For readers who would like to know me better, I am sharing my personal journey.  Through my own experiences I will explain how I got motivated to shape the spaces we inhabit.

Before studying space, I experienced it

From an early age, I’ve always been aware of how spaces could influence my emotions. Visiting different places, I noticed where I felt secure or vulnerable, relaxed, or stressed. The way a room is designed, how light interacts with a space, it all has the power to shape how we feel and experience the world around us. This made me curious about shaping them from this perspective.

How space connects society, ecology, and behaviour

During my high school graduation project, I got the opportunity to research my passion for shaping spaces and how it affects the quality of living. Through the lens of shaping carbon-neutral spaces, I discovered the flaws in how we build and live in our homes. 'The Hidden Impact,' written by Babette Porcelijn’s, showed how the human-centric lifestyle impacts our planet, and how intentional changes could reduce that impact.

Also, watching the shortfilm ‘I Want You To Panic,’ which portrays our collective indifference to the climate crisis, showed me that actions and technology are not the problem. The important question was raised: "What will it take for humans to change?” This moment made it clear that our behaviour and attitude toward the climate crisis are deeply rooted in our lifestyles.

Our behavior is not limited to one space, it is about all the spaces we inhabit and how we move between them. Improving the general livability through changing our lifestyles became a central holistic approach. A natural love for design and aesthetic had opened a wider perspective that goes beyond personal experiences.

Designing for change

During my studies at Wageningen University and Research, I discovered how spatial planning and the built environment can influence daily life. A future, for example, where communities could access jobs and facilities without cars, promoting walking and cycling. Motivated to contribute to positive change, I like to engage in diverse disciplines, even beyond traditional ones. This gives me the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, allowing me to make spaces more sustainable and inclusive.

‘A drawing is never finished’

As a student, there is still much to learn. I value engaging with others and sharing idea’s the most. Shaping change through conversation and collaboration never stops, just like drawings are never finished.