A new Architect-in-Training joins our staff: Atia Rahman

Having recently completed her Architecture studies with a master degree from KSU, Atia joined our firm with enthusiasm. Passionate about her work, she has quickly adapted to our office fast pace, and to her new life in Jackson; not a small accomplishment given her upbringing and initial studies abroad.

1. What inspired you to want to be an architect?

My inspiration doesn’t come from anyone in particular, it just kind of happened. I grew up seeing tall buildings all around me, I really wanted to know what went in the process for those to be standing, which led me to choose engineering graphics for one of my main subjects in my high school, and then I proceeded to study architecture.

2. When and where did you get your Master of Architecture? And why there?

I got my Bachelor of Architecture from India, which was very different from studying in America. I recently finished my master’s from Kansas State University. I wanted to come to K-State because of the education quality: its Master of Architecture program is considered one of the best in the USA, and I also wanted to experience a totally different environment from where I was brought up.

3. Was the education you received up to your expectations in both countries? What differences did you find noteworthy?

The education I received was quite different in its approach. From what I noticed the university where I completed my bachelor’s was focused more on the technical side than the creative side. It taught me the foundation of architecture. The master’s I did in the USA built further on the foundation.

4. When do you envision getting your license?

I just started my internship journey after my master’s, so getting the license will take some time, maybe after 3 or 4 years.

5. Would you like to run your own firm some day? In the USA or your home countries? 

Someday, yes, I would like to open my own firm, most probably in my home country. I have much to learn and am really looking forward to everything in the future.

6. What software do you like using?

I really like learning different software but the most I enjoy is SketchUp. It’s fun to play with different commands and come up with some unique structures.

7. What type of work do you like best doing?

After studying and interning in some firms during my bachelor’s, I have come to love residential design, even though the projects are on the smaller side, a lot of detailing goes into it which I really like.

8. What drew you to work for DMA?

I really like the projects DMA has done so far and I have always loved working for smaller firms rather than big ones. Here I get to learn everything from start to finish and get to have hands on the projects. And I couldn’t give up on living in a place like Jackson, it’s beautiful.

9. Is anything surprising you working in a business vs. a school environment?

The business environment is very different from the school environment. Here at DMA, we experience many fields and communicate with clients which is unlike at school where the project is “made up” by professors. However, in school I was able to work on an affordable housing project that was built on site and everything we did was individual, rather than in a group, and that was very interesting.   

10. So far, how is it different from what you were doing before?

When I was studying for my master’s, we usually got to work on a project that was conceptual. Even when our class did the affordable housing project, there was little to no client interaction. Every project we do here in the office is different and is based on the client’s expectation and interaction, which increases the challenge risk and gives us more responsibilities.

11. Which skills do you think you will be developing further with us?

There are many things to learn in the office and I would really love to learn them, but I think communication with different clients is very important, a skill I must improve.

12. What and who inspires you in architecture?

I really like the process of a building being built from start to final product, it’s really inspiring to me. My father always says that I should become like Zaha Hadid, she is one true inspiration. I have a lot to learn though, it’s a very long way for me. I want to achieve a lot of things for myself. I am the first one from my family to study something other than medicine, so I have a lot to prove and maybe on my way I’ll become someone’s inspiration as well.              

If we are talking about architects, I really like many works of Frank Lloyd Wright, Zaha Hadid and I.M.Pei. I also really like Japanese architecture and its use of spaces.

13. Is there a type of architecture that you prefer?

I mostly gravitate towards modern and minimalist architecture, or sometimes buildings with great historical value, or those which have a story to tell.

14. Given that the world of architecture is still largely occupied by men, what future do you see for women in it?

Women are rare in the field of architecture, but nowadays I see many upcoming talented women. When I first enrolled in my bachelor’s in India, half of our class were women. We have come a long way in architecture and play very important roles in challenging architectural projects. There is still a long way for us to go, but I hope in the future we get to see many women taking on important roles and becoming leaders.

15. What do you love to do on your free time?

In my free time, I usually enjoy watching movies and reading, I also love learning new languages.