America’s Hidden Gem (TM)

Hi readers! It’s #FutureArchitectFriday. A day to celebrate those pushing themselves to becoming licensed architects.

Name:

Paul Bamson

Hometown:

Abuja, Nigeria

Educational Status:

BARCH ’16 and MLA ’18 

How would you describe your experience as a Black Architecture student?

Why do you want to get your license?

Biggest inspiration/influence?

My biggest influences are five men making a massive impact on the future of design and engineering innovation and business thinking. My father, for being a stable rock and foundation in my live, Bjarke Ingels, for proving that you are never to young to make an impact in the world of architecture, David Adjaye, for bringing elegant and majestic architecture to all, Elon Musk, for single handedly jump starting the sustainable energy revolution, and Gary Vaynerchuk, for making hustling for your dreams while remaining self aware and kind cool again. What each of these men have been able to do in such a short period of time is truly inspiring and I am hoping to follow suit!

How important is representation?

Representation is critical! If you see someone that looks like you doing it, that means that you can do it to. When Black Panther was released in 2018, we all got to see the impact a black superhero elevated to the level of Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor could have on the black community. There is a reason it shattered viewership records and compelled me to see it five different times in theaters. Like I mentioned earlier, I wish I was exposed to more black architects, visual artists, and designers growing up. That’s definitely changing now and I intend to be as visible as possible to be a source of inspiration for the next generation of black innovators.

Favorite quote/poem/song/etc.?

“We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.” Winston Churchill