Are YOU Ready for the (Archi)Tea?

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview Alumnus Omar Aljandali about his UOS experience and his architecture-entertainment Instagram page @Archi_Tea, and although we branched off topic about 20 times (Thanks Omar), and I ended about every possible sentence with "I don't know", I did manage to get him to spill the architea (I'm sorry, I couldn't help it). However, I have been sworn to secrecy but I can tell you this: Exciting things are coming! So, be sure to follow @Archi_Tea on Instagram to be thoroughly entertained!

While you wait, read on to find out more about Omar Aljandali, Archi_tea, his advice and his future plans (the unclassified ones at least).

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Can you introduce yourself to us?

My name is Omar Aljandali. I a Syrian 24 year old, and I have spent more than half of my life in the Gulf region, between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. I graduated in 2019, with a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering. And I am currently working on Archi_Tea, my architectural blog on Instagram while looking for an internship or job to practice my major.

What made you get into architecture in the first place?

I've been drawing since I was three years old, I would draw really like simple houses and I continued to develop my drawing skills. By the time I was seven, my grandfather, who was an architect as well, inspired me to go into architecture since I have sketching abilities, and so on. But, I'll be honest, the real reason I actually went into architecture is I used to play Sims. I never played with the sim itself, I would remove it in any way possible to have an empty the plot to build on. I would build the house from scratch, and then I would go into the interior and start picking the colors and so on. I found it really enjoyable, and so, I wanted to do that in real life. And that's actually the reason why I continued with the idea of doing architecture: because it was so enjoyable to do and I had passion for it. I'm glad I was able to get into this major.

A lot of students studying architecture often lose their passion for it. Did you ever go through that? And if you did, how did you get your drive back?

Well, I had quite the second year because I I took basic design and drawing two at the same time. Basic design was really tough because, it's not like it doesn't have anything to do with architecture, but it's more of these concepts where you have linear and central etc. I understood the concepts, but I couldn't do anything about it. That was the problem; if it were a building, I would have been able to do more. I remember struggling so much in the first week. I took a D and my first assignment and an F on my second, and I was beginning to lose hope, because even going through it was pretty difficult for me to deal with. To be honest, I actually started looking into other majors because I kept thinking: "I'm not doing so well and I don't understand what all this is about". And then gladly, Ms. Mariam told us: "Well, if any of you guys will continue not doing well, then you might want to consider leaving". And I know it might be hard for some people to hear, but this actually motivated me to do better. I really pressured myself to do better because I did not want to leave this major. And eventually, the next assignment was an A, the one after it a B and so on, and it was a really important turning point in my journey.

So, its sort of like reverse psychology wanting to prove your jurors and yourself wrong, yeah? And it really is the kind of "No, you wont put me down" attitude you have to carry in architecture, especially with the jurors and critiques we get.

Exactly. There's so much pressure when it comes to architecture, especially on us as students. I don't think professors, well, not necessarily put you down but at least try to put you down or give you similar harsh comments in any other major, but you should always take these comments as something that is critical and that you can build on because I know so many people, and I'm one of them, who got affected once the professors comment or so. But as you said, you really need the attitude to build on this not to take it personally or anything.

So, do you think your UOS experience, in a way, impacted your perspective on architecture and on what it means?

That's a very good question, because I don't particularly think that this experience was the best experience, I always think that our university or department could have done better. I think there are so many courses that could have been utilized in a better way to actually open my eyes and keep me informed on important architectural topics. Obviously, they're doing their best, but I believe there's always room for improvement. There are many courses that I've seen people take in Saudi Arabia or Syria for instance. They do take some courses that should be very essential for us, but we're not indulging in them at all in our department. But overall, I think the five years were good enough.

Do you think the absence of these courses pushed you to learn more about them? Or that your style was impacted by their unavailability?

The thing about architecture is you really need to find your own way, no matter what your professors, or anyone for that matter, will say. You always have to try and explore to find different solutions and it will lead you to finding your own style, regardless of what you take. If you stick to one certain style you're going to end up with less solutions. It's sort of like a double edged sword. You have to keep looking through Pinterest and architecture pages to learn.

So, do you think, as an architect, you have this one universal truth that you believe will shape your design approach?

