Insights What it feels like to come home: meet Alexandra Danciulescu, Principal Architect at AtkinsRéalis
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Alexandra Danciulescu and I am Romanian. Being born and growing in a country at the confluence of East and West allowed me to be very adaptable to various cultures and this has proven to be a great advantage. At a very young age, I knew two things: that I wanted to travel, and be an architect. I have been very fortunate to achieve both of my wishes.
I have completed my first Master’s degree in Romania with a major in Architecture and minor in History and Theory, followed by my second one in Germany in Advanced Architectural Design. Having had the opportunity to expand my horizons during my studies by interacting with amazing professionals influenced my choices later on and led me to a career that took me from Germany to Netherlands, Qatar, India and then UAE. I am deeply grateful for the professional opportunities I have been given in the past 15 years, the people I met and the projects I was part of.
What inspired you to become an architect?
I have chosen to be an architect since I was seven and never doubted my choice. Both of my parents are architects and growing up talking about buildings was part of our everyday lives. I admired my mother in particular. She has always cherished her work and have been an example for both my sister and I to follow our dreams even when times were hard. I loved seeing designs appear on paper and then rising from the ground, as well as the happiness of the clients when a project is finished and their dream, no matter how small, has become reality. Of course, I also saw the hard work that comes with that, but I believe it is all worth it in the end. I wanted to be part of that.
You left AtkinsRéalis, and recently re-joined, why is that?
When I first joined AtkinsRéalis, I had the opportunity to work on Route 2020, the extension of the Dubai Metro to Expo 2020, and it was the first time I got involved with Rail design (previously having worked mostly on Hospitality and Mixed use design). In the Route 2020 project team, I found people that helped me grow and learn, but also helped me be a better person. They opened my eyes about how transport projects change the city and help making a better life for millions of people. I believe that was the moment I realized that I will try to work on as many transport projects as I can and that was one of the reasons that brought me back to the company in 2022. Of course that was not the only one, I appreciate the fact that the company offers a close interaction with all disciplines, growth opportunities, an inclusive and diverse work environment, and flexibility. When I returned, it felt like coming home and I knew it was the right decision.
What is a typical day like for a Principal Architect?
There is no typical day for a Principal Architect and this is one of the things I love about my profession. I generally start my day going through my emails and identify the priorities for the day, then most likely there are client meetings. During lunch I try to spend some time with my colleagues and have 15-20 minutes of down time. The afternoon is reserved for internal meetings, workshops with the teams I collaborate with and preparing for next day meetings. No day is the same, particularly in the ME region where the projects are very large. One day you may have to challenge the perception on traditional planning or design, the other day think about how we can achieve the most efficient or sustainable solution. The scale also changes from interiors to large scale projects. One must be adaptable, efficient, understand very quickly what a client or project requires and take decisions that keep all those factors in mind. The most important skill as a Principal Architect is to be able to switch from a global to a detail perspective and never forget what the goals of a project are. The only downside of leading projects is that I don’t get time to actually design, however that is compensated by the energy I get seeing young architects grow and being able to contribute to that.
What’s the best thing about being a Principal Architect?
I would say there are a few, but for me the best thing is working with people and for people. Behind each project there are hundreds of people who work hard and put all their energy in getting the best result. Behind each building there are clients, people who inhabit them, people that build them. Every line we put on paper, changes so many things so we bear a lot of responsibility to take the best decisions.
What is the most challenging thing about your job?
Time. In the Middle East everything moves so fast, faster than anywhere else I have worked. This is both a good thing and a challenging thing. The work I do absorbs all my energy and there is very less left after. Sometimes I wish we could slow down a bit, but that is not an option. It is part of achieving big goals. And it’s a choice we have to make.
What advice would you give other females who want to become architects in the Middle East?
I would say the first one is not to believe in gender stereotypes. I have worked in the Middle East for most of my career and I was always given the same opportunities the same as my male colleagues. Many clients, particularly in public institutions are women. Companies also make it a point to promote equality and this is visible. In general, I believe this is a place where women can thrive and develop. Second is to trust themselves and pursue their dreams.
How do you think we can encourage more women to study architecture?
