But as fulfilling as her time managing the innovation hub was, working so closely with the students, Yusuf realized her interests lay more in being able to teach. She spent the following four years teaching fifth and sixth semester architectural students, and providing consultation on their research.

Yusuf’s goal, along with that of the school, was to create architectural solutions to urban design problems. One project in particular stands out as the one of which she is most proud, and turned out to be one her last before moving to Canada.

Collaborating with local and international businesses and schools, 25 students, along with Yusuf and her fellow faculty team, focused on addressing problems around window glazing being installed in new development in the Ethiopian capital. Having taken ideas from areas of the world with climate control, the existing windows on many new developments were proving to be impractical.

The Experiment on Building Envelopes workshop sought to develop creative, sustainable solutions. “We wanted to come up with an alternative façade design that could also be representative of Ethiopian culture and architectural style,” Yusuf explains. Using a more cultural craft approach, the students came up with innovative ways to address the problem, earning them the prestige of attending the Venice Architecture Biennale, where they merged their ideas with performance art.

“It’s something I’m really proud of because I am able to see how much can be achieved when you collaborate,” she reveals.

"It's Just a Matter of Context, but the Elements Are the Same"