Spotlight Story: Bazam

Bazam [They/Theirs] is set to graduate from Boston Architectural College (BAC) in the Fall of 2027 with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. Originally from Brazil, Bazam has lived in Massachusetts for almost a decade now. They immigrated to America at the age of 16 to live with their father, seeking greater opportunity and access to higher education. Bazam continues to pursue that vision with the goal of one day becoming a licensed landscape architect. As a Landscape architecture student, they are not only pursuing a degree and career in design, they have served the BAC community as a Teaching Assistant in the Pre-College programs for several years, and are committed to design education for the next generation.

Why did you decide to enroll at the BAC?

I decided to pursue a career in design education in 2019. I always knew that whatever career I ended up in, it wouldn’t matter as long as I could make a positive impact on the world.

In the beginning of the COVID pandemic, I found myself in search of a new career— one with immediate impact. In my search, I stumbled upon Landscape Architecture, which quickly led me to the BAC. Since then, it has felt like this is where I should be. Here I’ve learned to design for impact.

What aspect of your studies do you enjoy the most?

Landscape Architecture involves so many things that I enjoy. The design and arts and the ecology, too, are both aspects of my studies that I find interesting. I also enjoy being outdoors! The craft of architecture is quite beautiful. The lines on the paper of a draft can be a deeply meditative practice.

And whether it’s through model making, hand drawing, or digital representation, I love that I get to create while problem-solving for real-world issues.

You have a few student leadership positions at the BAC. Can you elaborate on your roles and what they mean to you?

After moving into the new-ish BAC dorms, I have had the opportunity to contribute more actively to the BAC community. I first joined the Student Life office as a beekeeper, helping guide newcomers through their first semester at the BAC. This ultimately led to my involvement with Student Organizations like StudioQ. With the help of other student leaders, we advocate for a more inclusive and diverse community by supporting our LGBTQ+ community and beyond. With StudioQ, our goal is to create spaces where every student is empowered, regardless of identity or abilities.

For several years, I was also a teaching assistant for the Urban Design and Planning Studio (UDP), which is offered as part of the BAC’s Pre-College Summer Academy program. Each summer, I mentored UDP high school students, helping to strengthen the program and the outcomes students had. It also elevated my experience and shifted my participation at the BAC to something beyond just being a student.

As an active student member, what opportunities do you see available for participation at the BAC?

There are many opportunities at the BAC to participate, and I believe becoming a part of student organizations is an important part of the student experience. These platforms allow students to build their unique experience and share their thoughts and feedback with the community.

What inspired you to be a teaching assistant for the Pre-College’s Summer Academy program?

My desire to be an educator has always been a part of who I am, but I decided to set it to the side as I looked for a path with more immediate impact.

I saw a flyer about the BAC’s Pre-College Summer Academy Program that was advertising a position for Teaching Assistants and I knew I wanted to become involved.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a teaching assistant for the Pre-College’s Summer Academy program?

It feels almost impossible to choose the most rewarding moment. Each day is a new experience with something new to reflect on. It is incredible to see how unique each student is and to support them as they discover the power of design and collaboration.

In UDP, I get the chance to deepen my knowledge that fuels my personal and academic growth. While I guide students through studios like Design Thinking or Urban Planning Frameworks, I also have the opportunity to navigate firsthand the experience of teaching and exploring these new concepts. When these programs are seen as opportunities for growth, the focus shifts to expanding knowledge—for both yourself and your peers.

What type of students have you seen go through the Pre-College programs, and how are they impacting the future of design?

Many of the students that come to these programs have a sense of what it is that they are looking to get out of it, as they will soon be graduating high school and the thought of "what's next?” has started to linger. The high school seniors move on, some into architecture, and a few others from lower grades come back for another summer to grow with us. For me, these are the students that truly understand the architectural design approach and its iterative nature, as they return to try again and learn from the experience once more.

At UDP, this iterative approach to hands-on project-based learning is applied daily by high school student fellows, TAs, and faculty. The experiential learning method guides the HS fellows to a critical and reflective approach of their experiences in the urban environment. They end the summer with new ambitions and an understanding of the power of design and civic leadership.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m looking forward to graduation and working towards a landscape architect license. I would like to continue my education and pursue a Master’s degree. Urban design and policy making have been an interesting part of my curriculum that I would like to explore. I would also like to continue teaching while I practice as a designer because it is a passion of mine. While I am unsure what the future will bring, I do know that pedagogy, civic leadership, and design are part of it.

What advice would you give to future students who are considering joining the Pre-College Summer Academy or the Urban Design and Planning Studio?

Design thinking can be applied to virtually anything. If you are interested, you will find yourself in the program. The experiential method will always give you something to reflect and learn from. Trust the process.