Hawwa Faisal is a London-based designer interested in reimagining and repurposing existing buildings, in particular housing, hospitals and offices. Their research interests are in understanding the role architects and designers play in contributing to positive environmental and social impact. In the built environment, they are at the intersection of sustainability, accessibility, well being and politics, and they envision a thriving egalitarian society whereby architects and designers play an active role in the design of buildings that do not contribute to systemic issues or advocate for discriminatory politics
During my undergraduate degree, I discovered my passion for understanding the intersectionality of architecture and politics which resulted in my dissertation 'Deprivation amongst Abundance' investigating the role architects play in the UK housing crisis. I would like to further explore the role of designers and architects in the pressing issues of today - as enablers, scapegoats and/or solvers. I believe our buildings are often a reflection of our political ideologies and climate; an example of this is the status quo reflected in the architectural design of British council housing which has been increasingly evident in the past few decades especially in light of Grenfell Tower. My final major project '09 Flower Court' was a conversion of an existing warehouse into desperately needed social housing which was an attempt at redefining luxury and architecturally blurring the lines between social class
It is no secret that we spend most of our lived experiences in the built environment. There is emerging psychological research on the impact and influence of interior design and architecture on people's behaviour and emotional well-being. I believe designers are therefore responsible for creating spaces that encompass not only functionality, safety and aesthetics, but also: sustainability, accessibility and well-being. I find great joy in making a positive impact on people and solving social problems through sustainable, innovative, accessible, sometimes unconventional, holistic and human-centred design. I believe design should be flexible, in fact custom made, in order to meet the unique needs of the inhabitants; this requires a close collaboration between designers and the actual inhabitants rather than just the developers
There is a lot of work to be done to improve the experiences and lives of marginalised people. In the UK we have depressing psychiatric wards, dehumanising homeless hostels, poor design of council housing, lack of multi-generational homes to accommodate different family structures, a need for interiors that are inclusive of people with sensory differences.. to just name a few
I acknowledge that all of these issues are a reflection of the political and social attitudes present in our society and the design of these spaces only further reinforce those ideas. I want to highlight that true change lies at the systemic level which needs to simultaneously occur because as a designer I am tied by constraints out of my control
University of Hertfordshire
BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design
2018-2021
Dissertation titled "Deprivation amongst Abundance: are architects enablers or scapegoats of the housing crisis in the UK?" awarded First Class (85%)
BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design
2018-2021
Dissertation titled "Deprivation amongst Abundance: are architects enablers or scapegoats of the housing crisis in the UK?" awarded First Class (85%)
University of THE ARTS LONDON
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
2017-2018
Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
2017-2018
Final Major Project titled "Genes and Islamic art: could they be related?" awarded Merit
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