Michael McCabe
University of Auckland
Michael enjoys bubble tea, eating out with friends and watching Peaking Blinders with his before anyone else. This year his thesis is exploring the relationships between the LGBTQIA community, night clubs and politics of homonormativity. Read on to learn more…
Student Architecture Network New Zealand: In 20 words, what is your thesis about?
Michael McCabe: How can the vehicle of the nightclub be used to destabilise the politics of homonormativity. This is fused with notions of the archive, radical queer politics and safety.
SANNZ: Who is your supervisor and why did you choose to work with them?
Michael: My supervisor is Sarah Treadwell. I had my first studio in architecture school with her and last year I took two elective papers she was a part of that were concerned with gender, politics, and drawing. She is one of the most generous, caring, and supportive members of staff I’ve met at architecture school. And her ability to read a drawing or piece of text for its range of possibilities has been an invaluable resource for the work I’ve done and currently do with her.
SANNZ: When you started your Masters just over a year ago at the start of fourth year, did you think your thesis would take this direction?
Michael: During last semester I was starting to peak an interest in queer space reading Aaron Betsky’s Queer Space: Architectures of Same Sex Desire and remaking Madelon Vrissendorp’s Home Analysis Kit through the lens of the Auckland Pride Protests of 2015. It’s taken some turns along the way and I feel like I’ve just kind of figured out what it might be, fingers crossed.
SANNZ: What are your plans for next year?
Michael: To pay my rent and increasingly worrisome overdraft.
SANNZ: Do you feel architecture school has prepared you for the industry?
Michael: Probably not but I also wonder if that is the point of architecture school. When we graduate we should be bringing new energy to the industry and an ability to question current practice/s… but does anyone know any good Revit tutorials?
SANNZ: Do you work while studying and if so, how many hours? How do you find the balance?
Michael: I worked 9 hours a week being a teaching assistant for design one. I used to work at a theatre so most of hours were at night and I found that much easier, I’m definitely more productive during the day. This semester I’m taking on a costuming job for a theatre company that is soaking up hours. It’s one of those things I think I’ll always struggle with unless I’ve only got one thing to do.
SANNZ: What music or artist has helped you get through architecture school?
Michael: Music is really important to my thesis so I’ve been listening to a lot of queer artists on Soundcloud but whatever it is, it’s deafening. I think I’ve got tinnitus now.
SANNZ: If you could invite two architects to dinner with you, who would they be and why?
Michael: Madelon Vriesendorp and Sam Jacob. I’m a Post-Modern fan boy, but having dinner surrounded by Madelon’s collection of objects while chatting about semiotics, like what a dream!
SANNZ: What were you like in high school?
Michael: A tortured queer teen of colour in a small town. You could find me in the art or drama department. Life is much better now, but not for everyone and that’s what my thesis is trying to engage with. My position allows me to enjoy a plethora of privileges that many within the LGBTQIA community do not get. Rosie Hastings puts it “that within our community there are certain bodies that can’t assimilate because the system is against their bodies from birth. They are the ones who we have to protect.“
