Luciana Varkulja

“Show curiosity (always), learn how to listen but also learn how to speak up – both with your mind and your heart.”

WomenWhoBuild, Meet Luciana Varkulja!

Luciana is a triple threat- an architect, urban designer, and educator. She is currently a lecturer at USC School of Architecture, and has taught at the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, Columbia University/ Barnard College, Otis College of Art and Design, and Cal Poly Pomona, throughout her teaching career. Prior to starting her own architecture practice, UMA Architecture and Design, Luciana was a contract architect at LTL Architects where she worked on the redesign of the Coney Island Piers, and an architect for Columbia University where she worked on the renovation of the space for the Studio-X site in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey in Architecture/Urban Design?  

Right after high school, I started searching for options. I really enjoyed biology related classes (thought about being a veterinarian, an oceanographer or a geneticist), but I also took art classes for years, from a very young age (drawing and painting classes) so I was looking at architecture as an option as well. I talked to many professionals in each of those fields, which was a good way to demystify those careers. That is something I always tell to younger people who are aiming to follow the architecture path. Talk to practitioners! Go visit offices! In Brazil, where my undergrad is from, I studied Architecture and Urban Design.

What was your first introduction to the field? 

At University of São Paulo, we are exposed to a very rich curriculum; from design studio to philosophy, sociology, history of art and architecture, ergonomics, industrial design, landscape architecture, structural, thermal comfort, lighting, urbanism, graphic design… When I was in my fourth year - it is a 5 year degree course, but it took me 6 to graduate because I dedicated a whole year to develop my thesis- I started working 4 days per week, 5 hours per day as an intern. I was introduced to real projects, to deadlines, to working with consultants and being part of a team.

 What about the industry enticed you to make it your career? 

Back in school, I had set design and exhibition design classes and started working on jobs in those fields, which was very rewarding. But my very first internship was in the architecture department from an engineering firm, working with large-scale industrial projects. I wanted to gain experience with construction documents and construction administration. I still kept working on art and theater related side jobs. After four years learning how to manage small projects in the engineering firm, I decided to go back to the museum world and was hired as an exhibition designer at the Museum of Contemporary Art of São Paulo, where I would spend the next 2 years, before I was granted a fellowship to work in the Design Department at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

 What has been your biggest challenge in your career? 

Definitely to move abroad after almost 5 years of experience working in São Paulo, Brazil, where I am originally from. I had to quickly learn new things - from the measuring system to building and zoning codes and also to adapt to a different culture. It was a big jump for sure.

Can you tell us the process behind how you approach each project?  

As soon as I learn about a project – be that from a client, a collaboration, or something I may be working solo, such as a competition, or exhibition proposal - I much enjoy the research phase, where we look at precedents for inspiration. That research may involve many fields beyond architecture. The concept and schematic phases are inspiring and creative project stages to work with. But I also have a practical mind connected to 'how things are put together’, linking to construction details and cost, local materials and labor plus environmental concerns. Many layers to deal with for sure, but always an enriching experience.

What has been the most interesting project you have worked on so far? 

I worked on the American Embassy project in Maputo, Mozambique. It was fascinating to learn about all the requirements involved in those types of governmental projects. Back at Columbia University, where I have my architecture masters from, Africa was one of my research topics, mostly South Africa and Nigeria. After graduation, I was hired by the school to collaborate designing Studio-X Johannesburg – a design and architecture discussion hub Columbia's GSAPP has in many countries. But while working on the American Embassy project, a couple of years later, I was invited to design a tutoring center in Bamako, Mali, as a pro-bono work with a non-profit group. I have always been very interested in working in Africa, and that was a moment I had the chance to develop two completely different projects - in terms of scale, client, budget, concerns, intentions and goals.

You are a lecturer at USC Architecture, how do you balance being an educator while working in your professional field? 

I am sure my colleagues would agree with me, but we learn a lot from teaching in academia. It is a refreshing air to breath from practice. Our practice can also learn from what is developed in academia. It is a two-way street!

What is one piece of advice you have for women entering the field? 

Show curiosity (always), learn how to listen but also learn how to speak up – both with your mind and your heart. Be truth to yourself and what you believe. Engage teamwork and collaboration, be proactive and don’t be afraid to show your ideas!