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Connecting women and opportunity

Womanthology is a digital magazine and professional community powered by female energy and ingenuity.

Connecting women and opportunity

Womanthology is a digital magazine and professional community powered by female energy and ingenuity.

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Crafting a beautiful, inclusive and sustainable future in architecture

Ruzha Sirmanova, Architect at Maber

Ruzha Sirmanova - Maber Architects

Ruzha Sirmanova is an architect with a passion for inclusivity and sustainability in the built environment, who works for Maber, a multi-disciplinary practice. She has experience in higher education, public sector projects, and refurbishments, and is deeply involved in mentoring the next generation of architects. Ruzha has been an advocate for integrating sustainability practices into architectural design and believes that inclusivity and sustainability are intertwined goals in shaping the future of the industry.

Ruzha Sirmanova - Maber Architects
Ruzha Sirmanova

“Inclusive design makes spaces more efficient, and efficient design makes buildings more sustainable.”

From sketchbooks to sustainable spaces

I started my journey into architecture quite early. I’ve always loved drawing, and it was during primary school that my art teacher encouraged my parents to sign me up for weekend art classes. This was the beginning of my love for design, and it quickly led to me winning competitions. This recognition inspired my parents to support my decision to pursue a career in design.

Initially, I considered both fashion and architecture, but in the end, architecture seemed like the most stable career path, even though I continue to find inspiration in both areas. That’s how I decided to go to architecture school, which, as we all know, is a long and challenging journey.

Bringing together creativity and purpose in architecture

During my master’s degree, I found myself at the intersection of architecture and politics. The Brexit campaign was taking place, and as a young immigrant, I felt a deep connection to the political climate. I wanted to understand how people experience spaces, especially in the context of immigration. For my master’s dissertation, I focused on how immigrants use urban spaces, specifically around South Sheffield, near London Road and Abbeydale Road.

The findings were fascinating, and I was honoured when the work was nominated for the RIBA President’s Medal. This recognition gave my research a platform and allowed me to share my insights with a wider audience. The research really opened my eyes to how people experience spaces beyond just aesthetics and ergonomics. Design has the power to make people feel safe and accepted.

Additionally, my research made me question societal norms, specifically the expectations placed on immigrants to integrate, rather than on society to become more inclusive. These ideas continue to shape my approach to architecture today, guiding my commitment to inclusive design.

A story in every structure

After completing my master’s, I joined Maber, a multi-disciplinary practice, as a Part 2 Architectural Assistant. During the pandemic, I achieved my qualifications and became a fully qualified architect. Today, I lead projects at Maber, primarily on higher education, public sector, and refurbishment projects.

While my day-to-day involves running projects, my real passion lies in promoting inclusivity, which has naturally evolved into an interest in sustainability. Though the two may seem separate at first glance, I see a profound connection between them, especially when it comes to how we design our buildings and spaces. I believe the more inclusive a space is from the start, the more sustainable it is in the long term.

Mentoring the next generation

Ruzha Sirmanova's Sketch Club at Maber
Ruzha set up a Sketch Club at Maber.

Mentorship has played a crucial role in my own development, and I’ve always wanted to provide the guidance I never had. Early in my career, it was a bit of a shock to realise how few women there were in the profession compared to university. There wasn’t someone to go to for advice or support, and that motivated me to become that person for others.

I’ve been involved with an organisation called Built By Us, specifically their Fluid mentoring scheme, where I work with mentees. I also mentor Part 1 Architectural Assistants in my office, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see these young women at the start of their architectural journey. I aim to share my experiences, offer advice, and help them navigate their own paths.

Mentoring has also helped me develop my leadership skills. It’s taught me how to communicate with different people and understand their unique needs. For me, communication is key, whether it’s drawing diagrams to explain a concept or tailoring my approach to suit the person I’m working with.

Collaboration in action

One of my recent projects is the design of a new-build cadet training centre in Lincolnshire. The project’s core focus is sustainability. We faced several challenges, particularly with the foundations of the site. To minimise the environmental impact, we used recycled tyres for the foundations. It was an innovative approach, and as it hadn’t been done much before, we weren’t sure how it would perform. So, we worked closely with the contractor and ground workers to test the design and refine it.

Ultimately, we came up with a version that was not only buildable but efficient, thanks to everyone’s collaborative input. This was an exciting moment for me because it showed the power of working together to solve a problem and create something sustainable.

From vision to reality: Building a beautiful, sustainable tomorrow

Work for the ArchiCAD Awards Sustainability - Ruzha Sirmanova
Interdisciplinary collaboration on-site to deliver an innovative recycled-tyre foundation system

While I’ve worked on new builds, much of my experience has been in refurbishment, especially when it comes to sustainability. It’s crucial to remember that 80% of the buildings we’ll use in 2050 are already standing, so refurbishing existing buildings to be more energy efficient is a major challenge we face in the industry. Many older buildings simply aren’t energy efficient, and this is compounded by outdated building standards that fail to meet modern safety and accessibility regulations.

For example, I worked on the refurbishment of a 1960s concrete tower in Nottingham. The goal was to enhance energy efficiency while uncovering and preserving the building’s original features. A big challenge was restoring the exotic hardwood flooring that had been hidden under carpet tiles. However, we soon realised there was a shortage of skilled tradespeople capable of restoring such materials at scale.

This experience highlighted the growing challenge of retrofitting buildings, as the industry struggles with a shortage of skilled workers, particularly those specialising in sustainable retrofitting. It’s a challenge we must address if we are to meet net-zero targets and make our buildings more energy-efficient.

Designing with intention and creating spaces that reflect our values

Looking to the future, I see two major shifts needed in the architectural industry to support sustainability. First, we must front-load the design process, considering the entire lifecycle of a building and assessing various alternatives early on to minimise the environmental impact. Key decisions — such as whether to refurbish an existing building or construct a new one — must be made at the outset.

Secondly, I believe there is a gap between the design intention and the building’s actual performance once completed. There needs to be a continued role for the design team even after the building is built, ensuring that the building performs as intended and collecting data to improve future projects.

I try to apply these principles in my work, always considering the long-term impact of my designs. Sharing experiences and being transparent about the challenges we face is crucial in advancing sustainability in architecture. It’s through collaboration and openness that we can drive the industry towards a more sustainable future.

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