Bio:
The great designer, Abadir Hashi is a London based designer, recently received his Masters degree in Architecture Royal College of Art where he was awarded the Best Urban Intervention Prize for Show 2019. Previously, he done his undergraduate degree at Ravensbourne University. Abadir’s academic work is very personal and culturally reflects his Somali heritage. Now working as an architectural assistant, he also freelances as a graphic designer with his studio Hashi Designs.

How did you first learn about architecture and when did you decide that built environment profession was an area of interest for you?
I first learnt about architecture during my A levels in college. What interested me was that it‘s the best of both worlds which requires creativity but also technical/problem solving skills. I chose to pursue it as a career because it challenged me.

What do you do?
I am currently working as Part 2 architectural assistant at BDG Architecture + Design office in London. I am also a freelance graphic designer doing logos and branding projects. I plan to become a qualified Architect with RIBA soon.

What excites you in the work you do?
What excites me in the work I do is people’s reactions and how they respond to the project. Everyone has a different perspective and feelings towards the spaces that I design. It’s surprising when you see something else that you haven’t considered.

Who or what inspires you professionally?
What inspires me is our surroundings in particular nature and landscapes we inhabit. The work of Junya Ishigami inspired me the most during my final year project. His designs presents architecture as a landscape and how structures can be light.
 
What is your proudest professional accomplishment or achievement?
Being chosen to present my final master’s project at RCA. Since it was a very personal project about my Somali identity and heritage - I chose to wear my cultural clothes and stand in front of students, tutors and guests proudly.

Featured Project Name: 
The Fragile Kilometre

Featured Project Location: 
Somalia
 
Featured Project Completion Date: 
2019

Role in Featured Project: 
Designer
 
Featured Project Description:
Landscape is not just a neutral space but rather a highly charged political territory. The Fragile Kilometre challenges the rebuilding efforts in Somalia, by proposing a 2000 km landscape that crosses multiple social, environmental, narrative territories. An artificial landscape embodying traditional ways of living through nature and materiality, a space of fragile generosity for everyday life in a context of uncertainty.

Photography Credit:
Abadir Hashi