Katia Myers | Current Graduate Students

For Katia Myers, a Master of Architecture student in the Faculty of Engineering, the opportunity to travel across Europe as part of her thesis research brought ancient architecture to life. Supported by an International Experience Award, Katia explored historical sites in Ireland, England, Greece (specifically the island of Crete), and Malta to examine how female-centric values influenced Neolithic architecture.

“I had the opportunity to travel to Europe to conduct research for my masters thesis. I am studying matrifocal architecture from the Neolithic Era (the new stone-age), and the aim of my research is to understand how gynocentric (meaning female-centric) values influenced architectural design. During my trip I visited over 30 buildings which were related to my research topic.”

Each destination was chosen with intention, selected for its direct connection to her academic focus., and seeing the sites in person provided insight that books and online articles couldn’t offer. Katia was able to capture photographs, create sketches, and observe firsthand the relationship between built structures and the surrounding landscapes.

“Visiting the buildings in person allowed me to understand them more deeply than I ever could through online research alone. I was able to better understand their spatiality, their scale and their relationship to landscape elements. I was also able to document the buildings with photographs and sketching. Travelling also allowed me to visit museums and document artefacts from the time period and cultures I am studying.”

While the research was at the heart of the experience, Katia also appreciated the joy of finally seeing places she had only encountered in her studies.

“My favourite part was being able to see buildings I had been reading about and studying for over a year in the flesh! I also enjoyed getting to explore the beautiful and unique landscapes of each country.”

Katia’s advice for future international researchers is clear: preparation is key.

“I recommend planning months ahead to ensure there are no (or few) hiccups during your travels. I had a detailed spreadsheet with a budget, daily itinerary, accommodation information, notes, etc. which made the trip itself stress-free.”