In this series of interviews, we meet the finalists shortlisted for the 2024 Women in Architecture and Construction Award. These women have made outstanding contributions to architecture and the built environment across the Near East and North Africa. The award features two categories: Rising Star and Woman of Outstanding Achievement.
This interview features Rania Kaadan, an architect and researcher with computational architecture and urban reconstruction expertise. A graduate of the University of Aleppo, she pursued further studies at University College London and MIT, where she developed her interest in advanced digital methodologies for urban regeneration. Currently, she is the Manager of Urban Planning, Strategy, and Transactions at Ernst & Young in Doha, Qatar, where she leads community-centred master planning workshops, uniting decision-makers, end-users, academics, and professionals from various fields. Her work integrates architectural theory, technology, and practical application to create innovative solutions for post-conflict urban environments. Rania is also an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, where she continues to bridge academia and practice.
In this interview, Rania discusses her career as an architect and urban planner, focusing on her work in grassroots-led urban regeneration and the use of AI in reconstruction. She also shares insights on balancing theory with practice and offers advice on adaptability and collaboration in the field of architecture.
Could you give us a brief introduction about yourself and your work?
My name is Rania Kaadan. I am an architect and urban planner with years of experience in both academic and professional practice in Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, United States, and, most recently, Qatar. I hold a SMArchS degree in Design and Computation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a MArch in Architectural Design from the Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London (UCL) and a BSc in Architectural Engineering from the University of Aleppo.
Tell us more about your current role and key responsibilities.
I am a Manager at Ernst and Young Parthenon (EYP) and I also dedicate time to independent research. My role involves developing urban planning concepts and program briefs tailored for urban regeneration projects and envisioning new destinations. My personal research examines grassroots-led regeneration, which is why, in professional practice, I designed a range of methodologies that encourage open dialogue among stakeholders, including residents, experts, academics and decision-makers. This inclusive approach fosters dialogues, integrating diverse perspectives into the traditionally top-down master planning processes, ensuring that the projects reflect the communities they serve.
Your work lies at the intersection of architecture and educational methodologies. How do you integrate your experiences as a practitioner and a teacher into your projects?
In my on-and-off commitment to teaching, which usually happens in tandem with my professional practice, these two worlds have become interwoven, sometimes by design and sometimes by coincidence. Whether interacting with clients, colleagues, or students, the underlying principle remains: learning from others and sharing that knowledge. While the motivations behind these two worlds can occasionally clash, I perceive these moments as prime opportunities to introduce dialogues to both contexts, which are often met with an attentive audience that is engaged and receptive.
You’ve worked across multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UK, the US, and Qatar. How have these diverse cultural contexts influenced your urban planning and architecture approach?
These varied experiences have been immensely educational, providing a deeper understanding of the institutional frameworks that govern the built environment. These frameworks range from top-down to bottom-up and even integrative hybrid models. Every built environment is influenced by a unique blend of socio-cultural drivers, historical backdrops, the varying stages of urban maturity, and distinct visions and ambitions. The rich diversity of these experiences has offered effective navigation strategies within these frameworks, enhancing collaboration among academia, professional practices, and governing bodies.
Your research at UCL focused on using generative adversarial networks (GANs) in urban reconstruction. How does this technology transform urban planning, particularly in conflict zones?
As an assistive tool, I realised that generative design offers a means to leverage the extensive documentation typically accumulated in areas experiencing destruction, converting it into viable reconstruction strategies. Technically speaking, this methodology involves analysing documented point clouds and exploring the use of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to patch or recreate the demolished segments from the remnants. Initially, my research was centred on heritage buildings. However, as I gained a deeper insight into the methodology, its strengths and limitations, and the ethical implications concerning the local community, I acknowledged the importance of considering various additional elements in post-conflict reconstruction, especially when integrating AI technologies. I strongly believe in the potential of this method. Yet, I am persuaded that its utmost effectiveness is achieved when employed by the right stakeholders—the local community members.
You have a strong passion for teaching, as seen during your time at MIT. What lessons from your teaching experience have influenced your work as an architect, and how do you inspire students to think critically about architecture?
