We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Eva Besmerti a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Eva, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I believe I can categorize my work into two parts; the ‘human’ oriented and the ‘non human’ oriented.

The first category encompasses my professional work and represents the more conventional aspect of architectural practice. Throughout my career I have always been interested in the spaces that people feel most comfortable in which I believe would be their homes. Houses are essential and will continue to be built regardless of circumstances, especially given the increasing demand for housing in urban areas and will always be a focal point in architecture. I think there are always ways to improve housing as an experience, tailor it more to the user and include more voices rather than adhering to a standard way and repeat it. That is something that I wish to explore further in my career.

The second category, the ‘non human’ oriented, involves my speculative and theoretical work. This area is still a work in progress as I seek ways to approach it without being invasive to the ‘non-human.’ While designing for urban spaces requires taking into account the context, which would be the climate and ecology that it occupies, it is still very much human centered. I believe the ways humans choose to inhabit the world is still part of an ecology that is constantly being ignored and not taken into account. One of the more recent theoretical projects I have done is a ‘wild-building’ as I call it, a tower in the middle of Downtown LA exclusive for animals and flora native to Southern California. Although highly speculative and unlikely to be realized, this project provided me with valuable insights into the limitations of the human perspective.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born in Athens Greece, where I lived most of my life. From a young age I have been drawn to the arts, which led me to pursue a degree in architecture at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. During and after my studies I got to practice my design skills across various scales, ranging from hotel complexes to single-family residencies.

A few years ago, I relocated to Los Angeles to undertake a master’s degree in Architectural Technologies at SCI-Arc. Following my graduation, I had the opportunity to collaborate with experienced architects on diverse architectural projects, including commercial and multifamily developments and more recently in affordable housing. Practicing architecture in a metropolitan city with such diversity and complexity in social and spatial issues has significantly influenced my perspective on architecture.

While practicing in LA, I have also had the opportunity to teach architecture at SCI-Arc in the undergraduate program, which has allowed me to stay connected with academia. This experience has enabled me to keep up with the theoretical aspects of architecture and participate in different research programs mostly focused in planetary scale architecture and ecology.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My primary goal driving my creative journey is to explore and expand the ways in which architecture can occupy the creative space by engaging multiple senses in the built environment. Architectural designers often focus solely on visual and practical aspects, but I believe the field can learn from other arts to create more immersive and sensory-rich experiences. Additionally, I hope to steer architecture toward greater community engagement in the design process, ensuring that the spaces we create truly reflect the needs and desires of the people who will inhabit them.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is reaching milestones and successfully bringing my ideas to life. It is really rewarding seeing my work appreciated by colleagues and the people who experience it. Understanding the impact my ideas have within the complexity of society is a constant source of motivation and provides a place of retreat and reflection when needed.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besmertico
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-besmerti