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Are architects and designers neuro-divergent or have traits that are neuro-divergent? Google says that: neurodivergent (adjective) means "differing in mental or neurological function from what is considered typical or normal (frequently used with reference to autistic spectrum disorders); not neurotypical".

We often think of ourselves as special or have special skill sets, but to identify as a 'neurodivergent' would be going too far. Or is it? There is a particular skill of being able to "look at a 2-dimensional drawing and imagine the 3-dimensional equivalent in my head", as the author Scaff said in the article: Designing and leading while neurodivergent.

I thought my students and my (manual drawing) peers were able to do this and it is a skill that architects need to have. Or was I wrong about this?

© 2024 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is a 2D house plan taken from the internet.

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Part 2 and the concluding episode of this discussion were inspired by the architect, Mitch Moss's post on Facebook on 18 February 2024. Some discussion includes the design of high-rise buildings and identity. The argument is that when we propose that the context (people) is at the core of the design decision, we will design more of an inside-out building rather than merely focusing on form. The use of the design thesis project by Wong Joe Yee's Vertical Neighbourhood Shared Space, took the Menara Mutiara, a 13-story building, and transformed it into a place for the community at Petaling Jaya Old Town, and other examples, juxtaposed with the ubiquitousness of cities with the typical high-rise designs.

© 2024 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is a drawing by Wong Joe Yee's Vertical Neighbourhood Shared Space design thesis in 2019-20.

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The first part of a two-part series is the first reaction that was discussed after reading the architect, Mitch Moss's Facebook post on 18 February 2024.

Readings of what Mitch had posted interspersed with Naziaty's Talk Architecture host's opinion on Concepts, Context, and Content in Malaysian Architecture Identity, take forward last December 2023 discussion based on a newspaper article on Malaysian Identity. 

© 2024 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is downloaded from the internet -
Editorial credit: IZWAN IS / Shutterstock.com

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“Don't Take Things Personally”, is one of the Four Agreements that Don Miguel Ruiz wrote in his book. People at the office, be it a co-worker, your boss, a consultant or the contractor may state their opinion to you. At that moment you could say something back but you don't have to. One could feel threatened at that instant feeling less worthy or being insulted even. But you could give an opinion but better still just stay silent. Because it is not personal even if it is directed to you and based on what you are supposed to have not done or did. There is no loss if you don't reply because it was not personal, at all.

Part 2 of the Series “Loving Yourself Unconditionally” for the Architect & Designers.

©️Talk Architecture 2024, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo downloaded from the Internet on “argue office”, 2024. 

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“Be impeccable with your word”, is one of the Four Agreements that Don Miguel Ruiz wrote in his book. Communication is key and using the right words is necessary to achieve your dreams and goals in architectural practice and education.

Part 1 of the Series “Loving Yourself Unconditionally” for the Architect & Designers.

©️Talk Architecture 2024, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo downloaded from the Internet on “flawless”, 2024. 

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This opinion piece is a reply to someone in a facebook who commented that architecture is a “dead/ dying industry in many parts… nobody wants to pay for design when it can just be replicated digitally from something done before”.

This is in conjunction with the Rediscover Architect posted earlier. FB ad on “3 Reasons Architects Suffer Stress and Burnout and How to Fix it!”

©️Talk Architecture 2024, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo downloaded from the Internet on “burnout”, 2024. 

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This is an introduction to a series of discussion on “unconditionally loving yourself” which will at first, refer to Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The Four Agreements”:

1. Be impeccable to your word
2. Don’t take anything personal
3. Don’t make assumptions 
4. Always do your best

How do these agreements help the architect to achieve a work-life balance and rid of stress and burnout? 

©️Talk Architecture 2024, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob. Photo by a student: Final Crit at UCSI, 2023. 

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A design curriculum is designed and run for a reason. The architectural graduate characteristics were influenced by their experience when gaining knowledge and skills at architecture school.

A Facebook post discussion referred to the architect Frank Duffy's 5S diagram of "site, structure, skin, space, stuff".  After exchanging comments, I discussed here how the design curriculum may affect the architect's character and traits.

In the first instance in the Part 1 episode, I speculated and discussed UTM's design thesis themes of (1) Building facade and (2) Urban design and planning (diagram by Dr Azari), compared with UM's design thesis labs of (1) Green and sustainable architecture, (2) Urban & community architecture, and (3) Heritage and conservation architecture.

©️Talk Architecture 2023, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob.  Photo credit Image from the internet of Stewart Brand's book "How Buildings Learn - What Happens After They're Built" (1995).

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The idiom 'push the envelope' means "to surpass normal limits or attempt something viewed as radical or risky" (Merriam-Webster) and that is true about the design thesis topic choice and justification.

The discussion focuses on the need for architecture students who come up with design thesis topics to be more challenging and 'push the envelope' when it comes to justifying and defending their design. Finding the questions to ask themselves including the right questions is fundamental in the final year course.

© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is downloaded from the internet - envelope icon.

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Further explanation on why a museum is not a recommended topic for students of architecture, by deep diving into 2 hypothetical projects of a museum compared to a library design, describing the design development and processes and what it entails. 

© 2023 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
The image is downloaded from the internet - museum icon.

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