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Abstract
The greatest Russian writer of all time, Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, had black ancestry. Pushkin acknowledged his ancestry, enabling him to look at the world with greater objectivity, simultaneously attached and detached – remote yet distant.
Observing the world through a different lens as both an insider and outsider is deeply rooted within the MYAA process. Architecture can empower communities as much as it can malign and disenfranchise them. Through a careful and considered approach, MYAA seeks to harness the power and possibilities architecture has to offer. In doing so, we address many topical issues of our day: identity, translocation, environment and collective engagement.
Ali’s talk at Imperial College London will illustrate some of MYAA’s many projects, from Regenerative Urbanism in London and ecological master planning to the design of academic buildings, and schools built from earth in deprived communities.
Ali Mangera MEng Dip Arch RIBA
Ali Mangera is an Architect-Engineer uniquely placed to understand the intricacies of technology and collaborative design. Ali studied engineering at the University of Leeds, UK and Pennsylvania State University, USA completing a Masters in Architectural Engineering, before studying Architecture at the Architectural Association in London. He worked at the global multidisciplinary practice Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (Chicago) and Zaha Hadid Architects (London) leading and winning international design competitions. In 2007, Ali co-founded Mangera Yvars Architects, an award-winning design practice based in London, Barcelona, Riyadh and Tripoli working on projects globally. Ali has decades of experience working on a range of schemes, from Smart Eco-Cities to Mega projects and landmark buildings. Ali helped shape MYAA’s focus on technology from complex geometry in projects – such as the UNESCO Sagrada Familia – to sustainable earth construction and climate positive cities. Ali has given talks and lectured at many institutions, including the Hong Kong Design Institute, Columbia University, Cambridge University and the Architectural Association; he is also an Associate at the Design Council and committed to supporting diversity and inclusion in the built environment sector. As practice director, Ali is also a Diversity Champion at MYAA supporting practice-wide EDI initiatives.
Ali’s family came to the UK to escape apartheid South Africa. His partner Ada Yvars is from Spain and he has an adopted daughter from Madagascar. His background provided insight into issues of migration, identity, family structures and transformative opportunities that can change lives.