Our environment is the real architect
Hear from Ellie Stathaki, architecture and environment director at Wallpaper* magazine, on how she structures the work of building stories and spaces.
Adaptability fuels harmony
Many of us are guilty of adopting our title at work as part of our identity, but Ellie Stathaki, a trained architect, is someone who flips the norm. It’s her approach to life and her writing that help define and shape her work and tone of voice. Ellie embraces her environment, people, and places — and in return, it reflects the architecture of her writing.
“Every story teaches me something new, which keeps me engaged and motivated,” Ellie explains. “I love the act of writing itself. Finding the right words, structuring a piece.”
As an architecture journalist at Wallpaper* magazine, Ellie rarely works at at a desk — or even in an office. This can be a challenging way to work, when your environment, deadlines, and focus are never in perfect harmony. Flexible tools, like a paper tablet, make it easier to write and focus on the go.
“Over time, I’ve learned to switch modes quickly,” Ellie says. “I can write anywhere, even at the Venice Biennale or on a train. Adaptability is key.”
Context is the ultimate influencer
As a journalist, Ellie goes out in the world and observes how people inspire spaces, and vice versa.
If you’ve ever seen a worn footpath through the grass in a park, then you’ve seen the concept of a “desire path” in action. These paths are a great illustrator of the tension between the plans of architects and the paths people actually want to take in their environment. Add people, and the context changes.
“Architecture affects everyone,” she says. “It's all around us, even if we don’t always notice it.”
Planning for surprises
So what can Ellie and architecture teach us? A journalist and architect soaking up inspiration from the people and places she’s exposed to may not come as a surprise. But what about the spaces we don’t consciously seek out?
“Inspiration often comes after I’ve experienced something — a conversation, a festival, a visit to a site,” she says. “Sometimes, inspiration even comes to me in my sleep. I wake up with a fresh perspective or a new idea.”
Next steps
You don’t have to be a journalist to enjoy paper-like writing. Learn why handwriting is good for your memory. Want to try it yourself? Meet our paper tablets.
