Architects Datafile (ADF) – August 2019

client that is, in itself, a symbol of cutting
edge design, in New York City, the home
of art and design, was like having all of
my artistic dreams realised at once. I had a
fantastic experience, one that encourages
me to always be innovative and creative
with design, no matter the type of project
I turn my hand to.

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST
CHALLENGE CURRENTLY?
One of my biggest challenges is ensuring
that I’m there for my children as much
as I am for my career, and vice versa.
Luckily, my kids love art, architecture and
adventure, so we get to spend lots of time
together exploring interesting places.

WHAT SINGLE CHANGE/INNOVATION
WOULD MAKE AN ARCHITECT’S
JOB EASIER?
Architecture is a difficult and demanding
job, but I love all of the challenges that it

brings with it. I’m excited to see how

technological advancements will change

the industry, whether this will make the

job actually easier is something we will

have to wait to see!

WHERE DO YOU STAND ON GENDER

EQUALITY IN THE PROFESSION?

Understanding and appreciating that men

and women are wonderfully different is

the first step to truly embrace diversity and

gender equality.

WHAT’S YOUR CURRENT FAVOURITE

SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATION?

That would have to be algae! I’ve

introduced this extraordinary innovation

into my latest design concept, The Food

Academy. It is a biochemical system run by

algae that can generate electrical current to

power LEDs. The need for sustainability is

encouraging architects to be more creative

with their work, and delve into a whole

new area of innovation.

HOW HAS BIM HELPED YOU

DESIGN BETTER BUILDINGS?

BIM has helped me tremendously. One

of my BIM-designed projects is

currently on site, and it has been an

extraordinary journey so far; both in terms

of modelling and scheduling components

of the building in deeper detail, which

allows us a better understanding of the

structure in its entirety.

HOW WILL THE ARCHITECT’S ROLE

CHANGE IN THE NEAR FUTURE?

In the future, I think architects’ roles will

become more specific, in line with the

increasing use of specialised components

within the industry, particularly with

technology. However, I hope that the

essence of our craft is not lost in the digital

transformation; architecture has all of the

passion and uniqueness of art, and this

can’t be replicated digitally.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR THIS

YEAR AND BEYOND FOR YOURSELF

AND YOUR PRACTICE?

This is an important year for Saunders

Boston Architects, as we are celebrating not

only the practice’s centenary, but also its

50th year in Cambridge. Looking forward,

the future holds a period of growth for

both the company and I – we are looking

to innovate in new areas and push the

boundaries of design. I’m currently

working on developing much larger

projects, both in Cambridge and further

afield, and I think this reflects our hopes

for the practice in the future.

Margherita Cesca is senior project architect

at Saunders Boston Architects

The need for sustainability

is encouraging architects

to be more creative with

their work, and delve into a

whole new area of

innovation

Food Academy concept, centred around electricity-producing algae

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