International Architecture Grad Devises Large – and Small – Plans for San Francisco
Academy of Art University
Architecture alum Sanem Surel came from Turkey to the
United States with details on her mind. Building details. With a bachelor’s degree in urban design
and landscape architecture in hand, Sanem began searching for a school that would give her
knowledge of smaller scale architecture techniques to complement her undergraduate degree in large
scale urban design.
“As an urban designer, you assume that buildings are blocks. I wanted to learn the details of
the blocks,” said Sanem. “I knew that if I got into the details of architecture, I would have
more advantages in the future.”
Academy of Art University’s unique urban location in the heart of San Francisco seemed like
the perfect place to live and learn. “I liked the atmosphere of San Francisco. It’s very busy and
more European,” she said.
 Sanem wasted no time in San Francisco, snagging a job at Tanaka Design Group in her second
semester at the Academy. She works for the same company today.
“I like to be busy, but going to school and working was difficult,” she said. “I had
sleepless nights, but I did what I had to do to get what I wanted.”
Sanem’s thesis combined her undergraduate and masters degrees to showcase her unique
abilities. Working closely with graduate advisor, Richard Smith, she created a challenging project
that encompassed the design of an entire city block.
“I like to take risks, so I wanted to go with a more difficult project. Richard was a tough,
but influential instructor to me.” said Sanem.
Her perseverance paid off. She completed her thesis, a multi-use live and work housing plan
on Market and Turk to be built on a huge triangle block.
“The project was scary at first. Generally people choose a building-sized area only, but I
wanted to create something impactful,” she said.
Addressing the housing and work needs of an artist community in her project, her design
included affordable studios, an arts plaza, shop space for artists to support themselves, roof
gardens, offices areas and galleries.
Sanem’s passion is the city. She strives to make a mark here through her work. “I love the
city, hectic mornings and traffic. I want people to see a building and know that it was Sanem.”
View Sanem’s
thesis project here.
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