RAMEESA AHMED

Portrait courtesy of Rameesa Ahmed.

Rameesa Ahmed was born and raised in Bangladesh and spent her formative, teen years in Texas. Immigrating to the U.S. opened many new doors for her, one of which was architecture. Her passion for design has always been intertwined with her desire to serve the community, leading her to pursue a B.S Arch and a minor in Urban & Public Affairs. She also focused on building her leadership skills during those years, helping others who share the same dedication as her for architecture. She is currently in her first year of the M.Arch program at Syracuse University and hopes to become a licensed architect in the future.

Dare to Dream

What inspired you to study architecture?

The concept of creating things that were once a mere thought has always been fascinating to me. My favorite hobby has always been art and crafting, and I find great joy in making tangible and visible elements for others to experience. As I got older and began to understand the concept of space and structure, I noticed that architecture was the backdrop for everything and even though people might overlook it at times, architecture is connected to many aspects of human life. People tend to attach meanings, emotions, and even faith to certain places, it was intriguing to realize the potential of good design in a community. I was lucky to be able to travel to some beautiful places around the globe, some meant for tourists, some were sacred, and others were simple homes. But they all inspired me to learn how to create architecture that will enhance the human experience even further, no matter what space they were attached to.

Being a first-generation immigrant in the United States, I was also aware of the large disparity between those who had access to good design. Growing up in a developing nation has only fueled my passion further to learn, work and uplift others to push towards a better future for all. I wanted to study architecture to be a voice for communities that have been deprived of quality design, to play my part in establishing equity.

Proud immigrant, Muslim, Bangladeshi parents at their daughter’s university graduation. Image courtesy of Rameesa Ahmed.

Name a woman architect who most influenced you as an emerging professional? How?

I met Samantha Markham, who is a Project Architect (Stantec), during my third year of undergrad. We were matched as a mentor-mentee pair through my school’s mentorship program, and she has continued to inspire, guide and cheer for me ever since.

The program was only for a semester but Samantha’s impact on my architectural journey went beyond those months. The assistance I received from her during my senior year of school not only gave me an insight on what to expect from the professional world but also inspired me to continue my passion for leadership. Conversations with her taught me concepts that were not covered in any classes I had taken. She shared real-world experience from the perspective of an empowered and independent woman. It was a refreshing point of view that was often missing in the narrative of architecture I was used to following. Watching Samantha balance work, leadership positions, and volunteering, all while excelling in her licensure journey helped me reinstate faith in myself whenever I questioned this career choice. I found a role model who showed me that my dreams were not out of reach.

Alaska based research design studio work. Image courtesy of Rameesa Ahmed.

Name a favorite project completed by a woman Architect. Why is it your favorite?

One favorite project of mine is the Bait ur Rouf Mosque by architect Marina Tabassum. The mosque is located in Dhaka (Bangladesh) and has received the prestigious Aga Khan Award for Architecture (2016). The modest structure is designed with local materials and dedicated for use of the community. The natural light pouring in from the porous bricks in the wall and perforations in the ceiling elevates the simple yet sacred structure to a new level.

I had the opportunity to hear the architect describe another project of hers during the Venice Biennale (2018). She talked about implementing creativity and innovation to turn simple materials that are available near the site to create something extraordinary. That concept stands out to me because I believe architecture should reflect its surroundings, the needs of its user and maintain a harmony of man-made vs nature.

This mosque is also quite unique because it stands in a community that does not boast many women architects, let alone many that design religious structures. The recognition of Marina Tabassum’s design has added to my reasons for appreciating the project. This is because it gives me hope that the community is ready to give opportunity and increase the visibility of hard-working women architects.

Are there any organizations that helped you grow in architecture? How did they help you grow?

When I moved to the US, I started as a 10th grader in high school. As an elective course, I chose to enroll in an Architecture class that turned out to be the best decision for me. The course not only taught me basic design principles, but it also exposed me to many organizations in the design community.

I joined the ACE Mentor Program of America as a mentee and for two years, every Thursday evenings would be spent working on design charrettes, listening to industry professionals talk visiting firms, and even building models. I had the opportunity to experience what my future could look like if I chose architecture as a career path. The program elevated my existing passion for design even higher and helped me make the commitment to pursue architecture for my degree. I even had the opportunity to go back as a mentor after a few years and that helped me give back to the program that ignited my love for design.

In college, I joined AIAS to develop my leadership skills and learn networking. The organization helped me find my voice, gave me an uplifting space to gain knowledge, and gave me the encouraging stage to share my ideas. The organization led to new friendships, mentorships, internships, and even travel. AIAS truly helped me grow as an active member of the architecture community.

AIAS officers for the mentorship branch CAMP. Image courtesy of Rameesa Ahmed.

