I had the privilege of attending a masterclass at Otis College of Art and Design led by sustainable architect, Anna Heringer, who holds the esteemed title of honorary professor at the UNESCO Chair of Earthen Architecture, Building Cultures, and Sustainable Development. Anna's pioneering work revolves around utilizing natural building materials to create environmentally responsible structures. Her architectural philosophy emphasizes using architecture as a catalyst for cultural empowerment, local economic development, and ecological harmony. Anna believes that sustainability is intertwined with beauty; a concept that manifests in designs harmonizing with their surroundings, materials, and socio-cultural contexts.

Our assignment was to create a new library in Northern Ghana, designed to meet the community's needs as a hub for learning, reading, and children's play in a nurturing environment. Through a series of individual and group tasks, including hands-on clay modeling, I gained a profound appreciation for the tactile aspect of architecture. Anna's teachings and insights had a profound impact on our class, inspiring us with the possibilities of sustainable architecture and reinforcing the importance of designing with a hands-on approach.