MALAK EISSA JAWAD
Portrait courtesy of Malak Jawad.
Malak Jawad is an Iraqi who earned her Bachelor's degree in Architecture and working to make her dreams come true. Malak graduated from Engineering College in 2015. To her, designing and painting drawings represent her passions. Since childhood, Malak used to sketch on everything in her house. Over time, Malak developed her skills in design, animation, montage, management, and painting. She shared her work on social media, which offered her a chance to be nominated and later, won the award for the "Most Influencing and Creative Woman," in the Southern district of Iraq in 2017 by the Southern Business Women Association.
Malak recieving the award for the Most Influencing and Creative Woman in the Southern district of Iraq in 2017 awarded by the Southern Business Women Association. Image courtesy of Malak Jawad.
My Steps Between Architecture and Management
What inspired you to study architecture and planning engineering?
Growing up in Iraq, I learned from my first class at school about how Iraq was influential in Architecture ever since the Sumerian days from thousands of years ago. Even in the last century, Iraq was a well-developed country in terms of architecture and design. I can not hide how I am fascinated by the historical architecture and buildings of Iraq. After 2003, I was shocked day by day about how bad the city scene has become. Reflecting on the differences between the present and the past's architecture, it feels that we were sent years back in history. It hurts to see the spatial environment today in comparison to the past. During my last five years of working, I noticed that great nations were influenced by prominent leaders.
Planning engineering showed me ways to manage and plan a vision to better Iraq's architecture with young architects and engineers to re-build our home correctly. Besides that, I also find myself and my happiness through designing, sketching, and flying with my imagination to build cities I love to live in one day.
One of Malak’s hobbies: photography of spaces and details. Images courtesy of Malak Jawad.
Name a woman architect who most influenced you as an emerging professional? How?
Zaha Hadid!
Zaha came with a new way of design and giving architectural geometry a whole new expressive identity. Zaha taught me that following my ambition will be a difficult road, especially as a woman. She taught me that I may fall, but with hard work, I can make miracles come true. This idea always pushed me forward despite all the difficulties that I have faced within my career. When I started my career, I faced many challenges because my culture was not prepared for young women to tackle leadership positions in any architectural project. As a result, I needed to fight twice as hard to prove myself and get recognized.
Zaha Hadid forever resisted typecasting in all forms, whether by gender or as an architect. She allowed us to be unbound to typologies. She made the brush mightier than words.
Her norm-defying sketches were a trigger to architectural ambition becoming reality. She said once, “I believe in the idea of the future." Perhaps that is the future we now operate within, and it is for us to define our new boundaries as we keep moving forward.
Name a favorite project completed by a woman Architect. Why is it your favorite?
My favorite project is Heydar Aliyev Centre, Azerbaijan designed by Zaha Hadid. Zaha's designs with curves and how she links them with nature and the surrounding fabric are inspiring. She presents the buildings as an item that grows from the earth.
Heydar Aliyev Centre was one of the projects that inspired me directly when I first saw it. At the time, I was a college student. This project influenced me to start thinking about how imagination can lead to innovative masterpieces. The white color provided a sense of calmness and peace. Her designs showed me that nothing is impossible, that all we need is to have a clear vision for what we want to be and what we can create.
Malak at Heydar Aliyev Centre, Azerbaijan. Image courtesy of Malak Jawad.
Are there any organizations that helped you grow in architecture? How did they help you grow?
Unfortunately, the only organization that helped me grow my capabilities as an architect was during my time as a student. As a result, a little over three years ago, my friends and I established a union called the Iraqi Young Architects Union (IYAU) to support architecture students. The union also aims to spread and raise community awareness of the values and standards of architectural design to improve the quality of life and the picture of the city.
As you reflect on the past year, what did you discover as your biggest strengths?
“During quarantine, I’ve used my time to learn new hobbies; playing the piano was one of them. I do love all kinds of music but playing it, it’s another level of happiness.” Image courtesy of Malak Jawad.
2020 was one of the most challenging years for me. Like many, I lost my job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, with the country's implemented curfew laws, increased fear, and depression, I realized that I can use the pain and turn it into something that can bring good. Like an old saying, "from the struggles and pain, success is born." I can not spend my days without any progress or improvements, so I planned and prepared a schedule containing activities that may improve my skillsets. In my schedule, I included a workout to improve my body shape and strengthen my immune system. Additionally, I started learning Spanish, playing piano, cooking, and watching movies and anime. In one week, I noticed that my depression alleviated and was able to begin online courses.
Immediately, I earned a job! When I saw that creating a calendar, filled with activities that improved my emotional health, I shared that schedule with my friends. I was delighted to learn that it worked for them as well. Unfortunately, one of my friends was going through a tough time due to losing her mother to COVID-19. Since then, I realized that I should listen to people who are living through difficult times and people who want to increase their life quality. For this reason, I used my social media accounts to share my thoughts and offer my free help to whoever needed it.
If you were able to talk to your younger self, what would you say?
“Malak, you can do it, and you always will."
We will always make new mistakes, but time is for getting wisdom. We cannot use our time regretting our mistakes. I would say, Malak, go live, fly, and do whatever comes to your mind. Take the adventures you are afraid of! Yesterday is over, and tomorrow is not here yet, so all you have is today, so use it! There is no limit to a human’s mind, reach out to the galaxies and do not settle for less than what you deserve. Do not be influenced by those who told you that you can not reach anything. Make sure not to let a single day end without learning a new thing. Finally, be patient, strong, and have faith in God and yourself because you will face many difficulties that you can not pass with hard work only.
Malak on site. “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” Image courtesy of Malak Jawad.
What would you want to say to the next generation of aspiring women architects?
Follow your passion because there is nothing in the whole world that is equivalent to your happiness from achieving your dreams. Always remember that it’s a big responsibility for you, as an architect, to take the pencil and draw the lines of the future for our planet! It is our job to save the environment and help people find happiness and peace through our designs. Architecture means that you will see the world with a different view from other perspectives. Be ready for the hard work, sleepless nights, and software issues but use your tiredness as the power that will always drive you forward. Believe in yourself, and settle for making mistakes because you’ll never learn without making them. Never forget to keep yourself updated on all the latest developments in architecture.
In Malak’s culture, there’s a famous saying, “The only place for a woman is the kitchen,” so, Malak worked hard and stole the jobs of the people who said it. Image courtesy of Malak Jawad.
One of Malak’s interior design projects. Image courtesy of Malak Jawad.
In terms of rising concerns and problems (in the architectural profession) over the past year, what is one change that you wish saw would happen and it did not?
We need to expand the amount of sketching and give our minds enough time to fly in our imagination. Using software programs is absolute, but we would produce even better and thoughtful results if we use the power of sketching and creativity.
Image:
Malak’s experimentation with white ink. Image courtesy of Malak Jawad.
