America’s Hidden Gem (TM)

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

Name: Dominiq Oti

Hometown: London, United Kingdom

Educational Status: Masters (3 year program)

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

Character building

Why do you want to get your licensed?

Choosing to study in the US was about exposing myself to indelible experiences. Getting licensed in this country is a bonus.

Biggest inspiration/influence?

I’m inspired by various cultures and human connections – I’m curious about remanence in materiality. My biggest influence is the ever-changing context of human life and our particularities. That expression is profound. How do we elevate that through design?

How important is representation? 

To be able to see yourself in any profession is a form of empowerment. This can be taken for granted by some members of our society depending on what privileges one has. Sometimes the world around us can make us feel that accepting things for the way they are is acceptable. It’s not. And if it is not striving towards change, then it is actually stunting the growth for global innovation. When I had just graduated from sixth form, meeting David Adjaye as an 18 year old was a contributing factor to scaling my ambitions. The act of being and actively engaging in doing what one wants to do is the most powerful thing.

Favorite quote/poem/song/etc.?

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Marianne Williamson