After taking on the position as the new director of the Architectural Association in London back in March 2018 the exuberant and relentless architect, educator, and director recently shared her plans in an interview with the Financial Times. 

Traditionally the AA School has been rooted in radical design as it continues to foster discourse and critical thinking towards the evolving pedagogy of architecture. The school's long list of notable alumni only adds to its rich history and direction as an institution. With Eva Franch i Gilabert leading the charge her tidal wave of ideas, opinions, and stimulating thoughts towards what the future of architectural education will look like is quite inspiring. A fan of bureaucracy and procedures she has dedicated much attention to creating a study of understanding the "internal business practices of architectural practices." Eccentric in her thoughts yet precise in her execution Gilabert does not shy from blending her disciplinary interests of art, business, academia, and architecture. 

“I’m very interested in the ugly side of architecture [...] If the AA was known for producing new forms and aesthetics, I want to apply that energy and invention to new codes and laws, to building a new society. I want to start an MBA for architects, why not? An MBArch." Another element of change Gilabert wants to introduce is merging a form of journalism within the school. "Many schools now are making a kind of Instagram architecture,” she says, “so we need to think how we can move beyond the ocular-centric, which has produced some of the most oppressive and unequal societies. The things that matter today cannot be measured with the eye alone, and we need to think of new ways of designing and communicating.”

The energy and intention the AA's new director has brought to the table is nothing short of motivating and on brand with the institution's eccentric history. "The question is not how we can educate architects but how can we make world citizens. We need to produce more than architects."