Architect and Planner, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA

Architecture Major

I’m an architect and planner for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. That means I have to understand CHOP’s goals for any new project, and leverage my expertise as an architect to ensure that the designers we bring on board deliver the desired outcome. This is especially crucial in a healthcare setting where the spaces we create must serve not only our researchers and providers, but also our patients—some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

The training at Penn prepares you to face complex design problems head-on, navigate the process with intention, and develop creative solutions through continuous exploration and iteration.

On top of my normal responsibilities at CHOP, I am also a workgroup leader for our Climate and Sustainability Council. That forces me to think strategically about how we can minimize our institution’s impact on the built environment, and that’s something I’m very proud of.

Coming into Penn, interestingly, I didn’t know I wanted to pursue architecture. When I found my way into that major, I homed in on the fact that I wanted to practice in Ghana, where I’m originally from, and do work that transforms and changes the way people think about architecture there. After attending Penn and grad school, I returned to Ghana for three years.

While there, I worked for David Adjaye, who designed the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. In Ghana, I was also able to work designing homes; there isn’t a robust mortgage market there, so everyone has to consult an architect if they want a home. I had a lot of people just organically reach out to me.

My four years at Penn were definitely transformative, and I would do it again if I had the opportunity. I built connections that continue to guide and influence who I am today. Academically, Penn’s architecture major was highly conceptual and taught me less how to design a building and more how to think critically about solving design problems. Being in that environment truly prepared me for a lifelong career in design. I came to understand that creating impactful buildings requires committing to a rigorous design process. The training at Penn prepares you to face complex design problems head-on, navigate the process with intention, and develop creative solutions through continuous exploration and iteration.— January 6, 2026 • As told to Bea Harley. Photo by Brooke Sietinsons.