Seeking the Spiritual Self: A Journey of Success

An Interview with Rasha Al Kady

Passion, and purpose of life are what push you forward. Setting a lifestyle routine is what keeps your life consistent. All the adventures and travels are the secret tonic of creativity. And the key to everything is balance.”— Rasha Al Kady

Rasha Al-Kady is a humanitarian architect who finds her pleasure and purpose in giving back to her society. She is driven by challenges, and is on a journey to achieve her highest self. She creates experiences rather than structures, seeing architecture as a spiritual and sensory creation that harmonizes with God creations surrounding us.

Ambitious, brave, rebellious, successful, extremist; this is how we’d describe Rasha after our very interesting and enlightening chat that we had with her.

A Brief About Rasha’s Career

Rasha is an Architect and Interior Designer with over 15 years of international experience.

After gaining a BSc Hons in Architecture from Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University and MSc in Sustainable Design from the British University of Dubai, she joined the Engineering Office of HH Shk. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai in 2005 where she was later promoted to a Design Director and worked as Chief Architect on many prestigious and award-winning projects. Rasha immersed herself in the Worldwide Consultancy experience by joining the international offices of dwp, KCA International, and Hirsch-Bedner Associates in Dubai.

In 2013 Rasha launched her own Studio, Studio KAD, specializing in Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape.

Today, Rasha is taking part in one of the biggest projects the world will witness; the Grand Egyptian Museum, as a Creative Director and Principal Curator with a professional team of experts to bring GEM Alive.

The Wild Side 

“I am a Scorpio… an extremist. I have a very intense personality, yet, I know how to balance my life very well with some rationality. You can’t always think outside of the box; in some incidents in life, you’ll need to focus of what you can do with the box,” Rasha said.

As ‘thinking outside the box’ is becoming a trend, a lot of people have been following it without looking at any other aspects. In fact, they might be missing on a lot of opportunities because of this. Rasha believes that balance has to start within you.

The Humane Side

“It is very important to understand yourself before anyone can. Everyone is gifted, so what is your gift?”—Rasha Al Kady

In her life, Rasha had the privilege to spend some time with herself. She believes that it is very important to understand yourself before anyone. You are the most valuable investment you will ever make.

“When someone looks at your talent, they sometimes feel intimidated, and think that they aren’t talented enough. Actually, everyone is talented. Everyone is creative. Few are disciplined.

“The minute you understand yourself and your capabilities, you’ll realize that this one specific thing is your talent… and you will blossom . Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”

People could be talented with numbers, with kids, in writing, with colors; every gift can be translated into a profession. But unfortunately, many people are pushed to follow the community’s and parents’ desires, without taking the time to discover the power they have.

“Every human shouldn’t accept the ordinary if God made them the extraordinary,” Rasha said. “People say it is their luck, but it is not. It is your willingness to act.”

How do I find my gift?

“The gift is what you do effortlessly every time, every second, with the same passion, and you keep repeating that effortless action. Some people can monetize it, and others can’t, so this is not what measures it. It just has to be effortless and spontaneous without feeling bored or having struggles.”

And indeed, in self-help books, you’ll find lifestyle and self-development consultants saying that the easiest way to make money is to utilize your gift.

How Did Rasha Find Her Talent?

“Colors are my way to communicate with life.”—Rasha Al Kady

Since she was a kid, she loved sketching and drawing.

“I am a very visionary person… a visualizer,” she said. I observe life; urban, nature, creatures... everything in life. I observe it, and I fall in love with it. It is because a big part of it is spiritual. I love Allah because He is the master planner of earth. He is the designer of the world. All of this made me want to connect with the Master Planner. I couldn’t find anything better than colors to do so.

“Maybe it sounds philosophical, but this is me. If I feel that I am not connecting with the universe, I feel that something is wrong.”

In Dubai, she was always the first on the state in her journey of education, and so were her siblings. They were called ‘the nerds’ family’. Rasha’s family were very strict about them becoming doctors. Rasha’s elder sister attended Faculty of Pharmacy, but Rasha never felt like this was her path.

