Ever feel like we should be doing more in the building industry to address today’s global challenges? Nyasha sure does. 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.
In a nutshell, Nyasha is a self proclaimed ‘Archtivist‘—a term she coined for architecture professionals and enthusiasts driving economic, environmental and social reform to foster positive changes in society and within the profession.
Nyasha is an Archtivist – a term she coined for architecture professionals and enthusiasts driving economic, environmental and social reform to foster positive changes in society and within the profession.
Nyasha Harper-Michon is a purpose-driven architect, built environment expert, business strategist, and inclusion & sustainability advocate who thrives at the intersection of cities, design, inclusion, sustainability, and technology.
Nyasha is a LinkedIn Top Voice Green Europe and currently works as a Senior Manager, Strategic Development at UNStudio, an international architectural design studio. She has written columns and articles for Dutch 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).
She is a board member of WomenMakeTheCity, a foundation working to foster inclusive, equitable and sustainable cities through an intersectional feminist approach. She has also been invited to advise City of Amsterdam built environment staff on diversity & inclusion in workshop series. In addition, Nyasha teaches at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture and the Technical University of Delft.
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.
Nyasha has been invited to speak about Archtivism at numerous renowned architecture and built environment venues and events including World Congress of Architects UIA Copenhagen 2023, Impact Festival Frankfurt 2023, Talent Night TEDxAmsterdamWomen, Pakhuis de Zwijger: Designing Cities for All, Architecture Film Festival Rotterdam, TU Delft: BK Talks, Amsterdam Academy of Architecture: Kromhout Lecture and BNA-Royal Institute of Dutch Architects: Architects Day. She was also a jury member for the Rotterdam Architecture Prize 2021.
Passionate about supporting the health and well-being of people, place and planet, Nyasha is involved in various projects from the future of cities and technology to fostering diversity and inclusion within the architecture field.
“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.