Luciana Teodózio
“Don’t be afraid to express yourself and fight for what you want”
WomenWhoBuild, Meet Luciana Teodózio!
Luciana is an architect, computational designer, and researcher. She received her Master Degree in Advanced Architecture from IAAC, and currently works for ON-A, an architectural firm based in Barcelona, Spain. With an eye for design, passion for the field, and an incredible drive, Luciana is a rising star in the industry.
Luciana sat down (virtually of course) with ArchNative to discuss her journey in the field, what inspired her to follow Architecture as a career path, and what her advice is for women entering the field.
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Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey in Architecture.
Being an architect was something I have dreamed about since I was little. I was always very curious and observative. As a Luso-Brazilian, my roots are both from nature and the city. I am fascinated by the built environment, the urban mechanisms and how this shapes people's lives, but I am also curious about the structure behind the shape of a tree. After graduating from ETSAB in Barcelona, I decided to extend my studies at IAAC, where I attended the Master in Advanced Architecture. It was a life-changing period. I've learned to question everything, to observe nature's behavior, to think further ahead, and to develop new skills in softwares which allowed me to manipulate complex geometry and prototype with digital fabrication techniques. When you realize all the things you can be and do after studying architecture, you become powerful in a certain way.
What was your first introduction to the field? What made you decide to take the leap and make it your career?
I never really considered any other career. It was architecture ever since I remember myself as a person. But I'd say the biggest responsible for my all-time passion was all the travelling I've done throughout my life. There's no better architecture school than a ticket to somewhere different. Seeing, observing, living in different countries, atmospheres and cultures made me realize how powerful it is to be able to design and build something that shapes the world. I was always an admirer of both Zaha Hadid's organic geometry and the fine lines of Mies van der Rohe. But it was when I watched Neri Oxman lecture for the first time that I knew I wanted more than blueprints and sections. I then found my passion for research. Once I crossed that line, I wasn't able to return to traditional architecture anymore.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Currently, I work as an architect, computational designer, and researcher at ON-A in Barcelona. I can say I am a multi-tasker and each day is quite different. The firm is very open-minded and you can see that through the designs that are done. I work with the most different scales of design: urban scale, parametric facades, complex geometry, fiction design, storytelling, etc. I felt we were a good fit for each other, ON-A is an international architecture firm which combines the materiality of construction with technology, experimentation, boldness and big ideas, always with an eye towards the future. The team has different backgrounds, nationalities, interests, and expertise, and that embodies the perfect environment for creativity to take place.
What was your favorite part of Architecture school? What has been your favorite part of working as an architect?
My favorite part of Architecture school was starting a new project. Still is. I love the beginning, the ground zero, the brainstorming, the creativity, the elasticity on how you approach a brief. I loved how freely we could express ourselves regardless of the budget. It is an extremely important phase which many people are skeptical about, but not having a budget allows you to exercise your imagination and thinking in ways that you wouldn't be able otherwise. Architecture is not just about building. Real-life will come with budget issues and you'll learn to work with that as well. The best part of working as an architect is that when you find the right office, the right team, you’ll be among others who will push you and make you bring out the best of you. It’s a constant growth.
How do you approach each project?
It depends on the project. Sometimes I work on real projects, sometimes I work on fiction-design, and each idea has such a different path till the completion that I would say there isn't a pattern. It could be through urban analysis or a simple sketch of an interesting shape. The only thing I know for sure is that it has to be beautiful. This could lead to a debate, but I believe it's the ultimate feature architecture seeks. The awe.
What is one piece of advice you have for women entering the field?
Find out what you're passionate about and become very good at it. Don’t be afraid to express yourself and fight for what you want. I never really understood how come there are so many female students in architecture school and so few women running the offices and studios. Fortunately, nowadays this gap has been put under the spotlight so it's our chance to thrive and build a more balanced future in architecture.
