We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Princess Dewan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Princess below.
Princess , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
I am fortunate to have had a dedicated work ethic for many years: from my education years through my professional career years. It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific instance that fostered my work ethic but I do remember one story of frustration that helped to fine tune it. I was an undergraduate Architect student and had a project where we had to design a physical and virtual 3d model of a row house. I spent many hours on this project and, come time to present, I presented it to two jurors (other architect professors at the University): One thought it was good and one thought I should completely redo it. I was shocked and scared when I got that feedback as I thought the project was very well done! This may be a blip to some but for me this really defined how I would approach new projects and designs. Fast forward to the last firm I worked at where there was no shortage of talent and creativity, and I had to drive harder if I wanted to shine and standout.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I grew up in the Dominican Republic and moved to Miami at 18 years old, where I definitely had a cultural shock. This life event made me curious, as of what else is out there. Throughout college, when I had to work and study, I made an effort to travel too and get to see more of the world. I applied to scholarships and grants to make it happen and I was lucky enough to be able to study a semester in Italy. When back in the states, I felt so refreshed and empowered when designing. I feel that the more we are exposed to history and different cityscapes the more we can absorb and then explore with creativity. Travel has influenced me greatly, widening my perspective.
As an architect, my work experience ranges from small boutique firm to corporate firm. In boutique firms, I learned how tailored and special your work can be. Whilst in corporate, I was able to learn how cost efficient yet elegant designs can be really successful.
I have always dreamed to open my own practice. For the first time, after a decade in corporate architecture, I had the courage to leave my comfort zone and embarked on this new journey of opening my practice with a former colleague. My business partner and I have an affinity for design, we first launched our furniture brand and now expanded into interior design and architectural services. It has been so fluid ever since, it only shows that hard work pays off! It is mostly reassuring when people you know trust you to assist them with their own very home. Also, it has been an immense pleasure and great surprise as how your circle supports your business.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Dedication, willingness/openness to learn, and having a problem solving mindset. It isn’t until you take all the theoretical “siloed” knowledge from school and apply it to a specific real-world project that you bring various. subjects together to truly problem solve and present a comprehensive solution. For other young architects I can’t stress enough the need to partake in their own project from start to finish, from initial design concept to building completion. Through this process an architect is required to collaborate with many sub specialities and teams, problem solve on the fly, engage the client to fine tune the design, and produce a final product. As an architect many of us tend to have the idea that we are to design to our liking, but in the end we need to use our design skills to understand how to use them to materialize client needs.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I would say working under a very unique and inspirational boss, he really helped be develop an essential skill: Dedication. This person does not need to work a day in his life and yet he works the hardest out of all the people I have ever met. That is probably the most helpful lesson I’ve learned, it really put a clear perspective on my perception about work. Dedication is key, it provides consistency that delivers quality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studiodellarte.com/architecture
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studio_dellarte/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-moquette-aia-ncarb-a7476ba0/
Image Credits
Photo credit: Jeanne Canto for all 4 work photos
