NADER AKOUM
Between Architectural Vision & the Sociopolitical Agency
Although I have dedicated my entire academic journey to architecture-related fields, from Bachelor to Master to Postgraduate, civil society issues have consistently captured my interest and involvement, particularly youth and socio-politics. Despite not being born into a political sphere, and my father may have encouraged me to distance myself from it, my experiences and observations led me to realize the importance of actively working towards promoting my cherished values within the community. Each person’s journey and perspective on political engagement may differ, and it is essential to find a path that aligns with your own values, aspirations, and vision for a better self, and a better surrounding.
The practice of architecture, in its essence, has the power to shape and transform communities. It can create inclusive spaces, promote social cohesion, and address the needs of different individuals and groups, to say the least. By participating in the creation of policies and designs that are inclusive and considerate of diverse needs, I believed I could actively contribute to building a more socioeconomically and politically sustainable society. For me, the aspect I love most about it is the opportunity to prioritize collective needs. I believe that architecture is more than just designing physical structures; it is about creating environments that enhance the lives of individuals and foster a sense of community. This philosophy has guided my work and shaped my approach to multidisciplinary collaboration.
When I entered university, I decided to actively participate in student elections, which turned out to be the first significant step in my journey. This experience allowed me to exchange with the entire student body, understand their concerns, and work towards addressing them. It was a valuable opportunity to delve into the realm of student politics and learn firsthand about the dynamics of leadership, representation, and advocating for change.
Following this success, I expanded my efforts beyond my university and began collaborating with students from different universities in Lebanon. We organized a series of workshops that brought students together for think tanks and manufacture university policies across institutions. One notable workshop was an urbanism workshop conducted in collaboration with the municipality of Tyre and other public bodies, which allowed me to extend my influence into institutional settings.
Hence, my passion found expression in the creation of Studio Madane, a youth organization dedicated to engaging youth in advocacy and in civic and sociopolitical reform projects. With the uprising of the revolution, I called for participants and many joined. Our aim is to contribute to the development of a progressive socio-political agenda while also incorporating advancements of our urban rights into this agenda.
During the time when Studio Madane started to grow, I had the opportunity to connect with a larger number of individuals that wanted to jump in the project and have a role in the collective.
My focus revolves around two key aspects: 1) utilizing the studio approach which is a practical and action-oriented method to bring about change, this approach emphasizes pragmatism to drive contextual transformations, and 2) encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to insure inclusive frameworks for everyone. I believe that each individual has various fields of expertise that can contribute towards working on the same project. This concept forms the core of Studio Madane, which aims to employ multidisciplinary approaches to reform initiatives.
My primary aspiration was to transition from slogans chanted in the streets to actionable plans. I want to ensure that these action plans encompass participation from individuals representing different sectors of society, including various fields, ethnicities, and social backgrounds. Such a space has been lacking, as most youth-oriented platforms in Lebanon focus solely on legislative think tanks. With Studio Madane, my goal is to bridge the gap between the executive and legislative spheres by combining practical implementation and thoughtful legislative considerations.
Living in Lebanon was instrumental in shaping my character and identity. The Lebanese context and the struggles faced by its people played a crucial role in molding who I am today. Being a Lebanese person brings a particular aspect to one’s life that manifests on cultural, behavioral, and lifestyle levels. The geographical diversity of Lebanon adds another layer to this experience. This deep connection to my country has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility towards my society and other communities in general. Despite times of stress or difficulty, the thought of leaving Lebanon is inconceivable to me. I feel compelled to stay and contribute to the improvement of my community and context.
Although I have dedicated my entire academic journey to architecture-related fields, from Bachelor to Master to Postgraduate, civil society issues have consistently captured my interest and involvement, particularly youth and socio-politics. Despite not being born into a political sphere, and my father may have encouraged me to distance myself from it, my experiences and observations led me to realize the importance of actively working towards promoting my cherished values within the community. Each person’s journey and perspective on political engagement may differ, and it is essential to find a path that aligns with your own values, aspirations, and vision for a better self, and a better surrounding.
The practice of architecture, in its essence, has the power to shape and transform communities. It can create inclusive spaces, promote social cohesion, and address the needs of different individuals and groups, to say the least. By participating in the creation of policies and designs that are inclusive and considerate of diverse needs, I believed I could actively contribute to building a more socioeconomically and politically sustainable society. For me, the aspect I love most about it is the opportunity to prioritize collective needs. I believe that architecture is more than just designing physical structures; it is about creating environments that enhance the lives of individuals and foster a sense of community. This philosophy has guided my work and shaped my approach to multidisciplinary collaboration.
When I entered university, I decided to actively participate in student elections, which turned out to be the first significant step in my journey. This experience allowed me to exchange with the entire student body, understand their concerns, and work towards addressing them. It was a valuable opportunity to delve into the realm of student politics and learn firsthand about the dynamics of leadership, representation, and advocating for change.
Following this success, I expanded my efforts beyond my university and began collaborating with students from different universities in Lebanon. We organized a series of workshops that brought students together for think tanks and manufacture university policies across institutions. One notable workshop was an urbanism workshop conducted in collaboration with the municipality of Tyre and other public bodies, which allowed me to extend my influence into institutional settings.
