Inclusive Movements: Archtivist Nyasha Harper-Michon on Raising Awareness, Empowering Others and Uncovering Actionable Solutions
Portrait by Lars Jansson.
By Julia Gamolina
Nyasha Harper-Michon, a purpose-driven 'Archtivist'—architect and activist—champions inclusive, just, and regenerative cities. Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice Green, she writes, advises, teaches, and serves on the WomenMakeTheCity board. With experience in design and strategic development in international design studios, including UNStudio, Nyasha is a sought-after speaker, notably having given a keynote at the World Congress of Architects UIA Copenhagen 2023.
Recently relocated to Toronto, she remains committed to fostering positive change in the profession. In her interview with Julia Gamolina, Nyasha talks about her global foundations, new references, and finding ways to make impact beyond professional titles, advising those just starting their careers to follow their purpose.
JG: Tell me about your foundational years — where did you grow up and what did you like to do as a kid?
NH: I had a bit of a nomadic childhood. Born in Paris to Trinidadian parents, I lived there for six years, with a brief year at three-years-old living with my grandparents in Trinidad. We then moved to Brussels before settling in Washington, DC, in my early teens. I'm fortunate to call many places home, though the question, "Where are you from?" often sparks a complex answer. Writer Taiye Selasi proposes an alternative in her TED talk, saying, “Ask where I’m a local.” I love that idea as it resonates deeply with my experience. All in all, moving a lot shaped me profoundly. I think it’s really enriched my worldview, deepened my understanding of global issues, and made me all the more empathetic.
As a kid, architecture interested me long before I understood the meaning of the word. From a young age, my sister and I created miniature play cities made of shoe boxes, milk cartons, and cereal boxes, amongst other things. For furniture, corks and straws morphed into standing lamps, while juice carton lids became toilets. Seeing the connection herself, my mom enrolled me in a summer architecture course when I was ten. Lo and behold, the main activity was to make miniature houses using various household materials and objects.
Some years ago, I stumbled upon a childhood drawing with a few words in purple marker that read, “I wish that the poor people were in a house. And food.” The innocence and sincerity in a child's words are truly empowering. So actually before I wanted to be an architect, my earliest aspiration was to bring joy to people's lives and ensure the well-being of everyone, particularly those in need. I try to live and work by this everyday.
How did you choose where you eventually studied architecture?
I contemplated between schools based in the United States, like Pratt and the University of Virginia, and eventually settled on the École Nationale d'Architecture Paris Val de Seine for my undergraduate architecture degree, a place that gave me a stark awakening to the oftentimes rigid and dry French education system! But there was a notable upside. It didn’t cost a dime, which is completely in line with my belief that college should be free, as it gives greater educational access to underserved students leading to a healthier and more inclusive economy.
For my Masters in Architecture, I chose the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture in the Netherlands, where the evening class model allowed me to get an architecture day job. It was an intense and emotionally grueling four years, balancing coursework, studio commitments, work, family, and friends as a young person. But this setup significantly supported my career development, and bridged the gap between theory and real-world practice. This path was the pivotal time when I began to crystalize my identity as an architect turned ‘Archtivist.’
Childhood drawing that reads, “I wish that the poor people were in a house. and food.” Courtesy of Nyasha Harper-Michon.
The Five Points of Archtivism, each featuring a unique avenue to tackling today's global issues. Courtesy of Nyasha Harper-Michon.
How did you introduce the concept of the "Archtivist?"
Thinking back to the origins of Archtivism, I’m taken back to my undergrad in Paris. It’s baffling to think just how traditional and Modernist the content of the curriculum was. Early on, it was made clear to us architecture novices that a good architect, an Architect with a capital A, must swear by Le Corbusier style of architecture. I remember being frustrated that I should incessantly draw inspiration from one hundred years ago rather than also seeking out more contemporary voices and issues. What’s more, ironically Le Corbusier was a pioneer with radical ideas in his day. He challenged the traditional ideas of ornament—what he considered to be frivolities—with the aim of providing more functional and better living for the era's crowded city residents. He brought fresh, provocative, and passionate ideas to the fore.
