Voices from the field: Nora Wuttke – the ‘diplomat architect’
Between 2015 and 2017, Nora Wuttke was Article 25’s Site Architect at Yangon General Hospital, where she helped develop the masterplan guiding the hospital’s refurbishment.
Here, Nora discusses how her background in anthropology helped her to create a space in which collaboration flourished.
“Architecture is not about shiny, new buildings, but how buildings and spaces affect and improve people’s daily lives.”
1. What inspired you to become an architect?
I always knew I wanted to be an architect. When I was five, I told my mother I wanted to design luxury hotels in Southeast Asia. I had been inspired by glossy architecture magazines like Atrium and the lovely buildings they featured.
Despite this, I initially applied to study social anthropology at SOAS University of London but ended up deferring for a year to study architecture and never looked back. Eventually, I came full circle, earning an MA in Social Anthropology of Development and my PhD - both at SOAS University of London, after completing my architectural training.
2. How did you first hear about Article 25, and what drew you to collaborate with them?
I had always known about Article 25. During my studies, I focused on humanitarian architecture projects, such as designing a transitional shelter for refugees and a school in Zimbabwe. I also connected with organisations like Architects for Humanity, which developed my understanding of the broader context of socially driven design.
I was in Nepal when the earthquake hit in 2015. Having seen the destruction, I contacted Article 25 who I knew was working on projects in Nepal. While they didn’t need someone for Nepal at the time, they offered me the opportunity to work on the Yangon General Hospital project in Myanmar. I didn’t hesitate – I packed up my life, left my job with David Chipperfield Architects in Shanghai, and moved to Yangon.
Photos from Yangon General Hospital project and Masterplan.
3. What were the biggest challenges working on the Yangon General Hospital project?
The hospital, a colonial-era building, had undergone piecemeal repairs over decades, often leading to more problems. One example was the plumbing – earlier renovations raised bathroom floors for accessibility, but this left the drainage system improperly aligned, causing sewage issues.
Our work wasn’t just about fixing technical issues, it was about listening to the hospital staff and creating solutions that fitted their needs. The project wasn’t top-down. The hospital administration and staff played a central role, which made all the difference.
4. How did your background as a social anthropologist influence your work?
It shaped my perspective significantly. Architecture is about relationships – between spaces, people, and their environments. My anthropological training afforded me a distinct anthropological perspective, allowing me to think deeply about what things mean and how they actually work on the ground, rather than making assumptions. It also helped me navigate different communication challenges, while enabling me to draw on anthropological research to inform my work.
For example, I quickly learned the importance of building trust. I often acted as a mediator between contractors, hospital staff and other stakeholders. My role wasn’t just about design, it was about creating a safe space for collaboration.
5. What was a typical day like for you on the Yangon project?
No two days were the same. Some days were spent in the office preparing plans and presentations. Other days, I’d be on site inspecting construction work or meeting hospital administrators. I always had to be ready to adapt – meetings could be rescheduled, or a sudden issue on site might need immediate attention.
Being flexible was critical. I learned to always have a task I could work on while waiting, like drafting a report or updating plans, and to dress appropriately for everything from sitting on the floor during a site visit to meeting a government official.
6. What did you find most rewarding about your work with Article 25?
The collaborative nature of the project was incredibly fulfilling. We developed the masterplan by bringing doctors and hospital staff on board and listening to their concerns.
Years after we completed the project, I was back on site for my PhD research and saw that the hospital still referred to the masterplan as their plan. Seeing them take ownership was deeply rewarding.
There were lots of other highlights. A particularly memorable one being the first time the hospital basement didn’t flood during monsoon season thanks to drainage improvements we advised. It wasn’t just a technical achievement; it built trust with the hospital staff and reinforced the value of our work.
7. What lessons did you learn about working in a different cultural context?
Patience and respect are vital. In Myanmar, time works differently. Meetings might not start on schedule, and priorities often shift. It’s important to understand that these differences aren’t inefficiencies – they’re tied to the social and cultural fabric. Adapting to new norms taught me to approach challenges with greater humility and understanding.
8. How did this experience help shape your understanding of architecture?
It reinforced my belief that architecture isn’t just about designing beautiful buildings – it’s about creating spaces that truly serve people’s needs. Working in Myanmar highlighted the importance to design with the place rather than for it.
Since my MA at SOAS University of London, I’d been critical of the traditional development model – where outsiders often impose solutions without understanding local realities. Article 25’s approach was different – it was collaborative and respectful, which is why the project succeeded.
9. What’s next for you?
After Article 25, I pursued a PhD based on my work in Yangon, focusing on the daily life at Yangon General Hospital and the interplay of people, buildings and systems. I now work as a researcher at Durham University and a Lecturer at SOAS University of London, continuing to explore how architecture can address global challenges such as public health and climate change.
Sketches from Nora’s social anthropology PhD.
10. What advice would you give to young architects interested in humanitarian work?
Be prepared to listen and learn. Humanitarian architecture isn’t about being a hero, it’s about collaboration and humility. Understand the cultural and social context you’re working in and remember that your job is to empower local communities, not impose your ideas.
Also, keep an open mind. The most meaningful solutions often come from the people you’re designing for, not from you.
“Architecture is about relationships of spaces and how people relate to each other through the spaces that we create.”
Nora’s journey illustrates the profound impact of architecture when aligned with empathy and collaboration. Her work with Article 25 demonstrates how thoughtful design can create lasting change – not just in physical spaces but in the lives of the people who use them.
Read Nora Wuttke’s PhD thesis ‘Drawing, Writing, Buildings: An Ethnography of Yangon General Hospital’ here.
