- Interview by Jason Sayer
- Photographs by Freddie Ardley
Alisha Morenike Fisher
Alisha Morenike Fisher is co-founder and director of 3.09, a multi-disciplinary international design collective that works through digital networks to facilitate social change both geographically and culturally through the lens of migration, tech and the built environment. She also co-founded Black Females in Architecture and Migrants Bureau.
Why did you launch 3.09?
We were all frustrated that we haven’t designed our cities, regions and landscapes to serve citizens in the best possible way. There are too many pockets of spatial inequity and injustice and we want to improve communities who, like us, have been overlooked, disenfranchised or not even seen.
We’re currently piloting a programme where we’re being mentored by OneTech and supported by Studio Egret West, Tibbalds, RIBA South West and a few others to support young people from underrepresented groups with an interest in the built environment.
What’s the biggest challenge you face in trying to do your job?
Around the time 3.09 was launched, I founded the Young Architect’s Network on Facebook and, shortly afterwards, Black Females in Architecture. So I can’t spend as much time on ensuring 3.09 is as successful as I would like. It’s definitely a balancing game. But the benefit of being part of a collective is that we can all lead different projects.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working at Public Practice, an incredible initiative to encourage and facilitate more built environment practitioners to work in the public sector and I’m learning so much. I’m slowly realising my strengths, but I definitely see myself challenging the industry. Whether it’s through 3.09, Black Females in Architecture or a new venture in the future.