During her degree, Nada explored making in new ways using the various workshops at ECA. This allowed her to discover the joy of process, gradually replacing her fixation on perfection with a curiosity for experimentation. Now working as part of a real estate company involved in developing a 9,000 m² plot into an office park, Nada credits working in studio groups at ECA for developing essential coordination and management skills, which are highly valuable in real-world architectural and development settings.

Why ECA?

I chose to study at ECA because of its long design history and its design approach that combines analogue and digital methods, prioritising thought process over dependency on a single medium. I was also drawn to its location, believing that cities are teachers; studying urban design in such a context is a unique opportunity.  

Tell us about your time at ECA

My time at ECA was eye-opening throughout. I had the opportunity to travel to the city of Derry, Northern Ireland, where I conducted site surveying work in a group of four. The studios at ECA are structured so that each studio tackles a different city across the world so being around all the studios gave me insight and knowledge about the architecture and urban fabric of a range of places. Access to workshops that include 3D printing, carpentry, CNC machines etc., allowed me to explore making in new ways. I discovered the joy of process, gradually replacing my fixation on perfection with a curiosity for experimentation.

If I were to start my year at ESALA again, I would explore the workshops at Lauriston much sooner. I would also highlight that, while the workload can be heavy, it’s important to make time to fully enjoy and explore the city, and to attend other juries and pin-ups to learn from different studios.

Tell us about your experiences since graduating

I felt happy to have completed the degree, but also sad to be leaving a place where making is celebrated. Parting ways with the city was challenging. I have always wanted to continue my career in design, architecture, and urbanism. Prior to joining ECA, I practiced at a local firm, working on high-end mid-rise towers and residences. Currently, I am part of a real estate company involved in developing a 9,000 m² plot into an office park. I have always enjoyed the range of scales architecture allows us to engage with, from furniture to the city. I wanted to deepen my understanding of working at the largest scale, without losing the connection urbanism has to the microscale. ECA helped me explore all those scales, in complex, nuanced and theory-based ways. I would also add that working in studio groups develops essential coordination and management skills, which are highly valuable in real-world architectural and development settings. While it can be challenging, it offers a valuable preview.

Alumni wisdom

My advice would be to shed expectations of what the field is meant to be and accept, and embark on, a new journey of discovery and making. ESALA is one of those rare places where creativity and thought process are valued, so make sure to enjoy it. If you are graduating, it will be difficult to transition into the real world, where perhaps efficiency and money are prioritised above all else; despite this, carry pieces of what you have learned and have come to cherish everywhere you go, wherever that is. Most importantly, be patient, trust your ability to make a positive impact, and stay humble, there is still a lot more to learn.