#noushinN

[bac-connex]

Hey, it's NOUSHIN!

Hey all! My name is Noushin Nawal. I am an international student from Bangladesh and it's my fifth year in the B.Arch program at BAC. I am so excited to be doing my externship with Safdie Architects!

I have many interests and often find myself exploring new hobbies or learning new skills and subjects from art to science to business. I am a student mentor at the BAC and write in my free time. I also love looking up lots of architecture projects, mainly in education and healthcare.

I am excited to meet and learn alongside experienced people at Safdie Architects. I hope to create a workplace that values the achievements of its teams and create a safe place where people are treated fairly to share ideas, create and grow!

[elephile]

De-colonized colonies of barnacles #barnacles #barnaclestructures #barnaclecolony #barnaclepatterns #denmanisland #denmanislandlife #denmanislandlove #beautifuldestinations (at Denman Island, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/noushinn/p/CZNsiTLuwmo/?utm_medium=tumblr

[bac-connex]

An Enthusiastic Group of Buddies

Over this week, I have had the pleasure of being accompanied by Ruhan and Trang who have been understanding, communicative, encouraging, inquisitive and inspirational. I have had an eye opening externship experience because of their personal determinations, backgrounds and their journeys to the realm of architecture. Their kindness and approachability helped me with professional growth and understanding a positive workplace culture, making this externship memorable. So, thank you to my two very enthusiastic buddies who I got to enjoy lots of trip with!

In the future, having learned from all the people in this externship, I hope to become an understanding, kind, and approachable mentor that values the lessons made from mistakes and puts the effort to guide people to grow.

[bac-connex]

A Thoughtful Mentor

During this entire externship, we had the amazing opportunity to be under the mentorship of Andy. Andy's thoughtfulness and approachability are some of the qualities I most admire in mentors. As a mentee, one should be inquisitive and attentive to their mentor, always keeping in mind the opportunities and knowledge a mentor provides through their experience and insight. Andy was always great to listen to, always attentive to our questions with detailed and thoughtful responses, having a meticulous and innovative attitude towards his work, and having genuine interactions with the people around him and community members.

I am really grateful for Andy's thoughtfulness to our experience at William Rawn Associates and introducing us to the great community he works with. I was able to learn so much because of the great care that went into planning and coordinating the meetings, the gatherings, the site visits, and exposing us to all the levels of leadership, teamwork, engagement, communication, research, wellbeing, and community that make these great projects possible!

Also, thank you to all the talented people who welcomed us and made us feel part of the firm and made this experience memorable! I hope that there will be more opportunities to work and learn from you and I wish you all the best!

Thank you, William Rawn Associates!

[bac-connex]

An Empathetic Client

Today, we had the great opportunity to visit Mount Auburn Cemetery with Liz and Lauren from WRA and talk to Katelyn and Bethany about the different processes happening in an around the cemetery and the historic significance of Bigelow Chapel.

The project involves a renovation of the historic Bigelow Chapel built in 1846 to make the space more accessible, inclusive, and diverse for all the living and those who are resting here. The project embraces the surrounding landscape through large views from the modern addition and creates a safe space for those who visit the chapel, are grieving, and creates a space that people can celebrate different occasions in. The historic renovation involved many people, the most interesting to me being the meticulous work of artisans who extracted the stained glass from the chapel, cleaned them and reinstalled them to their former glory.

The site is of significance importance historically, for visitors, and for those who have set their loved ones here. The project is very empathetic and respects the forever resting places of the people here even when new moves are being made to create a place that is accessible, diverse, and inclusive for the surrounding community. The landscape is very well taken care of by landscape firms, horticulturists, and honors native species and creates habitats for other beings living in the cemetery.

[bac-connex]

It Looks Like a Place for Observation

Intercultural competence is a skill that is able to connect people of different backgrounds and cultures by creating healthy environments that bridge the differences between cultures to attain many goals.

At our tour at the Boston Public Library, we learned that the library vowed to always make it Free to All by prioritizing the public's access to the library even when the renovations were taking place. We also observed a lot of the influences of the old library designed by McKim, Mead and White and its influences on the renovation of the Boylston Street Building. The firm placed a lot of importance on following the library's motto of Free to All by creating spaces for all types of people such as the Cafe, lecture halls, teen room, children's room, business library, the multicultural section, DVD and video section, and more. We were able to end our tour at the WGBH Radio Station where many people gathered around to listen to Mayor Michelle Wu!

The firm demonstrates a lot of attention to people and their needs and often communicate the different projects and challenges that they have faced with each other. The space is collaborative and encourages healthy communication that incorporates the opinions, advice, and ideas of people at all levels in the firm. As we sat in on a consultant meeting, we recognized the level of attention paid to the comfort of the occupants in the theatre in terms of the light, sound, maintenance and more.

[bac-connex]

Workplace Creations

Today was Day 1 of my externship with William Rawn Associates alongside Ruhan and Serena! We got to meet a lot of people at the firm today and learned about who William Rawn is and their identity.