Reflections on my academic experience across the University of Aleppo, UCL, MIT, and Harvard initiated my passion for teaching. These experiences exposed me to various institutional structures and pedagogical approaches. This passion for education was not something I sought out intentionally; instead, it was a product of personal experiences that frequently prompted deep reflection and sometimes conflict about the role of academic institutions. These reflections brought me face-to-face with the concept of ‘institutional determinism’— what I refer to as the institutional structures that influence, and at times constrain, individual agency and creativity. Hence, in my teaching and practice, I aim to create a space where students can critically navigate these structures and cultivate their creative paths, using awareness, critical thinking and personal narratives as tools.
With your background in computational design and architectural pedagogy, how do you see the role of technology evolving in the future of architecture education and practice?
The impact of technology on architecture has been transformative and is poised to evolve further, especially with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Technologies facilitate a dynamic exchange between the virtual and the real. Through additive and subtractive fabrication, as well as robotic drawing and manufacturing, they enable the translation of digital designs into tangible structures. Conversely, methods like 3D scanning and the generation of images trained on real-life visuals allow for the virtual representation of physical spaces. This bidirectional flow has deepened our interaction with and comprehension of spatial qualities. As a collaborative design instrument, the symbiosis between technology and architecture will redefine our built environment in ways we are just beginning to understand.
You’ve balanced theoretical research with practical architectural projects. How do these two aspects inform each other in your work, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this balance?
The world of theory offers access to comparable environments, ideologies, and schools of thought, and forecasts future trends based on historical patterns. It is a great space to extract lessons learned while practising critical thinking on a range of perspectives that, while not exhaustive, are inherently subjective and thus valuable. This theoretical foundation offers a robust starting point; however, practical applications are invariably influenced by contextual factors, be they temporal or spatial, which can significantly reshape theoretical constructs. Therefore, it is important to deepen engagement with theoretical knowledge, yet through a progressive lens that embraces contextual adaptability. This approach ensures that theoretical insights remain ever-evolving and relevant to the practical landscape.
Looking ahead, what projects or research areas are you most excited about pursuing in the next few years?
Looking ahead, I am particularly interested in advancing projects centred on grassroots-led urban regeneration that have a direct and practical impact, shaping urban environments that cater to the public and enhance day-to-day living spaces. I am keen to explore the role of AI and Machine Learning in urban planning, recognising the immense potential these technologies hold for aiding in rebuilding and rejuvenating urban areas. Such tools help forge cities that are both resilient and adaptable to change. By continuing to engage with both the academic and professional realms, I aim to contribute to the development of urban spaces that are reflective of their communities needs and histories while also proactively addressing the challenges of the future.
Can you share a challenge you’ve overcome in your career that highlights your persistence and determination?
Every project and every environment offers its own set of challenges. In top-down systems, a significant hurdle is carving out a space for community voices to be heard. Within the scope of my independent research, the challenges include supporting urban restoration while reworking dominant narratives to ensure the accurate transmission of long histories by examining scattered and sometimes non-existent archives. Another challenge is operating within systems that either self-identify as custodians of ‘identity’ or others that lack any recognition of the local context.
Yet, the most profound challenge that resonates with many from the region is the expectation to lead a ‘normal’ life under anything but normal circumstances. This is particularly true for individuals from Palestine, Syria and Lebanon, whose nationalities expose them to distinctly difficult systems. These systems profoundly shape our existence. The pressure to maintain normalcy amidst such abnormal conditions is, by far, the most formidable challenge we face.
What advice would you give architecture students or young professionals starting their careers?
My advice is to embrace the interconnectedness of our world and the multidisciplinary nature of our field. Reach out to others, not just within the architecture community but across disciplines. The most innovative solutions often come from collaborative efforts combining diverse perspectives and expertise. Stay curious. Observe design’s social and environmental impacts and consider how your work can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future. Cultivate adaptability. Be willing to revise your ideas and be ready to advocate for your vision.
Meet our other finalists: Amal Abuelhawa, Hana Alamuddin, Ula Merie, Hala Asslan, Lebriz Atan Karaatlı, Eman Assi, Rozhen Kamal Mohammed-Amin, Sumaya Dabbagh, Shatha Safi.
Meet Our Finalists series is a compilation of interviews with those who have been shortlisted for our awards. Rania Kaadan is a finalist for the Women in Architecture and Construction Award, which recognises women who have made outstanding contributions to architecture and the built environment across the Near East and North Africa.