Jane Rodrigues was inspired to start her career as a child in Dubai, UAE, when she witnessed the country evolve from a desert to a trade and tourism hub. Project Manager at architectural services firm Dynamik Design, she saw the transformative power of master planning and conceptual design in urban landscapes.
“I watched a city rise from the sand and reach for the sky. As I grew up, I began to understand that those bold, tall structures, such as the iconic Burj Khalifa, did not just speak volumes about creativity but were great feats of physics and engineering,” Rodrigues explains.
Fascinated by form, structure, and color, Rodrigues gravitated toward oil painting at a young age. Later in school, she discovered she had an aptitude for mathematics and physics. The field of architecture appealed to her due to her love of art and STEM subjects and how they seamlessly combine in building design.
Rodrigues attended the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur, India, where she received a Bachelor of Architecture.
Jane Rodrigues’ Journey as an Immigrant Architect
After graduation, Rodrigues entered the fast-paced construction market in Dubai, excited by the prospect of participating in the evolution of the city’s ever-changing skyline.
In a bold move, Rodrigues packed up her life in Dubai after 16 years of professional practice and moved to the United States to pursue a Master’s in Architecture at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. She went on to get licensed in 2022 and now plays a pivotal role at Dynamik Design, a firm specializing in multi-family and mixed-use development projects in Atlanta, Georgia.
Atlanta as an Architectural and Cultural Hub
Over the last three years, Rodrigues has immersed herself in the diverse cultural landscape of Atlanta, Georgia, a city she feels is under-recognized. Georgia inspires architects, artists, and creative minds, she believes, and is comparable in cultural achievement to global cities, like Chicago and New York.
“As someone who is a licensed architect and an artist at heart, this city provides an opportunity for both,” she says.
The rich history of the city and its historic landmarks are what drive Rodrigues’ interest. However, the work currently under consideration speaks to the future of civic life, aiming to reconnect communities in the downtown area to the rest of the city and make the city pedestrian-friendly. New projects, including The Stitch, Centennial Yards Atlanta (the Gulch), South Downtown (The “Start-up City” initiative by David Cummings), and Underground Atlanta, will preserve landmark neighborhoods and make the entire urban area safer. “What this does is provide a fabric that embraces diverse communities with their cultural influence and reconnects them through equitable streets that are an avenue to explore the rich art & architecture of this vibrant, sustainable and resilient city,” says Rodrigues.
Chief among these regenerative efforts is The Beltline Project, Rodrigues explains. It was first developed by a Georgia Tech student, Ryan Gravel, as a master’s thesis. It aims to create a 22-mile pedestrian-friendly green transit corridor comprising ten trails and ten parks, with the eventual plan to connect forty-five neighborhoods. Estimated to be completed by 2030, the Beltline is home to one of the largest public art exhibitions in Southeast US that includes several murals & sculptures that promote local artists. The corridor also houses prominent restaurants & bars, some of whom, for example, Two Urban Licks, relocated their front doors from the street side to the Beltline, thus activating this corridor. However, she also thinks that cities should retain their unique essence. The BeltLine features several distinctive restaurants, some located in repurposed railway stations. Notable spots include Kimball House, designed by Square Feet Studio, Muchacho, with design contributions from Tim Nichols of NO Architecture and Jessica Davis of Atelier Davis, and Breaker Breaker, designed by Elizabeth Ingram Studio.“Here, adaptive re-use is not a fad but a means of retaining the spirit of this place. Atlanta has many old structures that cannot be recreated or those that are ingrained in the very fabric of the neighborhood, and it’s not just the built structures but the moments that are created in between these that weave into the story as well. Cultural developers & social changemakers, such as Gene Kansas, focus on conservation, preservation & protection of communities we live and work in and collaborate with many talents for each adaptive re-use project.” she notes. Atlanta’s diverse communities and their cultural influence on art and architecture provide the bedrock for the conurbation’s cultural relevance. The city features a vibrant street art scene, with murals and creative expressions throughout various neighborhoods. This artistic environment serves as inspiration for Rodrigues in her work, influencing both artistic and architectural elements. Due credit goes to programs such as “Living Walls, the City Speaks”, “Forward Warrior” and “The Outerspace Project” that engage muralists and work with them to inspire social change. Noteworthy locations include the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail, eclectic streets of Cabbagetown, Krog Street Tunnel, Castleberry Hill, Inman Park, East Atlanta, Edgewood Avenue, Sweet Auburn, Little Five Points.
“Here, every mural tells a story and conveys the message of people who wrote history; they cover past and current events or issues like Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), shed light on unsung historical contributions, and are powerful stories illustrated by artists all around Atlanta.”
Being Inspired by John Portman’s Lasting Influence on Atlanta
Rodrigues also found inspiration in the form of John Portman, a man who had a lasting influence on Atlanta. He designed many landmarks that dominate the city’s skyline today and was a lifelong artist, typological innovator, and influential architect-developer. Some of his notable projects such as the Peachtree Center complex, Marriott Marquis and the Embarcadero Center, have inspired Rodrigues greatly, including his passion project of planting trees along Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. Portman spent years integrating art into architecture and in 2011, the High Museum of Art hosted an exhibition featuring the architectural projects, paintings, sculptures & furniture designs by Portman.
Rodrigues first encountered Portman’s work in October 2019, two months after moving to Atlanta, at an Open House Atlanta festival. Rodrigues saw many of her landmarks during the free architectural walk, aside from those by other designers such as the 191 Peachtree Tower, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Bank of America building, and the Broad Street Urban project in the Fairlie-Poplar District, profoundly impacting her creative direction. Equally impactful and one of her favorites is the High Museum of Art, designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architects Richard Meier & Renzo Piano and located in Midtown.
Jane Rodrigues’ Outlook for Architecture in Atlanta
Since then, Rodrigues has been active in experiencing much of the city’s impressive architecture, attending the Atlanta Preservation Center’s L.P. Grant Mansion tour as a part of The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program. She also explored the value of Buford Highway & Market to Atlanta, home to a large immigrant population and several immigrant businesses, further deepening her connection to the city. “Walking tours are a great way to explore this unique blend of history, culture and community. Historic neighborhoods like the Old Fourth Ward host annual festivals, workshops, and seminars. This is also the birthplace of the iconic civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and the National Center for Human & Civil Rights is a must visit for more than just its stunning architecture! Atlanta’s landscape is also activated by many bustling independent cafes & local roasteries with popular house grounds. One could blend their love for art, architecture & food and sign up for one of the food tours offered by many local businesses, such as Food Tours Atlanta. These come highly recommended and are a lot of fun!” suggests Rodrigues.
Rodrigues encourages immigrants to engage with the city’s architectural landscape, drawing inspiration from their surroundings. She highlights the value of creativity and diversity in the field, emphasizing their role in shaping unique designs.
“This city is made up of historic, vibrant neighborhoods interspersed with some beautifully crafted historic houses and overlaid with modern mixed-use developments that house some of the visited restaurants. And I hope people take the time to explore what this city offers, experience her charm and immerse themselves in her incredible history and art scene,” Rodrigues concludes.
As she continues to explore Atlanta, Jane Rodrigues hopes to draw inspiration from its rich history and cultural diversity. She hopes exposing herself to the city’s unique energy will deepen her creative output so she can contribute to the area, just as many immigrants have in the past.
Published by Drake M.
