Today we’d like to introduce you to Jade Royer.
Hi Jade, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
From a young age, I’ve found great joy in exploring new cultures through travel. I was born in Rennes, France, and spent eight years living in Hong Kong. When I turned 18, my twin sister and I embarked on a journey to Los Angeles, California, in the United States, to pursue our studies. At Woodbury University in Burbank, located within Los Angeles County, I delved into the field of architecture. The intimate environment of a small school provided an enriching experience, fostering a collaborative atmosphere among students, faculty, and staff, where mutual support was paramount. For over a year, I had the privilege of working at HA+MA, an architectural firm. This invaluable opportunity granted me valuable insights into the workings of such an establishment, allowing me to further nurture my passion for architecture. In the realm of a smaller firm, I had the chance to engage in various phases of architectural work, broadening my skill set.
From a young age, I’ve found great joy in exploring new cultures through travel. I was born in Rennes, France, and spent eight years living in Hong Kong. When I turned 18, my twin sister and I embarked on a journey to Los Angeles, California, in the United States, to pursue our studies. At Woodbury University in Burbank, located within Los Angeles County, I delved into the field of architecture. The intimate environment of a small school provided an enriching experience, fostering a collaborative atmosphere among students, faculty, and staff, where mutual support was paramount. For over a year, I had the privilege of working at HA+MA, an architectural firm. This invaluable opportunity granted me valuable insights into the workings of such an establishment, allowing me to further nurture my passion for architecture. In the realm of a smaller firm, I had the chance to engage in various phases of architectural work, broadening my skill set.
In the recent past, I was honored to serve as one of the lead students for the Solar Decathlon Build Challenge 2023. As part of the Solar Futures team, we successfully accomplished the construction of Southern California’s first permitted 3D-printed home. This endeavor was particularly fascinating as it involved the development of a net-zero house, employing innovative methods to promote sustainability, efficiency, and affordability—crucial considerations in the face of the housing crisis in Los Angeles.
Living across three continents and venturing to more than 30 countries has profoundly influenced my personal growth, cultivating maturity and an open-minded outlook. This exposure has instilled in me a genuine passion for exploration, continuous learning, and the thrill of overcoming challenges through effective problem-solving.
As a life goal, I am driven to make a positive impact by assisting as many people as possible. I am currently involved in tutoring various subjects, including math, science, and physics, as well as software applications like Revit and Adobe Suite. This experience has taught me patience and emphasized the significance of guiding others in their educational journeys. Additionally, I actively volunteered in Cusco, Peru, contributing to renovation and construction efforts aimed at creating a library for children in the local community. Moreover, my determination lies in pushing the boundaries of architecture by incorporating innovative approaches that prioritize sustainability and efficiency, ultimately leading to the construction of affordable and environmentally friendly structures.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the challenges I encountered was moving to Los Angeles without knowing anyone except my sister, who also moved there with me. It was my second time visiting the city and my fourth time in the United States, so it was a major adjustment. However, the people in Los Angeles were friendly, and there was always something to do, which kept me entertained and meeting a lot of interesting people. Another challenge I faced was not having much knowledge about architecture or art in general. My family all worked in the business industry, so I didn’t have anyone to guide me or answer my questions in those areas. That’s why being in a small school where we supported each other rather than competed with one another was beneficial. It helped boost my confidence in my work and allowed me to improve my skills in architecture. My parents also helped a lot by being supportive and helping me as much as they can. Thanks to them I was able to learn how to be open-minded, passionate, and to do what I love.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been involved in various projects where I aimed to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation while maintaining a practical design approach. One notable project was my Senior Thesis, where I designed a post-anthropocentric park in Surfridge, located near LAX and the beach. The goal was to create a space where humans and non-human beings could interact and mutually benefit from each other. Given the increasing population and urbanization, wildlife habitats are diminishing, so it was important to address this issue.
Another project I worked on was the Solar Decathlon Build Challenge 2023. Starting in January 2022, our objective was to design the first permitted 3D-printed home in Southern California. The design focused on a 470 sqft net-positive home suitable for a student on campus. However, we ensured flexibility and modularity in the design to accommodate different users. Addressing the housing crisis in Los Angeles was a key consideration, leading us to explore fast and sustainable construction methods. We also conducted research on water reuse and recycling, incorporating a greywater filter and rain tank to maximize efficiency. Throughout these projects, we embraced innovative construction techniques and paid attention to details such as roof-to-wall connections. Our aim was to find solutions that were not only environmentally friendly but also met the needs of the users, creating spaces that felt like home.