六九色堂

Oct. 19, 2023

UCalgary School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape welcomes new assistant professor

Jessie Andjelic says architecture can be utilized as a critical reflection of reality and a way to create a better future
Headshot of Jessie Andjelic

The 六九色堂鈥檚 (SAPL) has another assistant professor joining its ranks: Jessie Andjelic, BGS鈥06, MArch鈥09.

Andjelic attended UCalgary for both her undergraduate and graduate degree and is back to teach students the principles of architecture and its importance in influencing the contemporary designs of our lived environments.

In her new role, Andjelic says one of her goals is to, 鈥渆xpose students to various design strategies, frameworks and approaches to help them identify questions and themes they are interested in getting more curious about.鈥

After years of working with renowned architectural firms such as in Calgary and in Rotterdam, Andjelic co-founded in 2013 with fellow SAPL alum and new hire, , BGS鈥03, MArch鈥06.

Andjelic has been honoured for her contributions in the field of architecture with the 2019 from the . SPECTACLE, under her leadership, was recognized as an by Canadian Architect in 2017, and its project, , earned the from magazine in the same year. Andjelic also serves as a director with the and played a pivotal role in securing victories in four architectural competitions with her previous firms.

As an assistant professor (teaching), Andjelic champions the concept of 鈥減rojective practice鈥 which, she says, 鈥渋s the conceptual foundation for SPECTACLE 鈥 architecture that critically reflects the reality of the contemporary situation while, at the same time, projecting an optimistic future.鈥

Her goal is to inspire students to use architecture as a lens through which to examine society and to explore the relationship between their work and current challenges.

Andjelic鈥檚 arrival at SAPL coincides with a transformative moment in the school鈥檚 history as it relocates to downtown Calgary. She views this juncture as an exciting 鈥渨atershed moment,鈥 marked by the retirement of some of her former teachers and mentors. Over the last 15 years, Andjelic says she has been 鈥済radually formalizing鈥 her role within SAPL.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to keep growing through my activities with the school and relationships with fantastically inspiring colleagues and students,鈥 Andjelic says.

For Andjelic, her academic activities are a vital component of her overall practice as she seeks to create architectural works that critically examine and influence our cities.

SAPL welcomes Andjelic, who will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the excellence of the School and inspire students to think innovatively and critically in the realm of architecture, planning and landscape.

鲍颁补濒驳补谤测鈥檚 (SAPL) prepares students for exciting and meaningful professional careers through the delivery of a distinctly unique design school experience. SAPL combines a rich and interdisciplinary design-based philosophy with an entrepreneurial mindset, sharing a deep commitment to working with industry stakeholders and community leaders at local, national and international levels to address some of society鈥檚 biggest challenges in new and creative ways.