Anna Dietzsch Q&A
Anna Dietzsch is a senior associate at Davis Brody Bond Aedas.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently in the Amazon, looking into the possibility of building a library and community centre to service those living in remote villages along the Amazon river. We just finished a four million m2 masterplan study for a small city north of Sao Paulo and are about to start the design of a linear park in Sao Paulo itself.
Why did you end up working in New York rather than returning to Brazil?
When I completed my Masters at Harvard in 1998 the economy in the US was strong and there were plenty of opportunities. I got involved in interesting projects, mainly with institutional and civic programs, which I would probably not have had the chance to get involved with in Brazil, and continued postponing my trip back. Now I have an American husband and a child.
Do you think there are many opportunities in Brazil if you are an architect?
Yes. Right now the market is hot in Brazil. But architecture is not a valued profession there; competition is huge, fees are small and certain perverse habits are acceptable. For example, it is common for architects to prepare elaborate studies for free.
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What things do you miss most about Brazil?
I miss the relaxed environment and the friendliness of Brazilians. Americans are great to work with - extremely objective and efficient - but I am not sure they are that easy to befriend, beyond superficial contact.
What would a perfect night out in Brazil involve? Where would you go and what would you do?
I am from Sao Paulo, where the food is excellent. Paulistas are absolutely convinced they have the best pizza in the world! The perfect night would involve eating at a good restaurant and dancing after that.
Emma O'Kelly is a freelance journalist and author based in London. Her books include Sauna: The Power of Deep Heat and she is currently working on a UK guide to wild saunas, due to be published in 2025.
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