and yet the vibrancy of everyday life. In 2014 I did my first solo trip to four major cities New York, Toronto, Vancouver, and London followed by a backpacking trip to Italy, France, and Belgium in 2016. These experiences inspired my views, facilitated rich experiences, and exposed me to hi-tech city infrastructure whether it meant at museums, public toilets, or on transit.
I was also keen to engage with professionals in different cities. So I represented India as a Youth Delegate in 2015 in Malta and in 2016 in Singapore as part of the 33-Sixty Commonwealth Youth Leadership Program hosted by Common Purpose. Generally planned in the run-up of Commonwealth Heads of Governments meetings it aims to facilitate discourse among youth leaders about pressing issues and find solutions to tackle them. In Singapore, we presented possibilities for safe and inclusive services for the growing population of seniors and accessibility for all. On this trip, I had the opportunity to also meet Rt. Hon. Baroness Scotland QC. This program made me realize the extended role of an architect in advocacy and shaping social policy.
In conversation with Commonwealth’s Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland QC at 33- Sixty Common Purpose Leadership Program in Singapore on ‘Safe and Inclusive Cities.’ Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes
What influenced your research on Gender, Mobility, and Safety in Public Transit Environments in New York City? Tell us more about that.
Public transit is at the core of everyday life and citizens' right to a city. For me commuting to work in South Mumbai was most convenient by the Suburban Railway network-colloquially known as the ‘Local’. The Local carries 7.5 million commuters daily, in which I used the women’s-only coach, and occasionally the ‘Ladies Special’ service. Both continue to exist as a response to tackling gendered issues and violence on the train. This was unlike the gender-integrated public transit modes I had experienced outside the country. On my first solo trip in 2016, I visited Vancouver, Toronto, New York, and London. Exploring these cities from the sidewalks to viewing decks with efficient public transit was fascinating. I felt safe to travel and privileged in many ways to have mobility around the clock.
The idea of traveling without fear did not occur to me until I had an unpleasant experience. I did not report it. This was when I began to read more about gender-based violence in cities.
My case was not unique especially if one is a daily commuter in Mumbai or even New York City. One would imagine that the streets of NYC would be safe given the large number of ‘eyes on the street' a concept coined by renowned urban theorist Jane Jacobs. Nonetheless, the issue of safety and security continues to haunt governments, transit planners, and commuters alike. The Manhattan Borough President's Office (MBPO) found that 63% of the respondents had experienced sexual harassment on the NYC subway system and out of these only 4% reported the incident, rendering this grave issue 'invisible'. Drawing on the idea of ‘safety audits’ for public transit environments I aim to explore how women's access to safe mobility can advance their life.
You said that the ‘Bombay House’ project – the global headquarters of the TATA Group was one of the challenging projects thus far. Why?
Bombay House was a fast-tracked project and involved collaboration with multiple consultants. This 100,000 square foot workplace had to be refurbished within nine months! Focusing on design development and site supervision of the art walls and visual narratives I worked with the Principal architect to strategize ways to incorporate Tata’s identity into the workplace. A special assignment beyond design work required me to travel to Tata institutions across the country. The aim was to curate 'iconic' initiatives of the firm's 150-year legacy. I led this research project with two interns who assisted me. Going through the archives and learning all about the Tata Group's global reach was awe-inspiring. We had meetings with the Brand Custodian of Tata Sons and eventually with the Chairman Mr. Chandrasekaran. Interacting with senior management was truly a unique experience for me who was a fresher then. The design team trusted our effort and these stories now adorn the interiors as framed photographs with brief narratives and scaled 3D printed objects. It was the teamwork of 800 people that included designers, consultants, technicians, and staff that defined the success of this project. Being appreciated by the legendary Mr. Ratan N. Tata himself and Mr. Natrajan Chandrasekaran at the inaugural event was encouraging!
Anthea Fernandes and team members with Mr. Ratan N. Tata and Mr. Natrajan Chandrasekaran at the Inauguration of Bombay House. Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
As a woman leader, tell us about your experience mentoring and collaborating with interns? What is the importance of working with the next generation and giving them an opportunity to implement their ideas and skills into design projects?
As women leaders, it is always a challenge to be heard or find a place at the table. However, I believe there are many more women at the fore today. With the global interconnectedness and better technology, we have found ways to build a strong network across continents. The internet has made the content available and showcasing one's work has become much easier. Yet mentorship and apprenticeship that provide hands-on experiences in the field are integral to the development of the next generation of planners and architects. Working with interns, or generally any team it is important to communicate and support each other, irrespective of seniority. Having a collegial approach as well as mentorship is valuable irrespective of whether they are young women or men. In terms of implementing projects, it's important to pan out and look at it from a birds-eye view but also zoom back into the details throughout the process. This is learned over time and like my mother says, 'there is no short-cut or replacement to old fashioned hard work and commitment'.
