International Women in Engineering Day is an international awareness campaign to raise the profile of women in engineering, to increase diversity and encourage inclusion in this exciting industry.
To mark the occasion in 2023 Interface have asked our two newest recruits what they find interesting and inspiring about façade engineering:
Ananya Narendra Nath, Intern:
“I am drawn to engineering in the built environment because of the unique challenges and problem-solving opportunities that each project presents.
“The course I’m studying is a mix of architecture, structural engineering and environmental engineering. It has taught me to appreciate the level of complexity and integration in buildings, and it is this interdisciplinary aspect that has sparked my interest in facades.
“I’ve always been curious about how the different parts of a building are assembled and how the architectural concept is realised. Through my internship with Interface, I’m coming to understand the nuts and bolts of construction and the level of detail that is required to design an effective facade.”
Aibi Osunde-Ogbebor, Facade Engineering Consultant:
“I was attracted to facade engineering as an avenue to engage my curiosity about how things are built. While my background in architecture gave me the basic principles of building design, facade engineering allows for problem-solving on a critical part of a building at both macro and micro levels.
“Facade engineering requires an analytical mind to develop innovative solutions in the design and coordination of the various influencing elements, integrating functionality, safety, aesthetics and pushing the boundaries of performance. Seeing a designed element become reality in its built form is very exciting for me.
“As encouragement to the next generation of women, I’d say that engineering is basically problem-solving – something we all do every single day. With the right focus and concentration of effort there is no limit to what one can achieve.
“Facade engineering sits firmly at the intersection of architecture and engineering, which allows several access routes into the industry and a broader range of applicability. With guidance and mentorship, one can make out of it what one wishes, however niche or broad.”
