Yasmine Badawi LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP (she/her/hers)

What's your name? Do you have any nicknames, if so, what are they?  My name is Yasmine, but some people from Egypt call me Yasso.

I’m from…  I'm from the land of the Pharaohs! I mean, Cairo, Egypt.

List your education  Bachelor of Architecture degree from the Boston Architectural College.

Any notable accomplishments/awards?  I was honored to be named Valedictorian of the Boston Architectural College's Class of 2023. I also received the Portfolio Award after my first year at the BAC!

Any community service?  I have worked on a project on the prevalence of homelessness in Boston to work on ways designers can develop greater resources for individuals experiencing homelessness. It was truly eye-opening to research extensively and interview individuals on their current experiences.

Why PCA?  I had been looking for a firm that would offer mentorship, growth and human-centered design, and I found them all at PCA.

My earliest architectural memory  is laying down on the floor when I was 11 years old to draw a sketch of a Pharaonic kiosk that my brother and I were planning on having built for a business project that we were looking to start in Cairo.

I’m drawn to design because  it establishes legacies and interacts with individuals in so many ways both consciously and subconsciously. Through architecture specifically, I love to think that buildings can tend to serve as a cocoon of memories for thousands of people every day.

I love Cambridge because  it is a city that I get to explore every time I cross the river from Back Bay. To me, it remains to be a mystery filled with opportunities and places to discover.

What is the nerdiest thing you do in your spare time?  I like to look up existing research on architectural psychology and human-centered design.

Cats or dogs?  I have overcome my fear of dogs through the years, so dogs!

Coffee or tea?  Fruit tea and lattes when the extra caffeine boost is needed

Favorite book…  The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

One thing most people don’t know about you  I speak/understand about 6 languages.

What would be your personal motto?  To find your why and have that guide your ambitions and projects. Also, don't overthink what can make you happy.

My favorite creative endeavor....  I love to oil paint!! I completely disconnect from the world, and enter my own place of serenity. Then, the completed painting serves as a reminder of the mindset that I prefer to embrace.