Daniela Diaz
"For my architectural engineering studio, I focused on landslides in Colombia, where steep terrain, heavy rainfall, and deforestation cause frequent disasters. From 1900 to 2018, Colombia experienced 30,730 landslides, leading to 34,198 deaths, with 78% of the country at high risk. Informal settlements, housing displaced communities, are particularly vulnerable due to unsafe structures and limited resources. My project focuses on designing self-constructible, structurally stable housing and providing tools for landslide mitigation. To inform my work, I visited the Frutales neighborhood in Soacha, Bogotá, through the foundation "Emprendedoras por un Mejor Futuro." During this visit, I engaged with community leaders and residents, conducted interviews, and assessed homes to understand their needs and existing infrastructure. The report highlights poor infrastructure and harsh living conditions. Residents, mostly elderly and single mothers, face challenges with unpaved roads, especially during rain. Homes are makeshift and lack essential services like clean water, electricity, and sanitation. The absence of rainwater collection systems worsens water shortages, and electrical setups are unsafe. Despite overcrowding and unsanitary conditions, the community displays strong solidarity, though inadequate housing and limited resources hinder their quality of life. As part of my thesis, I will create a guide and building manual to share with the community, offering building tools and providing them with a vision for their homes."
Nynke Stam
It was very strange for me, to be on the other side of the world in a completely different culture, but still feel somewhat familiar with it. Perhaps, it was the many Dutch colonial heritage buildings that still exist and play important roles in the current urban fabric. Perhaps, it were the Dutch words in Indonesian language that made me feel at home. Perhaps, it was the warm and welcoming feeling all Indonesians gave me, being so very hospitable. Perhaps, it was all of the above. During my trip I noticed how most Indonesian people don't seem to feel much sentiment towards the shared history between Indonesia and The Netherlands. It explains how it is possible that this colonial era sometimes gets romanticized in the 'Old Towns' or in cafes, mainly to attract tourists. Besides visiting colonial heritage buildings, I was also interested in understanding the monuments and statues in the public space, many of which referred to the period right after the independence. I was amazed by the enormous scale of most of these places, as if the heroic message of survival and independence was superimposed on the spectator. It was clear how the first president, Soekarno, had reached his goal of creating nationalist statements in the public space. But I also learned how many of these monuments are not necessarily being used to commemorate history, but rather places used for leisure, since they are located in pleasant parks with high spatial quality. And it makes sense, since I couldn't find that many alternative (green) public spaces in most of these cities. By speaking to some of the experts, as well as experiencing it myself, racism seems to be a very big problem in Indonesian society. The concept that 'all good ideas to come from Europe and other Western countries', is somehow rooted into their society. I can't help but think it must have been a result of centuries of occupation by countries who implemented this (colonial) mindset. In addition to all the research on narratives, I also found massive inspiration in the architecture I saw around me. Especially the architecture at the ITB campus really spoke to me. The Dutch architect actually took to effort to thoroughly research the local architecture and communities, and in this design really showed the honesty and purity of the chosen construction materials. I was also very interested in the role of the roof, in Indonesian vernacular architecture. This definitely inspired me for my own design project.
Niké te Brinke
I recently returned from a valuable research trip to Norway, supported by Stylos Fund. This trip was an integral part of my architecture graduation project, which focuses on creating tools to make space for "the Other" and the positioning of the architect, using the Indigenous Sami people's experience as a case study. During my visit, I spent time in Oslo and Tromsø, aiming to better understand the everyday life and the specific needs of the Sami living in these arctic urban spaces. I engaged in various activities, including walking, drawing, and photography, which allowed me to experience the city’s firsthand. In Tromsø, I also had the opportunity to interview professors and students at the University of Tromsø, contributing further to my research insights. An exciting part of the trip was joining an excursion with the Master's Indigenous Studies program to the Northern Peoples Centre and the site of the Riddu Riddu Sami festival. Here, I interacted with local art institute directors, representatives of the Sami parliament, artists, and local architectural offices. These conversations enriched my understanding of how urban spaces can accommodate and reflect Indigenous values. Additionally, I visited museums related to art, architecture, and city planning, which provided context for my project. I also explored potential sites, analyzed materials, and conducted workshops with Sami people to participate in my project. The trip gave me a glimpse of what it means to live in an Arctic city and offered nuanced insights into the needs and values of the Sami community in urban settings. The experience added layers of complexity to my project, revealing dimensions I hadn't considered before. I return with a richer perspective and a clearer direction for the next stages of my work.