Although it came to fruition in Amsterdam, Archtivism was thus yet another movement born in that friction between tradition and innovation that is so characteristic of my Parisian experience. It’s also a response or rebuttal to Le Corbusier's Towards an Architecture. The 21st century has brought about a new era of architecture, and I was, and still am, convinced that it calls for something starkly different to the previous century. It calls for a shift towards Archtivism and a new, inclusive, purpose-driven movement that's all about system change.
What does Archtivism entail?
The parallel with Corb continues with “Five Points of Archtivism.” It’s not about pilotis, roof terraces, or the likes, but rather embracing the new ideas, mindsets, and approaches that we need to tackle the inextricably linked issues of the climate crisis and social inequality.
The first point is about social equity, inclusion, and designing with empathy. The second looks at environmental and ecological strategies, and designing with nature. The third is that everything is within a circular economy, reused, and designed for disassembly. The fourth is about technological integration and designing with new technology, and the fifth is about entrepreneurial innovation, which includes redesigning the architecture profession and wider building sector.
The beauty is that we all have different affinities and strengths, and the magic happens when we join forces with fellow Archtivists across the sector to complement our strengths and create greater impact. I like to emphasize that architect may be a protected title for a select few, but Archtivist is yours to claim.
“As a Black, queer, and petite woman, I stand in contrast to ‘Reference Man,’ making daring to be myself and challenging the status quo a triumph, albeit a challenging aspect of my career.”
Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you manage through perceived disappointments or setbacks?
It’s been tough challenging the dominance of 'Reference Man' from a design perspective but also in work culture. I think it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of ditching this reference because for far too long, our cities and practices have revolved around an outdated and presumed standard—a six-foot-tall, cisgender, heterosexual, non-disabled, upper middle-class white man. This continued myopia completely disregards women, children, older individuals, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and even most men. Designing our buildings and streetscapes around this traditional male role and lifestyle only perpetuates centuries of inequality.
As a Black, queer, and petite woman, I stand in contrast to 'Reference Man,' making daring to be myself and challenging the status quo a triumph, albeit a challenging aspect of my career. This journey has not always been met with appreciation, but highlighting the issue and emphasizing the transformative power of embracing diversity and recognizing diverse perspectives has been crucial and empowering.
What have you also learned in the last six months?
Entering my thirties has unfolded the beginning of an exciting new chapter for me and my wife with the birth of our cherished twin daughters. Professionally, the world beckoned with opportunities to speak on topics dear to me and connect with inspiring people, taking me from Paris and Frankfurt, to Copenhagen and Helsinki.
Yet the ground has felt increasingly unsteady as I grappled with my parents' health issues. Balancing the care of two generations became my reality, stretching me emotionally and reshaping my identity in many directions from one day to the next. It’s been tough navigating the emotional fatigue that accompanies some of life’s challenging moments, accepting that priorities have to shift and that some dreams have to be temporarily put on hold.
I’m learning to let go of rigid ambitions, what others expect of me, and the responsibilities I put on myself towards my Archtivist community, in favor of my nearest and dearest and responsibilities that matter most at present. It's a lesson in self-compassion, in acknowledging the weight of life's occurrences on our well-being. These are topics that deserve more open conversation and understanding, devoid of shame or judgment, within our field and beyond.
‘Time to Ditch Reference Man’: a call to action to go beyond this non-representative archetype towards a more inclusive and just built environment and profession. Courtesy of Nyasha Harper-Michon.
What are you most excited about right now?
