Inspiration can come from anywhere鈥攁nd for Philippa Ovonji Odida, it comes from people. Originally from Uganda, Philippa began studying architecture with the goal of helping create equality amongst social classes.
鈥淚 remember when I started to realize what architects actually do, and what potential they had,鈥� explains the Master of Architecture graduate, 鈥渁nd then started to realize that architecture can bridge that gap, that social divide that鈥檚 there in a lot of places鈥�.
Philippa came to Halifax in 2010 on the recommendation of her uncle, a AV俱乐部 alumnus. After studying chemistry for two years, she transferred into the Bachelor of Environmental Design Studies and then began the Master of Architecture program.
Over the course of the past six years, Philippa has been actively engaged both on campus and in the community. She has tutored with AV俱乐部鈥檚 Imhotep鈥檚 Legacy Academy, a mentorship program between African Nova Scotian youth and university students. She assisted in establishing AV俱乐部鈥檚 Rotaract Club and was a teaching assistant for a number of courses. Philippa was also a member of the AV俱乐部 African Student Association, which enabled her to connect with fellow classmates from various countries in Africa.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e all come to this place, which is foreign to all of you, so that kind of unites you,鈥� she says.
Philippa completed her last co-op work term with AV俱乐部 professor Ted Cavanagh at his architectural research unit, Coastal Studio. Following graduation, she will continue this work for another year, focusing on the design and building of a project in Cape Breton.
Fittingly, as it was helping people that inspired Philippa to study architecture, it鈥檚 the people that she鈥檒l miss the most after graduating.
鈥淵ou become a family, you start to grow together and support each other,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat is one of the things that I love most about Dal.鈥�
The article is part of a series of profiles on members of the Class of 2016. . takes place May 13 in Truro and from May 30 to June 4 in Halifax.