Speaking of mentorship, as a Research Coordinator with Dr. Brinda Somaya, what did you learn from one of India’s first woman architects? How did she impact your growth as an emerging professional today?
I joined Somaya and Kalappa Consultants (SNK) as a fresh graduate. When I found out I would be working directly with Dr. Somaya, I was both excited and nervous, because it was like living the dream. When in architecture school there was an emphasis on mastering design and drawing skills to communicate concepts. However, this job required strong writing and project management skills as well. Now when I think of this, writing concisely is vital to all professions especially planning. The learning curve was steep and pressed for time, every task had to be completed “yesterday”. But we worked together to complete the manuscript in time for publication. It would have not been possible without the constant support in Dr. Somaya's words, “Anthea you can do it and you will do it.” Boosting my confidence every time I felt tested. She often told me that 'it is important to complete what you have started.' Even today her mentorship is integral to my growth!
Anthea Fernandes with Dr. Brinda Somaya and Nandini Somaya Sampat at the Book Launch event in Mumbai. Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
My most vivid memories with her are listening to the stories of how she worked in India in the 1980s-90s, the scarcities, and encounters she faced especially as a woman-led firm. As we sifted through the archival collections, she talked about the importance of walking the land and emphasized best practices for construction, working with clients, and maintaining professional relations. There was an instance where Dr. Somaya was invited to travel to Amaravati Heritage Centre and Museum to make a presentation on the design process and execution of the exhibition 'India & The World: A History in Nine Stories'; a project SNK had done in collaboration with the Chhatrapati Shivaji Vastu Sanghralaya Museum CSMVS, Mumbai and The British Museum. It was a 3-day workshop on Museum Design and Memory Mapping. Museum directors, curators, and designers were invited to present their perspectives. Dr. Somaya could not make it and asked me to travel and present on her behalf of SNK. Once again reassuring me that I am going to be fine! Dr. Somaya taught me the importance of professionalism, emphasized developing technical expertise, and most importantly working with empathy.
The Monograph team from left to right: Ruturaj Parikh, Anthea Fernandes, Dr. Brinda Somaya, Nandini Somaya Sampat, and Ishita Parikh. Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
What was your favorite memory from the Women in Design Conference 2020+ curated by The HECAR Foundation? What is the importance of working with women to empower one another to amplify each other’s voices?
The Women in Design 2020+ Conference was a follow-up of another seminal Conference on Women in Architecture in 2000 by The HECAR Foundation. My most favorite memory from the 2020+ Conference was the exposure to a diversity of design processes, and journeys of triumph and failures of eminent women professionals from across the globe. The work presented covered issues of climate change, planning for rural and urban communities, social and environmental justice, healing through design, and safeguarding the heritage of our cities. It was a lot to soak in. Having said that the conference provided a platform for a serious conversation to address problems in the 21st century.
With my involvement as part of the team, I had a chance to talk to several speakers like our very own Dean of AAP Cornell J. Meejin Yoon, Annabelle Selldorf, Billie Tsien, Nandini Somaya Sampat, Chitra Vishwanath, Professor Mary N. Woods, Aishwarya Tipnis and many women beyond the podium. But what I also observed was that so many students and professionals had this opportunity too. Many of them approached the speakers and were thrilled to share their work, exchange visiting cards, and even took selfies. A fun moment for me was following Morag Myerscough's signature dance which she posted on her Instagram! I believe this camaraderie expands conversations and stirs critical thought. It is not specifically a network of women but the cross-disciplinary conversations and access to these stories that will eventually build confidence and amplify the voices of aspiring women. I try to stay connected with all the colleagues I met at the Conference.
Top Left to Right: Anthea interviewing Chitra Vishwanath, with Billie Tsien, Professor Mary N. Woods, Dean J. Meejin Yoon, Chavvi Rajawat.
Bottom Left to Right: Anthea with Morag Myerscough, Annabelle Selldorf, Laila Iskandar, and Aishwarya Tipnis.
Image courtesy of Anthea Fernandes.
Through this interview, I hope to reconnect with many professionals and hope to inspire the next generation. With COVID-19 and all of us navigating the virtual world I miss the experiences of going to a conference, meeting people, and believe it is something that is not replaceable. However, the internet has brought a lot of critical debates around women and their success stories to the fore. To learn from their lived experiences and being able to have a conversation with them is easier than it was years ago. So I believe we need to keep supporting each other and focusing on the possibilities irrespective of the inhibiting social and political frameworks.
