Carving Out Space: Dezeen's Starr Charles on Raising Profiles of Solution-Oriented and Urban Infrastructure Projects
By Julia Gamolina
Starr Charles is a journalist currently working as editorial assistant at global architecture and design magazine Dezeen. She graduated from Central Saint Martins in 2023, where her work focused on creating sustainable urban spaces through community-led designs. Her dissertation explored ways to decolonise and decarbonise the construction industry in the global south. Through her work, she hopes to promote sustainable development in the face of global environmental and social crises.
JG: You studied architecture at Central Saint Martins and immediately went into media! Tell me about this: why architecture, why CSM, and why Dezeen/media right after?
SC: Whilst writing my dissertation on decolonising and decarbonising the construction industry in the Global South at Central Saint Martins, I was able to interrogate my interests in research and writing. Throughout my architecture studies, it became clear that writing about architecture came much more naturally to me than designing it. I felt more able to articulate myself and address current industry challenges through critical writing.
From there, it was a reel of opportunities in my final year, including winning an architectural writing competition and having my first article published, that led me to land an internship with Dezeen after graduating.
Medellin cityscape. Photo by Starr Charles.
Tell me about your focus at Dezeen for this past year and a half, and what you've learned so far.
Since stepping into the role, I've been able to engage with architectural typologies and practices of all scales from an entirely new perspective. Writing up news, project stories, interviews and features spanning architecture, design and interiors has reinforced my belief in using writing as a tool for spreading knowledge and addressing issues in the built environment.
I’ve also been able to travel and engage with the design and architecture industries abroad, meeting some really influential people along the way. The role has also given me a global platform through which I can share my work and ideas, which as a young practitioner is super exciting.
What do you hope to do in your career in general?
Broadly, I hope to contribute to creating positive social change and cultural preservation through architecture and the built environment, whether it be through design, journalism, research or another form. I'd also like to explore my interest in research and planning, and creating change in the built environment through that medium, particularly in urban environments where there are pressing issues such as migration, infrastructure and climate challenges. I’d also like to be able to raise the profile of solution-oriented projects, especially those promoting sustainable development in growing regions.
“Being exposed to different cultures and traditional buildings while travelling reinforced my hopes to champion sustainable socio-cultural development as a built environment practitioner.”
Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you both manage through perceived disappointments or setbacks?
Learning not to put so much pressure and expectations on myself was one of the biggest challenges I faced throughout education, and one that I know a lot of other students also struggle with. While studying, I came across the book Architects after Architecture, which introduced me to alternative and transdisciplinary ways of engaging with architecture beyond the construction of buildings. This book helped to expand my understanding of the discipline and encouraged me to let go of career expectations to consider ways that my degree might be used as a tool for addressing wider issues.
Installation by Diébédo Francis Kéré at Milan Design Week 2024. Photo by Starr Charles.
Furniture exhibition by Garbage Kids at Milan Design Week 2024. Photo by Starr Charles.
What have been the highlights so far? What are you most proud of?
A highlight that stands out for me is winning a Gensler architectural writing competition, an annual competition that is open to students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the field. I took the opportunity to write about my interest in using localized architectural design as a tool for creating positive change in local communities.
Another highlight was taking a year out before going to university. Not only was I able to gain some work experience, but I was also able to travel. Being exposed to different cultures and traditional buildings while travelling reinforced my hopes to champion sustainable socio-cultural development as a built environment practitioner.
“Take up as many opportunities as possible while being a student or young professional, especially if you’re from a background with little representation in the field.”
What is a topic that you've covered that you wish more people were paying attention to? What should all of us be aware of and focused on for the rest of 2025?
I had the opportunity to interview co-founder of Morphogenesis Sonali Rastogi for Dezeen in October last year. During our discussion, we spoke about the impacts of urbanization and rapid rural to urban migration on Indian cities, which is also occurring in other rapidly developing countries.
The infrastructure needed to facilitate this migration is a concern, not only for reasons like providing housing and public facilities for the growing population, but also for the associated environmental impacts. Radical changes in our building methods that consider cultural and environmental nuances will be crucial to the sustainable development of these cities. I think this is one of the biggest challenges that will face the built environment in the coming years and I really hope that more urban practitioners will play their part in creating genuinely sustainable urban infrastructure.
Community-build day at Global Generation. Photo by Iyanu Ogunbowale.
Who are you admiring now and why?
I have become increasingly interested in research-led studios that are creating change and exploring solutions for sustainable architectural approaches, especially in urban areas. An organisation that reflects this mission is Global Generation, an educational charity based in London that creates gardens in tandem with local communities.
Currently, the charity is building a new community garden designed by local studio Jan Kattein Architects nestled onto a site in Kings Cross. The design encompasses three small-scale buildings and a garden made using locally-sourced, low-carbon materials. Alongside minimising its environmental impact, the initiative has also created opportunities for locals to contribute to the construction of the buildings and garden, bridging a gap between education and practice for architecture students taking part in the programme. The development contrasts massively with its surrounding high-rises and serves as a precedent for sustainable community development at an urban scale.
Finally, what advice do you have for those starting their career? And for those currently studying architecture?
Be open minded, take risks, and take up as many opportunities as possible while being a student or young professional, especially if you’re from a background with little representation in the field. Don’t be afraid to carve out space for yourself in the industry.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.