On the programme this week is Rahel Shawl, Founder and Director of Raas Architects, one of the leading architecture practices in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
Rahel originally studied architecture at the Southern Campus of Addis Ababa University.
Soon after graduating, Rahel established ABBA architects in partnership with a friend before going on to form Raas Architects some 14 years ago
She’s gone on to win numerous awards including the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2007 and was shortlisted this year for the Royal Academy’s inaugural Dorfman Award.
Her practice has developed a track record of impressive work on embassies and cultural institutes in Ethiopia – including designing the British Council’s office in Addis, along with the Council’s in house design team.
I joined Rahel over coffee – wonderful Ethiopian coffee – in her practice in Addis where I started by asking about the current size of the practice.