Meet the JAJAs: Get to know our new interns

Meet our new , skilled interns, Stella, Anton, and Ludvig! To get to know them better, we have asked him a series of questions

Stella Suwe

Where are you from, and how did you hear about JAJA?

I’m originally from Östersund in the north of Sweden, but I’ve also spent a big part of my life in Helsingborg in the south. I later moved back north to study at Umeå School of Architecture, which is where I first saw JAJA’s work. During an exchange semester in Prague, I worked on an urban planning project, and while looking for references we came across JAJA’s projects as well.

How did you get into architecture? 

I’ve always enjoyed drawing, painting, ceramics and visualising different environments. In high school I studied technology with a focus on design and product development, which was also where I got my first introduction to architecture. That made it clear that it was the direction I wanted to take.

What project are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on two interesting and quite different projects. One is a housing project in a new neighbourhood in Copenhagen, and the other is a transformation of a sports hall in Nyborg, where new interventions reinforce the existing structure and open up the building to create a more welcoming place for the local community. It’s exciting to be part of both projects at very different stages and see how they continue to develop.

When you’re not at JAJA – what do you like to do?

I like discovering new places in Copenhagen with friends, going to cafés, bars or exhibitions. I also enjoy cooking and having friends over for dinner, and I’m always up for a good flea market or second-hand find.

Do you have a favourite meal and movie for a Sunday night?

Sushi or making some kind of soup or ramen. I don’t watch movies very often, but when I do, I usually go for a rom-com or a thriller.

Anton Kundrus

Where are you from, and how did you hear about JAJA?

I was born and raised in Munich, Germany, and that’s where I lived until recently. I first heard about JAJA through a competition project I did about half a year ago, an urban design competition where I wanted to include a mobility hub in my proposal. While looking for inspiration and references, I immediately came across Konditaget Lüders, aka “PARK’N’PLAY“, and went to the website to find out more. It turned out JAJA has done a lot of thinking around mobility as a whole, and I took plenty of inspiration from that for my entry. So when I decided I wanted to move abroad for an internship, JAJA came straight back to mind.

How did you get into architecture?

There were multiple circumstances that led me into architecture, but I think it all came down to my gap year after my “Abitur” (the German high school degree). I didn’t really know where I saw myself career-wise at that time. I was fortunate enough to be able to travel during the first year of the pandemic and got myself an Interrail ticket to travel through Europe. That’s when I realised that whenever I talked about the cities I’d been to, the architecture was the first thing I would mention. The vibe of a city seemed to be captured so well in its cityscapes and public spaces, sometimes even more so than in the people who inhabit them. That’s when the interest started forming, and a couple of years of uni later, here I am.

What project are you currently working on?

I’m working on an urban design project on the outskirts of Frankfurt. It’s an unfamiliar scale for me and I’m learning a lot each day. We’re still in the conceptual phase, and it’s a big project to be part of this early on. Today I’ve been trying to wrap my head around car parking and how to integrate it into the urban design as well as into the community we’re trying to create.

When you’re not at JAJA – what do you like to do?

I feel like I’m a bit of a jack of all trades when it comes to free time. Do you want to go for a hike (admittedly a bit harder in Copenhagen)? I’m in. Do you want to go out for a beer (or five)? Say less. Do you want to stay in and play D&D or a board game that takes a week to get through the rulebook? I’ll bring snacks. That’s roughly what my weekends look like. As long as there is good company, it’s a good time! And I do DJ from time to time. Let’s see, maybe I’ll find a nice party to play at in Denmark. My USB is always with me.

Do you have a favourite meal and movie for a Sunday night?

My Sunday evening meal is anything that goes well with Kartoffelbrei (mashed potatoes). There’s something about mashed potatoes with a schnitzel, or whatever else, that just screams comfort. Films and TV I’m less sure about — I’ve never been much of a TV person, I’m more into board games and reading. So I’ll give you a book recommendation instead: “Life for Sale” by Yukio Mishima. A man places an ad offering his life for sale, and things spiral from there. I love how a lot of Japanese literature tends to give its characters this very particular kind of strangeness. Very well written too (the German translation, at least).

Ludvig Lind

Where are you from, and how did you hear about JAJA?

I come from Umeå in northern Sweden and have lived here in Copenhagen for six months. I found JAJA through a friend, and after asking around and reading about the office I applied. It’s been a great start and I’m happy to be part of the team!

How did you get into architecture?

I’ve always enjoyed imagining, creating, and exploring different fields, and architecture felt like a way to bring many of those interests together. It wasn’t an obvious choice for me at first, but over time, through my studies and experiences, especially while traveling, I’ve grown increasingly interested in the way architecture shapes how we experience places. I’m now excited to be taking the next step and work with architecture in a professional context, where I’m sure I’ll continue to develop and deepen that interest.

What project are you currently working on?

I have just wrapped up a scale model. I find model-making to be a really valuable part of the design process and I see it as an essential tool to test and understand a design. I enjoy working with my hands and figuring out how to translate ideas and digital models into physical form.

When you’re not at JAJA – what do you like to do?

Depending on the weather and my mood you’ll either find me out and about exploring a new place with a camera in my hand and a book in my bag, or at home playing guitar and listening to music. During the summer I spend as much time as possible in my family’s summer house on the coast of Västerbotten, time moves differently there.

Do you have a favourite meal and movie for a Sunday night?

From time to time I like to transport myself into the Star Wars universe, with all its iconic characters, spaceships and scenes. A New Hope is my go to for the full nostalgia experience. Along with that I’d have a bowl of gulash with some freshly baked bread to dip with.