It's not something that I believe in because I think it keeps you in your comfort zone. I think if something is a comfort zone for me, I wouldn't improve much, if that makes sense. So, I don't believe in an ideology. That being said, I really believe architecture is about humans because we're the ones using it. It's not only about the exterior and our style, its about the people who are actually using it. The most basic definition for architecture is shelter for humans, or any living creature really. I really like humanitarian oriented projects. For example, our senior project was about war and architecture and how architecture can still be the shelter. So humanity really defines the projects I actually care about.

So, what is one thing you want students to take away from their university experience?

I'd say try to experience every single thing and during your time at the department, because I feel like I've missed out on a lot. I still consider myself as an introvert, and I didn't really like it, especially in the first few years, as I was not being involved in any of like events. I was not looking forward to different courses and I was very focused on the few things that I actually wanted to learn about because I thought that, when I graduate, I'm going to work on these alone and I was very wrong about that.

I spoke the other day that I wish I experienced Parametric Design and was part of the installation in Design District. There are other courses that could have helped me develop my graphic skills that I didn't take because back at the time, I thought: "Well, all I need is to know how to plan and to design my elevations and sections". I missed out on a lot, and I really wish that any student who is still studying would make the most out of it.

Try to learn from different instructors, each instructor at our department has different experiences, and they have so much knowledge. There's so much that we could learn from, them. I know that, sometimes, we choose based on the instructor might might help me throughout my semester in terms of grades, or maybe the one that's not that harsh, but there's really much more to think about when you're choosing your instructor. I gladly tried to work with different instructors each semester, and that really, really helped me open my eyes to so many ideas on so many different aspects when it comes to architecture. So yeah, I really encourage students to make the most out of their experience in the department.

You've talked about learning from instructors, and all that, what do you think is a lesson that you still carry with you to this day?

I think it would have to be the moment we spoke of before when Ms. Mariam told us to consider leaving architecture. It still affects me to this day in the sense that, whenever I'm failing or I feel that I'm not doing as well as I wished to be doing, even when it comes to things as simple as a post on archi_tea or something I'm doing in real life, I remember that I should keep on trying because even if I don't do it, at least I've tried my actual best. For example, sometimes get too close to our designs and we can't see the faults in it. We should always try and do our best and listen to other people and what they're saying, and keep moving forward, especially whenever we're failing or whenever we stumble across something and we can't move past it. We should always try. Even if you fail at the end, at least you've tried your best. And I'm sure the process of trying is enough to really develop your character and your skills.

I think that moment was really essential for me, because I actually did try and look for other majors. For example, what I love about archi_tea is that it's a combination of my passions. I really love media and I really love presenting, so, I actually started looking into mass communications and other media related majors. I was really about to leave architecture. But again, you've got to have the the attitude at that time to keep moving forward.

That's also something that's really great about architecture and studying architecture: it's so broad. There are so many ways you can take it. You can go into actual design or construction or interior design, or you can even go into media. Archi_tea is incredible and I really love and appreciate the content you post. So what really made you start it?

Okay, I would love to say that it's a result of the pandemic and staying at home, but it's actually not. Archi_tea did start during the pandemic, but I had the idea back in November 2019 because after I graduated, I felt burnt out. I did my Senior II and we were doing research and, as you know, senior year is very exhausting. As much as you love your project and the fact that you're graduating, it's really exhausting on so many levels, especially when you start thinking about your future and what you're doing after you're done with your major. Some of us want to take a hiatus and not think about architecture for like a few years after finishing senior.

I was planning on doing my master's degree but then things did not work out. So for four to five months, I was really disconnected from architecture, and I thought that maybe if I created my architectural blog and forced myself to learn something new about architecture, for example, every day, and presented it, then I would be committed to something and I would keep learning something new each and every day. This way, I wouldn't feel out of touch with architecture, particularly because I was not finding a job at the time and, again, my master's plans were canceled. But it took so long to actually do it. I still had that feeling of wanting to learn something new, but now it looks different than what it did when I started.

I really like that point, actually, because your connection to architecture doesn't really have to be by actually working or designing but just by learning about it or having this resource. A lot of us just depend on what we learn in university and then want to directly join the workforce. But its a good state of mind to be in before going forward. At the moment, a good chunk of your followers are students who go or went to UOS. What do you hope to inspire in them or show them?