The office is pretty cozy and organized into little sections like the kitchen/dining space, conference rooms, work stations, material library and the model shop. A lot of the work areas are open and flexible to be able to seat different teams working on different projects. There are around 50 people at the firm so it feels like you easily get to know most people and don't feel isolated from them. The overall feeling of belonging and making place seemed evident in the workplace culture as well.

One of the most unique aspects of the firm is their attention to modelling for play. The firm often makes models that clients can interact with and play with to understand the spaces. Modeling is also a consistent practice throughout the entire project. In the picture above, Ruhan, Serena and I took part in helping them decide if their life-sized window seemed to work for the project. It was great to be part of their process!

It was amazing to see the collaboration and the different people who made up William Rawn and engage in conversations about our personal endeavors in architecture, the firms projects, the importance of each team, and the importance of making a place for everyone.

[bac-connex]

Noushin's Intro :)

Hello everyone! My name is Noushin Nawal and I am an international student from Bangladesh. This is my fourth year in Bachelor of Architecture program at the BAC and I am thrilled to start my externship with William Rawn Associates.

I am interested in many things and often find myself exploring new hobbies or learning new skills and subjects from art to science to business. I am a student mentor at the BAC and a writer in my free time (I mostly write short stories and poems.) I also love looking up lots of architecture projects, mainly in education and healthcare.

I am excited to meet and learn alongside experienced people at the firm. I hope to create a workplace that values the achievements of its teams and create a safe place where people are treated fairly to share ideas, create and grow!

[bac-connex]

Day 1: Workplace

On our first day at the firm, Noushin, Serena, and I had a tour. The workspace is divided into project groups, fostering a relaxed and open atmosphere. The office layout is well-designed, with clear distinctions between work areas, meeting rooms, and resting spots. We were warmly invited to join a group for lunch, and the people are amiable, making us feel part of the team instantly. The office is cozy and organized, featuring different sections like a kitchen, conference rooms, workstations, and more. With around 50 people in the firm, it's easy to connect with colleagues. The firm strongly emphasizes belonging and a welcoming environment.

One standout feature is their dedication to interactive modeling, which clients appreciate. Noushinn, Serena, and I participated in evaluating a life-sized window for a project, which was rewarding. Witnessing collaboration and diversity within William Rawn Associates was inspiring, and discussing architectural aspirations, the firm's projects, and inclusivity left a profound impression.

[elephile]

‘Surely, of all the wonders of the world, the horizon is the greatest.’ Freya Stark #horizon #beautifulbc #beautifulbizarre #earthmeetssky #horizonphotography #sunsetphotography #sunsetlovers #aerialphotography #aerialhorizon #freyastark (at West Coast) https://www.instagram.com/noushinn/p/CY4GqNwONHW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[elephile]

Do big city trees ever miss nestling birds and their songs? #cityscapephotography #vancouverbc #vancouverphotography #vancouverphotographer #vancouverphotos #citytrees #birdsongs #beautifulbc (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/noushinn/p/CY5IUbHusnb/?utm_medium=tumblr

[elephile]

Entangled entanglements - cityscape series I 🏙 #vancouverbc #vancouverphoto #vancouverphotography #vancouverphotographer #beautifulbc #vancouverinautumn #beautifulbc #beautifulbritishcolumbia #cityscapes #cityjungle (at Vancouver, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/noushinn/p/CX1yVS9uDMs/?utm_medium=tumblr

[elephile]

Un jour d'été, deuxième partie #victoriabc #sunsetphotography🌅📸 #victoriabcphotographer #victoriabcphotography (at Victoria, British Columbia) https://www.instagram.com/noushinn/p/CXhtUL6PE_V/?utm_medium=tumblr

[elephile]

One of the 4 parks on the island, bequeathed to the province by George Beadnell, whose grave is still on site. An island of now 1,165 residents was first inhabited by Indigenous peoples of Pentlatch and Sliammon as a summer home. The first foreign visitors were Spanish ship voyagers of 1791. Smallpox endemic wiped most of the indigenous peoples and the island was named in 1864 after Admiral Joseph Denman, commander of the Pacific station. Even though I made it to this magical land on foot, I will bow my head to you if you visit by any other means. #denmanisland #denmanislandlife #denmanislandphotographer #denmanislandbc #beautifulbritishcolombia #beautifulbcviews #seameetssky #fillongleyprovincialpark #fillongleypark #fillongleybeach #fillongleylife #fillongleyphotography (at Fillongley Provincial Park) https://www.instagram.com/noushinn/p/CXNIC3LlnHV/?utm_medium=tumblr

[elephile]

Tree treat greets of trails #ruckleprovincialpark #ruckletrails #beaverpointtrail #saltspringislandbc #saltspringislandphotographer #saltspringisland #treephotography #cooltreesofinstagram (at Beaver Point Park) https://www.instagram.com/noushinn/p/CXSqXhFLjP2/?utm_medium=tumblr