Alumni stories: Pritika Akhil Kumar

Course: MA Architectural Design

From: India

Position: Architect and Urbanist, Co:Lab

How has your degree experience helped you in your career?

I first discovered my passion for research during my time at the University of Sheffield. My experience, especially the live projects and my thesis project, first exposed me to the areas of architecture that I continue to study to this day – participatory and performative spatial practice, and democracy and public space.

Is architecture still part of your life?

Studying at Sheffield made me rethink my approach to architecture. The pedagogy at the is based very much on the social aspects of design – hence the Department of Architecture's inclusion in the Faculty of Social Sciences. During my year in Sheffield, I came to understand architecture as a people-centric design process, embedding in me a sensitivity to the needs and aspirations of the users.

Words like participation, collaboration, co-design, networks and stakeholders are definitely Sheffield School of Architecture buzzwords that have made their way into my design vocabulary and remain key concepts that inform my process. I now think of my role as an architect to be that of a facilitator of dialogue rather than the deciding authority in the design process.

Where did life take you after graduation?

I took up different jobs in research as well as conventional architecture and design firms. While my time at these firms helped me in my growth as an architect, I found it hard to find jobs that effectively brought together both research and design. Thus, I established the design and research collaborative Co:Lab in my hometown, Chennai, in early 2020.

What is your current job like?

At Co:Lab, I have been involved in a wide range of design projects including graphic design, interiors, architecture and urban design. At the same time, I conduct research relating to the themes of identity and democracy in public space through participatory interventions. I have presented multiple research papers at international conferences such as the RC21 Conference in Delhi, India (2019) and the International Conference on Future Cities in Roorkee, India (2019).

What advice would you give to a current architecture student?

I would encourage them to read as much as possible because the libraries house a vast range of knowledge that is hard to find again. I would also advise them to take in all the exposure afforded to them, be it through university teaching, SUAS lectures or any other events going on in the city – there are always many. Travel, speak to local residents and make new connections wherever you go – be open to learning through different methods and from different sources.