Alison Killing | The Legacy Project became an architect because she likes making things. She read architecture at King’s College, Cambridge and Oxford Brookes and on graduating was shortlisted for the RIBA Silver Medal.
She then went to work for a number of international design offices, including Buro Happold and Kees Christiaanse, on architecture, public space and urbanism. She started Killing Architects in 2010, where her work incorporates design of buildings and urban strategies, as well as research, film making and exhibitions that help to connect people with their built environment. She is a TED Fellow.
Alison Killing Highlights | Becoming a TED fellow – it’s an incredible community to be part of, for inspiration, support and friendship.
A Key Talent | Perseverance. Any significant goal is going to take time to come to fruition. To a certain extent, just keeping going with something can get you to where you want to be and I do tend to stick with things passed the point where a lot of people give up.
But it’s important to recognise that perseverance can mean other things too – there may be very good reasons to stop any given thing, to lower the bar sometimes, or to put something on pause while you focus on something else which requires attention. A willingness to take smaller steps, pause, and to resume something after a break are all things that can get you to where you want to be.
Principles I Live By | Having integrity and respect for other people.
Critical Skills I Develop | This is an ongoing project – obviously architecture, design and research skills are key, plus skills from related fields such as film making, journalism, interactive design or curation, which are about communicating the architecture and design work – that’s the technical skillset.
There’s the business side on top of that and that’s something that I’ve been putting serious time into over the past couple of years, because I need to look after business development, finance, marketing etc in order to make my work sustainable. These are things that I’m less good at, and that I therefore need other people to help me with, but it’s also important that I understand them properly so that I can ask good questions of, and work effectively with, the people around me.
Lessons I Have Learnt | To make sure that I have plenty of balance in my life – devoting plenty of time to family and friends and to resting enough. In the long run, you don’t get more done, or do better work if you don’t take the time to rest. I don’t always manage it, but I try hard to keep my working time to 9-6, Monday to Friday.
Performing At My Peak | I’m not sure it’s possible to always perform at your peak – you need the lower points and the slower times too. That’s not only because they provide contrast to peaks (and allow you to identify them as such), but because they set you up to be able to have those peaks in the first place.
The quieter, slower periods, and those where you feel you’re not making progress are often the times when the deep thinking and recharging is happening and they provide the pre-conditions for having peaks. Beyond that, it’s like your parents told you – get plenty of sleep, drink water, eat vegetables, take regular exercise and try not to work in the evenings and at weekends if you can.
Resources I Use To Stay Inspired | I read a LOT. It’s something I enjoy for its own sake, sometimes the content can be in some way relevant for a project I’m thinking about, but it also offers a really good way for me to find that relaxed, but focused place where I can do some proper thinking. I don’t tend to have ideas when I take a shower, or when I go for a walk, I have them when I’m reading.
My Future Dreams And Ambitions | To learn to drive again, since I haven’t driven since I passed my test, quite some time ago.
Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and click here to find more Motivational Speakers
Trevor Mclean-Anderson is Founder & CEO of Axis House, a billion Rand turnover multinational business servicing mines with a range of highly specialised proprietary chemical products. My Definition Of Success | In the beginning, success meant the accumulation of wealth or the accumulation of recognition in one’s chosen industry. I was very lucky that early on […]
Fred is deeply passionate about Africa and believes that the missing ingredient on the continent is good leadership. In line with this, he has founded two organizations that aim to catalyze a new generation of ethical, entrepreneurial African leaders: African Leadership Academy and the African Leadership Network. In recognition of his work in developing Africa’s […]
Lloyd Blankfein has been the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. since June 2006, and a Director since April 2003. He serves as a member of the Goldman Sachs Management Committee and Board of Directors. Previously, he had been the firm’s President and Chief Operating Officer and prior to that, […]
Ralph Steadman is a prolific artist who in his 40 year career has produced thousands of groundbreaking and influential artworks. He is an artist, writer, sculptor, cartoonist and designer who has illustrated such classics as Alice in Wonderland, Treasure Island and Animal Farm. His books include the studies of Sigmund Freud and Leonardo da Vinci, […]
Phil has more than 24 years’ experience in the fast-moving consumer goods industry in various senior positions. Phil has previously served as COO – Africa for Coca Cola SABCO and as an Executive Director at Tiger Brands. My Definition Of Success | Success is two-fold. My job is extremely important to me. That said, as […]
Mr. P. Leon Campher, also known as Philip, BEcon is the Founder of Syfrets Managed Assets as well as Coronation and African Harvest. Mr. Campher has an extensive experience in investment and asset management with Old Mutual, Syfrets Managed Assets, Coronation and African Harvest, retired from the executive positions in February 2002. He served as […]
Rose Caiola could have easily been defined by her success in the highly competitive world of New York City real estate, but she has ventured far beyond the boundaries of the business world. Her yearning for a better understanding of human wellness has taken her down diverse paths and led her to meet many fascinating […]
Lieutenant Charles Edward Martell FRGS is an English ocean rower, adventurer and humanitarian worker. A double Guinness World Record holder, Royal Engineer Charlie Martell is no stranger to adventure. Active service in Iraq, Bosnia and Northern Ireland led to a post-Army career in the humanitarian sector, where he specialised in post-conflict resolution. Working in mine-affected […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
Our Mission
© All rights reserved 2025. Created using VOXEL THEME
