From a family dynasty of architects in Kyiv to studying at TU Berlin during the covid time to viral success on TikTok and Instagram - meet Ivanna Papushenko!

In this episode, my guest Ivanna Papushenko - architect, content creator, and mentor known online as Fräulein Architektin (Lady Architect) - shares her inspiring journey, candid critiques of traditional architectural culture, and how she uses digital platforms to redefine architectural education.

What we discuss in this episode:

• From Kyiv to Berlin & Switzerland: Navigating the German Studienkolleg, earning her Bachelor's at TU Berlin during lockdown, and exploring UX design, project management, and international real estate competitions.
• Architecture as a Personal Brand: The story behind her viral audio "I want to be the next Zaha Hadid", creating relatable architectural memes, and breaking down the stereotype of the "arrogant, elite architect".
• Data, AI & Real Estate Realities: Why architects hit budget walls with investors, whether romance in architecture is fading, and why the industry underutilizes valuable data from 3D models.
• Women in Architecture & Ukrainian Identity: Insights from co-organizing the Women in Architecture symposium in Berlin, addressing gender bias on construction sites, and her personal connection to Ukraine’s future reconstruction.
• Mental Health & Routines: Why architecture shouldn't be your entire identity, and how salsa dancing, yoga, sailing, and simply "doing nothing" spark true creative inspiration.

Enjoy the listening!