Magdalena Valdevenito
Ms. Advanced Architectural Design_GSAPP Columbia University_2021
Ms. Sustainability and Energy Efficiency_ Universidad Católica de Chile_2018
Architecture_ Universidad Católica de Chile_2018
Architecture to me is asking questions about our built environment, and attempting to give space to all the unanswered matters in society. It is not a problem solving practice, but an active effort to open paths for kinder and inclusive engagements, both between humans and non-humans. Collaborative work is essential to broaden the agency of buildings, and draw lines that connect us with our surroundings in a healthier way.
Design challenges can never be too small, nor too ambitious, and thinking of solutions that escape the regular configurations of space can spark change in how people engage. Architecture hosts the man-made environment as well as landscapes, and therefore, it should be approached as a multi-scalar problem. Understanding the tangible and observable aspects of the site and project, as well as the efficiency that technology gifts to generate the best outcome, and the invisible layers of politics and activism that are relevant, we can ensure a more clear depiction of how a project can be developed and how it will perform when built. Observing and understanding all the entangled realities of the project will help to design with knowledge of all its nuances and particularities.
My experience in working in the architecture world has taught me that teamwork is essential, coordination and organizational skills are necessary for the optimal development of projects. Design can be crafted in all types of work, and clear edition and formatting is a skill that can be applied to every part of a project. Architecture is not only designing spaces in drawings, as visual communication is held at all times.
Critical thinking is vital for any architecture design, as well as taking into account that a problem can be addressed in a multitude of ways. Having agency within the built environment can be done even in the small details of a project, giving space to all people and species purposely in the design. Communication and empathy are crucial in this matter, so that the project reflects the demands, needs and particularities of the people that will inhabit it.
My interest relies on learning as much as possible, and staying keeping aware to the constant advances in architectural design. I consider central to conceive an architecture that evolves around sustainability, energy efficiency and social issues as well as the aesthetic representation of the built environment. Design relies on the balance of each layer of collaboration that exists within the project, and these areas of development should be permanently engaged in designing spaces that add value to all interactions, at all scales, and for all purposes.
Kindness and will to better myself are traits that I believe to be fundamental, and with the guidance of an architecture firm that holds the opportunity and power to design spaces, great change can be made. I believe in constant effort, positivity and proactive work. I look forward to challenging myself with projects that can help to uphold the prestige of the firm, and continue to push technical, research and creative tasks with the same care and accountability, whichever scope the project entails.
