Name: Eman Siddiqui

Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan. A city of 20 million people on the coast of the Arabian Sea.

Education: University of Kansas M.Arch. ‘2014

Current Employment: IBI Group

Favorite Place in Utah?
Moab. My husband and I find any excuse we get to drive down South. Our favorite Moab activity is hitting up the off-road trails in a jeep.

What is the last book you read?
Recently finished Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Toni Morrison calls it “required reading,” and I couldn’t agree more.

If you could learn anything, what would it be and why?
The power of my voice. My voice is a powerful tool. As I’m getting older, I’m getting more and more comfortable in using it. The more I use it, the easier it becomes. Incredible people throughout history have used their voices to create change.

Why did you become an architect?
I was very fortunate to travel the world with my parents. It was clear to me at a young age that across cultures, people used architecture as a means to showcase and preserve heritage (along with cuisines, my other favorite topic). I would also, as a kid, fill notebooks with drawings and writings of my travels.

What area(s) do you specialize in?
Hospitality, luxury resort design. Previously, I worked in sports architecture, which in many ways requires a deep understanding of hospitality design as well.

Place you have always wanted to visit?
Alaska! For the glaciers and the orcas.

Where are you most likely to be on a Saturday morning?
In my kitchen, whipping up an elaborate breakfast. Nothing says weekend more than sitting down and enjoying breakfast.

Do you do any volunteer work?
I am on the NCARB ARE 5.0 Item Writing Committee that writes questions for the licensing exams. This role has provided me with a challenging but rewarding experience to serve the profession.