Ever feel like we should be doing more in the building industry to address today’s global challenges? I sure do. We could be doing so much more to mitigate the climate crisis, create resilient cities and communities as well as design safe and inclusive spaces and places.
I’m Nyasha Harper-Michon and in a nutshell, I’m a self proclaimed ‘Archtivist‘—a term I coined for architecture professionals and enthusiasts driving economic, environmental and social reform to foster positive changes in society and within the profession.
I’m an Archtivist – a term I coined for architecture professionals and enthusiasts driving economic, environmental and social reform to foster positive changes in society and within the profession.
I’m a purpose-driven architect, communications expert, business strategist, and climate and social action advocate who thrives at the intersection of cities, design, inclusion, sustainability, and technology.
I’m a LinkedIn Top Voice Green and currently serve as a Communications Expert at the United Nations Environment Programme for the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), the leading global platform uniting stakeholders committed to a zero-emission, efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector.
I also has experience working in international architecture and design studios, most recently as a Senior Manager, Strategic Development at UNStudio, and as Director of Programs at CP Planning, an urban planning non-profit that uses a human rights-based approach to support affordable housing development and inclusive economies for marginalised communities. I have written columns and articles for magazines Azine and deArchitect, and has an essay, “The City of Archtivists”, published in the book book 18 perspectives on Designing Cities for All as part of the Pakhuis de Zwijger’s programme Designing Cities for All (DCFA).
I serve in advisory roles on the boards of 8-80 Cities and Passive House Canada, nonprofits dedicated to equitable, sustainable urban development and climate-resilient building standards, respectively. My career also includes founding board membership of WomenMakeTheCity, a foundation working to foster inclusive, equitable and sustainable cities through an intersectional feminist approach. I have also been invited to advise City of Amsterdam built environment staff on diversity & inclusion in workshop series. In addition, I have also served as an educator at academic institutions like the Technical University of Delft and Amsterdam Academy of Architecture.
As Einstein so clearly puts it: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” That’s why I believe that embracing ‘Archtivism’ is the change the building industry needs to foster truly regenerative, resilient, and inclusive cities.
I have been invited to speak about Archtivism at numerous renowned architecture and built environment venues and events including Smart City Expo World Congress Barcelona 2024, World Congress of Architects UIA Copenhagen 2023, Impact Festival Frankfurt 2023, Talent Night TEDxAmsterdamWomen, Pakhuis de Zwijger: Designing Cities for All. I was also a jury member for the Rotterdam Architecture Prize 2021.
Passionate about supporting the health and well-being of people, place and Planet, I love to get involved in various projects from the future of cities and technology to fostering diversity and inclusion within the built environment and land use sector.
“As Einstein so clearly puts it: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” That’s why I believe that embracing ‘Archtivism’—the delightful blend of architecture and activism—is the change the building industry needs to foster truly regenerative, resilient, and inclusive cities.” — Nyasha Harper-Michon
I’d love to hear from you. We are all catalysts for change and if you’re interested in collaborating on a project or just having a chat, don’t hesitate to drop me a line.