NEHAD ABDELGADIR

Portrait courtesy of Nehad Abdelgadir

Nehad is a graduate of Barnard College and Columbia University, where she first explored the intersection between community based learning and accessibility for my final studio project. Her interest blossomed into a passion for using psychology to address common struggles often experienced by those with invisible and visible disabilities. She yearns to not only be involved in policy, but also to bring her studio project The Fulfillment Center to life. There, community members will have dreams and goals that are considered impossible and wild and yet still manifest their ideas. She will be the architect of those dreams.

What inspired you to study architecture?

I have always had a deep appreciation for our built world, but, surprisingly, I started undergrad on the engineering track, and reached past the halfway mark when I accepted that it really was not cut out for me. The course load became too boringly cumbersome to continue along that path. I decided to tap into my creative side and took my first set of architecture courses during my fourth semester and never looked back.

Nehad in Studio in Action. - Courtesy of Nehad Abdelgadir.

What were your expectations of Barnard College?

I expected to be in a safe space that would nurture and support me as a woman. I expected to participate in new experiences and challenge myself academically, physically and spiritually. I wanted to feel inspired and fulfilled. I desired to grow and truly understand myself.

For the most part my expectations were met, but in instances when the institution failed me, I learned to use my voice, reach out to resources, and be the thing that I very much needed within myself.

Graduation Photo. - Courtesy of Nehad Abdelgadir.

How did you remain confident as the only Black and Muslim woman in a predominantly white-man field?

As a student working long hours in the studio alongside my classmates, I was quite sheltered from the realities of the workforce. During the start of my job search journey, I remember intentionally combing through staff listings to see their ethic makeup before applying to positions. I wanted to work alongside firms that supported the voices of BIPOC architects and felt quite defeated after discovering the reality of architecture being a densely white/ male dominated field.

While I did stick out as a triple minority at SOM (Black, Muslim, and Woman), I wouldn’t say that my identity conflicted with my confidence. I continuously reminded myself that I worked hard to get to where I am and that no one was capable of taking my achievements away from me. I earned a seat at this table. My confidence in this singular regard drowned out my negative thoughts. My jovial and outgoing nature also helped me get well acquainted with my team members which allowed me to feel comfortable in the workplace.

Courtesy of Nehad Abdelgadir.

What was the transition from being a student at Barnard College to working at SOM?

It took me about a month to acclimate to the work environment having been a student for so long. While it felt amazing to know that I didn’t have to work outside of the office, I did not exercise my creative energy to the extent that I did as a student.

It was odd to suddenly shift from designing with full agency to revising markups strictly from the hands of Senior Professionals. While my project teammates were quite warm and welcoming, I quickly realized that my role was to realize someone else’s ideas. In order to fill that creative void, I often took on other personal projects.

Experimentation with Model Photos. - Courtesy of Nehad Abdelgadir.

What steps do you think education centers and firms should take to create and build inclusive environments?

Inclusive environments require a responsibility from institutions and its attendees to understand, empathize, and present actionable change. In the most simple sense, it looks like admitting/ hiring individuals that reflect accurate representations of respective populations. Educations is also another key component; while everyone is individually responsible for knowing the history and culture of specific groups, it would also help if institutions and firms supplied educational resources to its members so they can be culturally aware, make informed decisions, and offer sincere care for others in the community.

Nehad’s Final Studio Project. - Courtesy of Nehad Abdelgadir.