#FutureArchitectFriday: Demar Matthews

Posted on August 9, 2019 by America's Hidden Gem One comment

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

Name:

Demar Matthews

Hometown:

Moreno Valley, CA

Educational Status:

3rd Yr. M.Arch Student

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

Different from most other students. Typically being the only one who looks like myself in the room. Working 40-60 hours a week while balancing school full time is a bit strenuous to say the least. I experience all types of situations and circumstances that none of my classmates do, and that none of my professors can understand. Struggling to pay for prints, models, etc. Luckily, I know this is all a building process. All of the adversity, the sleepless nights, the hardwork; it’s all practice.

I think all of the adversity will be my advantage in the future. Once school is over, I will still have the work ethic I’ve developed. I think there will be no one who can work as hard as me, because I’ve been working harder. There will be no one who is ready to sacrifice the way I am, because I’ve been sacrificing. There is no one As Nip Hussle said, “We’re in a marathon, not a sprint”.

Why do you want to get your license?

I think it is important to get my license for a few reasons. First, I want the creative freedom to be able work on any project that means something to me. I plan on opening my own firm in the future and I don’t want not having a license to ever be a barrier that stops me from achieving any goal I have for myself. Lastly, I feel a sense of responsibility to get licensed because in 2019, African Americans still only account for 2% of the licensed architects in the U.S.

Biggest inspiration/influence?

Paul Williams is a huge inspiration for me. When I think about my struggles and adversities faced in academia and the professional world, and compare them to Paul Williams, I have to humble myself. In terms of influence I would definitely say Anthony Morey is one of my biggest influences. He taught me to not solely focus on architecture while in school, but to look at art, psychology, and my own experiences when approaching a project. He also has influenced me to not be afraid to be bold.

How important is representation?

I think representation is of extreme importance. To represent something/someone is to be a voice for it/them. That is not something to be taken lightly.

Favorite quote/poem/song/etc.?

“City council meetin’, they got Hussle speakin’ / Billion-dollar project bout to crack the cement / So, one of our investments had become strategic / Summer oh ’18, man it’s such a season / ‘Bout to make more partners look like f**kin’ geniuses / We was in the Regal, it was me and Steven / We done took a dream and turned it to a zenith / Anything I want and everything I needed / Gotta pace yourself, it’s all about yo’ breathin’ / You can have it all, it’s all about your reason / I done took my name and carved it in the cement” Nipsey Hussle

tagged with #fashion, #FutureArchitectFriday, #interiordesign, #MentorMonday, #NSBE, Architecture, Black Architects, Black Engineers, BlackBoyJoy, BlackGirlMagic, Blacks in Architecture, Design, Designer, Engineering, Melanin, steam, stem

#FutureArchitectFriday

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#FutureArchitectFriday: Demar Matthews

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#FutureArchitectFriday: Demar Matthews

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