Maria Mendoza, now a successful architect working in London, credits her time at Sedbergh with developing the resilience that has helped her through her challenging studies.
I first started at Sedbergh in year 10, in Lupton House. I came from a Spanish city in the African continent where two days a year it would rain, and PE classes were cancelled. From there, I transitioned into some hard-core running in the fells no matter the weather, usually in the hail/snow/rain. My years at Sedbergh School have been some of the best memories of my life, and the friendships I made through my time there are by far made up of some of the most influential people in my life, who are like family nowadays.
Once I left School, I went to UCL to read architecture. It was an extremely challenging time, but the endurance that Sedbergh taught me, whether it was running up those hills or when facing academic courses in my second language, really helped me get on top of my university course. I worked in London for a year as a part 1 architect before doing an MPhil in Architecture and Urban Design at Cambridge University. There, I was able to take on a very similar approach to my time at Sedbergh: try as many things as you can and make as many friends as possible, as everyone was a great source of knowledge and fun. I boxed, rowed, and led a society alongside my studies, which was made a little easier by having previously been Head of School. It taught me a great deal, especially in public speaking. Now I am back working in London as an architect, about to complete my first ultramarathon (100km), which seems like a crazy thought to a 14 year old me, and I hope to continue rowing on the tide-away. I live with two other Sedberghians, which makes life a constant giggle, while they also inspire me through their incredible careers at only 23 and 24!
Maria Mendoza-Guerrero BSc Architecture (Hons), MPhil Cantab, ARB
When did you decide that you wanted to become an architect?
I think it was the year of my GCSEs. Mr Sykes was my Maths teacher who was outstanding, one of the best teachers I have ever had. He taught us Maths and Further Maths, and I remember enjoying the geometry side. He made every lesson so fun and exciting. He knew how to keep a chatty group entertained! At the same time, I was enjoying Art. I had just injured myself by breaking my left ACL, and I couldn’t take on sport as much as you usually would at Sedbergh, so I spent much free time in the Art department with Ms Duncalf. She was also a brilliant teacher. I had not studied Art at all in my previous school, and she would encourage me to try new things, especially in the more 3D/structural side of things. She was incredibly supportive and also encouraged me to apply for an Art Scholarship for Sixth Form, which would become determining later on. By the time we were doing our mock exams and picking our A Levels, it was obvious to me that I could not drop either subject, and the idea of combining them both was becoming a pretty exciting prospect. Order, beauty and people had always mattered to me, and Architecture started to be defined in those terms as a 16-year-old.
Why did you feel that architecture was right for you? Do you think that architecture particularly leverages any of your personal traits or skills?
I think at the time; I thought I could make a good architect because I was good at those subjects and I enjoyed them. Little I knew back then that it was at least a seven-year course-long degree with an average of 2/3s drop out… Two traits that got me this far were being stubborn and resilient: not wanting to give up when things were not working out. I remember, in my first year, a well-known architect telling me, “I would never be able to graduate from that university”, as I was presenting my work. And I was so determined to prove them wrong. The day I graduated with a first, I emailed them to let them know I could do it.
Is there anybody that inspires you – as an architect or as a person – to be better?
There are so many people out there that inspire me every day. I mean, some of them are absolutely bonkers, and that is the best part about them: they do not let others define what is possible or that a career should take a traditional path. I have to say that most of those people are friends and family. My brother, who was at Sedgwick, is one of them. He is one of the most disciplined people I have ever met, and as a result, he is an outstanding student. This honestly reminds me to stay on track… My housemate Molly, who was in Carus, has the most amazing resilience in the world. She works as a doctor in A&E night shifts and deals with tremendously difficult situations, yet she always has time for the smallest of my struggles with the biggest smile. Georgina, also my housemate, who won the Wilson and was also in Lupton, is another incredible example of discipline and resilience. I still remember how in her final year of school, which I found quite challenging, she set herself the goal of winning the Wilson even if running wasn’t even her main sport! She has some serious grit in everything she does.
From an Architecture point of view, Richard Rogers has been my favourite for a long time. He had an outstanding career. His work can be understood on its own but also as a part of a vast movement. Most importantly, he did everything he did because he cared about people and, as a result, about design. I definitely recommend his book “A place for all the people”. It’s not one for architects only but for anyone interested in anything on how a lot of the places that we know well have shaped us to be who we are as a society.
Whilst still at Sedbergh School, how were you encouraged and supported to pursue architecture?
Mrs Prall was such a huge encouragement. She rooted so much for me and did practice interviews with me to prepare for the university rounds. The art department helped me so much to prepare my portfolio, and even Mr Fleck [former Headmaster], along with many others, went through my personal statement with me! I definitely found applying to university in a second language an overwhelming process, but thankfully having all of them made it a lot easier than it could have been otherwise. Most importantly, I think that trait of resilience that allowed me to get through the different parts of the degree was built up in my years at school. Not being able to turn around when going up a fell in the snow, no matter how out of breath I was, wasn’t a different feeling from trying endlessly to produce the right architectural designs when my tutors would discourage me from studying architecture.
What’s next in your career? Do you have any BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) that you are hoping to take on – and that you can share with us!?
I am about to start working for Assael Architecture. I was interviewed by John Assael himself (an architecture legend!) through the process of entering the company. I want to qualify as a part 3 architect and continue to research how to reduce the impact our built environment, and particularly housing in the UK, has upon our health and, as a result, the strain that it imposes on the NHS. On the sports front, I am about to complete my first 100km run: the Thames Path and I have some exciting news rowing wise, which I cannot share fully with you just yet… But, I will let you know as soon as they are confirmed!