There's so much actually because archi_tea is a combination of my passions and teaching is actually one of my passions. For example, when I when I was in fourth or fifth year, I always tried to help the students who were younger than me, and sometimes I would even write scripts with them for their presentations. So, I really enjoyed teaching and archi_tea is like a platform for me to teach what I'm learning each and every day.

I was actually very grateful that so many people have reached out to me regarding, for example, English language skills, and how to keep going on and resisting and doing what you want to do, even when you're really ambitious. I hope to inspire anyone in any way that I can, and that they can learn new ideas from me and see architecture in a different light because I really like looking at architecture in an educational and entertaining way. Architecture should be really entertaining. There's so much that goes through it. And I know most of it might be sad and pressuring, but I really like finding the comedy in that area of architecture. If one of my videos made someone feel better, or taught them something new that they could use throughout the years of studying architecture, I'll be really glad that I was able to help them out throughout their studies or even after graduating. I think that's how I would consider myself successful.

Well then I'm sure you already are successful because we all appreciate your content and you never really where someone can find inspiration. Another thing that I love is that you don't limit your content to the UAE alone but you also take the chance to document and share whatever you see around the world and it makes us feel as if we were there and were part of this big discussion. How did this start and how do you think travelling influenced your architectural understanding?

Okay, first of all, I'm glad you like this idea of looking through my lens to where I am. I started it while I was in Saudi Arabia as I knew I had a few destinations that I was going to visit very soon. So for example, Turkey or the UAE, or even Germany. I've always had the idea of going from one place to another, film whatever I can film there, and learn about it. Even if it's on the spot. I know that sometimes my videos are scripted to the word, but sometimes I encounter interesting things. For example, there's this very long Street in Turkey, on the Asian side, where you have many buildings on the same row. Each building has a different style and color, and I found that very interesting. I've never seen anything like it. And they have so many reasons for building like that. First of all, it's aesthetically amazing. Second of all, they don't want to bore you into death by making you see the same building being repeated for a kilometer or two. Because of this, you can distinguish where you are at the street. So for example, if you're passing by and you want to call your friend to meet you at that place, you could tell them "I'm at the red building" and they'll now where you are. It keeps the area interesting and gives it a really nice vibe. I'm going off topic. But yeah; going through these different places, I wanted to experience it, and I wanted to put that experience out for people because they could learn from it, but also because I know many might never get to see these buildings.

And this definitely changed my perspective on architecture because you get to see so many different approaches and styles. The way architects build and the way they think about architecture is different from one country to another, and I'm even speaking about the difference between the UAE and Saudi Arabia where you'll find different approaches even though we're in the same Gulf region. Moving around help you see so many different things. And I love that it challenges me to stop being stubborn about the styles that I really like, like modern and contemporary architecture, and I'm really happy about it.

Even during my internship a few months ago, I had to design a classical villa and I had never experienced that before. I actually went through each and every single detail of designing that elevation. And even when it comes to, for example, Revit architecture, which I've been using since I was in my second year and used to use it for designing these very geometrical, simple shapes that follow contemporary architecture and so on. My internship forced me to experiment and explore ornamentation and even taught me the Arabic words for them, but it also challenged me to create this complex design using Revit, because you know a lot goes into more traditional designs. So again, it was a challenge for me to learn how to create and present this kind of architecture but I really enjoyed it because it was different to what I'm used to. If you check my Instagram, you'll notice that I've been followed the same designs a few times, but you really get better the more you do it and then its time to learn something else.

So yeah, in general, this whole journey of me going to different places and trying new things always changes my perspective on architecture and how we need to deal with because people have always had different styles, even throughout history ad it's really important to see where architecture started and where it is now.

What are you planning for the future?

Okay, this is not a particularly a secret but, obviously, the job market is really bad at the moment. I started studying digital marketing at the moment, and I'm not even doing a course online or anything, but I bought a book that's about 800 pages and I'm studying it slowly because I really want to understand everything that has to do with it. It is something that I really enjoy and I really love working on, whether that's in the form of videography, editing, writing scripts, talking about architecture or presenting. If I could find a way to work, on something that I really love and enjoy, I think my life would be really easier.

