What led you to architecture? Why did you choose to become an academic in this field? I was interested in art and design from an early age. My passion for artistic expression and design began in elementary school – I had a wonderful art teacher who exposed us to drawing, art history, the history of the built environment and different architectural styles. But the older I got, I also gained an interest in science, math, and technical areas. I was always the nerdy kid who represented my schools at math and science competitions. When it came time to choose a major in college, I found architecture to be a perfect blend of art and science, where I would be able to utilize both sides of my brain. When I started my professional career, I worked in the industry – not academia. As my professional career progressed, I realized I was interested in teaching and working with students. Therefore, I started teaching on a part-time basis and continued to do so for several years, besides holding a full-time job in the industry. At one point, I switched to a full-time academic job while continuing to work in the profession on a part-time HIGHLIGHTING Dr. Ajla Aksamija, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C, CDT, FTI Fellow basis. My academic career has been greatly influenced by my professional experiences. What are your architectural specialties? Who are some of your favorite architects/buildings? I specialize in building science, highperformance buildings, advanced building technologies, facade systems, computational design, and innovations in architecture. I am particularly passionate about integration of research and development within architectural practice. Dr. Aksamija, a Professor at the University of Utah School of Architecture and author of three books about the craft, generously spent time with AIA Utah to discuss her life, profession and goals. Her expertise as an architect is renowned, and her varied projects are legendary. We hope you enjoy this glance into the world of Dr. Ajla Aksamija. 20 REFLEXION | 2022-23 | AIA Utah
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