The Journey of an Architect: Meet Nana-Yaw A. Andoh, Assoc. AIA, CNU

Born in Ghana and immigrated to Brooklyn, New York at the age of 15, Nana received both his Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architectural and Design Urbanism degrees from the University of Notre Dame, where he currently also sits on a Diversity Advisory Task Force.

Before going on to academia, Nana worked in private practice where he gained industry experience as a designer for several well-respected firms in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and NYC on a variety of high-profile international projects.

After teaching at SUNY Delhi where he developed the first Study Abroad Program based on the History and Architecture of the Italian Renaissance, Nana joined Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in 2015 as an Assistant Professor in the Master of Architecture program in the Golisano Institute for Sustainability (GIS). His research interests include traditional architecture, urban planning, and the design of good public spaces.

Nana sheds light on many things anyone interested in studying architecture should know, including:

1. You don't need to know how to draw in order to become an architect as you'll be taught how to draw in school.

2. The difference between classical and contemporary architectural studies as well as the pros and cons to both

3. Licensing and reciprocity differences between 4-year and 5-year architecture programs

4. Architecture is not a job; it’s a profession. You never stop sketching as an architect and are always working on your craft. In other words, no summers off.

5. What architects can expect working at smaller firms vs larger firms and industry vs academia

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Produced by Ken Inge of Dead End Hip Hop