Team Spotlight: Shayda Alsharif, Associate

From Tokyo to Barcelona and now at Kettle Collective, Shayda’s journey is shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a deep belief in the human side of design.

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1. What brought you to Kettle Collective, and what were you doing before?

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Before joining Kettle Collective, I was working at Nikken Sekkei in Tokyo, one of the top three largest architecture firms in the world. After that, I took a sabbatical year to pursue a second master’s degree in Barcelona. Having worked on large-scale projects throughout my career, I decided to study Ephemeral Architecture and Temporary Spaces to explore a more experimental and human-centered side of design.

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After completing my studies, I chose to stay in Europe to apply my experience to international mixed-use projects. I learned about Kettle Collective through an architecture recruitment agency, and I immediately felt that my background, values, and design philosophy aligned perfectly with the firm.

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2. What are some key milestones in your career so far?

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I have over 17 years of experience in architecture, and throughout this journey, every challenge I’ve faced has helped me grow and evolve as both a designer and a professional. I began my career with a demanding apprenticeship under Pritzker Prize laureate Riken Yamamoto, working 16 hours a day, six days a week. It was an intense but invaluable experience, not only in design, but also in understanding the social responsibility architects have toward the built environment and society.

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Afterward, I joined Nikken Sekkei, working on large-scale international projects across Japan, Korea, the Philippines, India, Dubai, and Moscow. One of my proudest achievements was earning my architect license in Japan (in Japanese) — a highly challenging qualification with a passing rate of less than 20%, reflecting Japan’s strict building standards and disaster-resilience requirements.

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For the past 10 years, I have held leadership roles, guiding teams effectively and managing complex projects. Over this time, my colleagues and clients have consistently recognised my ability to lead, providing positive feedback and recommendations that have reinforced my confidence as a leader.

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In recent years, I’ve also become increasingly passionate about mentoring younger architects, sharing the lessons and values I’ve gained throughout my career.

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3. What has been your most significant Kettle Collective project or team memory?

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Since joining Kettle Collective in Spring 2024, I have been working on residential buildings in Oman. Residential projects are uniquely challenging, in many ways more complex than commercial or cultural developments, because the smallest design decisions can be as critical as the largest ones. The size of a kitchen cabinet, for example, can be just as important as the site layout from the earliest design stages.

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We overcame numerous challenges through strong collaboration, both within Kettle Collective and with our sub-consultants and client. It was incredibly rewarding to see the project launch successfully, and even more exciting when it sold out within just a few days!

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4. What was your role in the project?

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Team Leader

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5. What made it memorable?

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This project was memorable because of the many challenges we faced together, from extremely tight timelines to the coordination of multiple sub-consultants. We had to constantly balance design quality, budget constraints, and daily problem-solving, which made the process both demanding and rewarding.

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6. What projects are you currently working on, and what excites you about them?

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I’m currently collaborating with the same client on a series of residential projects & Villas in Oman. We’ve already launched five projects (Al Mouj Golf Links, Azura Beach 1,2,3,4) , with one more (Al Mouj Golf Villas) set to launch soon. I’m particularly excited to see these projects move into the construction phase and, ultimately, to witness people living in the spaces we have imagined and designed.

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7. What do you enjoy most about your job and working in this industry?

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I love the act of creation. It’s truly inspiring to see the imagination of a large team, something that begins first in our minds, then in the virtual world, take shape in the physical one. Knowing that our work has a real social impact and can improve people’s lives makes the process even more rewarding. I’ll never forget standing in front of my first completed project, with tears in my eyes, feeling the incredible power of collaboration and teamwork in transforming ideas into reality.

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8. What inspires you in architecture?

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Nature is my greatest source of inspiration. At its core, architecture aims to connect people and provide a sense of safety, calm, and belonging — the essence of what a shelter represents. Nature embodies these same qualities effortlessly: it is logical and simple, yet endlessly complex and full of surprises. It is never repetitive, and there is always something new to learn from it.

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9. Do you have a favourite quote or a phrase you live by?

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Yes — a poem by Attar has always guided me:

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“You set your foot upon the path, and ask no questions; the road itself will tell you how to go.”

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This verse has given me the courage to make bold decisions, embrace change, and step outside my comfort zone, both in life and in architecture.

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10. What do you enjoy outside of work?

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I have been dancing Argentine Tango for many years — a dance that deeply connects people on an emotional level. I’m also learning to play the guitar, and I enjoy staying active through yoga, Pilates, and CrossFit. Since moving to Barcelona, paddle surfing has become my new passion.

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Beyond that, I love reading, listening to podcasts, and traveling, as they continually broaden my perspective and creativity.

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11. What advice would you give to someone starting in architecture today?

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I often compare the role of an architect to that of a film director. To succeed, you need to be knowledgeable in many fields — from design, structure, and engineering to psychology, sociology, and philosophy. Architecture requires a broad understanding and the ability to collaborate with hundreds of people, even on small projects.

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Like a director, the architect must ensure that everyone works in harmony toward a shared vision.

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To achieve this, it’s important to read widely, explore beyond formal education, engage with other disciplines, and gain diverse life experiences. This broad perspective provides the clarity and leadership needed to guide a team toward a common goal — just as a director orchestrates every detail to deliver a great film.

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