Hence, my passion found expression in the creation of Studio Madane, a youth organization dedicated to engaging youth in advocacy and in civic and sociopolitical reform projects. With the uprising of the revolution, I called for participants and many joined. Our aim is to contribute to the development of a progressive socio-political agenda while also incorporating advancements of our urban rights into this agenda.
During the time when Studio Madane started to grow, I had the opportunity to connect with a larger number of individuals that wanted to jump in the project and have a role in the collective.
My focus revolves around two key aspects: 1) utilizing the studio approach which is a practical and action-oriented method to bring about change, this approach emphasizes pragmatism to drive contextual transformations, and 2) encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to insure inclusive frameworks for everyone. I believe that each individual has various fields of expertise that can contribute towards working on the same project. This concept forms the core of Studio Madane, which aims to employ multidisciplinary approaches to reform initiatives.
My primary aspiration was to transition from slogans chanted in the streets to actionable plans. I want to ensure that these action plans encompass participation from individuals representing different sectors of society, including various fields, ethnicities, and social backgrounds. Such a space has been lacking, as most youth-oriented platforms in Lebanon focus solely on legislative think tanks. With Studio Madane, my goal is to bridge the gap between the executive and legislative spheres by combining practical implementation and thoughtful legislative considerations.
Living in Lebanon was instrumental in shaping my character and identity. The Lebanese context and the struggles faced by its people played a crucial role in molding who I am today. Being a Lebanese person brings a particular aspect to one’s life that manifests on cultural, behavioral, and lifestyle levels. The geographical diversity of Lebanon adds another layer to this experience. This deep connection to my country has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility towards my society and other communities in general. Despite times of stress or difficulty, the thought of leaving Lebanon is inconceivable to me. I feel compelled to stay and contribute to the improvement of my community and context.
Although I have dedicated my entire academic journey to architecture-related fields, from Bachelor to Master to Postgraduate, civil society issues have consistently captured my interest and involvement, particularly youth and socio-politics. Despite not being born into a political sphere, and my father may have encouraged me to distance myself from it, my experiences and observations led me to realize the importance of actively working towards promoting my cherished values within the community. Each person’s journey and perspective on political engagement may differ, and it is essential to find a path that aligns with your own values, aspirations, and vision for a better self, and a better surrounding.
The practice of architecture, in its essence, has the power to shape and transform communities. It can create inclusive spaces, promote social cohesion, and address the needs of different individuals and groups, to say the least. By participating in the creation of policies and designs that are inclusive and considerate of diverse needs, I believed I could actively contribute to building a more socioeconomically and politically sustainable society. For me, the aspect I love most about it is the opportunity to prioritize collective needs. I believe that architecture is more than just designing physical structures; it is about creating environments that enhance the lives of individuals and foster a sense of community. This philosophy has guided my work and shaped my approach to multidisciplinary collaboration.
When I entered university, I decided to actively participate in student elections, which turned out to be the first significant step in my journey. This experience allowed me to exchange with the entire student body, understand their concerns, and work towards addressing them. It was a valuable opportunity to delve into the realm of student politics and learn firsthand about the dynamics of leadership, representation, and advocating for change.
Following this success, I expanded my efforts beyond my university and began collaborating with students from different universities in Lebanon. We organized a series of workshops that brought students together for think tanks and manufacture university policies across institutions. One notable workshop was an urbanism workshop conducted in collaboration with the municipality of Tyre and other public bodies, which allowed me to extend my influence into institutional settings.
Hence, my passion found expression in the creation of Studio Madane, a youth organization dedicated to engaging youth in advocacy and in civic and sociopolitical reform projects. With the uprising of the revolution, I called for participants and many joined. Our aim is to contribute to the development of a progressive socio-political agenda while also incorporating advancements of our urban rights into this agenda.
During the time when Studio Madane started to grow, I had the opportunity to connect with a larger number of individuals that wanted to jump in the project and have a role in the collective.
My focus revolves around two key aspects: 1) utilizing the studio approach which is a practical and action-oriented method to bring about change, this approach emphasizes pragmatism to drive contextual transformations, and 2) encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to insure inclusive frameworks for everyone. I believe that each individual has various fields of expertise that can contribute towards working on the same project. This concept forms the core of Studio Madane, which aims to employ multidisciplinary approaches to reform initiatives.
My primary aspiration was to transition from slogans chanted in the streets to actionable plans. I want to ensure that these action plans encompass participation from individuals representing different sectors of society, including various fields, ethnicities, and social backgrounds. Such a space has been lacking, as most youth-oriented platforms in Lebanon focus solely on legislative think tanks. With Studio Madane, my goal is to bridge the gap between the executive and legislative spheres by combining practical implementation and thoughtful legislative considerations.
Living in Lebanon was instrumental in shaping my character and identity. The Lebanese context and the struggles faced by its people played a crucial role in molding who I am today. Being a Lebanese person brings a particular aspect to one’s life that manifests on cultural, behavioral, and lifestyle levels. The geographical diversity of Lebanon adds another layer to this experience. This deep connection to my country has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility towards my society and other communities in general. Despite times of stress or difficulty, the thought of leaving Lebanon is inconceivable to me. I feel compelled to stay and contribute to the improvement of my community and context.
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
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Karen Kawkab
