We regularly welcome new members to our workspace and community. As part of our ‘welcome’, we asked Alex, one of our most recent additions, a few probing questions…
Who are you? What do you do?
My name’s Alex, I work for an architecture firm, bere:architects, based in London, primarily designing ultra-low-energy Passivhaus homes. Our work, and my own, focuses on delivering sustainable, healthy, comfortable buildings that perform brilliantly and look beautiful.
What made you choose Rotterdam Collective?
I graduated from TU Delft in July 2020 and had the opportunity to work remotely. I wanted to find a creative and inspiring workspace, but more importantly somewhere with a real sense of community, where I could work alongside people from diverse fields and backgrounds. As one of the newest RoCo members I feel warmly welcomed into the collective.
What is your connection with Rotterdam?
I moved to Rotterdam in summer 2018 when I began studying for a masters degree in architecture at TU Delft. I never expected to stay here beyond the end of my studies, but over 2 years I fell in love with the city and its culture, and I can’t imagine leaving anytime soon.
What is the project you’re most proud of?
I find it very difficult to list a single project of which I am most proud. I was very pleased to graduate ‘cum laude’ from TU Delft, with a thesis that focussed on sustainable urban development in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Professionally, I am proud to have worked on Max Fordham’s house, a home for a pioneering octogenarian services engineer in London, which won the RIBA London award 2019.
What superskill do you have to contribute to the community?
If I considered anything to be a superskill, it is my ability to solve problems in a pragmatic way. Despite working in a creative field, I try to always approach challenges with an open mind and rational thinking.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I don’t necessarily consider it a guilty pleasure, but I have been told that I should feel guilty for loving the music of Taylor Swift…
