SBF alumni Ismaeel Davids is currently in Madrid pursuing a Master’s Degree programme at the Norman Foster Institute Programme on Sustainable Cities. He works as a dhk Candidate Architect.

When did you discover your love for architecture?

I have always known that my strength lies in a creative field. I was just unsure how this would manifest into a career. I was actually introduced to architecture by a friend of mine who insisted that I should apply. As I got to understand what architecture entails, I fell in love with it.

What impact did SBF have on your life?

This question is always a difficult one to put into words. I can’t remember a time when they weren’t in my life. Being a part of the SBF family is a large part of my identity. The beauty of my journey with the foundation wasn’t that there was a single moment that changed my life. But rather that there were multiple. And each of them were so necessary for the different stages of my life.

What do you hope to achieve in your future?

As an aspiring young architect , I am deeply driven to make a positive impact through design, for my family, community and country. I’ve always had this feeling that I am a part of something bigger. Every career and academic decision that I have made has been in the pursuit of this. I started the NowNow competition because I wanted to showcase the amazing design talent that is on offer in Africa. I believe that competitions are the key to local solutions to the real world problems that exist in the global south. However, NowNow has quickly evolved. I see it as a platform for discourse and pedagogy.