Afaina de Jong is an Amsterdam based architect. With her studio AFARAI (2005), she aims to cross the boundaries of the traditional architecture practice by dealing with the existing city with an intersectional and interdisciplinary approach, integrating theory and research with design. As a studio AFARAI considers itself a feminist practice that encourages change on social and spatial issues and that accommodate differences.
Afaina works on the boundary of architecture and art. Her work is deeply connected to represent people and cultural movements that are not traditionally represented in architectural form. By using form languages, colors, patterns and narratives that are other, she works towards a more inclusive experience of space. For Afaina it is important that architecture is not only perceived, but also experienced and interacted with. Her discourse is international and intersectional, connecting popular culture with architecture.
Afaina has been an active educator for years amongst others at the Faculty of Architecture at TU Delft, The Sandberg Institute, and ARTEZ and has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University GSAPP in New York, The Royal college of Art in London, KTH in Stockholm and the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. In 2021 She will be a visiting professor at the TU Vienna and present her contribution The Multiplicity of Other at the Dutch Pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale.