Tell us about your role as a Graphic Designer at the University of Texas at Arlington. How did your skills as a Graphic Designer help you illustrate your design ideas to your peers, classmates, or even clients?

A work-study arrangement led me to the job of a Graphic Designer in an organization of UTA. The appointment gave me the opportunity to step out of studio/architecture work from time to time and that break was often needed. The change of work environment helped me rethink a design decision or completely refresh my mind for later.

But even during this break from architecture, my use of software such as Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign, aided in the development of my technical skills that could be used for design. At work I was given advertisement prompts that I had to visualize and bring to life. Sometimes, the situation was quite similar to the architecture world because I had to illustrate with a client in mind. Much like in an architecture project where the design needs to check off multiple criteria, the advertisement posters had to reflect the standards of the organization I was working for and they had to draw the attention of the intended audience. A key insight I gained from this job was that I needed to illustrate differently depending on the intended audience. An architecture professor and a non-design-related individual may need a varying level of detail in illustrations.

Seating project designed and built during study abroad trip to Austria. Image courtesy of Rameesa Ahmed.

As a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the School of Architecture at Syracuse University, how do you assist students to articulate their designs clearly and in a most-efficient manner? For many years, architecture students are known to spend the most all-nighters. How do you guide your students to manage their time wisely while producing quality work?

I have been a TA for Architectural History courses at SU and they tend to require a lot of reading. Often students ask for better study techniques that could help them allocate time to all their classes. Along with the regular stress of courses, students now have to deal with COVID-related issues and online classes. I have always encouraged students to approach me with questions as soon as they experience difficulty regarding something, this way they can avoid last-minute confusion with assignments/exams. I try to share details about my experience as an undergrad to show them how to dedicate time between design classes and lecture classes. If students take the time to plan out the timeline of a project the day it is assigned, it will help them avoid being overworked or overwhelmed when the deadline is near. Also, I always try to let them know that focusing on their mental health during this unusual time is equally important in the creation of quality work.

Alpine mountain group project from undergraduate school. Image courtesy of Rameesa Ahmed.

As you reflect on the past year, what did you discover as your biggest strengths?

The past year has made me realize that my biggest strength is adaptability.

I was still a new graduate at the beginning of 2020. Settling into my first full-time architecture job and hoping to hear back from graduate schools I had applied to. Like the rest of the world, my life also came to a standstill in March, as Texas COVID cases broke records, I was forced to work from home. My in-office experience was cut short, but I adapted to the new work-from-home life. Soon after I received the news that the firm could not afford to keep me on board. Now I had to adapt to the unemployment situation during a pandemic. I stayed safe, learned new software, discovered new hobbies but could not find a new job. In between this time, I received some much-awaited letters of acceptance. I got accepted to my top graduate school choice, the only catch being I had to move across the country to upstate NY. I got to planning and finally took the TX to NY flight at the end of summer.

My friends and family could not come to help due to the pandemic; I did not get to see the apartment I signed for and I did not know a single soul in the city. But I kept going and hoped things would get better once school starts. The first semester at graduate school also required me to adapt hybrid and online learning. Altogether the whole year consisted of major life changes due to both personal and external issues but persistence to accomplish my dreams kept me pushing.

A render produced for Design course at UTA. Image courtesy of Rameesa Ahmed.

If you were able to talk to your younger self, what would you say?

I would tell my younger self to be more confident and refrain from self-doubt. It is easy to get swept away with the feeling of imposter syndrome or just the general thoughts of “am I good enough/smart enough/qualified enough” I would tell a younger Rameesa to keep faith in herself and try the things she wants to. Often, we let go of opportunities because we think that we are not “enough” but, that one decision and moment of confidence could have led to success. Confidence brings about a positive change in one’s persona, so I would tell her to build on that as early on as possible. She should be open to learning, listen, and even apologize when needed but she should also have the confidence to speak up for what she knows is correct. I would tell myself to work hard, be proud of that hard work and keep aspiring to be even better.

What would you want to say to the next generation of aspiring women architects?

I would tell the next generation the same things I would tell my younger self. In an industry where inclusivity, equality, and equity might sometimes get sidelined, you should have the confidence to stand up and let your presence be felt with work and words. Your aspiration, ideas, and inputs are valid, and you should not shy away from sharing them when the opportunity arises. Empower women around you and create a space where there is no longer a question of visibility.

A render produced for a Media course at SU. Image courtesy of Rameesa Ahmed.

In terms of rising concerns and problems (in the architectural profession) over the past year, what is one change that you wish saw would happen and it did not?

I wish educational institutes of architecture would include more women in their faculty. There is a lack of representation among professors being hired and tenured, but aspiring architects should have the opportunity to see that level of inclusivity in their classrooms.