Although Rasha’s father was an engineer, he didn’t want his daughters to become engineers at all. At this time, Rasha was 100% sure that she wanted to attend Faculty of Art, but it was a definite no to her father. She just wanted to draw. So, to reach middle ground, she attended faculty of engineering, the Architecture Department.  

“I was the most rebellious girl, you can say.”

At this age, she was young and alone, and she came to Egypt for the first time for university… all by herself! “I didn’t know how I got the strength. I insisted on my dream and that was it. I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I was at peace with myself.”

The Beginning of Rasha’s Career

Rasha worked at Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid office once she graduated. She spent 7 years working there; and this is from where her success journey has begun.

“I didn’t stick to the 7-2 working hours. I couldn’t just do the tasks and leave. I was so motivated; I mean his Highness is like the president here, in Egypt, so I felt like I need to be working 24/7 to create.”

Rasha started to work on architecture, interiors, landscape, and took the responsibility of organizing the events for his Highness and The Royal Family of Dubai. It was very intense and challenging, with no room to breathe.

She discovered how much of a workaholic she was during that period. She was a fresh grad, embracing all the passion of the world, so 8 hours of work were not her thing.

“People were like: ‘it is not your company to do all that’, but I discovered that this was my rhythm in any job I do. Companies made sure to make it clear that they don’t owe me any overtime pay. But I was fine with that. This was who I am; I am not a person who would switch off her laptop and leave. This would be boring!”

The Relationship Between the Designer & Their Projects

“My projects are not a reflection of myself.”— Rasha Al Kady

The bond between the designer and their projects is a very special one. There are different schools regarding this subject. A lot of designers like to put their projects as a reflection of their personalities. They stick to one specific style and apply it to all, whether it is a residential project, commercial, or another. The majority in Egypt are following this school. On the other hand, there are other schools, like Renzo Piano or Santiago Calatrava, where designers create and execute their projects, leaving the audience to point at its function.

“Let the project speak first, and then leave who did it at the backdrop,” Rasha said.

“I just put myself in the client’s shoe, and make sure I understand them well first; I need to understand their character, what they like, what they dislike, their passions, interests, and so on.”

Rasha was the only one who designed for both HRH Princess Haya and HRH Sheikha Hend , who are extreme opposites. For example, HRH Sheikha Hend likes the classical French style including all the luxurious aspects, and she pays extra attention to the details; while HRH Princess Haya is an extreme minimalist who loves simplicity. Rasha is the only designer who has nailed working with both, and she never had a rejected project or concept with anyone.

“My work is a reflection of what the project desires,” she said. Rasha never forces her dreams, her knowledge or her success on anyone.

“A lot of regional designers are not successful in mastering this equation. They do not respect the emptiness, so that functionality turns out right. They want all the details to be theirs and all the lines to be filled with those details. Sometimes, it is a must to leave your ego aside to really have a successful project. Everything has a code of ethics, and this must include function, not only aesthetics.”

But of course, just like any creator, Rasha likes to express her personality in her work from time to time. She finds that competitions are the perfect opportunity to do so and exhibit it to the public.

“In competitions, you get to express yourself and reflect your character in your work without any restriction; but even when I reflect a side in my personality, I make sure to never neglect the purpose of the project, and make sure that it fits the overall context of the competition.”

From Dubai, to London, to Egypt, and more…

Living with hundreds of different nationalities, religions, and cultures in Dubai has greatly influenced Rasha’s personality. “I respect and value everything and everyone, especially different religions and cultures.”

Rasha lived all her life dealing with different beliefs and perspectives, so she can comprehend, respect and reflect in her work what fits each difference.

“I learnt how to work with the extremes . I never let my personality lead, but I study hard the client’s personality and circumstances to make everything speaks to them specifically.”

In design, you’re part of a bigger story . You need observe, study and question the details. You have an experience to create.”