I’m buzzing with excitement and curiosity about my new adventure now that I’ve relocated to Toronto with my family. I’ve only been here a few days but I’m already enjoying how vibrant, eclectic, and diverse Toronto is. Bringing my passion for Archtivism with me, carrying the invaluable lessons gleaned from crafting inclusive and sustainable built environments in my career in Europe to North America has me really energized and enthusiastic. While I’m well aware that not everything can be transposed as is—that’s not the idea whatsoever—I’m eager to share my learnings and embrace and incorporate the wisdom from the local Torontonian context. For me, this move really presents an opportunity to share knowledge, forge new connections, and engage in a whole lot of learning!
Who are you admiring now and why?
I love getting inspiration from other fields to get different perspectives, sometimes with the intent to apply it to our profession, other times just to learn something new and grow. There are three people inspiring me today in very different ways. The first, Esther Perel, a renowned psychotherapist, has been a real beacon for me lately. I've been diving deep into her insights, listening to her unfiltered podcast therapy sessions, devouring her writings on relationships.
I've also found inspiration in artificial intelligence expert Allie K. Miller’s commitment to breaking down barriers and making the complex field of AI more accessible and inclusive. I love that she leverages her social media platform to champion accessibility, knowledge, and diversity in tech. She demystifies what might otherwise seem exclusive, akin to the transformation needed in architecture.
Lastly, Stromae's music resonates deeply with me. I'm inspired by how he draws from a global music palette, introducing us to new sounds while pouring his heart into every song, addressing tough topics with a vulnerability that's both relatable and accessible. I’m in awe at how his poetry, honesty, and creativity are evident not only in the lyrics but also in the staging at his concerts and the styling. It's a very complete craft, showcasing a full universe of his own, which is empowering and inspiring to witness.
“Career paths are by no means linear—they’re squiggly and dynamic, much like life itself. So take some pressure off yourself a little.”
What is the impact you’d like to have on the world? What is your core mission? And what does success in that look like to you?
Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated my career to raising awareness, empowering others, and uncovering actionable solutions to accelerate the transition towards an inclusive, just, net-zero, and regenerative built environment and cities. I’ve done so in all the positions I’ve held, most recently as Senior Manager in Strategic Development at UNStudio developing socially and environmentally impact-driven opportunities, but also through my Archtivism and LinkedIn Top Voice thought leadership, and as an educator at the Technical University of Delft. Outside of office hours, it’s been through my content creation, writings, and as a Board Member of WomenMakeTheCity, a foundation committed to fostering equitable sustainable cities through a community-led intersectional feminist approach, or yet again by volunteering to teach lower-income children about a profession that is often inaccessible to them.
My mission is to empower a global community of changemakers revolutionizing the way we design, build, operate, deconstruct, value and experience our built environment for the benefit of humanity and the planet. The more people I can empower to go beyond their titles and degrees, to ignite the movement of positive change, the better.
Advocating for Archtivism at a Climate March in Amsterdam in 2019. Photo courtesy of Nyasha Harper-Michon.
Nyasha giving the keynote address at the UIA World Congress of Architecture in Copenhagen in July 2023. Photo courtesy of Nyasha Harper-Michon.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?
Forget about having a career map; what you need is to follow your compass of purpose. It's not about the destination or the job, but the direction and impact you create. We're given many maps early on in our lives, guiding us from grade school to college, from education to the working world and licensure. But maps are limited—they offer predefined possibilities and destinations that we often follow blindly.
A career shouldn't be defined by external measures but rather by the fulfillment you derive from it and the impact we have on others. Career paths are by no means linear—they're squiggly and dynamic, much like life itself. So take some pressure off yourself a little. Create a path that aligns with who you are and what you believe in, not what's expected of you. Listen to your instincts, explore uncharted territories, and embrace the unexpected twists and turns. Ditching the map and following our inner compass is the best way to navigate the uncharted and make a lasting impact in the world.
For women specifically, and in fact to anyone from other marginalized groups, forging your own path becomes even more crucial. Traditional career maps won’t consider the unique challenges and opportunities that you face. So dare to defy expectations and pioneer a path that reflects your authentic self while challenging societal norms and contributing to dismantling systemic barriers.