Architects I admire the most:
Hard to choose just one! Some favourites that I frequently go to for design inspiration in my work are Toyo Ito, Tadao Ando, Rem Koolhaas, Ricardo Bofill, SelgasCano.
Preferred era in architecture:
I’m a huge fan of brutalist architecture.
A space that has affected me:
Douglas Cardinal’s St. Mary’s Church. I have huge respect for Douglas Cardinal, the design work he was doing in the 1960s was way ahead of his time.
Artist I would like to collaborate with on a design project:
Definitely James Turrell. The way he manipulates light and shadow to create space is unparalled.
When I’m not working you can find me:
Cooking, boxing, painting or drawing, reading (mostly about architecture)
On my playlist:
Daft Punk, Brockhampton, Radiohead, Death Grips
Skill still unmastered:
I’ve always wanted to try glass blowing!
Pen, pencil or mouse?
I always have my Lamy Safari pens close by.
Aleksandra (Sasha) Simic
I grew up:
In Toronto!
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies, University of Toronto
Master of Architecture, University of Calgary
Notable accomplishments/awards:
Throughout grad school, I was an executive member of a collective that created exhibits, workshops and speaker panels that taught students about equity in architecture.
I was the Principal Cellist of an orchestra throughout university
I chose JDa because:
I knew I wanted to work for an architecture firm that is making a direct and positive impact on the community.
I bring to JDa:
Enthusiasm, strong work ethic, and a love of working within a team.
Earliest architectural memory:
Designing and building a treehouse with my grandfather when I was 12 years old.
I’m drawn to design because:
I enjoy creative problem-solving. A lot of people believe that the best design work comes from thinking outside the box. I believe that you see a person’s true design capability when they are forced to design within a box (strict code requirements etc.) and are able to problem solve creatively and still design a great building.
I’m most excited in architecture today about:
The future possibilities with mass timber.