Living within a highly diversified society made Rasha different. “I study different dimensions and understand them well, and then give the project and the client exactly what they need. So, after years and years, and one project after another, and with every new client, and every new dimension, I see my difference in new forms. So, deep inside, I’m a collection of all of those personalities I exhibited in every project, because I tend to be very genuine at what I do.”

“I don’t set out to be Different, I set out to be Me. People think it’s different.”— Rasha Al Kady

On another note, Rasha always had feeling of responsibility to be the ‘Egyptian Architect’—as she was referred to— abroad. “I was living in a culture that doesn’t believe in the capabilities of Egyptian architects. So, I had this feeling and will to be the best. That was my biggest motivation; the sense of belonging to my origin and root. So, I was always under pressure because I want the Egyptian to be the best out there.”

Struggles & Challenges

“The challenge is to not lose your values in an environment that pushes you towards losing them.”—Rasha Al Kady

Rasha, known for her uniqueness on personal and professional levels, gave us an answer that covered a completely different dimension than that we’re used to.

“My main challenge is the unethical attitude I encounter everywhere; whether from what I’ve dealt with in the companies I worked in, or when I established my own studio.”

Unethicalness was found in different forms, with different people and entities, and in different phases.

“People give themselves some rights that are not actually theirs. They deceive and believe that this is cleverness.”

So, conducting projects with the ethics and values she has was not an easy thing and caused her a lot of delays and put her in many other obstacles.

A Golden Advice that Speaks to the Soul

“Do not be driven towards the unethical. Although it is an easier way to land projects and money, but you’ll lose your values along the way. Believe me, it is not worth it. Keep it ethical. Keep it professional, and make a reputation. Your reputation is not made by social media, or a PR agency that puts you on the spotlight in a campaign. This is fake! The real one is what people have in their minds about you, when they are not forced to speak well about you .”

Rasha also thinks that a big responsibility falls on the successful fellow designers who mislead the new generation. “The majority of the region’s most famous industry figures are setting the false standards for future generations.

They are sending wrong messages for the wrong values to the young who’s looking up to them as role models. They get inspired by them, so it is part of the business ethics and fidelity to make sure that they’re sending the right message.”

The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is a GEM indeed

“Rebirth. We’re creating a destination on the world stage that redefines the perceptions of a museum”—Rasha Al Kady

Technology is affecting all industries today. It is contributing to shaping our experiences in more ways than we could have imagined.

Rasha mentioned how technology and innovation are huge factors in her major project, the Grand Egyptian Museum.

“The message we have for the museum is very rich, and it’s one of its kind to bring the past back to life. It is very challenging to speak about the past to present and future generations in a way that they understand and engage with… but it is crucial. So how can we master translating this vivid history to the future?

“We have partnered with the best worldwide teams who master all the creativity and expertise required for this.”

This project has been Rasha’s dream since a long time. She has worked really hard to take part in it since the tender phase. Now, that her dream came true, and she has been working on it for 3 years. she believes that the world will witness a one-of-a-kind Cultural metropolis. “Our history will be brought to life to the world in an outstanding standard. People think that it will be an extra good museum, but no, it’s a destination… a full complex, a beyond experience. It is GEM.”

Rasha explained that the whole experience is beyond the galleries and exhibition. It is the revival of history to the future. Based on her great achievements worldwide, she was nominated to lead the creative developments and operations of Grand Egyptian Museum. “It is a great honor and huge responsibility, as all the operations and all other aspects will move forward depending on the creative lead.”

The whole experience is not just about architecture. But it is about the art, the creation, the operational part, and more. “I kind of turned into an Egyptologist for this project. It is all about the ancestors, kings, and queens of our civilization, and bringing them to life again. I hope all the world would be proud of what they’ll experience at GEM.”

Many people have criticized Rasha for taking this project, leaving everything behind in Dubai, and moving forward to Egypt. “Well, what they don’t know is that this is a much bigger dream. It’s something I wished for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always wanted to do anything I could for my country, regardless any other more important aspect that they might be thinking of.”

“GEM would be a world-class prototype that all civilizations will aspire to.”