Unleash your design excellence! Practicing architect tutoring students of all levels in Architecture and Interior Design for design development, dissertation & essay writing

Find out more about Sonia

• 1) When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  My interest in architecture began early, I have always been fascinated by art, design and the built environment. Tutoring naturally emerged from this passion as I found joy in sharing knowledge with others interested in architecture. I love mentoring and helping students navigate the challenges of architectural education and practice. My interest in architecture and tutoring stems from a desire to encourage and push others to pursue their passion in the field. I aim to empower students by tailoring my approach to their needs.

• 2) Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  I offer tutoring across various aspects of architecture and interior design, covering design projects, construction & technology, portfolio submissions, presentations, essay and dissertation writing, urban design, and job/university admissions applications.
  
  While I'm passionate about teaching all aspects of architecture and design, I find the most fulfillment in tutoring design projects and essay/dissertation writing. Witnessing students progress session by session as they develop their portfolios or refine their dissertation topics is incredibly rewarding. It's inspiring to see them gain confidence in their skills and work, and I take pride in guiding them through this journey.

• 3) Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  One of my role models is Helen Iball, my Masters tutor, she's the head of Praxxis, a feminist architecture atelier. She taught me during my 5th and 6th years of architecture studies at the Manchester School of Architecture. I am still in contact with her and frequently meet her casually and at Open Reviews at the univrsity. She invited me as a guest tutor, assisting her with Masters students reviewing their 6th year's thesis projects. Helen ignited my passion for feminist theories and their application in architecture, particularly in driving community-led design and participatory architecture involving stakeholder engagement. Thanks to Helen, I gained significant knowledge of inclusive design and feminist cities.

• 4) What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  To excel as a tutor in architecture and interior design, I think a diverse range of skills is essential. A tutor must be competent, patient, flexible, and friendly. I believe a tutor must adapt their teaching style to suit each student's personality and abilities, as not everyone's the same, we're human beings and we all have different needs and different interests. Acting as both a mentor and an example, students trust a tutor's guidance. Providing clear and concise direction is crucial for helping students overcome obstacles and achieve success. A tutor must provide effective teaching, support, and motivate students to achieve their goals.

• 5) Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  My third undergraduate year proved to be the most challenging period of my architecture education, particularly due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which prompted a sudden shift to remote learning, which was still a very new thing. With limited communication tools like WhatsApp in place instead of Microsoft Teams, staying connected with tutors was difficult. I often felt lost and overwhelmed during isolation, relying solely on sending work photos via WhatsApp and awaiting feedback. Despite the challenges, I made the decision to trust my instincts and focus on developing my graduation project independently. This experience taught me the importance of self-reliance and gaining confidence in my skills and design decisions. It was a pivotal moment where I realized that while tutors provide valuable feedback, ultimately, it's up to us to discern and refine our own work. Learning to be self critical and discard ideas that don't meet standards is a crucial aspect of our profession.

• 6) What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Personally, an underrated challenge of architecture education is its inherently time-consuming nature, often normalized within the profession. Architecture, being highly competitive, demands continuous development to stay ahead. In practice, juggling work-life balance while managing client expectations and budget constraints presents a significant challenge.

• 7) Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  One of my passions alongside architecture and teaching is architectural photography. I had the fortune of working with Helene Binet, the Swiss-French architectural photographer, one of the leading architectural photographers in the world, famous for her collaboration with Zaha Hadid, Peter Zumthor and Daniel Liebeskind. I also worked with the Italian photographer Walter Niedermayr on his extensive collaboration with the Tokyo architects Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, who operate under the name SANAA.

• 8) What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I've been using Superprof for the past few years, and it has been an enriching experience. I've had the opportunity to tutor students at various stages of their education, and of different age ranges, familiarising me with the diverse requirements of universities across the UK. These interactions have fostered an energy exchange and shared knowledge, often leading to genuine friendships I still cherish.
  
  I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity Superprof has provided me to utilise my skills as an educator and mentor, assisting students in achieving their academic goals. Remote learning has definitely facilitated connections with students seeking guidance and mentorship. Superprof has also allowed me to grow and improve continuously through valuable feedback from my students.
  
  My dedication and willingness to go above and beyond for my students set me apart. I consistently make sacrifices to support their academic journey and witness their success. It has been a rewarding journey to tutor students on Superprof over the past few years, many of whom have been able to graduate with my assistance, it has been fantastic.