Show Us Your Thesis: Anna Constable
Anna Constable.
Render of downtown New York.
Render: looking out over Sixth Ave, New York.
Render of walkway with Sixth Ave crowd.
An image from Anna’s thesis.
Physical model.
Aerial shot of a physical model.
ArchitectureNow and the Student Architecture Network New Zealand (SANNZ) have once again teamed up to present an interview series on the work and thoughts of final year Master of Architecture students (in 2017) at New Zealand's three schools of architecture: Victoria University of Wellington, The University of Auckland and Unitec Institute of Technology.
Anna Constable of Victoria University, Wellington, is the focus of the fourth and final in this series. Here, she discusses exploring New York, balancing work and study and her future plans.
SANNZ: In 20 words, what is your thesis about?
Anna Constable: My thesis looks at New York’s privately owned public spaces and proposes that human agency-led design can engage public space to benefit the urban environment. It also investigates the current tensions of private ownership.
SANNZ: Who is your supervisor and why did you choose to work with him/her?
AC: Joanna Merwood-Salisbury. Her research explores the design of public spaces and buildings in modern cities and the socio-political contexts in which they are conceptualised and used. She is highly intelligent and has written a lot on Chicago and New York, I have a lot of respect for her – she definitely knows more about my thesis topic than I do!
SANNZ: When you started your Masters just over a year ago at the start of fourth year, did you think your thesis would take this direction?
AC: No I didn’t, I visited New York for a summer internship before starting 4th year, not knowing that I would do my thesis on the city. But when searching for a research topic, I came across these privately owned public spaces that have been built since the 1960s and create 80 acres of public space throughout Manhattan. The topic then developed further upon talking to Joanna.
SANNZ: That’s so cool. How was living in New York? Did you have much time to explore the city?
AC: I was living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and working in Union Square, so I was able to explore both Manhattan and Brooklyn a lot. Site visits through the firm also took me to The Hamptons and some ridiculous apartments in the city. It was also Thanksgiving during that period, so I was able to have some time off work, but for me the best way to explore the city was almost avoiding the tourist things – just immersing myself with living and working there. I fell in love with the city, I can’t wait to go back.
SANNZ: What are your plans for 2018?
AC: I have booked a trip to South Africa, which means finishing my thesis a bit earlier than everyone else. But I plan on getting a job and sticking around Wellington for one more year before moving overseas to work and travel.
SANNZ: Do you feel that architecture school has prepared you for the realities of working in the industry?
AC: It definitely teaches you how to think of structure and details of a building, but for me, university has been a place that encourages creativity, before the workforce teaches you the more practical specifics.
SANNZ: Do you work while studying/how many hours? How do you find the balance?
AC: I have worked at the Resource Centre at uni since first year. It’s such a dream job while studying, as they employ students and work around your timetable and classes. I can also do my own uni work at the same time on the computers, which makes balancing work and studying a lot easier. It’s around 10 hours a week, with more hours available around holidays.
SANNZ: Where are you from? What’s your opinion of the architecture or built environment there?
AC: I am from Christchurch. The city is definitely changing, and with a lot of construction happening at the moment, there are these huge contrasts between the old and the very shiny and new. Throughout the CBD though, there are these facades that are held up by containers, so I am interested to see if there will be some buildings which incorporate both.
SANNZ: What work hours do you keep? How do you feel about potentially moving into a 40-hour work week?
AC: I try to work 9–5 weekdays and avoid weekends, as balancing studying with personal life is hugely important for me and helps me get through this 9 month thesis. The main difference for me moving into the workplace will be being able to switch off at 5pm, as currently my mind is constantly thinking about my thesis.
SANNZ: What is your favourite time of day?
AC: I am not a morning person, so anything but!
SANNZ: Who is your biggest support person at the moment?
AC: My flat has been a great support system, we have all been living together for a few years now and they are a great break from the university environment. They keep everything light-hearted.
The Show Us Your Thesis series is thanks to the Student Architecture Network New Zealand and to the students involved. Read more interviews here.