I would like to create very informative projects over the next few years. I want to be able to actually teach in a better way. For example, I was thinking of creating informative documents, I wouldn't necessarily sell it, but it would have useful information such as how to do your portfolio, for example, or how to find the right concept, how to do your site analysis, things like that. On another hand, I'm really hoping to have my architectural clothing line. I have so many ideas for it and I'm just waiting for the right moment where I have the full idea to start designing these t-shirts. And I know that so many people would like them.

The most futuristic plan is to have my own platform, whether that's online, or as an educational center back in my country, Syria, where it's almost like a preschool of architecture for whoever wants to try and see for themselves if they actually like architecture before going into it. Because I know so many people who went into architecture and left in the first year or the second year. It'll be like a school where I'll be able to have students who just graduated try architecture out and see what it's all about. I want to teach students that architecture is not only about design, and I wish it was, but it's not. We don't just plan stuff. There are so many paths our architecture careers could go through. This preschool concept is something that I wish I was able to attend before entering university, even though I really wanted to study architecture.

Now, the most futuristic goal, and it might sound stupid, but I don't know if you've checked any of the architecture related series on Netflix. There are some architects who go to different countries around the world and they speak about a specific building or a villa that is very interesting. Like World's Most Extraordinary Houses? Yes, exactly, I've watched this and it really inspires me to work so that, one day, I'd be able to do the same thing they do. I know it's a very long goal to achieve, but I really hope that it happens one day.

Actually it comes to mind, do you think you would move to YouTube at some point?

Okay, I am planning on on moving into YouTube at some point, but I really like the format of Instagram. You know, people don't have much time these days. I mean I'm crazy about YouTube, I'm addicted to it and its what inspired whatever I'm doing right now, actually. I've been watching an hour or two, if not more, of YouTube everyday, religiously, for the past 10 years. But the thing about YouTube is you really need great content, and you have to do it for a long time, and the reason people go for YouTube these days is almost always financially oriented. But when it comes to Instagram, I really enjoy the illustration posts that I post there, even though they take some time, and the really short two-minute videos, me doing stories instantly whenever, I find something interesting. It's way easier and quicker. For me, there is definitely a plan to move into YouTube, but that's in the future. Hopefully when I have life together I'll do that.

What is a question that you want us to ask you?

You could ask me if I'm down for collaborations, and well, he's a very important message. I'm really open to collaborations. The IGTV video where I visited the house of wisdom and had a bunch of my friends do it with me was really enjoyable. And even though I didn't speak much during that video, if anyone looks into it more they would find that my friends did all the talking, but I really enjoyed doing it because I it had a different vibe to it than when its only me who's speaking to you. There is a humanitarian side of it that will always have the call to whoever is watching that video because they will feel that friendship and the genuine fun we're having, as well as the genuine passion for whatever we're doing. And it's easily felt by whoever is watching. And for me, behind the scenes, it was very enjoyable as I was guiding my friends to perform their roles. I had actually decided on filming the video the day before the visit and wrote the script the night before, and then as soon as we got there we decided where the shots will be taken and who would be speaking. I really enjoyed having people around me when doing it. So yes, I am very open to collaborations if anyone's interested just reach out to me and DM me on Instagram.

Final remarks?

I'm very thankful for SASA for this interview. I was part of SASA in year four, and it was a very decent experience, because as I've said earlier in the interview, I was an introvert, and am somewhat still an introvert. But when I wanted to change that, I decided to go into SASA. And I know this might sound very nerdy to some people but being part of a group and working on stuff and interacting with the professors is very interesting. So whoever has the chance, join SASA. I know that, at the current time, there is not much to do because of COVID, but when you're at the department, and you're doing events, please do take the chance to be part of this team. You will learn a lot and you will expand your network, which is really important. SASA is made of different batches so you'll get to meet tons of new people and it will always be great. I know SASA has some difficult times dealing with the department and everything that goes there but you go through it, even when some of these problems happen within the team itself. It's really important and it builds character, and it expands your network, and I'm repeating myself a lot, but honestly aby group work, even bad group work, benefits you in the end.

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Our sincerest thanks go to Omar! Thank you for a great talk, for aiming to spread knowledge and entertainment, and for dreaming big enough to inspire us all! We know you are capable of achieving your goals and we can't wait to see what your future holds!