I try not to influence people’s decision, women or men, as I think it is very personal and comes with both pros and cons. The only thing I can say is that I am very happy with my choice. It is a demanding profession, so spend time to understand what it implies, but if you truly enjoy what you do, this is a very rewarding path to follow.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/20/2024
Summary
Transitioning from a military career to civilian life can be a daunting prospect, but at AtkinsRéalis, veterans and reservists are met with tailored support and opportunities to thrive. Stuart
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/20/2024
Summary
What is the role of mechanical engineers? Mechanical engineers play a crucial role in the development of machinery and components across a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing and industri
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/20/2024
Summary
The journey to achieving net zero emissions requires innovative thinkers, technical expertise, and a commitment to sustainable solutions. At AtkinsRéalis, talented engineers like Shayakgomo are
Preview
EuropeContent type
ProjectsPublish date
12/19/2024
Summary
Hinkley Point C (HPC) is the first nuclear power station to be constructed in the UK since the 1990s, marking a pivotal moment for energy and sustainability. As the largest infrastructure pro
Preview
EuropeContent type
ProjectsPublish date
12/19/2024
Summary
AtkinsRéalis is proud to play a pivotal role in the Havant Thicket Reservoir, an innovative and environmentally focused project in Hampshire. Commissioned to design the reservoir and secure pl
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/18/2024
Summary
Discover how to grow your career by building on your skills and interests at AtkinsRéalis. "Over the past decade, I've worked across various innovation and transformation roles, often being boxe
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/16/2024
Summary
The Design and Advanced Technology (D&AT) team is a rich mix of professionals working across aviation, energy, water, defence, and transport—tackling everything from wastewater treatment works
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/12/2024
Summary
An engineering consultancy with career development support in India My journey at AtkinsRéalis Hi, I'm Sarang, a graduate engineer at AtkinsRealis. I've been there for two years, and I've been
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/11/2024
Summary
I'm David, the Operations Director for AtkinsRéalis' Strategic Highways projects in the UK. In Part One of my blog series , I shared my experiences building an inclusive culture at AtkinsRéalis o
Preview
CanadaContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/09/2024
Summary
Explore Kevin’s day-to-day as a bridge and engineering structure inspector at AtkinsRéalis. Learn about his journey, his milestone projects and the importance of collaboration and diversity in ci
Preview
CanadaContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/09/2024
Summary
Canada’s nuclear industry is growing at pace. Its nuclear workforce has grown by 17% in the last five years, opening the doors for a wide variety of roles and opportunities. As the nation looks
Preview
IndiaContent type
BlogsPublish date
12/09/2024
Summary
The Indian government is dedicated to expanding its nuclear power capacity as a key component of its extensive infrastructure development program. This expansion and ambition are paving the way for nu
Related jobs
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Architecture
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
About AtkinsRéalisCreated by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engin
Reference
R-123045
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Abu Dhabi
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Cities & development
Category
Permanent
Location
Abu Dhabi
Description
AtkinsRéalis looking for Resident Engineer (Site Operations), in UAE .About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class
Reference
R-124265
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Project management
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking NOC Coordinator (with Transportation experience in GCC). About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a
Reference
R-124259
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Information technology
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
About AtkinsRéalisCreated by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-leading professional services and project management company dedicated to engin
Reference
R-124254
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Bucuresti
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Finance
Market
Corporate
Category
Permanent
Location
Bucharest
Description
This role is an exciting career opportunity for those of you who would like to further develop their organizational and knowledge management skills. As Knowledge Management Specialist, you will assist
Reference
R-124157
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for Systems Assurance Analyst for a Rail Project in GCC. This role is subject to Client’s approval. About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing organiza
Reference
R-124125
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for Geotechnical Engineer (Transportation Project in GCC). All positions will be subject to Client’s approval.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-standing or
Reference
R-124118
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for O/G Stations Civil/Structure Engineer (Rail Project in GCC). All positions will be subject to Client’s approval.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-stand
Reference
R-124115
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for U/G Stations Civil/Structure Engineer (Rail Project in GCC). All positions will be subject to Client’s approval.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration of long-stand
Reference
R-124114
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
Location
Dubai
Job Type
Full Time
Career Area
Engineering (Other)
Market
Transportation
Category
Permanent
Location
Dubai
Description
AtkinsRéalis is looking for U/G interchange Stations Civil/Structure Engineer (Rail Project in GCC). All positions will be subject to Client’s approval.About AtkinsRéalis Created by the integration o
Reference
R-124113
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Equality, diversity and inclusion
We’re devoted to growing the diversity of our people, promoting an inclusive culture, providing everyone with an equal voice because simply put, it’s the right thing to do. Click to learn more.
Find out more