Amina Kaskar

Amina Kaskar is a South African architect and the Rothwell Chair Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Sydney's School of Architecture, Design and Planning. She holds a Ph.D. from KU Leuven in Belgium and has professional qualifications including MaHS (MSc) and MArch (Prof). Her work bridges architectural theory and practice, focusing on migration, cultural identity, and spatial strategies. She co-founded Counterspace, a Johannesburg-based architectural studio (2014-2020), known for its interventionist approaches through exhibitions, installations, and public events, including the design of the Serpentine Pavilion in 2020.

Education:

• Ph.D., KU Leuven, Belgium: 'Soft Architecture: Afro Indian Spatial Strategies under Hard Migrations' (2020)
• MaHS (MSc) and MArch (Prof), exact institutions unspecified

Research Interests: Amina explores how marginalized communities reclaim agency through 'soft spatial practices' in exclusionary urban environments. Her interdisciplinary work integrates textiles, gender dynamics, and migration patterns to redefine architectural discourse. She emphasizes material and spatial practices as tools for cultural expression and resistance, particularly in postcolonial contexts.

Advising & Grants: While her supervision role is noted, specific advisees or grant details are not provided in the text. Her research is supported by her appointment as a Rothwell Chair Postdoctoral Research Associate.

Labs & Teams: Amina is affiliated with Counterspace, a studio she co-led until 2020, which merges architectural practice with critical cultural engagement. She contributes to the University of Sydney's research initiatives in architecture and urban studies.