I am Victoria Sanders a fifth year architecture student at Tuskegee University. My passion for architecture revolves around merging sustainability and ethical design to produce aesthetically pleasing spaces that cater to the needs and desires of the community.
ARCHITECTURE STUDENT
2023-2024 NOMAS PRESIDENT
ABOUT ME
Atlanta,GA
vsanders2821@tuskegee.edu
I am Victoria Sanders a fifth year architecture student at Tuskegee University. My passion for architecture revolves around merging sustainability and ethical design to produce aesthetically pleasingspacesthatcatertotheneedsanddesiresofthecommunity.
Tucker High School + Georgia Piedmont Technical College
Tuskegee University STEM Program + Dual enrollment 5th year Architecture
GPA:4.0
ARCHITECTURAL WORK
JASSO Student Exchange Support Program TU Feb 2023
Collaborative workshop between Kagoshima University, Diponegoro Universit y, and Tuskegee University architecture students to work collaboratively with counterparts of the respective universities in examining architecture and preservation.
MIT Workshop Jan 2023
A series of architecture workshops in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Fall 2022 Inter-University Exchange and Partnership Program Workshop Nov 2022
Collaborative workshop between Kagoshima, Diponegoro, & Tuskegee University architecture students to work collaboratively with counterparts of the respective universities in examining architecture and planning issues.
ASD|SKY Interiors Intern
Collaborating with a team to aid in the production of architectual drawings and digital models.make design descions and create presentaions based upon client request.
Mellon Foundation Research Intern - Humanities in Place
May 2023 - Aug 2023
May 2024- Aug 2024
Worked with a team to investigate organizations and diverse populations to identify potential grant opportunities.
Hobby Lobby Sep 2021 - Jan 2022 AutoCAD
Scan items, ensure correct prices and quantities, collect payments, and assist customers.
Freelance makeup artist Sep 2019 -Present
Design makeup looks, apply makeup to clients, and work with clients to help them get the look they want.
WRITTEN WORK
“THE EXPLOITATION & COMPLEXITY OF THE BLACK BODY” PERSONAL WORK DIGITAL DRAWINGS FACECHARTS
Yatsude is the culmination of my studies in Japan where is was tasked with creating a space for aging residents using an existing property within a neighborhood in Kagoshima Japan. Based on the paperplant which surroundes the site, I designed this massage studio to serve as a pocket of wellness is a quiet neighborhood.
INDIGO is a space that blends classic nature with modern finishes . There are three primary functions: café, restaurant, and bar. The aesthetic plays with the contrast between the central dark indigo-tiled bar , black steel hardware , and a palette of neurtral timbers
Tuskegee rose plays homage to the once thriving Tuskegee square. This atery get its name from Roses’ Cafe which once stood in this exact spot over 50 years ago. The goal of this project is to combine the past and the present into a standout space to be enjoyed by all resiident in and around tuskegee. Using the exition shell of the building this 2 story eatery includes a cafe, outdoor space, and lounge.
“The exploitation & complexity of the black body“
I began my exploration of cultural appropriation in the fashion industry, focusing on the exploitation of the black aesthetic. This journey led me to unveil a concerning pattern where high-end brands frequently use black features, particularly black hair, as props for white individuals, while simultaneously excluding actual black talent from the industry.
In my research, I discovered a disheartening truth – the fashion industry often exploits the beauty and art of 'blackness' without genuinely embracing diversity. This exploitation is best encapsulated by the term “Admiration of the Black/Brown body,” defined as recognizing the innate beauty and sensuality of African and African descendant peoples. However, instead of celebrating this beauty authentically, the industry appropriates it as a form of high art while upholding racist values.
This issue is exemplified by instances where the fashion industry recognizes and celebrates the natural art of the black aesthetic but fails to embrace true diversity within its ranks. This contradiction serves as a poignant illustration of the industry's exploitation of the black aesthetic while perpetuating systemic biases.
Theexplorationoftheblackaesthetic,anchoredinthelexiconof“Admirationof the Black/Brown body,” seamlessly transitions into a captivating architectural lens, examining the terms “Aesthetic of cool” and “Angularity.” Defined as a personal and artistic style that conveys the eminence of royalty, stillness, composure, and down-to-earth elegance with a touch of flamboyance and audacity, the "Aesthetic of cool" is masterfully juxtaposed with the concept of "Angularity," which embodies beauty, vitality, and strength through lines intersectingatsharporobtuseangles.
Delving into the world of modern black architects and interior designers, luminariessuchasStephenBurks,DavidAdjaye,andDiébédoFrancisKéréserve asexemplars.Theirworksbecomeacanvasthroughwhichtheauthorscrutinizes the embodiment of these lexicon terms. The narrative gracefully unfolds, revealing the seamless integration of these architectural ideals into the creative process.
Astheexplorationunfolds,theauthor'sgazeshiftstotherealmofphotography, seeking black female forms that resonate with the architectural structures in a harmonious symphony. This innovative approach culminates in the synthesis of these disparate elements into breathtaking works of art, impeccably encapsulatingtheessenceofthelexiconterms.
I have combined the bright red lighting from the photograph featuring a carefree black woman with Samuel Burks' renowned red wove circular chair from the "Traveller Collection." The chair's arc and the woman's form epitomize the elegance and composure of the "Aesthetic of Cool."
I have seamlessly fused the striking and angular facial features of a black woman with the "Dirty House" creation of David Adjaye. The sharp angles of both the woman's captivating features and the building give the impression of "Angularity," evoking a powerful visual language.
In this piece, I aimed to blend two distinct lexicons, which involve both royalty and elegance, as well as the modern "Aesthetic of cool." I envisioned the "Serpentine Pavilion" as a crown atop the subject's head, with her eyes closed and her chin raised in a regal pose. I selected this particular structure due to the lines and angles that evoked the concept of "Angularity."
“ART”
the expression or application of human creativeskillandimagination.
“FACE
a face template consisting of lines printed on special paper, intended as a tool for makeupartists.
I like to go for a very organic method when designing face charts. I look at the things around me or what I've seen through the week and try to format them into a design that is not only beautiful but practical. Practical, in this case, means it is possible to do through the medium of makeup. It's a balance game between full artistic expression and what is capable through the medium with certain products.
