Home Edition 04
Show Us Your Studio - 2021
This week we have another peek into makeshift studios across the country as we draw closer to the dreaded crit week. Home Edition 04 looks at 2nd Year Sakina and 3rd Year Annika’s workspaces.
Sakina Ali| 2nd Year UoA
What has been your biggest challenge in adapting to working from home?
I’m currently working on two group projects completely in lockdown so trying to adapt to a group dynamic for the first in University whilst being completely reliant on the internet has been a crazy big challenge.
No barista-made coffee has definitely been an emotional upheaval. I spent my first week of lockdown determined to perfect the art of the French Press to get over the challenge of no ‘Standing Room.’
What are some lessons you've learned from last year's level 4 lockdown?
It’s okay to take a break - have a nap, watch some Masterchef or make some coffee. Just because you are able to sit in front of a computer all day to do uni work doesn’t mean you should! It’s healthy to break away from that for a little bit so don’t feel guilty about it.
Also a second monitor will save your life so definitely go get one if you can.
What is something you’ve enjoyed about working from home?
No commute! Definitely a perk on the saving-money side of things and not-wanting-to-be-squashed-between-people side of things.
Annika Dillon | 3rd Year Ara
What has been your biggest challenge in adapting to working from home?
I’m not used to the constant bustle of home, so when it came to camping up to study I really had to be patient with myself and opportunistic with the situation. I was excited to be resilient and find my mojo, but it took a bit of time to acquire an adequate balance between work, study, and new-found lockdown routines.
I found that making sure to take those moments to move around, do things that bring joy, have that extra cheeky chat to loved ones, even baking a cake at times, or getting outside in the gorgeous weather made switching back into my projects far easier!
What are some lessons you've learned from last year's level 4 lockdown?
During the previous level 4 lockdown, it was easy to lose focus in my projects and difficult to stay in a positive design headspace. We had excellent zoom tutorials with our tutors, who knew how to keep us happily engaged. The regular contact helped keep our class accountable and in the rhythm of discussions and tasks. I am stoked to have discovered through these situations where you lack key architectural resources or vital human connections, that there’s always a way to solve problems, stay curious, and keep energized. It all blows over eventually!
What is something you’ve enjoyed about working from home?
I like to think I have so far avoided any ‘architect-type’ stereotypes, but how satisfying is it to have coffee whenever, right at home, just a 10 second walk away? Loved it. And if your Illustrator crashes right before a hand in, you just couple it with a coffee, stay in your pajamas, pop a face mask on and truly nothing phases you.
Honestly, I have thoroughly enjoyed the freedom and time to reflect with my friends on our architectural journey thus far. Never miss a chance to chat to your classmates about architecture, trivial or not, that's where growth happens.
